WEEKS 9 – 13

The 3^rd month is the last leg of your 1^st trimester of pregnancy. If you pass through this phase, a major hurdle has been cleared.This is the phase where all the organs (organogenesis) of the foetus are being formed and hence a very valuable period as far as the foetus is concerned.The level of hormones is high and the symptoms/ complaints of early pregnancy are at their peak.

Common Complaints :
All the symptoms / complaints of week 5 – 8 are present and exaggerated

• Morning sickness, nausea and vomiting peak by around 8 – 10 weeks and then gradually subside by week 13.   
• Breast shows enlargement and increase in the size of areola and small glands in the areola (oil secreting glands for lubrication of nipples).
• Some of you may have difficulty in passing or retention of urine due to a backward displaced and enlarged uterus.
• Aversions and craving for food may increase.    
• You may experience increase salivation, constipation and flatulence.

  Constipation:It can be avoided by eating a high fiber diet, lots of green leafy vegetables and plenty of liquids. Laxative must be taken only as a last resort and only if prescribed by the doctor.

  Flatulence:It can be reduced by avoiding constipation, eating small meals slowly and avoiding eating of large quantities of gas producing substances like onion, cabbage and pulses.

• Your skin may show presence of bluish red spidery lines. Some of you may start getting varicose veins (enlarged tortuous veins) in your legs.   
• If you have difficulty in getting sleep it is normal. Insomnia can be prevented by getting adequate exercises, snack with hot milk at bed time, warm bath at bed time, avoiding going to the bedroom till you feel sleepy, soothing music, gentle massage at night. You may stay up late as your body may need less sleep than you think. On no account should you self medicate with sedatives.
• Due to high level of hormones your complexion may take a turn for the worse. Drinking plenty of fluids, eating a balance diet,        washing your face with water 3 times a day can minimize this. If you are very apprehensive, you may visit Dermatologist.

Foetus/ Your Body Inside:
Your baby is growing fast. All the organs have not yet completely formed. They are in various stages of completion. The external genitalia are forming and sex of the baby can be made out by highly sensitive ultrasound scans. The foetus looks very much human and by the end of 13 weeks all the organs are formed. (I.e.: organogenesis is complete) and now hence forth only maturation and growth of individual organ and system has to take place.As all the organs are being formed during this time, the feotus is most susceptible to various influences, which have the potential to cause deformities i.e. ‘teratogenesis" Teratogenecity in complications

PICTURE OF FOETUS:

Your Body and You:

DIAGRAM REPRESENTATION OF FEMALE BODY

Various changes have started taking place in your body to accommodate to the new life within you.      during this period (till 13 weeks) is not so significant and around 1 –2 kg only. But the amount of blood flowing through the body has increased considerably.The uterus by the end of 13 weeks is the size of a large orange and may be just felt above the pubic bone in the region of your urinary bladder.The other changes as discussed in common complaints are also obvious.        Emotionally, you may feel a new sense of calmness as your pregnancy has been confirmed and growing well. Some of you may still experience an irritability similar to premenstrual syndrome, but it will soon pass off.

Visit To Your Doctor:
During the first three months of your pregnancy, your visits will be usually at monthly intervals or if you develop any problems as mentioned earlier        During each visit a thorough check up will be done including your weight, pulse, BP recording, examination of the abdomen and if necessary an internal examination. Urine may be checked for sugar and protein at every visit. . As mentioned earlier a baseline blood and urine examination is asked for at the 1^st visit. In special cases investigations         like USG, chorionic villus sampling, serum beta hCG estimation and other investigations may be asked for.

Possible Problems:       

Important Instructions:       

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