Congratulations if you've just found out you're pregnant with your first baby. Hold tight because you're in for a roller coast ride for the next few months as you begin to experience changes to your body and mind that you have never experienced before.
As you've probably gathered from other areas of this site, there are a number of common symptoms of being pregnant. Most people are aware of them, yet will most likely not experience them all through their own pregnancy. This is because every woman will have a different pregnancy, one may suffer for a month with morning sickness, whilst another is absolutely fine.
So it is no wonder that your first baby and pregnancy can be a little bit daunting. Fortunately, most things are never as bad as they seem. Many of us are lucky enough to have great medical facilities on hand to help and advise us. In recent years, support for women having their first baby has improved ten fold. Hospital centers are geared to provide just as much support without being too fussy and in your face. If you don't believe me, try asking your parents or an older friend what their experience of having their first baby was like.
Obviously having your first baby and being pregnant means that your life is subject to some pretty dramatic changes. You should not try to come to terms with these changes immediately, as this would most likely be far to much to take in, especially with being pregnant as well. Try to weather the first 12 weeks of the first trimester, try to get your bearings and get used to being pregnant for the first time before worrying about nurseries, baby names or whether you should stock up on Baby Gap goodies.
My own memory of being pregnant for the first time was one of excitement and relief. Excited because we were finally going to have the baby we always dreamed of, and relief that we'd finally done it as we'd been trying for so long. Ironically, our second baby came along quite quickly after the first and did not seem anywhere near as difficult as becoming pregnant with the first.
I also remember a time of great camaraderie, my partner, friends and family all rallied around and wanted to get involved. At times I felt a little overwhelmed with everything, however I did appreciate their support and joy at the same time. That's the funny thing about your first baby and being pregnant for the first time, whilst you are the one that puts on weight, is uncomfortable and has to go through the pain of child birth, the end result is a lovely tiny baby. There is almost a sense that this small bundle of joy belongs in part to everyone else, they've all contributed to the pregnancy and delivery.
It really is "Team Baby", and of course as the baby grows things do not change. Which is great, as there stands a ready made treadmill of babysitters, helpers, holders and knitted jump suit makers.
If it is your first baby and pregnancy, we wish you every luck. Best wishes.
How to be pregnant for first time ?... Video
Weight Loss During Pregnancy
Weight Loss During Pregnancy: Morning Sickness
Prenatal nutrition is very important to the health of both a mother and her growing baby. Typical weight gain during the first trimester is about five pounds. But many women do not gain any weight or experience weight loss during pregnancy due to nausea and morning sickness.
Weight loss during the initial trimester of pregnancy is not uncommon. Morning sickness typically strikes between weeks 6-16, although for some women it may last throughout the entire pregnancy. It’s commonly believed that the changing hormones in your body cause morning sickness.
While it’s good for a woman to gain weight at a steady pace during pregnancy, most studies show that the babies of women with severe nausea and vomiting develop normally despite their mother’s weight loss during pregnancy. As long as the mother is eating a wholesome diet and getting nutrition from all of the food groups, the baby should be just fine. If there is a concern about the mother’s weight loss during pregnancy, an ultrasound can be used to determine if the baby’s growth and development are on track.
Weight Loss During Pregnancy: Dieting
Almost all health experts advise against intentional weight loss during pregnancy. A growing baby needs a good supply of organic food, protein, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in order to develop. Any effort that the mother may make to lose weight at this critical time could limit this supply of nutrients for her baby. A baby that is malnourished could develop significant health problems both at birth and throughout his or her life.
It’s important to gain some weight during pregnancy. The amount that you gain will vary depending upon your starting point. It’s a good idea to cut back on foods that are high in empty calories such as sodas, sweets, and highly processed foods. But you don’t need to worry about losing weight right now. Just be sure that your diet includes a good supply of wholesome foods for both your nutrition and your baby’s. And if you really do need to lose weight, strengthen your resolve to do so after your baby is born.
But what if you are already dieting when you happen to become pregnant? Should you continue on your diet food plan or resort back to your old habits? The answer to this question depends upon the type of diet that you are currently using. For example, if the “diet” you are on right now involves eating more wholesome foods and cutting back on high calorie, high fat foods, then it’s a good idea to continue. But if the diet you are trying is excessively restrictive, or limits any one particular food group, it may not give you the nutrition you need to support yourself and your growing baby.
What Nutrients Are Most Important During Pregnancy?First and foremost, pregnant women need a good supply of folic acid to keep their baby healthy and reduce the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Many health care practitioners recommend that women begin taking folic acid supplements at least one month before they even try to get pregnant, and continue throughout the pregnancy.
Women also tend to have trouble getting enough iron in their diets, and this is particularly worrisome during pregnancy, when iron supplies are stretched thin as the body produces more blood to support the growing baby. Healthcare providers recommend take a pregnant women take in at least 27 mg of iron per day. This is 50% more than the amount recommended for women who are not pregnant.
