Discovering that you are pregnant can be a time of anxiety, excitement and amazement. From the first weeks of your pregnancy all the way to your due date, your body changes rapidly. The worries about weight gain, the common irritability and the fatigue may diminish when you think about meeting your baby. Take care of yourself each week so by the end of your pregnancy, you are emotionally and physically prepared for motherhood.
Weeks 1 Through 13
During the first four weeks of your pregnancy, you probably do not know you are pregnant, as your doctor begins your pregnancy calendar from the first day of your last menstrual period. After week four, you may start to feel fatigued and sick to your stomach and experience frequent urination and some weight gain. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, stop smoking, drinking alcohol or engaging in high-risk sports like water or snow skiing without your doctor's permission. Rest and nap when you can as your fatigue is a normal part of the first trimester. If you are nauseous, try sipping water flavored with cranberry juice, nibbling on crackers or sucking on a lemon drop.
Weeks 13 through 28
Once you enter your 13th week of pregnancy, you may begin to feel better. During these weeks, your morning sickness subsides, and you regain your lost energy. If you stopped exercising due to fatigue during your first trimester, ask your doctor for exercise recommendations. Your waistline will disappear during these weeks, so plan a fun shopping trip to look for maternity clothes. Purchase or borrow clothes that grow with you for the next five to six months. Your appetite may be strong during these weeks. Avoid excessive weight gain by eating a well-balanced diet with lots of lean meats, grains, vegetables, fruits and dairy for calcium. Eat high-fiber foods to help relieve constipation. If you want to take a trip, this is the best trimester to do so.
Weeks 29 through 40
These last weeks of your pregnancy may seem endless. Take these weeks to prepare yourself and your home for the upcoming birth. Ask your partner to paint while you are out of the house to avoid exposure to paint fumes. Put your feet up when you can to alleviate swelling and continue to exercise by taking slow walks or swimming in a pool. Your appetite may slow down toward the end of your pregnancy. If heartburn is a problem, eat small, nongreasy meals. Shop for your baby's layette and take a tour of the maternity ward of your hospital. Sign up for birthing classes and preregister for delivery, if required by your insurance. Ask for assistance and let your friends and family help you with grocery shopping, cleaning and organizing. Try to get adequate sleep. Be alert to signs of preterm labor such as cramping, intermittent contractions or any bleeding. Call your medical practitioner with any concerns.
