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PregnancyDefinitionWeeks 0 to 13 are known as the first trimester of pregnancy. The baby's development is greatest during this stage and by the end of week 13, it will be fully-formed. Some of the common discomforts of pregnancy, such as nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness, will be most pronounced during these early weeks. Weeks 14 to 26 make up the second trimester. During this time, the baby continues to grow and develop, and the mother starts to gain some weight, as extra fat is laid down as energy reserves. This is also the time when the baby's movements in the womb can be felt, and she, or he, may begin to develop patterns of activity. The third trimester runs from week 27 to the birth of the baby. During this stage, the baby will start to lay down its own fat stores, going through rapid growth phases in preparation for birth. The lungs will also mature, and senses such as hearing, taste and sight will develop. You may find it more difficult to get comfortable at night, with backache and you will need to urinate (pass water) more often. Practice contractions, known as Braxton Hicks, can be a regular feature during the third trimester. Symptoms Some signs and symptoms to look for if you believe you might be pregnant include missed period, nausea with, or without, vomiting, tiredness, dizziness, breast changes and breast tenderness, and frequent urination. Feelings of sickness (nausea) affect the majority of women during pregnancy, particularly during the first three to four months. Tiredness may be more pronounced during the first and third trimesters. Diagnosis The diagnosis of pregnancy is mainly determined by testing for the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG can be detected in the woman's blood and urine even before the first missed period. It is this hormone that is measured by home pregnancy tests. A high HCG level may indicate a multiple pregnancy, such as of twins or triplets, although the most reliable test is an abdominal, or transvaginal scan. Abdominal or transvaginal scans may be used to confirm pregnancy, how many embryos are present, and to check that the embryo is located in the womb, rather than in the fallopian tube, as in the case of an ectopic pregnancy. Avoiding problems There are a number of things that you can do during your pregnancy to lower the risk of problems occurring, and help keep you and your baby healthy. Exercise Moderate exercise is recommended for most pregnant women. It helps boost energy levels, improves your overall health, and helps prepare you for labour by increasing your muscle strength and stamina. Your midwife or GP will be able to recommend how much and what sort of exercise is good for you. Generally, 30 minutes of moderate daily exercise is recommended for pregnant women during most of their pregnancy. Activities like walking or swimming are ideal. You should avoid contact sports, exercises that require you to lay flat on your back, and any extreme sports or activities that may put you at risk of falling over. Scuba diving is not recommended while pregnant because it can damage the baby's development. Things to avoid Some other things that you should avoid while pregnant that may put your baby's health at risk are outlined below. Smoking - smoking increases the chances of your baby being born under-weight or being born too early - both of which could harm their health. Your midwife, or GP, will be able to give you advice about quitting smoking, or you can call the NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169. Alcohol - the Department of Health recommends that you should not drink alcohol while you are pregnant because it can harm your baby. You should also avoid drinking alcohol if you are trying for a baby. If you do drink when you a pregnant, you should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol, once or twice a week (one unit is roughly a small glass of wine, half-pint of ordinary strength bitter or lager, or a pub measure of spirits). Cannabis - the effects of cannabis on unborn babies is unknown, so it is impossible to say what smoking cannabis could do to your baby. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines - only a few prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines have been shown to be safe for pregnant women by good quality studies. Your GP will only prescribe you a prescription medication when it is felt that the benefit outweighs the risk. You should use as few OTC medicines as possible. Complementary therapies - very few complementary therapies have been proved to be safe and effective for pregnant women. You should not assume they are safe and use them as little as possible. Diet While you are pregnant, you should try to follow a healthy, balanced diet based around the four main food groups. For example: 4-6 daily portions of carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta, cereals, bread, and potatoes, at least five daily portions of fruit and vegetables, three daily portions of protein from sources such as meat, poultry, fish, pulses, and eggs, and at least one portion a day of pasteurised dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt. You should also drink plenty of fluids such as water and fruit juice, preferably at least two litres every day. This will help your body to get rid of toxins and waste products, and it can also help to prevent constipation and nausea. Vitamins and supplements Your GP, or midwife, should give you information about taking folic acid. This helps reduce the risk of your baby having conditions which are known as neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. The recommended dose is 400 micrograms a day from as soon as you think you may be pregnant (or ideally when you begin trying for a baby). You should not take vitamin A supplements as they can cause abnormalities in unborn babies. Liver is high in vitamin A, so you should avoid that too. Food hygiene Your GP, or midwife, should give you information on how to avoid bacterial infections from food, such as listeriosis and salmonella, which could harm your baby. You should avoid: mould-ripened soft cheese, such as Camembert or Brie, and blue-veined cheese (there is no risk with hard cheese, such as Cheddar), or with cottage cheese, or processed cheese, pâté, including vegetable pâté, uncooked, or undercooked, ready-prepared meals, raw, or partially cooked eggs, or food that may contain them, such as mayonnaise, and raw, or partially cooked, meat, particularly poultry. Toxoplasmosis is an infection that can occasionally cause problems for unborn babies. You can pick it up from undercooked, or uncooked, meat, such as salami, which is cured, and from the faeces of infected cats, or contaminated soil or water. You should ensure that you: wash your hands thoroughly before handling food, wash all fruit and vegetables before eating them, including ready-prepared salad, thoroughly cook raw meat and ready-prepared chilled meals, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after gardening or handling soil, and avoid contact with cat faeces, either in cat litter, or in soil. It is very important during pregnancy never to use the following essential oils: Aniseed, Armoise (Mugwort), Arnica, Basil, Birch, Camphor, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Origanum, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Savoury, Thyme and Wintergreen plus any other oils described as toxic. |
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