What is Pregnancy Care? How is it Done?

When you find out you’re pregnant, you can start planning your pregnancy week by week. You may have more questions every day about healthy pregnancy and prenatal care. What should I eat? Can I exercise? What prenatal tests should I consider? How can I track the pregnancy care process?

If you’re experiencing a multiple pregnancy, you may also have more questions about your pregnancy week by week. How much weight should I gain? How can I prevent premature birth? Will bed rest be necessary?

We’ve prepared a guide for you to learn the steps you should follow during pregnancy care, what to do and what to avoid in nutrition, and essential information about healthy pregnancy issues from exercise to back pain and sex.

1st Trimester Pregnancy: What Should I Expect?

The first trimester of pregnancy can be overwhelming. It’s important to understand the changes you may experience during this exciting time and how to take care of yourself.

The first few months of pregnancy — the first trimester — are marked by rapid changes for both you and your baby.

During the first trimester, physical changes may include breast tenderness, fatigue, and nausea. Your emotions may range from excitement to anxiety. For your baby, this first trimester is a time of rapid growth and development. Your baby’s brain, spinal cord, and other organs begin to form, and your baby’s heart starts to beat. Even your baby’s fingers and toes start to form.

The first trimester of pregnancy is marked by an invisible yet remarkable transformation. And it happens quickly. Knowing what physical and emotional changes to expect during the first trimester can help you face the upcoming months with confidence.

Changes in Your Body

The first sign of pregnancy could be a missed period, but in the upcoming weeks, you can expect other physical changes including:

• Sore, swollen breasts. Shortly after becoming pregnant, hormonal changes may cause your breasts to feel sore or tender. As your body adjusts to these hormonal changes, the discomfort will usually subside after a few weeks.
• Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness, which can occur at any time of the day or night, usually begins about a month after conception. It’s likely caused by rising hormone levels. To help ease nausea, avoid going too long without eating. Eat slowly in small amounts every 1-2 hours. Choose low-fat foods. Avoid foods or smells that worsen your nausea. Drink plenty of fluids. Ginger-containing foods may help. If nausea and vomiting become severe, contact your doctor.
• Frequent urination. You may find yourself needing to urinate more often. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases, which causes your kidneys to process excess fluid and send it to your bladder.
• Fatigue. During early pregnancy, rising levels of progesterone can make you feel very tired. This is temporary, but make sure to rest as much as possible. A healthy diet and exercise can help increase your energy.
• Food cravings and aversions. You may become more sensitive to certain smells during pregnancy, and your taste preferences may change. Like most other pregnancy symptoms, food preferences are often related to hormonal changes.
• Burning sensation in the chest. Pregnancy hormones loosen the valve between your stomach and esophagus, causing stomach acid to leak into your esophagus, resulting in heartburn. To prevent heartburn, eat small, frequent meals and avoid fried foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, and spicy or fried foods.
• Constipation. High levels of progesterone slow down the movement of food through your digestive system, which can lead to constipation. Iron supplements can contribute to this problem. To prevent or relieve constipation, add plenty of fiber to your diet and drink plenty of fluids, especially water, prune juice, or other fruit juices. Regular physical activity can also help.

Emotional Changes

Pregnancy may cause you to feel happy, anxious, energized, and exhausted — sometimes all at once! Even if you’re excited about becoming pregnant, having a new baby in your life can bring emotional stress.

It’s natural to worry about your baby’s health, adjusting to parenthood, and the financial challenges of raising a child. If you’re working, you may worry about how to balance the demands of your family and career. You may also experience mood swings. Whatever you’re feeling is normal. Take care of yourself. Reach out to your loved ones for support and encouragement. If your mood swings become severe or intense, talk to your doctor.

What to Do in the First Trimester

• If you haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine, get vaccinated. Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines do not pose a serious risk to pregnant women or their babies. Vaccination can help pregnant women produce antibodies that protect their babies. Anyone who lives with you should also get the COVID-19 vaccine if possible.
• Whether it’s a family doctor, obstetrician, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy specialist, your healthcare provider will take care of you throughout your pregnancy, provide information, and offer reassurance.
• Your first visit will focus on evaluating your overall health, identifying risk factors, and determining your baby’s gestational age. Your doctor will ask you detailed questions about your health history. Feel free to share all relevant information about yourself.
• You will be provided information about first-trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities. These tests are for you to get the most accurate information regarding your baby.
• After your first visit, you’ll likely need to schedule a check-up every three weeks for the first 30 weeks of your pregnancy. However, depending on your health and medical history, you may need to visit more or less frequently. During these visits, discuss any concerns or fears you may have about pregnancy, childbirth, or life with a newborn. Remember, no question is silly or insignificant, and the answers can help you take better care of yourself and your baby.

2nd Trimester Pregnancy: What Should I Expect?

The second trimester of pregnancy is usually the most enjoyable. Learn how to address common symptoms and prepare for discomforts that will arise as your baby grows.

The second trimester of pregnancy is generally a period where you’ll feel renewed and refreshed. Stomach and bowel problems often resolve, and since your baby is still small, it won’t cause too much discomfort.

Changes in Your Body

During the second trimester of pregnancy, you may experience physical changes including:

• Growing belly and breasts. As your uterus expands to make room for your baby, your belly grows. Your breasts will also continue to grow gradually. A supportive bra with wide straps or a sports bra will be essential.
• Braxton Hicks contractions. You may feel these mild, irregular contractions as slight tightening in your belly. They’re more likely to occur in the afternoon or evening, after physical activity or sex. If the contractions become regular and their intensity increases, contact your doctor. This may indicate early labor.
• Skin changes. Hormonal changes during pregnancy stimulate an increase in pigment-producing cells (melanin) in your skin. As a result, you may notice brown spots on your face (melasma). You may also notice a dark line below your belly (linea nigra). These skin changes are common and usually disappear after birth. However, sun exposure can worsen the issue, so use sunscreen when outdoors. You may also notice reddish-brown, black, silver, or purple streaks (stretch marks) on your belly, breasts, hips, or thighs.
• Nasal problems. Pregnancy hormones increase your blood volume, which can cause your mucous membranes to swell and bleed easily. This may lead to nasal congestion and nosebleeds. Saline drops or a saline rinse may help relieve this congestion. Also, drink plenty of fluids, use a humidifier, and apply petroleum jelly around your nostrils to moisturize.
• Dental issues. Pregnancy can make your gums more sensitive to flossing and brushing, leading to slight bleeding. Rinsing with saline water and switching to a softer toothbrush can reduce irritation. Frequent vomiting can also affect your tooth enamel and make you more susceptible to cavities. Be sure to take good care of your teeth during pregnancy.
• Dizziness. Pregnancy causes circulatory changes that can make you feel dizzy. If you experience dizziness, drink plenty of fluids, avoid standing for long periods, and move slowly when standing up or changing positions. Lie on your side when you feel lightheaded.
• Leg pain. Leg cramps are common as pregnancy progresses and usually occur at night. To prevent them, stretch your calf muscles before bed, stay physically active, and drink plenty of fluids. Choose shoes that provide comfort, support, and utility. If a leg cramp occurs, stretch the calf muscles on the affected side. A warm shower and a warm bath can also help.
• Vaginal discharge. You may notice sticky, clear, or white vaginal discharge. This is normal. If the discharge has an unpleasant odor, is an unusual color, or is accompanied by pain, soreness, or itching in your vaginal area, contact your doctor. This could be a sign of a vaginal infection.
• Urinary tract infections. These infections are common during pregnancy. If you experience a strong urge to urinate that you can’t delay, sharp pain while urinating, cloudy or strongly odorous urine, fever, or back pain, contact your doctor. If left untreated, urinary tract infections can become severe and lead to kidney infections.

Emotional Changes

In the second trimester, you may feel less tired. Look into childbirth classes. Find a doctor for your baby. Read about breastfeeding. If you plan to return to work after the baby is born, find out your employer’s maternity leave policy and research childcare options.

You may worry about childbirth or upcoming parenthood. To ease your anxiety, try to learn as much as you can. Focus on making healthy lifestyle choices that will give your baby the best possible start.

What to Do in the Second Trimester

• Your doctor may ask you to come in for more frequent visits starting at week 32, with bi-weekly appointments and weekly visits starting from week 36.
• As with previous visits, your doctor will check your weight and blood pressure and ask you about any symptoms or signs you’re experiencing.
• If you haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine yet, get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infection with the virus. Studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccines do not pose serious risks for pregnant women or their babies. Vaccination helps pregnant women develop antibodies that protect their babies. Anyone living with you should also get vaccinated if possible.
• Additionally, you may need screening tests for various conditions, including gestational diabetes, iron deficiency anemia, and Group B strep.

• Gestational diabetes. This is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. Rapid treatment and healthy lifestyle choices can help you manage your blood sugar levels and have a healthy baby.
• Iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen to your tissues. Anemia can cause you to feel very tired. You may need to take iron supplements to treat anemia.
• Group B strep. Group B strep is a type of bacteria that can live in the vagina or rectum. If exposed during childbirth, it can cause a serious infection for your baby. If your test for Group B strep is positive, your doctor will recommend antibiotics during delivery.
• Your doctor will also check your baby’s size and heart rate. As you approach the end of pregnancy, your doctor will check the baby’s position and ask about their movements. When preparing for labor, your doctor may ask about your preferences regarding labor and pain management. Talking with your doctor about labor and delivery can help you feel more comfortable. Review your plan with your doctor, but keep in mind that many things can cause changes to your plan.

As your due date approaches, keep asking questions. Knowing what to expect can help you have the most positive birth experience.

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