First Trimester of Pregnancy (Gestational Age < 14 Weeks)
Physical and Mental Health Changes
Physical: Morning sickness, frequent urination, enlarged and tender breasts.
Mental: Easy mood swings, irritability, anger.
Suitable Diet for Pregnant Women in the First Trimester
It’s best to eat soft, easily digestible foods. If you have a small appetite, divide your meals into smaller portions or snack on crackers, biscuits, or other light snacks. This period is crucial for brain and nervous system development. Folate is a key nutrient you should focus on.
- Foods high in folate include: brown rice, dark leafy green vegetables (such as kale, spinach, broccoli), various beans (such as black beans, red beans), oranges, pineapples, papayas, pork liver, whole wheat bread, or whole wheat cereal.
- DHA (Omega-3 fatty acids) is essential for growth. Good sources include: tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, snakehead fish, sea bass, and catfish.
- Iodine is vital for brain development and thyroid function. You can find it in: seafood and iodized salt.
Essential Vaccinations During Pregnancy
- Influenza (Flu) vaccine
- Tetanus vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
You can ask your healthcare provider for more information.
Fetal Development
Gestational Age 6 Weeks: The embryo is about 0.5 cm in size. The heartbeat can be seen on ultrasound. A long groove begins to form along the back, which will later develop into the brain and nervous system.
Gestational Age 8 Weeks: The embryo is about 1.5 cm long. Reflex activity allows it to move around.
Gestational Age 10 Weeks: The embryo is approximately 4 cm long and starts to look more distinctly formed with clearly separated fingers and toes.
Gestational Age 12 Weeks: The fetus is about 6 cm long. All major organs are formed, and the fetus begins to move, though you may not feel it yet.
Complications Requiring Medical Attention
Seek medical attention if you experience severe nausea and vomiting or vaginal bleeding. These could be caused by:
- Miscarriage
- Ectopic pregnancy: where the fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus.
- Molar pregnancy (Hydatidiform mole): where the placenta transforms into clear, sago-like vesicles, causing the uterus to be larger than expected for the gestational age.
- Severe lower abdominal pain
- High fever
- Suspicion of German measles (rubella) or chickenpox.
Self-Care for Mothers in the First Trimester
- Engage in appropriate exercise.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages.
- Consult a doctor if you feel unwell.
- Avoid close contact with people who have contagious diseases such as chickenpox or German measles.
Antenatal Care (Prenatal Care)
You should see a doctor for antenatal care as soon as you confirm your pregnancy. The initial antenatal visit is quite thorough, including:
- Weight and height measurement
- Urine test
- Blood pressure measurement
- Breast examination
- Thyroid gland examination
- Heart and lung auscultation
- Abdominal examination
- Blood tests to assess your health, such as: blood type, hemoglobin levels, sexually transmitted infections (including AIDS, syphilis), Hepatitis B infection, thalassemia, etc.
Generally, your doctor will perform an ultrasound during the first antenatal visit, typically from 7-8 weeks of gestation onwards. This can be done abdominally or vaginally to confirm the pregnancy, gestational age, and screen for the risk of your baby having Down syndrome. You can ask your doctor about this screening, which can be performed using a maternal blood test from 9 weeks of gestation onwards.
Postpartum Accommodation
BNH Women’s Health Centre
Obstetrics and Gynecology Department:
Tel. 02-022-0700 ext. 4455, 4456
Labor Room: ext. 2789
