What the Doctor Wants You to Know about Managing Your First Trimester

For patients struggling with fertility issues, a positive pregnancy test presents a roller coaster of emotions. Often, previous concerns about getting pregnant can turn into fears about staying pregnant. These feelings are, of course, understandable—and they can be heightened by unreliable internet research or self-diagnosis. 

Thankfully, you can take several reliable approaches during your first trimester as you realize your dream of becoming a parent. Below are some tips to guide those crucial first few months of your pregnancy. Remember, though, that these are simply starting points for further discussion. You should review any recommendations with your doctor to develop a personalized routine catered to your body and needs.

Know Your Body

The first trimester can be confusing for patients. Perhaps their body hasn’t reacted as anticipated, or maybe they simply don’t feel pregnant. Some patients might report significant changes during their first trimester, while others report nothing.

These are typical concerns for new pregnancies; however, it’s crucial to remember that every patient is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all experience—each human body reacts differently to the physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Most importantly, don’t misunderstand that everyone should see unmistakable physical changes during their first trimester. It’s common for a body to experience little to no alterations in these early months.

But don’t hesitate to discuss questions or concerns about your pregnancy with your doctor. Whatever you are feeling is most likely perfectly natural—even expected. What matters most is knowing your body and properly managing its response to becoming pregnant.

Balance  Your Appetite

Again, we must keep in mind that no two pregnancies are alike. Fluctuations in appetite vary widely from person to person—and while you might have heard that a pregnant individual eats for two, there is little evidence to suggest that they should consume significantly more calories than the average person.

Appetite during pregnancy differs from patient to patient. Instead of relying on common misconceptions, patients should lean into a more holistic nutritional approach. In other words, listen to your body. Even though some pregnant individuals report newfound cravings, others might report a decreased appetite due to their hormonal shifts. As much as possible, you should adhere to your body’s cues and cravings while fitting your meals into a nutritious diet.

Understand Vaginal Bleeding

While often concerning to patients, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is far more common than one might expect. Light to moderate bleeding is usually a regular occurrence during the first trimester—and could even serve as an early indication of pregnancy. So, while light bleeding might seem problematic, it is generally no cause for alarm.

On the other hand, heavy or frequent bleeding can signal a serious issue. Keep track of your bleeding and notify your healthcare provider if it persists or grows more severe over time. As a general guideline, excessive bleeding occurs when you saturate two regular maxi pads across two hours.

While excessive vaginal bleeding certainly warrants medical care, a light amount is typical during pregnancy. Telling the difference between the two is crucial for your well-being and your baby's development.

Take Caution with Seafood

Raw seafood consumption during pregnancy exposes your baby to various risks, including mercury, harmful bacteria, and parasites. These hazards can threaten your well-being and your baby’s development. Mercury accumulation, especially from fish high in heavy metals, can infiltrate your bloodstream, traverse the placenta, and adversely affect your baby’s nervous system. In addition to avoiding all uncooked fish and shellfish, you should also stay away from high-mercurity varieties like shark, king mackerel, and swordfish.

Other forms of seafood are still safe when consumed in moderation. Tuna, for example, can be eaten in smaller amounts without significantly increasing your mercury exposure. If you are confused about what you can or cannot eat during pregnancy, discuss these concerns with your doctor and develop a dietary plan aligned with your needs.

Optimize Your Vitamin Intake

Proper vitamin intake is a cornerstone of any healthy pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins provide a comprehensive boost, helping to ensure a safe journey to the delivery room. If you cannot take prenatal vitamins due to dietary or allergy restrictions, experts recommend focusing on at least one essential nutrient: folic acid. Aim for a daily intake of 400 micrograms, which can significantly contribute to your baby’s development.

Individualized factors like multiple gestations, seizure disorders, or previous pregnancies with folate-related concerns may necessitate higher folate doses, so always seek your doctor’s guidance when developing a vitamin regimen for your first trimester and beyond.

Herbal supplements, on the other hand, are largely untested in terms of their impact on pregnancies. Patients should err on caution and halt non-essential herbal, vitamin, and non-prenatal supplement use, including substances like CoQ10 and DHEA. If you have questions about a given supplement, you should bring those up with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Manage Your Previously Existing Conditions

When it comes to a successful pregnancy, your health takes center stage. If you take medication to manage thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure, prolactin, or heart conditions, you should continue under your doctor’s guidance. These medications will prevent pre-existing conditions from disrupting your pregnancy. Inadequately managed thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure, or prolactin levels can heighten the chances of complications like miscarriages, stillbirths, growth-restricted babies, and specific congenital disabilities, as well as potentially harming the neurological development of the fetus.

Communicate openly with your healthcare provider and keep your doctor apprised of any pre-existing medical conditions or medications. That way, you can begin developing a strategy to navigate your pregnancy while maintaining your well-being.

Make Healthy Decisions

Upholding a healthy lifestyle can make a severe difference during your first trimester. Ensuring a balanced DHA or fish oil intake contributes to a healthier pregnancy, as these nutrients can aid in averting preterm labor, reduce the risk of preeclampsia, and even positively influence your baby’s birth weight.

Also, remember to exercise. Moderate exercise during pregnancy can safeguard your well-being and aid your baby’s development. However, you should discuss any exercise or workout routine with your doctor. For patients managing underlying medical conditions, doctors might recommend against overexertion during pregnancy.

Alternatively, you’ll want to avoid certain risky behaviors during pregnancy. Keep away from recreational drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, which can significantly disrupt fetal development and lead to a host of adverse complications. Likewise, you should avoid saunas, hot tubs, and environments that can drastically alter your body temperature. Avoiding these hazards and upholding a healthy lifestyle can make a profound difference in your first trimester.

Communicate with Your Doctor

The above tips can help you navigate your first trimester. However, while these guidelines offer a great starting point, all decisions about managing your pregnancy should emerge from an open discussion between you and your healthcare provider. By discussing these tips and any other concerns with your doctor, you can begin forging a partnership that will keep you well-informed throughout the process.

When patients finally achieve pregnancy after struggling with fertility issues, they can quickly find those feelings of joy turn to anxiety or fear. But with the correct information and support, you can ensure a safe first trimester and a secure journey through one of life’s significant milestones.