Scenario 1: You have been trying for a while. And now you're overdue on your period. Anxiously, you take out the urine pregnancy test kit, go to the washroom, collect a sample and carefully pour a few precious drops in the designated trough. Your heart skips a beat while it slowly makes its way across the strip ....and voila! Two lines! You're pregnant!
Scenario 2: You have your hands full in life right
now. You are working hard towards a project at work or a dream appraisal or
juggling a kid and work or simply in the middle of too many things currently.
Either way, pregnancy is the farthest from your mind. You realise you've been
feeling a little unwell lately and have missed your period. So again, the visit
to the washroom and the few seconds of wait and voila! You're pregnant!
I could count a dozen other scenarios but you get the
drift. You are pregnant NOW!
While for some there couldn't be a happier
realisation, others might take their time coming to terms with the reality of
the two unmistakable lines on the kit! The emotions range from elation to fear, from gratitude to anger.
Depending on your circumstances, you would either
be dumbfounded or have a hundred questions to ask! Your doctor would answer most, do a general examination and advise a
few tests, scheduling you to come back with
the reports. You would also be given an emergency contact number and explained when and how to seek help if the need
arises.
Once you're back with the reports, in most of the
cases, a normal pregnancy would be established. There are a multitude of
discomforts or problems that could arise in the first three months of this
special journey. Let's take a peek into some of the common ones.
1. Nausea and vomiting
No sooner has the happiness or adjustment over the
pregnancy settled in that you start feeling sick in the pit of your stomach,
literally. Early pregnancy nausea usually comes in waves. Though it's commonly
called morning sickness, it could be worse at any time of the day or be equally
troublesome throughout. Certain conditions like twin pregnancy, or certain
problems in pregnancy (molar pregnancy) could result in especially severe
morning sickness. Your doctor will discuss its severity with you and advise
diet and medicines for it. Small frequent meals and eating what you like usually help. A small number of women may need
admission to the hospital for stabilisation
till they are able to tolerate oral diet.
2. Heartburn
Acidity or heartburn worsens in pregnancy due to
certain changes in the position of the stomach and the food pipe. Besides
medicines such as antacids prescribed by your doctor, diet and postural
adjustments help too. Do not lie down immediately after eating. Avoid spicy,
oily and unhygienically prepared food. Small frequent meals and increased fluid
intake are immensely helpful.
3. Weakness
One of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy is
weakness. Even standing for a few minutes seems arduous. You'd rather pull a
chair and sit down! You wonder what's happened to the active, energetic you!
Don't worry, it's temporary. Your body is running a factory inside producing
the most awesome product ever! It's draining your energy. It is important to
listen to your body and slow down. You may continue to work as long as you're
comfortable but take a short break and stretch whenever you feel like it.
4. Constipation
Constipation commonly occurs in early
pregnancy especially if you are prone to it, have a poor abdominal muscle tone
or poor dietary habits. Simple diet changes (increasing fibre intake by taking
whole grain cereal for breakfast, consuming 5 servings of fresh fruits and
vegetables, taking plenty of water) and light exercise help a lot. Your doctor
will add some stool softener or laxative safe in pregnancy if required.
5. Backache
Certain aches and pains begin in early pregnancy,
especially aggravated by poor muscle tone and poor postural habits. Your doctor may
recommend a visit to a trained physiotherapist to mitigate these. Always sit
with your back supported. Do not bend your back without bending your knees to
lift something from the ground. An occasional pain killer may be taken in
consultation with your doctor.
6. Breast pain
Just as some women are prone to breast
discomfort prior to getting their menses, early pregnancy is also a time of
hormones rising affecting the breasts. Your breasts may feel heavier and full
or slightly painful. Do ask your doctor if you feel any lumps, notice any
nipple discharge or are otherwise concerned. She will examine the breasts and
will reassure you if the changes are normal. Rarely, investigations such as an
ultrasound of the breasts may be needed to clarify.
7. Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy can be alarming
for you and of grave concern for your doctor as well. Though it may occur in an
otherwise healthy pregnancy too, it can mean imminent or already underway
miscarriage. Urgently seek help and visit the emergency room. The doctor will
examine you, request a few tests (blood, urine and ultrasound) and explain the
situation to you based on the results. She may advise additional medications
and rest depending on the amount, site and cause of bleeding.
8. Pre-existing illness
It is of utmost importance that you discuss any and
every illness that you have with your doctor. Certain medicines you may be
taking (e.g. for diabetes or high blood pressure) may require change to a safer
alternative more suitable to pregnancy. Your obstetrician would record them
duly in her notes and discuss in detail the effects of the disease on pregnancy
and of pregnancy on the disease. She will also involve the relevant physicians
from other specialities in your care so as to have a holistic management plan for
the rest of the pregnancy and after childbirth.
9. Emotional roller coaster
The first few weeks of pregnancy can be an emotional
roller coaster. Having a supportive partner and friends and family is immensely
helpful. Also, knowing that there are hormones inside of you that can play
around with your moods helps maintain some control. Any meditation or spiritual
exercise for calming your mind that works for you is a boon and is encouraged.
You may take heart from the fact that most of the
early pregnancy problems such as morning sickness usually resolve by the end of
the third month; and the second trimester (fourth to sixth months) is a
relatively comfortable time of pregnancy.
Besides these common problems, rarely a
sinister complication may develop and require expert care. Do see your doctor
if you develop disturbing headaches, leg pain and swelling, severe abdomen
pain, fainting, breast lump or discharge, high fever, trouble passing urine or
any other symptom you think needs clarification.
Being under the watchful eyes of a supportive and competent clinician will make the journey a safer and happier one.
Happy pregnancy to you!
