The first tell-tale sign indicating pregnancy in your body is a missed period or mild spotting! If you skip a period and feel unwell, then you should go ahead for a pregnancy test.
The warning signs of pregnancy include tender breasts and nipples, darkening colour in your areolas (areolas are the dark circles around your nipples), food cravings, increased urinary urge and frequency, a rise in your body temperature and lower back pain or fatigue. Other less pleasant symptoms are nausea, a change in taste and heightened smell sensations, bloating, aversion to food, or mood swings and irritability.
How can you confirm if you are pregnant ?
If you think you’re pregnant, you can start by taking a home pregnancy urine test. They are readily available in our pharmacy and chemist shops. A urine test can detect the pregnancy hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) around 10 to 14 days, following conception or about a day after the missed period.
Pregnancy tests aren’t a hundred percent foolproof. Sometimes, you may get a negative test result even when you are pregnant or vice-versa also. Consider taking another test to double-check and confirm the results.
A follow-up with your doctor is a must combined with a medical examination to confirm the pregnancy. In the doctor’s office, a blood pregnancy test can be done as early as 8 to 10 days after conception to detect the hormone hCG levels.
The final positive sign is of course, seeing the foetus. With the aid of sonography, it is possible now to recognize the gestational sac (the fluid-filled structure that develops into foetus) about five weeks after the last menstrual period, and about two weeks later, the beating of the foetal heart can be made out.
Prenatal care has to be initiated immediately after confirming the pregnancy. Certain medical tests have to be done to confirm normal pregnancy and that you, the pregnant mother are healthy and free from disease.
What are the do’s and dont’s of pregnancy ?
The Do’s
- Prenatal Care : Taking supplements like folic acid, iron and calcium, as prescribed by the doctor is the first step to be followed. Certain drugs like aspirin and tetracyclines are to be avoided. It is best to consult your doctor prior to taking any medication in pregnancy.
- Your Diet : Your diet is most important now! You have to eat fibrous foods, green leafy vegetables and fruits. All the same nutrients are needed, as in the usual, but in a higher dosage. It is important to eat calcium rich foods such as milk, other dairy products, nuts and eggs. Drink more water than usual as the water demands go up in your body.
- Exercise : Doing atleast 30 minutes or more of low-impact & reasonable intensity activities like walking, swimming & yoga everyday is essential. Staying fit and not overstressing is an extremely important part of pregnancy.
- Adequate Sleep and Rest : Getting that extra sleep & extra rest, around 8-9 hours everyday. The best posture to sleep in is on your side (left side is better), with your feet slightly up. This will prevent leg swelling and pain due to varicose veins.
- Regular visits to your Doctor : It is a must to routinely visit your doctor, get timely scans, clear all your doubts & follow his/her instructions to the best you can.
- Vaccination : The vaccines specifically recommended for pregnancy include the flu or influenza vaccine (to be given in the first or second trimester of pregnancy) and the tdap vaccine (tetanus- diphtheria- acellular pertussis vaccine to be given in the 27th to 36th week of pregnancy).
- Read Up and be Prepared : Read up on what is to be expected for the nine months, for the delivery (either normal or Caesarean-section), and for after the delivery to look after the baby. Be prepared for the changes happening to you and your body (weight gain, fatigue, stretch marks, mood swings, possible backaches & post-natal depression).
The Don’ts
- Avoiding High Impact Activities such as lifting heavy stuff, leaping, jumping and running and skip. Moving in crowded places can increase the risk of injury and infection transmission. Transportation like bikes, autos and rickety buses are also better avoided.
- Avoiding too much of processed and refined Foods such as our Indian- Chinese Noodles, raw and under-cooked meat, unpasteurized (not boiled) milk, too much tea and coffee, carbonated beverages, tobacco smoking and alcohol intake.
- Avoiding exposure to X-RAYS and other unnecessary radiation and medication.
- Avoiding exposure to Flu and Infections.
Follow the best practices to have a safe & happy motherhood. It is a beautiful time for you and your partner, so take care to enjoy it.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
