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Pregnancy Information: Early Signs and What to Expect & Avoid

As a woman's body changes to accommodate the growth of a fetus, she will endure a number of dramatic physical and emotional changes. However, knowing what to expect as well as how to stay healthy can make pregnancy tremendously easier. While maintaining health includes proper nutrition and getting enough vitamins, it also necessitates that women avoid certain activities that are potentially harmful to the growing baby.

Symptoms of Pregnancy
Clearly, the first step of this process is verifying that you are, in fact, pregnant. Although many women show multiple symptoms of pregnancy very quickly, others may not experience any right away. Some pregnancy indicators include:

• bouts of fatigue
• feeling bloated
• missing a period
• nausea and/or vomiting
• swollen, tender breasts
• urinating frequently.

Although none of these symptoms is positive proof of pregnancy, they are all good indicators that your body is adjusting its hormones for pregnancy. Take a home pregnancy test if you suspect you are pregnant. If you get a positive result, follow up with a doctor's visit to officially confirm it.

Things to Avoid
As soon as you become pregnant, you will need to stop ingesting or avoid doing a number of things, including: 

• drinking alcohol
• drinking caffeine
• douching or using scented feminine products 
• dying your hair
• eating foods high in mercury
• smoking cigarettes or marijuana
• taking certain pain medications (talk to your doctor to see what is acceptable)
• using illegal or prescription drugs (check with your doctor regarding prescriptions
• vigorously exercising (although moderate exercise is highly recommended).

Keep in mind that this list is incomplete. What each individual should avoid will depend on her age, lifestyle and current state of health. For example, pregnant women who suffer from gestational diabetes will need to avoid sugar.

What to Expect During Each Trimester
Throughout each of the three trimesters of pregnancy, a woman's body and needs as well as the medical routine she will need to follow will change. Here is an outline of what to expect during each trimester:

First Trimester
During the first three months of pregnancy, most women experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, backaches, exhaustion and stress. Despite the inconvenience, these are all normal, even for women who didn't experience these symptoms during previous pregnancies. Nausea can be eased by eating starchy snacks, drinking carbonated beverages and by eating frequent small meals instead of three large meals. Because excessive vomiting can cause dehydration, taking these steps to ease nausea can help.

In the first trimester, it's important to eat right, sleep enough (get at least eight hours a night and take extra naps) and get enough vitamins and minerals (either through your diet or supplements). Daily calorie intake should increase by about 100 calories, and weight gain should be around three to five pounds. Start visiting the doctor regularly to get the standard tests, including:

• an estimation of baby's due date 
• a pelvic exam and pap test 
• a physical
• weight and blood pressure checks
• a urine test.

Second Trimester
During the second phase of pregnancy, some of the initial symptoms of pregnancy, such as fatigue and nausea, tend to ease up, making way for new symptoms. Backaches and other physical pains generally persist as your abdomen continues to expand. Before the third trimester, you will be able to feel the baby's movements. Shortness of breath may also begin to occur.

As the expanding uterus puts pressure on the lungs, it may cause facial, hand or ankle swelling. While stretch marks and skin changes can also occur, they will lessen after giving birth. Lotions may help to alleviate this but can't prevent the symptoms from occurring.

During the second trimester, continue getting regular prenatal doctor visits. At this point, an ultrasound can determine the baby's sex. Weight gain should be about one or two pounds a week from this point forward.

Third Trimester
Many of the symptoms previously experienced in the pregnancy will continue or gain in severity during the last trimester. Additional symptoms, such as heartburn, hemorrhoids or trouble sleeping, can also occur. Because your energy level will probably decrease due to the added stress on your body, you will need even more rest.

The closer you get to your due date, the more frequent your doctor visits should be. Before delivery, discuss all childbirth possibilities with your doctor, including C-sections, vaginal births, pain medicines and inducing labor. Staying healthy and checking in regularly with a doctor are the most crucial things a pregnant woman can do.

What you do during each trimester is crucial to the baby's health. As a result, stay informed and on track to make your pregnancy the best possible experience for both you and your baby.