Pregnancy Information: Education Corner 

 Trimester wise information-

 Since your pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or 280 days – expert prenatal care during your gestation, ensures that both you and your baby are as healthy as possible throughout your pregnancy. The entire gestation period is grouped into three trimesters: the first trimester is from week 1 to the end of week 12. The second trimester is from week 13 to the end of week 26. The third trimester is from week 27 to the end of the pregnancy.

The terms for pregnancy, depending on when your baby is born are:

• Preterm: 20 weeks to 37 weeks
• Early term: 37 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days
• Full term: 39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days
• Late term: 41 weeks 0 days to 41 weeks 6 days
•  Post term: after 42 weeks 0 days

First trimester:

Your first trimester is often the toughest. Being repelled by certain tastes and smells is common in the first trimester. You might face issues like fatigue, nausea, mood swings, etc. But worry not – this is just a temporary storm and it will pass, soon! In fact, you might not even feel like eating at all, but its important to not keep your stomach empty!

First week to the end of week 12 of a pregnancy:

• Month 1: Weeks 1 to 4
• Month 2: Weeks 5 to 8
•  Month 3: Weeks 9 to 13

Average Calorie intake recommended: 1,800 calories per day during the first trimester;

First Trimester Lifestyle Changes:

Exercise: Exercising early on boosts energy, reduces stress, and alleviates nausea;

Job concerns: Think about your work environment, maternity benefits, etc.

Eating healthy: Important to eat right and feel strong and well!

Harmful Stuff to Avoid Your First Trimester: To increase the odds of a healthy pregnancy, avoid these things in the first trimester.

•     Alcohol, cigarettes, illicit drugs
•     Unheated deli meats, soft-cooked or raw eggs, raw or undercooked meats, raw sprouts
•     Hot tubs and saunas
•     Over-the-counter and prescription medicines not approved by your doctor
•     Soft cheeses, such as brie and feta; unpasteurized milk and juice
•     Unnecessary X-rays
• More than 200 mg of caffeine daily;
• Avoid MSG, Chinese food, papaya

 Second Trimester:

It’s said that the second trimester is the easiest, however, there are still big changes taking place- both for the foetus and you! The fatigue and morning sickness begin to subside and you feel healthy and energetic. During the second trimester, your baby begins signaling its presence. You’ve now left the stormy ocean behind and entered calm water

Trimester 2

• Month 4: Weeks 14 to 17
• Month 5: Weeks 18 to 22
•  Month 6: Weeks 23 to 27

Average Calorie intake recommended: 2,200 calories per day during the second trimester;

Second Trimester Health

Now that you’ve got your energy and appetite back, start to focus on healthful lifestyle habits.

Eat right for two: Recommended that you eat nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein sources; drink at least eight glasses of water daily; consume at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily; and continue taking prenatal vitamins and avoiding potentially harmful substances.

Keep (or start) moving: If you didn’t work out before, start slowly (with your doctor’s approval) by walking, swimming or pedaling on a stationary bike. If you’re already fit, continue your regimen, but adjust it to avoid spills.

Take it easy at work: If you’re usually on your feet all day, look for ways to sit down as often as possible!

Third Trimester:

You have now reached your final stretch of pregnancy and are probably very excited and anxious for the birth of your baby! You enter the third trimester filled with energy, but as your body continues to grow and change, you may start to feel tired and experience new aches and pains so you must remember to keep eating right and exercising so that your baby gains the proper amount of weight and you’re in the best possible shape for labor and delivery.

Trimester 3

• Month 7: Weeks 28 to 31
• Month 8: Weeks 32 to 35
• Month 9: Weeks 36 to 40

Average Calorie intake recommended:  2,400 calories during the third

trimester.

 Third Trimester Health:  

 Eat often: You may feel full halfway through meals because your uterus is pressing on your stomach.

Keep moving: As long as you’re not at risk for delivering a preterm baby, exercise is safe in the third trimester. Avoid lifting heavy weights, as they can put too much stress on tendons and ligaments

Rest up: Feeling uncomfortable and going to the bathroom a lot at night can leave you tired. Use a body pillow when sleeping and limit your liquid and food intake after 6 p.m