The first weeks and months of pregnancy usually bring the strongest stresses for the woman. Especially in the first pregnancy, the upheaval changes in the female body are often so strong that they are very difficult for women to bear. That is why some advice should be given for the first months.
Signs pregnancy
Body movement should not be changed in any way during pregnancy. Women who are used to strong body movements can quietly continue them at the beginning of their pregnancy. Usually, the absence of monthly bleeding is the first sign of the beginning of pregnancy for a woman. However, sometimes the physical transformations become noticeable even a few days before the absence of the period. Typical early signs of pregnancy often include nausea, unconsciousness (fainting) and vomiting occurring in the morning hours. Even with such disturbances, the woman can relieve her condition by simple means. Vomiting at the beginning of pregnancy is physiological, i.e. it is natural and does not require medical treatment. The tendency to vomit is often aggravated by strong odors. Kitchen fumes, the smell of roasted meat, and also the smell of cigarettes are often extraordinarily repugnant to the pregnant woman and thus produce the urge to vomit.
Change lifestyle habits during pregnancy
In this regard, minor changes in the routine of household chores can be remedied. Although, unfortunately, the preparation of food is still often part of the woman’s sphere of activity, in many cases a way can be found by both partners adapting to the new circumstances, and the man strives to alleviate the discomforts of his wife. For the pregnant woman herself, cold foods with little odor (pudding, cold semolina porridge, vegetable and potato salads, etc.) are recommended during this period. The pregnant woman also avoid eating large quantities at once during the first months, but take smaller meals more often. This can be done even for most working women with a little good will. The tendency to vomit diminishes if the pregnant woman can make it possible to rest lying down for some time after the main meal. Fainting spells, which occur during the first months of pregnancy, though not very frequently, are caused by nervous stimuli emanating from the uterus and by changes in the blood circulation. The only remedy is physical rest. There is little to be done about these disorders with medication. It is important for the pregnant woman to sit down or lie down already at the feeling of approaching unconsciousness. Especially in the case of working women in industry and traffic, such fainting spells can easily lead to an accident and therefore must not be considered meaningless. For this reason, the physician has the authority to temporarily write the pregnant woman in question off sick. With some rest, the tendency to unconsciousness often improves in a few days.
Hygiene and personal care during pregnancy
To avoid danger, the pregnant woman must pay special attention to her personal hygiene. The most important principle is: scrupulous cleanliness. As far as it can be carried out, the pregnant woman should take a full bath at least once a week and shower daily. During daily body cleansing, special attention should be paid to the care of the breasts and nipples. Already in the first months, many women’s breasts begin to secrete minute amounts (droplets) of milk, which appears as a slightly sticky, opalescent liquid that quickly dries up and forms crusts on the nipples. As a result, the nipples become easily sore, their excretory ducts become clogged, and the performance of the nipple may suffer in this way to the point of causing complications in the postpartum period. It is recommended to wear underwear made of coarser fabric during the day, which is absorbent and immediately absorbs drops of fluid coming out of the breast. Rubbing the nipple and breast with natural skin oil without perfume is recommended to firm the skin while keeping it elastic. As a result of increased blood circulation and growth of the abdominal organs, the normal moisture of the vagina often increases already in the first months of pregnancy, and a milky discharge appears.On the other hand, since these are physiological changes, medical treatment is hardly possible, but it can only be advised to eliminate the discharge by frequent washing with clear running warm water. Rinsing the vagina is not recommended and can even be dangerous. The inserts (tampons) in the vagina, which are sometimes recommended, only prevent soiling of the underwear, but of course do not eliminate the discharge, which is caused by pregnancy. Body movement should not be changed in any way during pregnancy. Women who are accustomed to strong body movements can continue them quietly at the beginning of their pregnancy. Plenty of exercise, especially in the fresh air, is even recommended for all pregnant women. Strong vibrations, especially riding a motorcycle, should be avoided because of the risk of miscarriage. In the warm season, pregnant women are advised to swim and stay in sunny air baths.
Nutrition and sex during pregnancy
For nutrition, special rules are not necessary in the first half of pregnancy. The woman can eat whatever her appetite desires during this period. Since there is a tendency to constipation during the first months, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables proves to be appropriate. On the other hand, pregnant women should not drink too much liquid. Even if the liquid intake does not mean any danger at first, getting used to drinking a lot later in the second half of pregnancy can become very agonizing. It is sufficient for the pregnant woman to consume about 1 liter of pure fluid daily. Many pregnant women ask their doctors whether it is dangerous to have sexual intercourse after conception has already occurred. There is probably no pronounced danger of sexual intercourse in the first months of pregnancy. However, in special cases (displacement of the uterus, tendency to miscarriage) sexual contact may give rise to disturbances and must then be prohibited under all circumstances. It goes without saying that every pregnant woman is advised to visit her gynecologist during the first weeks or months of pregnancy for a pregnancy consultation and examination. This doctor or physician will then be able to detect and combat diseases and complications already in the making in good time.
