As soon as you’ve received a positive on an at-home test (or even if you just suspect that you’re pregnant), it’s best to reach out to your family doctor If your pregnancy test is inconclusive, they will confirm your pregnancy with urine and/or blood tests and provide guidance for the months ahead. If you’re unsure of when you conceived, a dating ultrasound may be recommended.
You may have heard that it’s best not to share pregnancy news with friends and family until after the first 12 weeks. While this is a fairly common practice, it’s not necessary and is entirely up to you and your partner as to when you will share the news.
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The First Trimester of Pregnancy
The first trimester of pregnancy can pass by with very few symptoms or be a fairly challenging time. Every woman (and every pregnancy!) is different, but it’s common to experience any or all of the following symptoms:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Tender, swollen breasts Increased urination
- Fatigue or even exhaustion (when you’re very tired for prolonged periods of time)
- Heartburn and/or constipation
- Food cravings and aversions
Managing Morning Sickness during Pregnancy
Feeling a little green? The term “morning sickness” is a misnomer because in reality, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can be an issue at any point throughout the day. If you’re experiencing this common ailment, there are ways to minimize your symptoms.
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- Eat small, frequent meals rather than a few larger meals an empty stomach can trigger or increase nausea in pregnancy.
- Stay hydrated.
- Try sipping on smoothies. A cold drink sweetened with raspberries, strawberries and blueberries can help fight nausea and is generally easy to stomach.
- Get some rest and Get plenty of fresh air.
- Identify and avoid nausea triggers. such as specific foods or strong smells.
- Crackers to the rescue! Keep a sleeve of plain crackers, like saltines, on your nightstand and eat a couple before getting out of bed in the morning.
- Try natural remedies-eating ginger, sucking on sour candies, using peppermint aromatherapy or wearing a sea band all have varying degrees of success.
- If you are vomiting frequently and find that you don’t pee very often or your pee is very dark yellow and you cannot drink enough to correct this, please reach out to your doctor for support.
- Pro tip: Keep Snacks in your purse!
Things What are Safe During Pregnancy
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- Safe Caffeine (in moderation)
- Dyeing your hair/eyebrows/eyelashes (avoid until after your first trimester and ensure proper ventilation; also, an organic or semi-permanent dye is best and be sure to do a skin test to avoid any allergic reactions)
- Acupuncture or massage therapy (be sure to inform your practitioner about your pregnancy
- Sex (unless instructed otherwise by your doctor)
Things to Avoid During Pregnancy
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- Smoking
- Drinking Alcohol
- Cannabis
- Excessive caffeine stay under 200 to 300mg per day two cups of coffee or two to four cups of caffeinated tea)
- Eating unpasteurized cheese
- Using a hot tub (unless the water temperature is lower than 36 C) or sauna
- Getting an x-ray
For details of Do’s and Don’t connect with your doctor and discuss in detail.