If you just found out you are pregnant, Congratulations!

Pregnancy begins at the moment the sperm and the egg join up, which is usually right in the middle of your menstrual cycle (14 days from the first day of your last period). You probably will not know you are pregnant until you have missed a period and by then the beginning cells of your baby have already been forming.

Any harmful substances you are taking into your body can affect your baby before you even realize you are pregnant!

By the end of the first three months most of your baby’s important organs have developed and now just need to grow bigger. The brain, heart, spinal cord are formed and even fingernails and toenails have appeared.

The signs that you might be pregnant include: missed period, sore breasts, nausea, frequent urination, feeling very tired. Mood swings or dizziness can also happen. If you think there is any chance that you might be pregnant, get a pregnancy test right away, stop all use of alcohol and drugs and get help to stay stopped.

Many women feel bad during pregnancy. There are ways to feel better safely.

Nausea:

• Eat small, high protein snacks every couple of hours. Some protein foods are meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, beans, tofu, nuts and seeds.
• If water is hard to drink try ice chips, Popsicles or juicy fruits in small amounts.
• Some natural remedies include mint tea and ginger.
• If you are unable to keep food down or are losing weight tell your provider.
• Avoid drinks containing caffeine, coffee, tea and sodas. They give you a short burst of energy but leave you even more tired. Also, caffeine can contribute to dehydration resulting in increased nausea.
• Take a walk during the day to get more energy.
• Don’t skip meals - eat regularly
• Marijuana is not a safe remedy for morning sickness. If necessary, your prenatal provider can prescribe effective and safe anti-nausea remedies.

Mood Swings:

• Normal hormone changes can make you moody.
• You can feel irritable or anxious when you have gone too long without eating or getting enough sleep.
• When you feel low try taking a brisk outdoor walk.
• Some natural remedies include relaxation exercises, meditation, stress reduction training. Your Early Start Specialist can help you with these.
• You might find yourself restless and with too much energy. Don’t overdo it. Pace yourself. Don’t let yourself get tired. Stop and rest even before you think you need to. Lie down and put your feet up for 10 minutes.
• If you have trouble keeping your temper or can’t stop crying tell your provider or Early Start Specialist

Tiredness:

• Get more sleep. Pregnant women often sleep eight hours at night and take a nap during the day. Go to bed earlier.

Signs of a problem:
Call your prenatal care provider immediately if you have any of these problems

• Any abdominal or pelvic pain
• Vaginal bleeding or leaking fluid
• Cramping like a period that comes and goes
• Back pain that comes and goes
• Pressure like the baby is pushing down
• Tightening or hardening of belly that comes and goes even without pain
• Severe headache
• Vomiting with pain or fever
• Fever
• If you are taking any prescribed medications

Your Early Start Specialist is available to help you manage the stresses of pregnancy. Be sure to tell her how you are feeling. She can also give you tips on how to enlist help from your partner, family and/or friends.