The First Trimester: A Guide to Your First Three Months of Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative journey, marked by a myriad of physical and emotional changes. The first trimester, spanning roughly the first three months, is a crucial period of development for both you and your baby. From adjusting to hormonal shifts to making essential lifestyle changes, these initial months set the foundation for a healthy and fulfilling pregnancy. Conway Medical Center is here to guide you through what to expect and what to do during this crucial phase of pregnancy.
What to Do During Your First Trimester
1. Confirming Your Pregnancy
The first step is confirming your pregnancy through a home pregnancy test or a visit to your Primary Care or Women’s Health provider. Once you have that positive result, schedule your first prenatal appointment with CMC Women’s Health. Early prenatal care is vital for monitoring the health of both you and your developing baby.
2. Nourishing Your Body
During the first trimester, your body undergoes rapid changes. Nausea, food aversions, and fatigue are common symptoms. Aim to eat small, frequent meals rich in whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Stay hydrated and consider taking prenatal vitamins as recommended by your doctor to ensure you’re getting essential nutrients like folic acid and iron.
Your diet is a component of your pregnancy that you have control over. Cravings are expected and allowed, but you want to make an effort to keep your diet as balanced as possible. You’re eating for two so you want to eat twice a well, meaning you are eating things that benefit you and your baby while also managing your weight gain based on your doctor’s recommendations.
3. Managing Symptoms
Morning sickness, breast tenderness, and fatigue are frequent companions during the first trimester. To manage these symptoms, try eating small, bland meals, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. If nausea is particularly challenging, ginger and peppermint may offer relief.
If you’re worried you’re experiencing something irregular such as severe pain or bleeding, check with your doctor or midwife about serious warning signs.
4. Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle
This is an ideal time to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Avoid alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs, and limit caffeine intake. Engage in moderate exercise like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga with your doctor’s approval. Staying active can help alleviate discomfort and boost your mood.
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Information to help you build a wellness plan for your mind, body, and soul.
5. Prenatal Care and Screening Tests
Your prenatal appointments at CMC Women’s Health will involve various tests to monitor your health and your baby’s development. These may include blood tests, ultrasounds, and screenings for conditions like Down syndrome. Regular check-ups ensure any potential issues are detected and addressed early.
6. Rest and Relaxation
Your body is working hard to support your baby’s growth, so it’s important to listen to your body’s signals for rest. Take naps when needed and practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to manage stress and anxiety.
7. Educate Yourself
Use this time to educate yourself about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Reading books, attending prenatal classes, and joining online communities can help you connect with other expectant parents and share experiences and advice.
Conway Medical Center is proud too offer a variety of free educational opportunities to our expectant families including:
- Childbirth Classes Offered monthly, instructors from the BirthPlace at CMC will guide you as you learn about pregnancy and prepare for childbirth. This valuable education will help you understand the process of labor and birth, pain management options, postpartum care, breastfeeding, how to care for your newborn, and much more. We’re here to answer all your questions and give you the tools to help you trust your inner wisdom and make informed healthcare choices for you and your new baby. View upcoming classes
- Breastfeeding Classes Offered every two months and led by our lactation consultants, this class provides you with all the breastfeeding basics. You will walk away with a general knowledge of latching, positioning, feedings, and breast care, as well as handling special situations and managing a breastfeeding lifestyle. View upcoming classes
- CMC Pregnancy App by Yomingo® This free app provides excellent resources for everything you want to know about pregnancy, birth, and beyond. The information is evidence-based, and the platform is easy to navigate. We want you to feel empowered and reassured, finding all the tools that you need to learn and prepare for the exciting journey to parenthood. (Video library, weekly milestones, kick counter, contraction timer, personal journal, feeding log, and much more!) Download the app
8. Communicating with Your Partner
Pregnancy affects both partners, so open communication is key. Share your feelings, concerns, and expectations with each other. Discuss plans for parenting, work, and family life, and ensure you’re both on the same page regarding decisions that need to be made.
If this is your first baby, enjoy these last few months with just the two of you. If you have unresolved issues, now is also a good opportunity to invest some time into each other and strengthen your relationship. If you are having a hard time talking through those issues or getting on the same page about plans for the future and parenting, couples therapy can help you navigate even the smallest concerns and better hear and communicate with each other. Better communication will help you now and throughout the bumpier roads of the postpartum phase and parenthood.
9. Building a Support System
One of the most important things you can do is surround yourself with a support network of friends, family, and healthcare professionals. Your support system will help you manage the trials of pregnancy and will be there long after to help you and your baby start a healthy life together. Include those that you know you can count on for emotional and physical support; some may be your partner, parents, a sibling, relatives, friends, neighbors, a therapist, your healthcare providers, and others. Reach out to experienced mothers for advice and remember that you’re not alone on this journey.
10. Embracing Emotional Changes
Hormonal changes can lead to mood swings, anxiety, or even feelings of depression. It’s important to recognize and communicate your emotions. If your mood becomes consistently low, seek support from your healthcare provider or a mental health professional.
A Time of Transformation
The first trimester of pregnancy is a time of transformation and preparation. By focusing on your health, building a support network, and educating yourself, you’re setting the stage for a successful and fulfilling pregnancy journey. Remember, every pregnancy is unique, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance tailored to your specific needs. Embrace the changes, nurture your body and mind, and prepare to welcome the new life growing within you with love and anticipation.
Your Partner in Pregnancy and Prenatal Care
We know that you’re going to have a lot of questions regarding your pregnancy and delivery along the way and you’ll want to have an obstetrician that not only listens to you but also makes your health a top priority. Our experienced OBGYN’s with CMC Women’s Health will go the extra mile to provide you with top notch care throughout your pregnancy and after you deliver. We also understand that every woman will have different needs throughout her pregnancy. We’ve worked with women of all ages and pre existing health conditions and have the expertise to tailor a plan of care centered around your specific needs.
CMC Women’s Health is the premier practice for women’s health here in Conway and the greater Myrtle Beach area. Whether for routine well visits, prenatal care, or menopause treatment, we are here for you. Call 843-347-7216 to schedule your first visit with us.
