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First Trimester of Pregnancy(Weeks 3~13)

• Understanding of First Trimester of Pregnancy
• Prenatal Examinations and Vaccinations
• Lifestyle Habits
• Physical Discomfort Due to Pregnancy
• Domestic Violence
• Precautions

Morning sickness

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is called morning sickness. When you wake up in the morning, you may feel uneasy and nauseous. Even foods that you normally enjoy could have an unpleasant smell, which may make you nervous to eat. Digestion at this time is poor, so you will feel bloated and more often than not and may lose weight. Some pregnant women lose up to 2 kg. As long as you don't lose more than 10% of your body weight, you don't need to worry too much about weight loss during this time, as not much nutrition is going to the fetus yet. However, if you lose more than 10% of your body weight in a short period of time and continue to vomit to the point where you cannot even keep water down, you should consult a specialist.
After consulting your doctor, you may be prescribed medication to help alleviate morning sickness. When weight loss is severe and eating is nearly impossible, hospitalization may be helpful. Glucose, water, electrolytes, etc. can be administered through an IV, and basic nutrients can be injected as well. Vomiting usually goes away on its own after the 4th month of pregnancy.

The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown, but it is thought to be due to the influence of hormones produced from the placenta.
During this period of morning sickness, when you become sensitive to smells, your food preferences will change frequently and you may feel nauseous, which can make preparing meals quite the challenge. Ask your husband to help prepare meals, as you will feel lethargic, sleepy, and easily fatigued during this time. Sharing responsibilities, such as shopping, food prep, cooking, setting the table, and doing the dishes, will help you manage morning sickness more easily.

References and Additional Information

• Korea Health Promotion Institute : Nutritional Management for Pregnant Women 3
• Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency National Health Information Portal : Morning Sickness
• MotherSafe : How Do You Treat Severe Morning Sickness?
• MotherSafe : How to Reduce Morning Sickness 1, How to Reduce Morning Sickness 2
• MotherSafe : TV for Pregnant Women “When Does Morning Sickness Get Better? Are Morning Sickness Medications Safe?"

Bleeding gums and dental problems

During pregnancy, hormonal changes can make your gums more irritated and inflamed. Plaque build-up may cause your gums to become red, swollen, or sensitive, making the gums bleed when brushing. Brushing gently and flossing can help prevent this. Get a dental check-up before pregnancy or during early pregnancy to check the condition of your teeth and gums. If gum bleeding persists, notify your dentist. Rest assured that dental treatment during pregnancy is safe.
Especially in the case of cavities, if not treated in time, it can cause problems for you and the fetus.
If you crave sweets during pregnancy or eat small amounts frequently due to morning sickness, proper dental care is even more important. Here are some ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste before breakfast and before bed at night.
• Use a toothbrush with a small, soft head.
• Maintain interdental cleanliness by using dental floss.
• No smoking! – Smoking increases the risk of gum disease and tooth loss.
• Get a dental checkup if you have not had one in the last 12 months.
• If you have any symptoms of tooth decay or gum disease, get a dental checkup immediately.

Frequent urination and pain during urination

In early pregnancy, the frequency of urination increases due to hormonal changes, and in later pregnancy, increases due to the weight of the uterus pressing on the bladder. For a twin pregnancy, the frequency of urination increases even more. In late pregnancy, you may feel like urine remains in the bladder after urinating, or may experience urinary incontinence when you sneeze, cough, or lift an object. Doing daily pelvic floor exercises can help prevent this.

If you feel a burning or stinging sensation when urinating, you may have inflammation(cystitis), so see your doctor for treatment. Early treatment is important for urinary tract infections(UTIs) such as cystitis.

Constipation

Hormonal changes can slow down your bowel movements. You need to get regular exercise(such as walking, which is good for your health) to help move food through the digestive tract, and eat plenty of foods that are rich in water and fiber. It is safe to use laxatives or fiber supplements until diet and exercise move things along. However, you need to avoid strong laxatives. Iron supplements can often cause constipation, so ask your doctor if you need to change the iron supplement you're taking.

Dizziness/Vertigo

Pregnancy also affects the circulatory system, so you may feel dizzy more often, especially when you stand for too long on a hot day or when you get up too quickly after lying down. If you feel dizzy, lie down or sit down immediately, put your head between your legs, and wait until you feel better. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating regular meals can help. During pregnancy, your blood sugar levels fluctuate more frequently. Dizziness occurs when blood sugar levels drop. Regular meals will help keep your blood sugar levels steady.

(Source: NSW)

References

NSW : pregnancy and childbirth