Pregnancy tips for to-be mothers for every trimester
Whether you are in the first month of pregnancy or the last, you have to take care of yourself during this time. Having said that, here’s what you need to do to be safe during motherhood.
During the first trimester
First trimester starts from conception to continues till the 12th week of pregnancy. Dr Siddhartha suggests the following to get through the first trimester safely:
- Don’t forget to include folic acid supplements
- Eat home-cooked food
- Have smaller and more frequent meals
- Drink enough liquids to stay hydrated
- Don’t forget to rest
- Walk every day, especially after meals
- Try to stay as stress-free as possible
- Avoid taking medicines without doctor consultation
- Lie on the left side as doing so can increase the blood supply to the fetus
- Avoid smoking, alcohol and caffeine
- Do not eat foods that lead to constipation
- Do not have raw papaya during this phase
During the second and third trimesters
The second trimester starts with week 13 and ends in week 26, followed by the third trimester which starts from week 27 and continues till the time you deliver. During these trimesters, women tend to experience aches, pain and swelling. Dr Siddhartha shares the following tips:
- Eat enough protein
- Stay hydrated
- Drink enough liquids
- Do yoga and meditation
- Stay away from alcohol, smoking, drugs and caffeine
- Avoid sexual intercourse during the third trimester
- Wear loose cotton clothes
- Avoid travelling long distances during the second and third trimester, especially if you have preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, and preterm labour.
