Pregnancy is one of the most magical and mesmerizing experiences for a woman. First trimester pregnancy is like the foundation of a strong house, when everything important starts taking shape. It is a time filled with many emotions, excitement, nervousness, and a great deal of changes taking place inside a woman’s body. However, when so many of the changes are going on in and outside the body, it is most vulnerable to being affected by even the slightest of mistreatment. Hence, it is of utmost importance to avoid certain mistakes during the first crucial weeks of pregnancy. From what the mother eats to how much she sleeps, and how stressed she is, everything matters. It is this very time that most of the expecting mothers, especially the ones who are experiencing pregnancy for the first time, commit certain mistakes unknowingly, which can negatively impact their journey of pregnancy. These mistakes can range from not having proper doses of prenatal vitamins to overexerting themselves, from consuming unhealthy food items, to ignoring the early symptoms of complications. There are a lot of things that pregnant women must be aware of, so that they can make their pregnancy journey smoother. In this article, we will discuss in detail some common mistakes that every woman should avoid during the first trimester pregnancy.
- Eat Healthy, not mindlessly
Contrary to popular beliefs, pregnant women do not eat for two people during the First month of pregnancy. They will need extra calories and nutrients during the later stages of pregnancy, but it is not required during the first trimester. Instead of focusing on eating more quantity of food, they should focus on eating more quality food, which gives them the much-needed energy and nutrition. If possible, a pregnant woman should switch to healthier and more organic versions of foods to limit their exposure to pesticides.
- Do not smoke
If a woman is a smoker, pregnancy is the best time for her to quit. It will not only give a boost to the mother’s health, but also protect the health of the baby. Many studies have shown that women who smoke during first trimester pregnancy are more prone to have a miscarriage or complications in childbirth. Apart from this, babies who are born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy are more at risk of birth defects, premature births, being underweight at birth, and even infant death. There is also a higher risk of developing learning disabilities in such kids. Children born to mothers who smoked also have a higher tendency to become smokers early on in their lives due to physiological addiction to nicotine.
- Don’t Drink Alcohol
No amount of alcohol is safe for consumption, especially during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption is not safe at any stage of pregnancy. Even during the earliest weeks of first trimester pregnancy, when a woman doesn’t even know that she is pregnant, alcohol can negatively impact the development of the baby. Drinking at any time during the first trimester can cause nervous system problems and abnormal growth of facial structures and the growth of the baby. It can also lead to complications in childbirth, such as stillbirth and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The kids affected with this disorder can have problems like:
- Poor Memory and Coordination
- Learning disabilities and difficulty in school
- Speech and language disorders
- Lower IQ
- Vision and Hearing problems
- Problems with the heart, bones, or kidneys
4. Avoid overconsumption of caffeine
As the mother feels extremely tired during the first trimester of pregnancy, she might want to have higher amounts of caffeine. However, it can cross the placenta and impact the heart rate of the baby. Hence, overconsumption of caffeine should be avoided to ensure a smoother and healthier pregnancy.
5. Don’t ignore the importance of sleep
As the body of the mother is going through a great deal of changes and developing an entirely new life-support system for the baby during the First trimester pregnancy, it is natural to feel quite exhausted and tired throughout the day. Apart from these physical changes, there are huge emotional and mental changes going on inside the body of the mother. Thus, during such times, the mother might need to sleep much more than she is used to. Hence, it is of utmost importance for every pregnant woman to make sure that she takes care of her sleeping schedule and sets out at least eight to nine hours of her daily schedule to complete a sound sleep.
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