PREGNANCY EARLY SIGNS,SYMPTOMS AND PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY:THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TIME IN A WOMAN'S LIFE...

Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg after it's released from the ovary during ovulation. The fertilized egg then travels down into the uterus, where implantation occurs. A successful implantation results in pregnancy. On average, a full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON FIRST SIGNS OF PREGNANCY? HOW CAN I TELL IF I'M PREGNANT OR NOT? WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

1.FATIGUE OR TIREDNESS: This is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy.Hormonal changes in pregnancy creates high levels of progesterone in the body,which can make you feel extremely tired and can also make you feel terribly sleep.Sometimes to the extent that you find it difficult to be up and about for too long.Sometimes due to low blood sugar and low blood pressure also leads to fatigue,because of the changes happening in the body.

2.NAUSEA AND VOMITTING: Morning sickness,which acn happen any time of the day or night {between 2-9 weeks after conception} is another common symptom of pregnancy.Due to the sudden hormonal changes during  pregnancy ,you might be very nauseated,and even have bouts of vomitting.It helps to suck on a boiled sweet or have a cracker/biscuit just before you get out of bed in the morning.Staying hydrated and eating protein-rich foodd throghout the day can also help.

3.DIZZINESS: Some women may feel dizzy.This may happen because your blood vessels are dilated,leading to low blood pressure during pregnancy.Do get it checked with your doctor.If your blood sugar is low,it is crucial that you eat small meals every 2-3 hour.By the end of the first trimester,many women start feeling better.

4.CHANGES IN BREAST: You may find your breasts heavier,tender and achy.The pregnancy hormones surging in your body might cause your  breasts start swelling and become painful or tingly in touch.The areola (area around the nipples) may get bigger and darker too.Apart from the hormonal changes,water retention due to pregnancy can make you feel bloated.It is very important to wear a good supportive bra(preferably without underwire,as it may cause discomfort) more so while exercising.

5.NEED TO URINATE FREQUENTLY :Suddenly you will find yourself visiting the toilet more often.This is because not only is your uterus growing and exerting pressure on the bladder but also your kidneys have to process more urine now.

6.CONSTIPATION: The hormone progesterone,causes the smooth muscles to relax during preganancy,as a result,the disgestive system is affected and slows down a little.Due to this,food passes through the intestine slowly.This might cause constipationa nd gas.Apartb from this,your growing uterus takes up more space,giving your bowels less room.Further iron supplements can also lead to constipation.Do ask your doctor to change your iron supplement in case it is causing constipation.Eating high fiber foods will help greatly in reducing constipation.

7.SHORTNESS OF BREATH: You need more oxygen in pregnancy.An increase in the level of progesterone hormone affects your lungs.The growing embryo needs more oxygen,and as a result,you might be short of breath even though you haven't exerted yourself too much.Do remember these signs are not unique to pregnancy.If they persist,you need to see the doctor.At the same time,some women may not experience these experience and might be still pregnant.

It is best to wait until you miss your period,and take a preganancy test to be absolutely sure,and then follow it up with a visit to the doctor!The sooner you know you are pregnant,the sooner you can start taking prenatal care.

Each women and each pregnancy is differnet but there are many common early signs of pregnancy.While most women will not notice symptoms until 2 weeks after the conception or later (after they miss their period),some women do experience symptoms as early as 6-10 days after conception.This makes sense because the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by cells that form the placenta and levels can be detected by blood tests about 7-12 days after conception and by urine tests about 12-14 days after conception.In general the hCG level doubles every 72 hours in early pregnancy.

A few days after conception the fertilised egg attaches to the wall of the uterus and this can cause implantation bleeding.Women may experience spotting and crmaping as early as 6-12 days after the egg is fertilised.Usually the cramps and bleeding are mild.

Another early sign of pregnancy is vaginal discharge.This can begin very soon after conception also and is due to the increased growth of cells lining the vagina.

Other early signs are due to hormonal changes and include breast swelling or tenderness,frequent urination(but this usually begins 6-8 weeks after conception),constipation(from high levels of progesterone),mood swings,nausea/vomitting,back pain and headaches.The basal body temperature can remain  elevated after the conception and some women may detect this mild increase in body temperature.

                           PRECAUTIONS TO PREGNANCY

Precautions to be taken during the first trimester of pregnancy:

Your body works tirelessly to develop a little baby during the first trimester of pregnancy. That time is critical because the structures and organs are being built there. So, you need a healthy balanced diet and healthy lifestyle to ensure stable fetal development during this critical period.

You should take these precaution in your first trimester like take prenatal vitamins, Quit smoking, Quit alcohol and cut down caffeine, Manage your weight, Avoid hot tubs and sauna baths also test for STDs.

The first trimeseter of your pregnancy start form the day of the conception to 12th Week, which is very crucial for every pregnant women. You will gain weight, feel sluggish, experience morning sickness along with other symptoms. During this stage, the fetus grows quickly and several vital organs including the nervous system, spine, and digestive tract start to develop.

Things that you should keep in mind during your first trimeseter are:

1. Stay Hydrated

2. Take prenatal medicines

3. Quit Smoking

4. Make healthy choice

5. Do Regular Exercise

6. Avoid Hot tubs

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING THE 2ND TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

A pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters. The second trimester includes weeks 13 through 27 of a pregnancy.

In the second trimester, the baby grows larger and stronger and many women begin showing a larger belly. Most women find that the second trimester is a lot easier than the first, but it’s still important to be informed about your pregnancy during the second trimester. Understanding your pregnancy week by week can help you make informed decisions and prepare for the big changes ahead.

During your second trimester, you may notice many symptoms that lead to discomfort or pain. Here are some of the precautions and remedies to treat these second trimester symptoms:

Growing belly and breasts leading to soreness

As your body grows to nurture the baby, you may experience soreness and pain in your belly and breasts. Well supported bras with wide straps or a sports bra can help ease the pain by providing adequate support. Massaging your belly with natural oils and wearing snug maternity underwear can also help ease some of the discomfort.

Spotting during pregnancy second trimester

Spotting or vaginal discharge in a sticky, clear or white appearance is deemed normal. This is often noticed after sex during pregnancy and is usually harmless. If you notice any smell or other colour, contact your doctor.

Headaches in Pregnancy - second trimester

Headaches can occur throughout pregnancy and usually subside on their own. While the headaches usually stop in the second trimester, you can try ginger tea, a massage and hot/cold compresses for some easy remedies.

Leg cramps during pregnancy

Leg cramps can commonly occur in the second trimester and often after exercises or prolonged standing. Stretching the calf muscles, wearing comfortable shoes, hot compresses, warm baths and drinking plenty of fluids can help ease them. Also ensure that you stay physically active to lessen the cramps.

Cold during pregnancy second trimester

The increase in hormone levels can cause nasal congestion, cold and nosebleeds. Staying hydrated, using a saline solution and also rubbing petroleum jelly around the nose can help ease these symptoms. If it gets more severe, consult your doctor to know the safe medicines you can consume during pregnancy.

Pelvic pain during pregnancy second trimester

The growing belly and body can often lead to pelvic pain in your second trimester. Exercising in water or simply enjoying a warm bath can help you relax and ease the pain. You can also opt for special exercises and pelvic supports to tackle the same and avoid strenuous exercises or lifting weights.

Rash during pregnancy second trimester

Natural and safe cleansing products and the right skin care routine can help ease some of these but you can always consult your doctor if they don’t subside in a few days or weeks.

Nausea, stomach cramps, indigestion & heartburn

While most of these subside in the second trimester, some women do experience it throughout pregnancy. Ginger lozenges, proper hydration and following some tips on eating right during pregnancy can help tackle the symptoms.

Urinary Tract Infections

UTI is a common occurrence among many pregnant women. Avoiding unhygienic places, keeping toilets clean and disinfection can help prevent these. However, if you do experience symptoms like urges to urinate frequently or sharp pain while urinating, it’s best to consult your doctor.

What are the consequences of removing your wisdom teeth during your pregnancy?

Generally, elective procedures ( Like teeth whitening, capping or other cosmetic procedures) are postponed till after giving birth. But in case of emergencies, for example- if the mother has a severe toothache or infection or complains of a facial swelling, it should be extracted immediately although with required precautions to minimise the exposure to stress and medications towards the baby ,since, if left untreated the infection may even threaten the life of the mother.

Furthermore, toothache may be a constant source of distress to the mom, which is very unhealthy for both mother and child.

When is the safest time to extract teeth?

1. No procedures should be carried out during the 1st trimester (1st-3rd month) because this is the period of the complex development of the fetal organs; the most critical period is the 3rd-8th week, during differentiation. The safest course of action is to protect the mother from infections and avoid any drugs as far as possible.
2. The fetus undergoes growth and maturation during the 2nd and 3rd trimester (7th-9th month), but it is not advised to have any treatment during the 3rd trimester because of the risk of premature birth. Also, at that stage, it is harder for the mother to move around and to lie down in a dental chair. The supine hypo-tension syndrome may result if the patient is laid flat.
3. Usually your dentist will tell you that the best time is during the 2nd trimester (4th-6th month) of pregnancy. Nevertheless, in my opinion and that of many eminent dentists and doctors more advanced procedures should be postponed until after the baby is born.In spite of all this, if you still need to get your teeth extracted then follow tips:

   Safety Precautions:

   Remember to always consult your obstetrician and/or physician after getting consultation from your dentist. i would suggest a combined approach where Obstetrician can talk with the dentist and they can then decide mutually what is the best course of action for you.

   1. Anesthesia and sedation:You must tell your dentist if you are expecting. Your dentist will usually change the anesthetics used, i.e. novocaine/lidocaine without the usual epinephrine, which is basically adrenaline. Prilocaine is not used as it can cause methemoglobinemia, which is a blood disorder characterized by above normal level of methemoglobin in the blood. Conscious sedation and general anaesthesia are best avoided during pregnancy. Sedation with diazepam or midazolam are particular hazards. Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) can interfere with the mother’s vitamin B12 and folate metabolism.
   2. Antibiotics: The antibiotic tetracycline should not be given as they are known to cause yellowing of the child’s teeth. i would recommend avoiding all anti-biotics and medication in general to be on the safest side.
   3. Drugs: Drugs are best avoided in pregnant women, as some are teratogenic (causes growth abnormalities in the unborn child, such as cleft lip and palate), such as thalidomide and some retinoids, although there are very few drugs that have been proved to be teratogenic. Aspirin and other NSAIDS are contraindicated in the third trimester as they cause fetal pulmonary hypertension, as well as delaying labour. In addition, aspirin causes a platelet defect and may induce abortion and is not given throughout pregnancy. Do consult your obstetrician as to the drugs that you can or cannot be taken.
   4. X-ray: X-rays are also avoided, although if absolutely necessary, the use of a lead apron as protection should be sufficient.