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Pregnancy Testing

First Trimester of Pregnancy: What to Expect

First Trimester of Pregnancy: What to Expect

First Trimester of Pregnancy: What to Expect

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful and exciting moments in a woman’s life. The pregnancy is classified into three trimesters. The most difficult and yet more exciting is the first trimester.

Normally, after the fertilization the egg spends 3 -7 days traveling from fallopian tubes toward the uterus. Once the egg reaches the uterus it will float for several days until it gets implanted into the uterine wall.

 

1 to 3 Month Pregnancy Symptoms

During the first trimester many women are not aware that they are carrying a child. Once the pregnancy is confirmed, a lot of changes will occur in a short period of time, both for the mother and the zygote.

The main symptoms of pregnancy include: fatigue, mood changes, dizziness, morning sickness, breast tenderness, food cravings, etc. Nausea and vomiting will more than likely stop by the end of the first trimester, though rare, it may continue throughout pregnancy.

 

First Prenatal Appointment and Tests

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, the first prenatal appointment is very important. A total check –up as well as a deep medical history are necessary. Once a woman finds out that she is carrying a child, a full physical examination is routinely performed. Other tests which are performed include:

  • Blood type, Rh factor and antibody screening
  • Complete blood count
  • Rubella immunity
  • Screening for Hepatitis B
  • Screening for Syphilis
  • HIV testing, etc.

 

Physical Changes During the First Trimester

  • Vaginal bleeding – About 25% of pregnant women experience slight bleeding during their first trimester. Early in the pregnancy, light spotting may be a sign that the fertilized embryo has implanted in the uterus. However, if you have significant bleeding, cramping, or sharp pain in your abdomen, call your doctor. These could be signs of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
  • Enlarged Breasts – result due to hormonal changes and high levels of progesterone and estrogen.
  • Breast tenderness – result from high levels of progesterone and estrogen. The nipples may darken 1-2 shades, white bumps may appear, an increase in blood flow to the area may also bring out blue lines in the breast, which are actually blood vessels.
  • Shortness of breath is usually caused by an expanding uterus or the hormone, progesterone.
  • Fatigue – results from the stress that an growing infant puts on a female body.
  • Irritability and mood swings – occur due to fatigue and surging hormones.
  • Morning sickness and nausea – are very common during pregnant women. These symptoms usually go away after the first trimester.
  • Frequent urination – occurs due to a rapid growth of the uterus, which puts pressure on internal organs, including the bladder.
  • Constipation – occurs often during pregnancy as the high levels of progesterone relax the smooth muscles, causing the intestines to slow down.
  • Discharge – thin and milky white discharge is normal during early pregnancy. If you notice any possible change in your vaginal discharge please consult your doctor.
  • Heartburn – it is normal to experience heartburn during pregnancy as the body produces more progesterone. It is known that progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles, including the muscles of the esophagus, which allows the acid to get back from the stomach to your esophagus. To avoid the heartburn, eat frequent, smaller meals throughout the day, don’t lie down right after eating, and avoid greasy, spicy, and acidic food. You can also try raising your pillows when you sleep.
  • Weight gain – during the first trimester it is normal to gain about 3-6 pounds. Be careful and don’t overdo it. You don’t need to eat for to. The most important thing is to eat healthy and various types of food in order to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients he/she needs. Only 150 calories are needed extra during the first trimester of pregnancy. Get those calories the healthy way, by adding extra fruits and vegetables, milk, whole-grain bread, and lean meat to your diet.

 

Vaginal Bleeding After Sexual Intercourse

Vaginal Bleeding After Sexual Intercourse

Vaginal Bleeding After Sexual Intercourse

Bleeding after sexual intercourse is not common. The blood may originate from the vagina, cervix or uterus. There are many possible causes of vaginal bleeding after sex. However, some of them are more common than others.

 

Common Causes of Vaginal Bleeding

  • Trauma to the vagina is the most common cause of vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse. Bleeding can be caused due to losing of the virginity, breaking of the hymen, vaginal tears, etc. Any sexually active woman may bleed after rough sex. If trauma is the cause of vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse, there is always the possibility of having vaginal bleeding again during the healing process. Any slightest trauma after the first one will damage the granulation tissue, causing it to bleed again. This will normally delay the healing process.
  • Vaginitis (infection of the vagina) is the second most common cause of bleeding after sexual intercourse. Vaginitis can be caused by many sexually transmitted infections or not. Chlamydia, Candida or Trichomonas are the most common microorganisms that cause vaginal infections. These microorganisms affect the superficial tissue layer of the vagina, which becomes fragile and even a small friction may cause vaginal bleeding.
  • Cervicitis (infection of the cervix) together with vaginitis, are the second most common cause of bleeding after sexual intercourse. Cervicitis and vaginitis are mostly present together and they can be caused from sexually transmitted infections or not. Depending from its cause, treatment with antibiotics or antifungals is necessary.
  • Cervical ectropion – a condition when the inner lining of the cervix protrudes into the vagina through the cervical opening.
  • Cervical polyps – noncancerous, benign growths on the cervix
  • Cervical cancer – bleeding in middle aged women requires an immediate checkup and assessment. This is necessary in order to rule out cervical cancer as vaginal bleeding is the first most common sign of this disease. The risk of getting cervical cancer increases after the age of 35. If detected in early stages this type of cancer is curable, This is the reason that every uncommon vaginal bleeding, and especially vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse in middle aged women should be taken serious and should be evaluated. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the main treatment modalities.
  • Vascular abnormalities – are a rare cause of vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse. However, the bleeding may be severe in these cases.
  • Hematological causes – like hemophilia lead to clotting problems. Poor clotting causes excessive bleeding.
  • Incidental causes – there is always a possibility of having menstrual bleeding instead of a pathological bleeding after sexual intercourse. In these cases it is very easy to identify the menstrual bleeding by its consistency and texture.
  • Inadequate lubrication or foreplay, etc.

 

Other Symptoms While Bleeding After Sex

In cases when you have vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse, it is recommended to consult your gynecologist and make a total check- up in order to determine its cause. Please contact your doctor immediately in cases when except vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse you are also having:

  • Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Vaginal discharge that is smelly and not in its normal color
  • Vaginal bleeding if you are middle – aged

 

Vaginal Bleeding While Pregnant

While being pregnant, every vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse should be considered seriously and an immediate checkup is necessary. Having a placenta previa or a low – lying placenta may lead to vaginal bleeding during sexual intercourse.

 

Pregnancy: Top Ten Point Check List for Just Pregnant Women

Pregnancy: Top Ten Point Check List for Just Pregnant Women

Pregnancy: Top Ten Point Check List for Just Pregnant Women

Have missed your period recently? You are so excited that you do not know what to do next? You need

to proceed now systematically. Check this list and proceed accordingly.

Pregnancy Check List

Assess: Assess your pregnancy status by doing a urine-pregnancy test. Missing period can be due to

several reasons. This test becomes positive as early as three days of a missed period if you have

conceived. Check the two dark lines on the strip and confirm your gravid state.

 

Block: Block your dates as per an easy calculation…Just add nine calendar months and seven days with

your first day of last menstrual period. That will be yours expected date of delivery. But, only 4%

pregnant women start labor-pain on that expected date. If everything runs well, almost 80% women

deliver within 2 weeks earlier and one week later of that date.

 

Curtail: Curtail strenuous physical exercise, prolonged standing, scuba diving and long on road journey.

Curtail tension, anxiety and stress. Stop dieting. Stop smoking and drinking. Cycling, swimming, walking

and low-impact aerobics are recommended in uncomplicated pregnancy.

 

Diagnose: Diagnose day by day the symptoms of pregnancy in your-self. Nausea and vomiting will be

there as well as loss of appetite. Urinary frequency will be increased. There will be sensation of

heaviness of breasts. Backache, constipation and leg cramps are also common symptoms in gravid state.

These are actually your body’s response to accommodate your growing fetus.

 

Examine: Examine your body parts in closed door. Look at your breasts. They will become pigmented,

tender and enlarged along with some secretions. You will feel a gradual bulge in lower abdomen. Your

vagina may become soft. You may notice excessive non-irritant mucoid vaginal discharge time to time.

Don’t panic. These are absolutely normal findings.

 

Follow: Follow healthy dietary tips. Follow a habit of drinking adequate water. Ensure your diet is

balanced and healthy enough. Ensure adequate sleep. Light free hand exercises or sexual activities can

be allowed. Start to take folic acid 5 mg once a day.

 

Guard: Guard your growing fetus. Be conscious. Few offending agents can seriously hamper fetal

growth. Guard your pregnancy from radiation exposure if you are working in a radiology or oncology

clinic. Few medications like antihypertensive ACE inhibitors, antithyroid drugs, anticancer drugs, lithium

etc can adversely influence the development. Are you having these medications? Please check the list

www.just.edu.jo/DIC/…/Drugs%20contrandicated%20in%20pregnancy

 

Some Other Symptoms in Early Pregnancy

Hurry: Hurry, if you experiences following symptoms in early pregnancy.

 Excessive vomiting with decreased urination

 Bleeding per-vagina

 Burning micturation

 Persistent headache with blurring of vision

 Respiratory distress

 

Do not deal these ailments casually. Also report if you have persistent pain abdomen.

 

Inform: Inform your close circle regarding your gravid state. This is vital. Don’t keep it secret. If any

emergency arises by any chance, then they can help you accordingly.

 

Judge: Finally, judge yourself. Are you diabetic, hypertensive or asthmatic and on any form of regular

medications? Do you have experienced miscarriage last time? Are you a post-surgical patient? Actually

are you healthy enough or are you a high-risk mother? 20-30% pregnancies belong to high risk category.

This type of pregnancy needs an early consultation. Following are considered as high-risk pregnancy.

 

Pregnancy High-Risk Group

Check whether you are included in the high-risk group.

 Pregnancy with a previous history of repeated abortions or still-births

 Pregnancy in women aged < 16 years or >35 years

 Pregnancy with previous history of pregnancy complications like preterm

labor, hypertensive disorder, previous Caesarean section etc.

 Pregnancy in woman who’s blood group is Rhesus negative

 Pregnancy in a woman suffering from medical disorders like hypertension,

heart disease, epilepsy, asthma, thyroid disorders or renal disease.

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Disclaimer:

This website contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not medical advice.

If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.