As you progress towards the end of the first trimester, the nutritional needs of the fetus increase imposing a great demand on the mother. It is very important for the mother to take a well-balanced diet rich in all essential nutrients. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals can impair the development of the fetus as well as make the mother weak. Here are some of the health issues noticed in the third month of pregnancy.
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Anemia
Lowered hemoglobin percentage is commonly noticed in women especially during pregnancy. Poor intake of iron often leads to anemia. The demand for increased blood supply causes anemia during pregnancy. Hence, it is very important for the mother to take iron and folic acid supplements as well as eat iron rich foods like oranges, pomegranates, leafy vegetables and iron-fortified cereals. Anemia is characterized by symptoms like pale skin, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Depression
Hormonal changes bring changes in general health and wellbeing of the pregnant woman. Depression, the feeling of extreme sadness is one of the health issues observed in the pregnant woman due to hormone changes. Other causes for depression during pregnancy could be due to changes in brain chemistry, stress, and family history.
Symptoms of depression include trouble sleeping, inability to concentrate, the feeling of remaining idle throughout the day, irritability, urge to cry aloud, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Few women are reported to eat excessively whenever they feel depressed which can result in obesity that is considered risky during pregnancy.
It is very important to keep depression under control as it influences the health of the fetus. Keep yourself involved in an interesting activity to divert your mood. Avoid getting too stressed and take rest whenever you feel tired. Avoid taking alcohol and smoking tobacco to regulate depression as they are not good for the health of the fetus. Consider sharing your feelings with your partner to ease the stress and anxiety.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
By the end of the first trimester, few women complain of increased nausea and vomiting. The symptoms are more pronounced than the generally observed morning sickness. It is recommended to take medication under the guidance of the physician to regulate nausea and vomiting to prevent fluid loss. In conditions of extreme vomiting, hospitalization is recommended to replace the fluid and nutrient loss. Hyperemesis Gravidarum is expected to come under control during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Miscarriage
Miscarriage is reported during pregnancy before the completion of the first trimester due to various reasons like the chromosomal problems. In certain cases, improper implantation of the fertilized egg is the cause for miscarriage.
Symptoms of the miscarriage include severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. It should be noted that minor spotting noticed during the early days of pregnancy is not a sign of miscarriage. Pain in the abdomen and bleeding may sometimes be due to ectopic pregnancy in which the egg gets implanted in the fallopian tubes outside the uterus.
The risk of miscarriage is high in older women, woman suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, problems of the uterus such as fibroids, infections, and genetic problems. Miscarriage is also reported in women who smoke and drink alcohol.
If you suspect miscarriage consult your midwife immediately. The midwife or the gynecologist will perform the required tests and in the case of miscarriage i.e. if the heartbeat of the embryo is not noticed they suggest the removal of tissue formed so far. It is either removed through medications or surgically performing D & C (dilation and curettage). Miscarriage due to natural reasons like chromosomal problems, nothing can be done to prevent it. Talk to your gynecologist for precautions to be taken to prevent miscarriage in future pregnancies.
Dry skin
Dry skin is another problem noticed during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. The imbalance in hormone levels reduces the oil production from skin glands and reduces the elasticity of skin giving it a dull dry look. Extreme dryness results in flaky skin that may even be itchy in some woman.
Drinking plenty of water helps to regulate the problem to certain extent. Consider washing the face at least three times a day to remove the dead skin cells. It is recommended to use non-soap facial cleansers as soap cleansers aggravate the problem and cause skin irritation. Avoid taking the bath with hot waters as hot steam would get rid of the oils from the skin. Consider taking the bath with lukewarm water. Adding bath oils to bathing water would replenish the skin with the oils lost during the shower. However, be careful with the slippery surface. Apply moisturizer immediately after washing the face to prevent the escape of moisture from skin pores. Regular application of moisturizer reduces the intensity of stretch marks noticed on the belly during pregnancy. Do not forget to apply sunscreen lotion whenever you go out in sun during the daytime. Above all, consider having a nutritious diet to bring back the lost luster and keep your skin nourished with nutrients.
Have patience and bear with the symptoms of nausea and fatigue that are completely normal during the first trimester of pregnancy. They would start to get better as you progress into the second trimester. Just concentrate on what you eat and drink.