Did you know that by the time you come to know that you are pregnant, i.e by the time your test is positive, you are already 4 Weeks Pregnant!  It is important that you get a lot of prenatal care.

Studies find that babies of mothers who don't get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight than babies born to mothers who do get care. So please do take extra care of yourself.

In a normal pregnancy, you will see your doctor every month until about the sixth month; then every two weeks during the seventh and eighth months, and then weekly until labor.

During the first visit, your Doctor will take a full history, including a history of any previous pregnancies. she will also do a physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap smear test in most cases, Your weight and blood pressure is also recorded. Your healthcare provider should also test for any sexually transmitted infections. The due date will be calculated typically 280 days from the first day of your last period if you have regular menstrual cycles. During every future visit, your weight will be recorded, your belly will be measured and blood pressure is taken, your urine is tested for protein or sugar, and your baby's heartbeat is also checked.

When to announce your pregnancy?

Although you may want to share the good news with all your friends and family, it is good to wait for a while. The first three months are the most common time of miscarriage. It is also the time for you to get adjusted to the news and also get things in place, be it at work or at home. If you work for a company, you may want to find out about their maternal leave and other important factors like work from home, or travel commitments, maternity benefits, insurance policies etc.

First Trimester problems and concerns

You may be feeling tired, nauseous. Fatigue is because of the new adjustments that your body is making with pregnancy. Your body is working very hard to nurture a new life within you. So take it easy, listen to your body and take rest when you feel like.

- Try to take some rest on the weekends and when you get home from work

- Try to put your feet up and relax in between work

- Try to take help from your spouse, family for housework.

Nausea during this time is also common. this is called morning sickness, but for many women, it lasts all day. You may not throw up, but just feel like you are going to. This is normal. There is even some evidence that the nausea is nature's way of protecting the baby from potentially harmful foods. Most morning sicknesses tend to disappear by the end of the first trimester.

Some tips to reduce nausea and vomiting :

- Eat small meals throughout the day so you're never too full or too hungry.

- Avoid rich, spicy, greasy or fatty foods and foods whose smells bother you.

- Eat more carbohydrates (white rice or dry toast).

- Eat bland foods when you feel nauseous (Biscuits, Rusk, dry fruits ). Keep some biscuits by your bed and eat one before you get up.

Some women may experience a severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following

- You have lost more than a Kilogram of weight

- You vomit blood (which can appear bright red or black)

- You have vomited more than four times in one day

- You have not been able to keep fluids down for more than one day

Following a healthy diet during pregnancy which includes - lots of fruit and vegetables, grains and protein-rich food helps to keep you healthy and ensure the baby keeps growing well. It is thought that the nutrition of the baby, when the baby is in the womb, has an impact on the health of the baby for life.

[quix id='8' name='About our Pregnancy Blogs and Videos']