An exhilarating feeling of the unknown embraces you when you discover that you are pregnant. But this is too quickly replaced by down-to-earth symptoms like morning nausea and increased need for sleep.
Then, little by little, as the knowledge of pregnancy sinks in, a plan for pregnancy and for life after baby emerges in your mind.
We are here to help you accomplish your plan. Here are 5 critical goals you should achieve in your first trimester:
1. Take care of your body
The first step toward healthy parenting is to nurture your own body. Your baby will grow in there for nine months, and, during this incredible period, you will be his or her sole provider of nutrients.
Be sure, then, to eat a balanced diet and to take the prenatal vitamins that your doctor recommends you.
For instance, dietary supplements like folic acid and omega 3 have beneficial effects during pregnancy.
Folic acid, a type of B vitamin, helps with brain and spinal cord development and prevents birth defects. It can be found in green vegetables like spinach and lemons or other citrus fruit.
Omega 3 is a fatty acid which helps with brain and eye development. Moreover, it reduces the risk of asthma and allergies in children. Seafood and in fish like salmon, trout, and mackerel are rich sources of Omega 3. Some oily fish, however also contain high levels of mercury, that is why specialists advise limiting weekly portions to two. A practical option for avoiding this heavy metal altogether is to take Omega 3 supplements. Do not forget to check the quality by reading the product reports issued by IFOS™ (The International Fish Oil Standards Program), a third-party certification program for fish oils.
Taking care of your health also includes avoiding unwashed fruit. This piece of advice may be obvious, but it is paramount during pregnancy since unwashed fruit carries the risk of toxoplasmosis. This is an infection induced by a parasite that can produce serious eye problems and cognitive development issues in the baby. Its symptoms are similar to the flu, which makes it even more dangerous.
Apart from paying attention to what you eat, you should not underestimate the benefits of physical exercise. Walking, running, cycling are excellent relaxation methods, which prepare you for bearing more weight and for a smoother birth. You need, nonetheless, to discuss with your doctor whether the activities you have in mind are safe for your baby. For instance, poses that twist the abdomen or headstands may not be recommended during pregnancy.
2. Take care of your emotions
A healthy body comes with a healthy mind. Nonetheless, the concept of emotional balance may seem foreign or even funny to mothers-to-be during the first three months of pregnancy. A great way to overcome the mix of emotions that you experience is to practice breathing exercises, meditation, pilates, tai chi or relaxation yoga.
For instance, research studies have shown that relaxation yoga is useful during pregnancy, labor, and birth, as it helps with regulating breathing. In turn, breathing exercises are good for reducing stress levels which could impact the baby’s cognitive function.
3. Prenatal care
Deciding early on your doctor or midwife is likely to make you a more relaxed future mommy. Consider seeing several specialists before settling on The One as you may not agree with their view on specific issues.
For example, you may want more frequent ultrasounds than the three usual ones.
Some specialists are highly competent and experienced but offering reassurance and empathy might not be their strongest point. Be sure to opt for a doctor to whom you can voice your worries.
During your first appointment, in which pregnancy is confirmed, your doctor will inquire about the date of your last menstrual cycle, medical history, genetically transmitted diseases like diabetes, the history of your pregnancies, current use of medication, use of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.
You will also go through a physical exam. A nurse will check your blood pressure as well as your weight, heart rate, and the doctor will perform a vaginal examination.
You will also need to do some blood tests to confirm your blood type, check immunity to certain viruses like rubella, check exposure to HIV, and whether you have hepatitis B and some other transmissible diseases which can affect the baby.
Towards the end of the first trimester, around10-12 weeks, you will have the first-trimester ultrasound. Additionally, expect additional blood work, to find out the probability of the baby having Down syndrome and other developmental abnormalities.
4. Finances
Budgeting your expenses during the first twelve weeks may seem early at first glance. Still, time flies by quickly, and research requires time. You need to anticipate medical costs for prenatal care and birth, to think about the duration of your maternity leave and set money aside for the new family addition. Take time to understand what is covered by your health insurance.
Think also about the expenses you will need to cover upon the baby’s arrival. These costs are twofold: ongoing and one-off. Recurring outflows will be for consumables such as diapers, wipes, and formula. One-time charges will cover the big items like the bassinet, the crib or the nursing pillow.
You can’t do too much about consumables, except hunting for discounts. As for the one-offs, try to minimize their impact by borrowing from friends and family, and by doing thorough research ahead. This is because prices vary widely. For trollers, for instance, you can spend anywhere from 400 dollars to two thousand dollars.
5. Connect with your bundle of joy
Let us leave the realm of finances and head towards more pleasant thoughts. Connecting with your baby by gently massaging your belly, all the while musing on who she or he is going to resemble, are pleasurable activities future mommies indulge in.
While massaging your belly in the hope you will get a reaction from its dweller, is premature at this stage, the baby can seem more real when you see it in its very first scan photo. That is why it would be a splendid idea to put this special picture in your wallet. You could also stick it on your fridge for daddy to see it every day too.
Another way to bond with your bundle of joy is to start shopping for pregnancy clothes. This is a practical approach because you will be ballooning in the weeks to come.
Researching on the internet about developmental milestones will also make pregnancy more real. Crocheting a quilt for the new nursery is also brilliant fo
r strengthening your connection with your child and of creating happy memories.
Moreover, finding out the sex of the baby can deepen the bond, for some mothers. Similarly, other women feel closer to their baby when she or he starts to kick or responds to sounds and voices.
Still, there are mothers for whom the bonding experience is bumpy. Unplanned pregnancy or financial struggles can make attachment more difficult in the beginning. Building a connection does not come naturally when the overwhelming anxiety about motherhood kicks in.
Our advice is to be patient: the moment when the baby will be your whole heart will come. It may happen when you feel her warm, soft body lying on your chest after birth. Or it may come as you marvel at how tiny her head is when you see her for the first time, although, a few minutes before, you were imagining it to be gigantic. It may even occur after a couple of weeks at home. Some mothers do not feel a rush of love, but a feeling that grows and grows as they get to know their baby. Each bond is unique.
How has the first trimester been for you? Do you have any tips to share?
