The first trimester is so important because most of the fetus's major organs and body systems are developing. Toxins, harmful substances and infection can severely damage a fetus's growth and development during this time. It could increase your baby's risk of being born with a congenital disorder.
First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks)
The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development. During this period, your baby's body structure and organ systems develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period. Your body also undergoes major changes during the first trimester.
Don't eat raw meat.
Pregnant people who eat raw or undercooked meat and eggs are at risk of contracting listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. These can lead to serious and life-threatening illnesses and can cause severe birth defects and miscarriage. Cook your meat and eggs thoroughly before eating.
The first trimester is said to be the most crucial period of pregnancy because at this point, your baby is growing from an embryo to a fetus. The fetus then enters a stage of rapid development, forming most organs, facial features, skeletal tissue and limbs.
What Is the Best First Trimester Sleeping Position? You can sleep in any position that feels comfortable during the first three months of pregnancy, but it is beneficial to practice side sleeping. A wealth of research shows that left side sleeping. View Source is the healthiest sleeping position during later pregnancy.
Your nausea and vomiting may be worse than ever: Morning sickness peaks around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy for many women. That's when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest (morning sickness is thought to be linked to rises in hCG and estrogen).
The heart of the baby starts to beat around the fifth week of pregnancy. To confirm the heartbeat of your baby, the doctor may conduct a non-stress test. The test monitors the heart rate of the baby and provides information about the potential threat, if any. A healthy heartbeat is between 110 to 160 per minute.
Key Takeaways at 6 Weeks Pregnant
If you're not experiencing morning sickness, extreme fatigue or other unpleasant early pregnancy symptoms, consider yourself lucky. Baby's heartbeat is most likely detectable by ultrasound at this point.
The third trimester is the final stage of pregnancy and can be considered to be the most painful. During this stage, your baby is getting bigger, which puts more stress on your body that causes aches and discomfort.
Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, chicken, or fish (such as sushi or raw oysters). Do not eat raw eggs or foods that contain raw eggs, such as Caesar dressing. Do not eat raw sprouts, especially alfalfa sprouts. Do not eat soft cheeses and unpasteurized dairy foods, such as Brie, feta, or blue cheese.
Boys' and girls' genitals develop along the same path with no outward sign of gender until about nine weeks. It's at that point that the genital tubercle begins to develop into a penis or clitoris. However, it's not until 14 or 15 weeks that you can clearly begin to see the differentiated genitalia.
Placenta. The placenta is an organ shaped like a flat cake that only grows during pregnancy. It attaches to the uterine wall with tiny projections called villi. Fetal blood vessels grow from the umbilical cord into these villi, exchanging nourishment and waste products with the mother's blood.
For most women, the extreme fatigue of the first trimester is soon forgotten with the glow and boost in energy that comes with the second trimester. So, if it seems like all you're doing these first few weeks is lying around, dozing, or napping, don't worry. It's normal.
Sleeping for more than nine hours per night, without disturbance, during pregnancy may be associated with late stillbirth, according to US researchers. Their study suggested that maternal sleep habits, including lengthy periods of sleep without waking more than once in the night, may be associated with foetal health.
Pregnant women carrying girls have a greater chance of experiencing nausea and fatigue, according to the results of a study from the USA's Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Brain development in the third trimester is marked by the rapid development of neurons in the brain and explosive growth. Your baby's brain will triple in size during this time, growing from a little over 3 ounces to almost 11 ounces at birth.
Folic acid before and during pregnancy
It's important to take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you're pregnant and until you're 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
More than 80% of miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After 12 weeks, the rate decreases rapidly (Dante et al, 2013; Houry and Salhy, 2014).
Even in your third trimester of pregnancy, bending is still considered safe for your baby. You'll probably find it becomes increasingly difficult for you, though, if not impossible. Apart from your extra body weight, the size of your belly is increasing.
It's best to avoid lying on your back, especially in late pregnancy, when the weight of the heavy uterus can press on the large blood vessels in your belly. When lying on your side, keep your body in line, with your knees bent slightly, and avoid twisting.