Your Holistic Pregnancy- The 1^st Trimester

Pregnancy is such an exciting time in a woman’s life, but can also be a bit confusing and anxiety producing. With the myriad of information available today moms can be left wondering how to really best care for themselves and their babies. As more and more women seek holistic and natural healthcare and lifestyle options, I feel it is important to provide information to better achieve those goals.

Let’s start with the 1^st trimester. Whew!! So much is going on in those short 13 weeks, oftentimes before anyone else is even aware of the pregnancy.

Weeks 1-3 post conception Growth and Development (weeks 3-5 post LMP): Conception occurs around day 14 of a normal 28 day menstrual cycle, when ovulation occurs. At this point the body begins changing it’s hormonal signals as the cells begin a rapid series of division. By day 5-6 the blastocyst attaches itself into the wall of the uterus. The embryo implants itself more deeply in the endometrium from days 7-12. After the embryo imbeds itself into the uterus and the beginnings of the placenta begin to form, these are known as the chorionic villi. By the end of the 5^th week post LMP the heart begins to contract.

What you may be feeling:

Typically, most moms are feeling quite normal at this point in their pregnancies. You may feel some breast tenderness or bloating and cramping, which can mimic the onset of a normal period. By week 4 post LMP you’re probably wondering where that period is and can get a positive pregnancy result on a home pregnancy test.

What can you do?

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Continue to exercise, eat lots of fruits, veggies and low processed foods. Rest as you’re tired. Begin taking prenatal vitamins if you weren’t taking them already.

Weeks 4-6 post conception Growth and Development (weeks 6-8 post LMP): By week 4 the forebrain and hindbrain are easily distinguished and the very beginnings of the lungs, liver, stomach, pancreas and thyroid gland are developing. Additionally, the eye is forming and all limb buds are present by the 4^th week post conception. The ear begins to form by the end of the 6^th week post conception.  By the 6^th week post LMP the uterus is roughly the size of a clementine, that’s about twice the size of a non-pregnant uterus; and your baby resembles a tadpole and is about 4mm in length. The 1^st pair of salivary glands begins to develop around week 8 post LMP.

What you may be feeling:

You are probably feeling pretty tired, and nausea may have set in around the 7^th week post LMP. Many moms also feel very bloated and emotional. Additionally, you may be making more frequent trips to the bathroom as the uterus begins to press on your bladder. 

What can you do?

Because all major organ systems are forming, it is very important to eliminate unhealthy substances in your life, which may damage your growing baby such as alcohol, tobacco, some medications, and excessive caffeine.  Continue to eat a healthy diet and maintain an exercise moderate exercise routine. You may want to eat smaller, more frequent meals to help minimize nausea and the bloating feeling.

Ginger and mint can be helpful for nausea.

Weeks 7-9 post conception (weeks 9-11 post LMP) Growth and Development:

By the end of week 8 your baby is out of the embryonic period and into the fetal period, and the heart has begun beating. While external genitalia are developed they are neither male nor female at this point. During this period, however if you are carrying a boy, the baby will start producing testosterone in order to develop male genitalia. Fingernails begin to appear. The placenta will take over by the end of the 11^th week post LMP. By the end of the 9^th week LMP the Thyroid has reached its place in the neck. By the end of the 11^th week, your baby weight about 7 grams and is about the 2.5” long. Your uterus is the size of a medium sized orange. Between the 8^th and 11^th week post LMP your midwife should be able to hear your baby’s heart beat with a Doppler device.

What you may be feeling:

You are probably still feeling pretty tired, and while the nausea and vomiting usually begins to lessen by the end of the 11^th week, it can still be a nuisance. Your breasts are probably still tender and your clothing may begin to be too snug. Many moms have gained between 1-5 pounds by the end of their 11^th week.

What can you do?

Continue to eat minimally processed foods. It is important to eat between 75-100g of protein and several serving of fruits and veggies per day, in addition to drinking at least ½ your body weight in ounces of water per day. By the 11^th week post LMP you can have the first screen done- this is genetic screening utilizing a sonogram and a blood test.

Weeks 10-12 post conception (weeks 12-14 post LMP) Growth and Development:

By the end of the 13^th week the 1^st trimester is complete.  The external genitalia is fully differentiated by the end of the 14^th week post LMP. The eyelids fuse and will stay fused until the 25^th week. The mandible is developing- giving your baby a pronounced chin. By week 12 post LMP the 1^st permanent teeth buds form. The palate is formed by week 14 post LMP and the taste buds develop during the 12-14^th week post LMP.  Additionally, parathyroid hormone begins to be produced.  Your baby should be about the size of a peach by the end of the 13^th week post LMP. Your uterus has moved into the abdominal cavity and is about the size of a large orange.

What you may be feeling:

By the end of the 13^th week, most morning sickness has subsided and moms are entering into a more energetic 2^nd trimester. You should be able to feel your uterus as a ball above your pubic bone, and have probably noticed that your clothes are not fitting as well as they used to. You may get your appetite back at this point.

What can you do?

Continue to take your high quality food based prenatal vitamins and eat well. This should be easier as the nausea is subsiding. Continue to exercise several times a week for at least 30 minutes per session. You should be on a regular schedule with your health care provider at this point. If you are unsure of where you want to give birth, now is a good time to start exploring all your possible options.