The Do’s and Dont’s of Each Trimester

Nothing is more exciting to a woman than learning that she is pregnant. However, before the arrival of your little bundle of joy, there are certain things that you should do to ensure that the fetus grows in a healthy environment. And while there are myriad of myths on the do’s and don’ts during pregnancy, this piece seeks to shed some light on the matter and help expecting parents know what it’s expected of them during the 9 months period.

The First Trimester

This phase is considered to be the most critical as it involves a lot. It’s during this period that your baby’s muscles, bones, and all the other organs are formed. By the end of this phase, a heartbeat can be heard, and your baby starts to resemble a tiny person. Which are the Do’s and Don’ts of the First Trimester?

Do’s

• Consult an obstetrician and ensure regular follow-up for weekly progress.
• Eat organic and homemade food since they’re rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
• Consult a physician on increased intake of folic acid supplements. They are helpful in the development of the baby’s nervous system and a great source of vitamin B.
• Go for foods with antioxidants such as red apples, blueberries, oranges, red bananas, and green spinach
• Hydrate with at least eight glasses of fluid daily (mostly water)
• Keep yourself active
• Get plenty of rest

Don’ts

• Self-medicate
• Consume junk or uncooked food (especially undercooked meat)
• Drink alcohol
• Stop smoking
• Ingest too much caffeine
• Avoid stress
• Gain weight
• Eat preserved foods
• Use saunas or steam rooms

Second and Third Trimesters

The second trimester starts from week thirteen to week twenty-six. It’s a more relaxed phase as the discomforts of the first trimester will begin to ease up. During this period, the baby’s first movements will start to manifest. The third trimester kicks in from week 27, and this is when you’ll start experiencing aches, swelling, and pain when moving around. The Do’s and Don’ts of the Second and Third Trimesters

Do’s

• Maintain frequent check-ups with your physician
• Make sure you get a flu vaccination
• Eat a balanced diet, but try to increase your protein intake
• Moisturize the abdomen to prevent stretch marks
• Go for dental check-ups
• Prepare to visit the hospital, and identify people to call in case of an emergency

Don’ts

• Smoking
• Drink alcohol
• Consume an excessive amount of caffeine
• Clean the litter box
• Don’t eat undercooked meat
• Sauna baths
• Avoid sexual contact at the end of the third trimester as it might induce labor pains.

A Note from GR8NESS

While it’s impossible to protect every complication, these guidelines can help you navigate the pregnancy period with ease. Before you know it, your bundle of joy will be crying in your arms. It’s crucial to start following the list of do’s and don’ts from the first trimester, since growth and development starts immediately after fertilization.