Pregnancy is the period when a woman develops a fetus inside her womb. It is measured from your last menstrual period to the date of your delivery. A pregnancy lasts for a little over nine months or about forty weeks. Doctors divide the duration of pregnancy into three trimesters. You become pregnant when a sperm enters an egg to fertilize it. The fertilized egg travels through your fallopian tubes to your uterus, where the egg implants itself. A zygote forms in the uterine wall which later develops into the fetus. The placenta connects the fetus to the mother and provides all the essential nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.

Symptoms of Pregnancy

The common signs and symptoms of early pregnancy are:

Missed period: The first most common symptom of pregnancy is a missed period. Therefore, if you are of childbearing age and more than a week has passed from the date of the expected period, you should check for pregnancy.
Nausea: The fluctuations of hormones during pregnancy cause morning sickness. Whereas some women experience nausea and vomiting quite early in pregnancy, some experience the symptoms only after two months of pregnancy.
Tender breasts: Hormonal changes during the first trimester of pregnancy make your breasts sore and sensitive to touch. When your body starts to adjust to the hormonal changes, your discomfort will slowly fade away.
Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy. Increased levels of progesterone during the first trimester of pregnancy increase sleepiness and fatigue.
Increased urination: Frequent urination is an early symptom of pregnancy. During pregnancy, your blood count increases. As a result, your kidneys end up processing excess fluid and more urination occurs.
Bloating: During the early stages of pregnancy, your stomach might feel bloated because of hormonal changes. This feeling is similar to how you feel at the beginning of your period.
Moodiness: The ups and downs of hormones in the first trimester of your pregnancy make you excessively teary and emotional. You might also experience sudden mood swings.
Food aversions: Because of hormonal changes during your pregnancy, you might become sensitive to some odours and your taste might also change.
Cramping: You may experience mild uterine cramping in the early phase of your pregnancy.
Light spotting: The first symptom of pregnancy in most women is light spotting. This is also known as implantation bleeding and happens as the fertilized egg implants itself on the uterus lining.

When to See a Doctor

You cannot decide whether you are pregnant or not by judging symptoms alone. Home pregnancy kits might also not give you the correct diagnosis always. Moreover, pregnancy is a delicate phase, and you might need extra care and certain medications. Therefore, when you feel that you are pregnant, you should not waste time and visit a gynecologist as soon as possible. You can request an appointment at Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, Amritsar. Call 1860 500 4424 to book an appointment.

Risk Factors of Pregnancy

Some factors that can make your pregnancy risky are:

Weight: Being overweight or underweight can cause problems in pregnancy; obesity might lead to heart problems and hydrocephaly in the newborn. Moreover, obesity might lead to gestational diabetes. if you are underweight, you might give birth to a premature or underweight baby.
Diabetes: If you suffer from either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the chances of birth defects increase.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy might increase the risk of low birth weight, neonatal sepsis, and neurologic damage to the baby.
High blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, you are at risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight.

Treatment of Pregnancy

The first step towards pregnancy care includes visiting a gynecologist who will guide you through your pregnancy journey.

Your gynecologist will prescribe the needed medicines depending upon your condition after conducting all the tests such as glucose tests, ultrasound tests, fetal echocardiography, nuchal translucency test, and many more. Your doctor will prescribe folic acid which might decrease the risk of certain birth defects.

Your gynecologist will discuss and make a plan for your labor and delivery. Your doctor will also give you a due date for your child's birth.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a beautiful phase, but it has several risks and possible complications. Therefore, you must visit a doctor as soon as you experience any symptoms of pregnancy. Your doctor will steer you through the journey of pregnancy positively and healthily. They will check for all risks and complications and treat you accordingly.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Amritsar - Abadi Court Road. Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.

1. What activities should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy?

You should avoid scuba diving, skydiving, and water-skiing during the first trimester of pregnancy. Other forms of exercise such as jogging, swimming or stair climbing are allowed during pregnancy. But you should discuss it with your doctor because each pregnancy is unique.

2. Can I drink alcohol during pregnancy?

It is advisable not to drink alcohol during pregnancy because it leads to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) where the baby is born with birth defects.

3. Is sexual intercourse safe during pregnancy?

Yes, sex is safe during pregnancy. But you should talk to your doctor about any complications that you might be suffering from which prohibits sex during pregnancy.