Necessary Precautions During The First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a cherishable and meaningful phase of a woman’s life. Nurturing and nourishing a life within yourself is the greatest gift from god. Take some time and feel the joy of this gift before taking on the motherly responsibilities.

The first trimester of pregnancy marks the beginning of your duty towards your baby. During this period, the baby is growing rapidly and the chances of mishappenings are higher. That’s why it’s the right time to take necessary first-trimester precautions.

A lifestyle change is needed because a small bad habit if not stopped can be a huge threat to your baby. To change your lifestyle for the better, you must take these precautions during the first trimester.

You Must Take These 6 First Trimester Precautions

• Avoid Smoking

Smoking during pregnancy is a big NO! Not only it can cause serious issues like miscarriage, but it can also cause tissue damage in the baby, specifically in the lung or brain.

Carbon monoxide present in tobacco restricts the oxygen from reaching the developing baby. And pregnant women who smoke have great odds of delivering their babies early. Thus, with so many risk factors, it’s best to stop smoking immediately.

• Avoid Intake of Alcohol

Drinking any type of alcohol in any amount is not at all safe for pregnant women. There are multiple opinions on the internet saying wine or beer is safe during pregnancy. But, it’s a myth. There is no such thing as safe alcohol. Every form of alcohol is equally damaging, including beer and wine.

The alcohol in the mother’s blood reaches the baby through the umbilical cord. Alcohol intake during pregnancy can result in a variety of lifelong physical, behavioural, and mental problems known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). Babies with FASDs may show the following signs in the future:

• Small Head Size
• Less Than Average Height
• Low body weight
• Poor Motor Skills
• Hyperactive Nature
• Poor Memory & Less Attentive
• Speech Disability & Hearing Problems
• Low IQ & Poor Reasoning Skills

• Avoid Hot Baths

While a hot bath may seem like a great idea to get some relief from crippling cramps or bothersome back pain, it’s not safe at all. A hot bath puts you at risk of overheating, dizziness, and fainting. The rise of core body temperature in the first trimester negatively affects your baby’s development. 

The increased temperature reduces the blood flow to your baby. It takes only 10-20 minutes for a hot bath to throw your body temperature above 102 °F or 38.9 °C. It’s best to avoid hot baths during pregnancy. If you still want to take a hot bath, a water temperature lesser than the body temperature, i.e, 98 °F or 36.7 °C, is considered safe.

• Avoid Caffeine Intake

Caffeine is a stimulant, a substance that is responsible for increased physiological or nervous activity in the body. Moreover, a stimulant raises your heart rate and blood pressure, which is problematic during pregnancy.

Caffeine is also responsible for dehydration because it increases the frequency of urination. While you still can consume caffeine in moderation as your body can digest it. But, your baby doesn’t have the enzymes necessary for the digestion of caffeine. Thus, you should avoid caffeine at all costs. first trimester precautions

Remember that caffeine isn't solely found in coffee. It can also be found in tea, carbonated drinks, chocolate, and even some medications. Be sure to check the ingredients of what you consume.

• Avoid Unhealthy, Processed, and Junk Foods

For a healthy pregnancy, avoid eating unhealthy or stale food. Processed and junk foods also must be stopped in the first trimester. These foods contain tons of salt. 

Too much salt will pump your blood pressure, leading to gestational hypertension. It may increase your risk of preeclampsia as well. Instead, focus on eating a healthy diet for the proper development of your baby.

• Say No to Papaya

Avoiding raw papaya is one of the most recommended first-trimester precautions. It’s because the unripe papaya has higher latex content. And studies show that concentrated latex triggers uterine contradictions. These contractions could potentially hinder the baby's ability to receive oxygen since they compress the blood vessels in the uterus.

The first trimester of pregnancy is crucial as there is a high chance of having a miscarriage. Eating raw papaya can also be one of the reasons behind miscarriage. Avoid the consumption of raw papaya.

5 Activities You Can Do During The First Trimester of Pregnancy

Being healthy, well-rested, and mentally fit is necessary during the first trimester of pregnancy. To ensure all these 3 things, these are some things you must do in the first trimester:

• Daily Exercise

From the early stages of pregnancy, it's safe to do some exercises. To have a healthy pregnancy, make it a part of your daily routine to do light exercises and specific yoga asanas for pregnancy. 

Exercising daily recommended by your doctor will add a layer of protection for fetus development and keep you fresh and energetic during pregnancy.

• Meditation

Meditation is also a very important and most performed practice during pregnancy to have a healthy baby and overall development of the baby. 

Meditating daily for at least 30 minutes will reduce your stress, morning sickness, anxiety, depression, and other discomforts that will affect your baby. It is very important to meditate during the first trimester of your pregnancy to stay healthy.

• Listen to Music

Do what your baby loves! There is some pregnancy music that needs to be listened to in the first three months of pregnancy.

In many studies, it is found that listening to music during pregnancy, like Garbh Sanskar Music, Vedic Mantras, etc., will make your baby happy while growing inside the womb.

• Eat Healthy Diet

The first trimester of your pregnancy is very important considering the baby's development. As they start growing these days, they need more nutrients to stay healthy inside the belly.

For better fetal development, include foods with rich nutritional content like vitamins, minerals, calcium, protein, green leafy vegetables, fruits, etc.

• Stay Connected With Your Doctor

Stay connected with your doctor and have regular checkups to make sure everything is fine during the first trimester of pregnancy and keep track of the baby's development. 

Sometimes, women are diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy. Keep your environment healthy and stay away from diseases.

Conclusion

The first trimester of pregnancy is a time of excitement and of course comes with a lot of precautions to take. It’s good to take care of your physical health by making minute changes in your lifestyle. Taking appropriate precautions during the first trimester can safeguard your baby from many issues.

However, there is one more thing that is equally important as your physical health. It is your mental health. The need to stay calm, happy, and positive during pregnancy cannot be stressed enough. Just by being calm, happy, and positive during the pregnancy, you can ensure the proper development of your baby.

To stay calm, happy, and positive, you must go for our Garbh Sanskar course. This dedicated course for pregnant women contains a lot of peace-providing features like Garbh Sanskar music, Yog Nidra, Meditation, Jeevan Sutra, etc.

Download the Krishna Coming Garbh Sanskar app to attend the Garbh Sanskar course and have a stress-free, happy, and positive pregnancy experience. We wish you a healthy pregnancy!

FAQs on First Trimester Precautions

Q1. Which precautions during the first trimester are absolutely necessary?

The first 12 weeks are when the fetus is most vulnerable. During this time, all of the major organs and body systems are developing and can adversely affect the fetus. Thus, strictly avoid exposure to drugs, infectious agents, radiation, certain medications, tobacco, and toxic substances.

Q2. What first-trimester precautions should I take during pregnancy?

• Avoid hot baths
• Limit exposure to pet animals
• Avoid strong smells
• Do not ignore cramps or bleeding
• Evade exercises that could cause injury to your stomach

Q3. What precautions during the first trimester should I keep when sleeping?

Early on in your pregnancy, try to establish the habit of sleeping on your side. As your pregnancy progresses, lying on your side with your knees bent will most likely be the most comfortable position.