Women’s Issues Part 2: Charting a Course to Childbirth – First Trimester
As a follow-up to women’s issues discussed on our show, Beyond Medicine (BM), this blog looks into conception and the first trimester of pregnancy. The first blog in this series was on menstruation.
Conception and pregnancy need to ideally be planned activities, where optimal conditions can be put in place for a healthy pregnancy experience and natural childbirth. Both partners or the surrogate or single mother to be, need to lead a healthy lifestyle; be in good health, avoid smoking, alcohol and harmful drugs; be free of any infections, sexually transmitted or otherwise; and be mentally, socially, financially and emotionally ready to have a family. A separate episode on planned pregnancy was aired earlier on BM and will be covered in a later blog.
Under natural conditions, for an egg to be fertilized, the sperm has to meet the egg soon after the egg is released (called ovulation), then it enters the fallopian tube of the woman. Fertilization generally happens after sexual intercourse(s), when sperm are released into the vagina at orgasm by the male. Fertilization can happen in other ways, which we discuss later. Once fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg (now called a zygote) moves into the uterus and is embedded into its wall. All this is possible due to new hormones being produced by the ovaries after fertilization. The placenta takes over the production of new hormones after the first trimester.
Pregnancy can generally be confirmed after 2 weeks of gestation or soon after the missed period, through urine tests. Blood tests may be able to confirm pregnancy earlier.
Once conception occurs, the first trimester of pregnancy starts and lasts for about 12 to 14 weeks or 3 months. There are many changes occurring to both mother and baby during this trimester.
For the mother, one of the first signs of pregnancy is a missed period (or monthly cycle of vaginal bleeding). Other signs and symptoms may include sore, sensitive or swollen breasts; feeling tired and/or bloated; peeing more often; mood swings; aches and pains of the body, joints, lower abdomen and groins; morning sickness (characterized by nausea and /or vomiting), which may also occur anytime during the day; aversion to certain foods or smells; constipation; likeness for certain foods and smells and slight swelling of the body. Note that not everyone will experience the same signs and symptoms. The body is getting used to the new hormones, and variations in symptoms are normal.
During the first trimester, the baby (referred to as a fetus) starts developing very quickly. Major body organs including the nervous system start forming.
As the baby grows, the nutrition supply organ called the placenta forms, then the umbilical cord develops. The baby slowly goes into a sac of fluid called the amniotic fluid. The placenta is anchored to the uterine wall and the baby grows in the uterine cavity within the amniotic sac. The umbilical cord connects the baby to the placenta which provides all the nourishment the baby needs.
The baby’s heartbeat usually starts towards the end of the first trimester. The baby bulge may not be present at this time as the uterus has not enlarged a lot. The mother, however, may start gaining weight.
The important things to remember in the first trimester are to stay healthy, book into prenatal care, take folic acid supplements and avoid any kind of infections, including bacterial and viral infections. Ensure emotional support and a supportive environment for the mother.
Share with us your journey with yourself or with someone who has gone through the changes in the first trimester of pregnancy.
