Being pregnant is not being sick, but it does require special care and, especially at the start of pregnancy, the care should be even greater, because this is when the fetus is forming. It is during the first trimester that undesirable symptoms occur, such as morning sickness shows up uninvited, uncontrollable drowsiness hits you in the middle of the day even if you slept all night with a few extra hours, and your body’s sensitivity is heightened.
Good nutrition is essential to keep both the mother’s and baby’s health up to date. After all, from now on, she will not be eating only to nourish herself, but also her baby, who will develop and grow inside her womb, strengthening from all the vitamins her body can provide. If the mother does not have good nutrition, she may develop anemia and it can also affect the fetus’s development. This is why vitamin supplements are recommended right at the beginning of pregnancy to help during this phase, since it’s so common for women not to be able to eat as well as they should due to nausea at this time. It is recommended that moms avoid fatty foods, fried foods, sweets, and pastas during pregnancy, as these foods bring no health benefits and can actually lead to excessive weight gain and, in some cases, even to preeclampsia and high blood sugar.
What Is Not Recommended at the Start of Pregnancy?
If you lead a healthy life and practice sports regularly, you do not need to abandon your routine, but you should do it in a calmer way. Obviously, you should not do physical exercises that require strength, and much less anything that puts your life or your baby’s at risk, like extreme sports. Ball sports, martial arts, and any activity that carries a risk of strong impact, including crashes to the ground, are not recommended not only at the beginning of pregnancy but also during postpartum recovery. Choose gentler sports such as water aerobics, walking, or, if you already run, go for light runs for a few minutes.
Your sex life is another topic that couples often ask about, especially first-time parents. Many give up their sex life completely, along with their desires, in the beginning of pregnancy and, in some cases, throughout pregnancy due to fears and questions about whether it will hurt the baby or cause harm to the pregnancy. Many feel embarrassed and do not discuss these questions with their doctors. Sexual intercourse is only not recommended in cases of risk of miscarriage, very strong contractions, and bleeding. In these cases, your obstetrician will tell you not to have sex. If the pregnancy is progressing normally and healthily, there’s no reason for couples to hold back. On the contrary, many women have increased sexual desire during this period, while others lose their libido for the entire pregnancy.
Another very common question in prenatal appointments is about hair care. Not everything that was used daily can be used now, especially hair dyes that contain ammonia, straighteners, and chemical products in general, particularly at the start of pregnancy. Experts believe that when these products come into contact with the scalp, they can be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect the developing baby. Therefore, it is advised to wait until this early phase of pregnancy passes, and, after getting approval from your obstetrician in the second trimester, start using color-depositing shampoos for coloring, natural products, and the good old flat iron for straightening your hair. You don’t need to abandon self-care, but if there are other ways to look after yourself without risking your baby’s health, why not wait a few months?
See also: First Days of Pregnancy – What Are the Early Symptoms?
Photo: Stefan Pasch, Trey Matula
