(The first trimester is 0-13 weeks gestation)

Nutrition plays a key role even before you conceive. Optimum nutrition aids in your chances of conception and to have a healthy pregnancy. Pre-conception nutrition reduces the incidence of congenital malformation, pre-term birth, and intra-uterine growth retardation.

Optimum nutrition will ensure that your body would have a good store of nutrients to supplement your growing foetus. An unborn baby is most susceptible to nutritional deficiencies and infections during the first trimester of pregnancy, when the embryo develops rapidly. During the first three months of pregnancy all the organs of your baby are completely formed.

Many women experience continual sickness and don’t feel like eating much. Morning sickness is normal during the first three months of pregnancy. It is caused due to increase in a hormone called HCG – Women with poor diets are particularly at risk. During pregnancy the need for vitamin B6, B12, folic acid, iron and zinc all increase; extra supplements of these usually help worst cases of pregnancy sickness.

However optimum nutrition doesn’t mean increase in quantity of food. In fact in the first trimester, the nutritional requirement is the same as before.

For the mother, optimum nutrition means a variety of nutritious meals before and during pregnancy which ensures a healthier pregnancy with fewer complications, resulting in a healthy baby.

Optimum Nutrition during pregnancy is needed to support:

• Growth of the placenta
• Higher Blood volume
• More cardiac output
• Increase in levels of fluids in the body
• Hormonal changes
• Changes in breasts in preparation for breastfeeding
• Alterations to lung, kidney, urinary and reproductive functions.

Find below the key nutritional requirements during the first trimester:

In the first weeks, you may feel nauseous and not feel like eating much or eat at all. However it is important to remember to eat a good balance of foods every day, even if the quantities are small initially.

B group Vitamin Folate (Folic Acid)

As most women, may not know that they are pregnant for up to 4 weeks, ensuring adequate nutrient intake of B group vitamin folate (know as folic acid in supplement form) around the time of conception is essential. All women planning a pregnancy should take at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily for one month prior to planned conception (women at higher risk may be advised to take more).

This vitamin is required for the normal development of the nervous system, particularly the closure of the neural tube which occurs during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. Supplementation of folic acid must continue throughout the first trimester to avoid any birth defects such as spina bifida.

Apart from Folate, other B vitamins include: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, cobalamin and choline. These are essential for good digestion, energy production, certain enzymes invloved in amino-acid synthesis and maintenance of blood.  Women who lack vitamin B in their diet are more likely to have a low birth weight baby.

Niacin (a form of vitamin B3) supplements taken during the first trimester has been positively correlated with higher birth weights, larger head circumference and longer length, (all signs of healthier infants). 

Good sources of folate are white pumpkin (kovda), chickpeas (chole  chana), green peas, green leafy vegetables like spinach, methi, chawli leaves, dill (suva / shepu), radish (mooli) leaves, mustard greens (sarson), avocado, sweetlime, oranges, melons, tomatoes and nuts. 

Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium is needed for building bones and teeth, for blood clotting, for regulating nerve and muscle activity and for absorbing iron. In the first trimester, 500 to 800 mg of Calcium and 5 mg of Vitamin D is required. Apart from building your own reserves, it aids in the development of your babies bones and teeth.

Calcium absorption is improved with the presence of vitamin D in the diet. The main source of Vitamin D although is sunlight, is not sufficient and hence supplementation, under the guidance of a doctor, is very important.

It is found mainly in dairy produce like yoghurt, milk, cheese, paneer, buttermilk.

Proteins

Protein rich foods are needed to make your baby. They are considered as the building blocks of your cells as well as for your baby’s.

Lack of enough protein may result in weight loss, fluid retention, fatigue and frequent infections.

Lean meats, nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, seafood, cheese, roasted peanuts, lentils and kidney beans are good sources of proteins.

Fruits
This group provides Important nutrition during pregnancy like vitamins A and C, potassium and fibre. Some of the best sources of Vitamin C are found in fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, melons and berries. It is recommended to eat two to three servings of fruit a day. Eg: freshly squeezed juice or a whole fruit for breakfast, fresh or dried fruit for a snack, a fruit salad or a cooked fruit as dessert.

Vegetables
One should have a variety of leafy vegetables like spinach (palak), amaranth (lal saag), methi (fenugreek leaves) and other vegetables like carrots (gajar), sweet potatoes (shakarkand), corn (makka), peas (matar), green beans (gavar, french beans, chowli beans) and potatoes. These foods contain vitamins A and C, folate, and minerals such as iron and magnesium. They are also low in fat and contain fibre, which helps to alleviate constipation.

Breads, Cereals, Rice and Pastas

This group provides complex carbohydrates, which is an important source of energy, alongwith vitamins, minerals and fibre. You should avoid refined flours like Maida. Eat more of complex carbohydrates such as whole wheat, millets like jowar, bajra, ragi. Grain products are also a good source of protein. Many grains are enriched with B-vitamins and iron.

Fats, Oils and Sweets
Use fats, oils and sweets sparingly. These products contain calories, however only few vitamins or minerals. Fats should not make up more than 30 percent of your daily calories.

Consumption of small amounts (1-2 tspns) of pure cows ghee is beneficial in pregnancy.

Iron-Rich Foods
Indian women most often are anaemic due to an improper diet or loss of blood during menstruation. You must fortify your iron levels even before becoming pregnant. Foods such as meat, raisins and prunes, beans, Â all green leafy vegetables like spinach, radish leaves, turnip leaves, mint leaves, beetroot, pumpkin, sweet potato, pomegranate are rich in iron.

 Your body is better able to absorb iron when consumed with foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, nimbu paani, amla juice and broccoli.

After the first trimester, energy requirements increase in the second trimester. Now you only need extra 300 calories per day. The quality of food you eat is critical for your baby’s growth and development. Furthermore making nutritious food choices will ensure a desired weight outcome. A variety of factors influence weight gain in pregnancy, however on an average you must gain 0.7-1.3 kg during the first 3 months and 2 kg per month during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

Find below the key nutritional requirements during the second trimester:

In the second trimester, you must continue to eat a good balance of foods - fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and healthy fats. At each meal, eat a small serving from at least three of the food groups. With special focus on your proteins and calcium intake.

Proteins

Foods like Meat, Poultry, Fish, Eggs and Nuts provide protein, iron and zinc. In the second half of pregnancy, there is an increased demand for protein. It is now that your baby is growing rapidly. Depending on how much you weigh, the average protein requirement for pregnant women is about 40 gms to 70 gms each day.

Eating two to three servings of protein each day, will meet your protein requirements for you and your baby.

70 grams of protein approximately equals a bowl of yoghurt, palm size piece of chicken / paneer, 1 glass of milk, a bowl of thick dal / one egg omelet, 7-8 cashew and almonds.

Folic Acid

The intake of folic acid is slightly more in the second trimester. Continue to include in your diet – chickpeas (chole  chana), green peas, green leafy vegetables like spinach, methi, chawli leaves, dill (suva / shepu), radish (mooli) leaves, mustard greens (sarson), avocado, sweetlime, oranges, melons, tomatoes and nuts.

Calcium and Vitamin D

 Calcium, found in dairy products and fortified foods, continues to be very important throughout pregnancy. It helps your baby develop strong bones and teeth. Insufficient calcium during the pregnancy leeches the mineral from the bones leaving them weak and more susceptible to breaks.

Vitamin D helps in absorption of calcium and phosphate. Low levels of Vitamin D in the mother may prevent the baby from getting enough calcium and phosphate. Vitamin D also helps fight infections and may prevent diabetes and some cancers. Good sources of Vitamin D are eggs, oily fish and red meat. If you are a vegetarian, your doctor may give you a Vitamin D supplement.

In the second trimester, you need 700 to 800 mg of Calcium and 10 mg of Vitamin D.

Omega 3 Oils

In the second trimester it is essential to eat foods rich in Omega 3 oils. They are vital for your baby’s brain development.

Foods High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids include mustard oil, beans like urad dal, cold pressed flaxseed oil, fish oil, chia seeds, walnuts, fish roe (eggs), fatty fish, seafood, soybeans, cauliflower, broccoli, leafy veggies like spinach, herbs and spices like cloves, oregano, star anise, fruits like Mango, Honey dew Melon .

Fruits and Vegetables:

Continue to eat two to three servings of fruit and three to four servings of vegetables every day. They provide key vitamins like beta carotene, vitamin C, Folic acid and Potassium to you and your baby.

Apart from the regular fruits like apples, bananas and oranges, try to include guava, papaya, pineapple, mango, pears, apricots, strawberries and melons.

Eat a variety of vegetables with varied colors – leafy greens, dark green, deep purple, orange, red and yellow. Include beetroot, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, spinach (palak), amaranth (lal saag), methi (fenugreek leaves) and chowli leaves

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is needed to form Collagen, a structural protein that’s a component of cartilage, tendons, bones, and skin

Good food sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons), fruits and vegetables with a deep colour (kiwi, berries, guavas, cantaloupes, pineapple, pumpkin, squash) and dark green vegetables (spinach, bell peppers, broccoli).

Magnesium

Magnesium will help reduce your cramps and strengthen baby’s bones

Good food sources of Magnesium include:

• Wheat bran, bran flakes, oatmeal
• Banana, raisins, avocado
• Almonds, cashews, nuts
• Beans (chowli, rajma) and legumes
• Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)

Iron

Iron helps prevent anaemia, infections, supports baby’s growth and brain development and to allow baby to build sufficient stores for later use.

Good food sources of iron include:

• High quality protein sources: lean meat, skinless chicken, fish, well-cooked eggs.
• Vegetarian protein sources: pulses, legumes, nuts.
• Other sources: green leafy vegetables, multigrain breads and cereals.

Tip: For better iron absorption, have a vitamin C rich fruit/veggie with or just after your meal and avoid tea 1 hour before and 1 hour after a meal containing iron.

(The third trimester is 28-40 weeks gestation)

In the third and final trimester of your pregnancy, as your baby reaches full term you have to watch your nutrition even more closely.  The foods you will eat now will impact your babyâ€s health long after she is born. Along with this you also have to prepare your body for birthing.

Just as the earlier two trimesters, you need to continue eating healthy and nutritious meals. In the third trimester, you now need 400 extra calories daily. You can get your extra 400 calories in a variety of healthy ways:

• 2 slices of wholemeal toast with small bowl of hung curd dip.
• A medium sized boiled sweet potato chaat with chopped tomato, onion, youghurt.
• 1 cup Rajma/chowli / chole with small bowl of rice / 2 phulkas
• 2 phulkas with a bowl of vegetable
• 1 Jowar / whole wheat Pancake with 1tsp honey spread served with a fresh fruit.
• 2 Â small Methi / Palak / Carrot Parathas with a bowl of curds
• Chicken / lean red meat (size of your palm) and a bowl of vegetables.
• 250ml of fruit smoothie made with milk or a yoghurt and a blend of available fruits.

In the third trimester the baby gains a considerable amount of weight, stretching the motherâ€s abdomen to the maximum. As a result you may not be able to eat large meals.

It is advisable to divide the meals into several small meals and snacks so that you eat every 3 hours. The average calorie intake is approximately 2500 calories a day.

Find below the key nutritional requirements during the third trimester:

It is best to continue to have a diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Carbohydrates should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and cooked dried beans and peas. These foods help avoid constipation and fatigue and supply ample amounts of vitamins and minerals, while being low in fat and thus helping to regulate weight gain.

Protein

Protein requirements are at an all-time high in the last trimester. Proteins are important for the babyâ€s muscles and tissues. Extra protein is also needed for labor, delivery and breast-feeding.

Calcium:

Rapid bone growth makes calcium a vital nutrient now. 80% of foetal calcium accretion occurs during the 3rd trimester and the calcium requirements of your baby shoots to 250mg/day. However, to meet this high demand at the end of gestation, your body must have enough calcium in stock early during the pregnancy. Hence it is essential you start getting enough calcium from the moment you realize you are pregnant or ideally as soon as you consider trying for a baby.

In the third trimester atleast 1100 mg of Calcium is required.

Low-fat milk, cottage cheese and yogurt provide additional calcium.

Omega -3

In addition to your basic diet needs, during the third trimester, your infantâ€s rapid brain development will benefit from eating foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids and choline.

Omega 3 supplements and fish are good sources of Omega-3 fats.

Fats & Oils

Focus on fats that come from whole foods (like nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, eggs, yogurt and cheese), rather than the processed saturated and trans fats you’ll find in packaged foods. Whole foods supply vitamins and minerals, along with healthy fat.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the diet also affect development of the foetus. One of the most important EFAs is called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is found in fish (and also in breast milk).

DHA has a biological role in the structure and function of the brain, retina and nervous system. The brain of the developing baby grows rapidly during the last trimester and is dependent upon the motherâ€s intake of DHA. Various studies have shown that increasing the motherâ€s intake of DHA through supplementation with fish oil (oil from fish is high in DHA) results in higher blood levels of DHA in the newborn. The brain continues to grow and develop rapidly for the first year and an adequate supply of DHA is necessary over this period.

Vegetarian sources for Omega 3, Omega 6 and DHA include, Flax seeds, Sesame seeds, Beans, cabbage, cauliflower, berries, mango, mustard oil, herbs & spices, honeydew melon, seaweed and leafy greens.

IRON

Requirements for iron increase markedly particularly during the third trimester. It is essential for the production of healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to all tissues in the body including the placenta. Meat sources of iron are well absorbed in the body. Vegetarians are at greater risk of iron deficiency in pregnancy than meat eaters. Vitamin C increases the absorption of the iron found in vegetable sources.

Fruits and Vegetables
Continue to consume 2-3 fruit servings and 3-4 vegetable servings each day. This group provides important nutrition during pregnancy like vitamins A and C, potassium and fibre.

Try to eat seasonal and locally grown fruits & vegetables.

Vitamin A, copper, zinc and the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium are also very important for the pregnant woman as she approaches labor and delivery.

Water is also very important for pregnant women. It constitutes half the body weight. It is essential fluid to digest and absorb other nutrients, remove waste products from the body, regulate body temperature and perform the millions of metabolic processes essential to life.

Breastfeeding has several benefits both to the baby and the mother. Your baby will have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses and bouts of diarrhea. Breast milk contains antibodies, which help your baby to fight off viruses and bacteria. It lowers the risk of several chronic illnesses like diabetes, obesity and some types of cancers. For the mother, breastfeeding helps to loose weight faster. It lowers the risk of breast, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.

Find below some of the most common Breastfeeding problems, that mothers may face through their breastfeeding journey:

1. Sore nipples
Due to an improper latch, it is very common for new mothers to have sore nipples. Also the nipples are not used to be suckled at, which causes them to be sore.

Solution:
It is important that the baby is latched on properly each time you nurse your baby. Try to achieve an asymmetrical latch where baby’s mouth covers more of the areola below the nipple rather than above. If the latch doesn’t seem right, gently remove the suction by placing your index finger inside baby’s mouth to take him off your breast. Tickle his chin or wait until he yawns so his mouth is wide open, now offer your breast to your baby. When he is correctly positioned, his chin will touch your breast, his lips splay out and you can’t see your nipple or part of the lower areola.
Avoid using soap to wash your nipples, this can dry them out. Use lanolin ointment to heal sore nipples.

2. Cracked nipples
This can be caused due to Thrush – a bacterial infection, dry skin, pumping improperly and latching problems. Cracked nipples may result in some bleeding, which won’t harm your baby.

Solution:
Check the baby’s position and latch, each time you breastfeed. Frequent nursing will result in a less hungry baby, who in turn will suckle softly. Do not use any soaps or alcohol, use water and soft cloth to wipe your nipples. Apply your breast milk on your nipples after each feed and air dry them. Lanolin cream will be useful in healing cracked nipples as well.

3. Clogged Ducts
When there is backing up of milk, the ducts get clogged, causing a lump in the breast. You will notice a lump or some soreness, even some redness. Tight bra & tight clothing, wearing a baby carrier may also cause clogged ducts.

Solution:
Massage the breast in a warm shower, to remove the lump. Use warm compress. Do not stop breastfeeding, it will help dissolve the lump.

4. Engorgement
When the mother’s milk comes in, usually between the second and fourth day after delivery, breasts  start making large amounts of liquid milk. In addition to this, increase in blood flow to the breasts, cause the tissues in the breast to swell. Engorgement usually happens in the early weeks after the baby’s birth.

Solution:
Before feeding, soften the breast by with a warm compress or expressing some amount of milk manually or with a breast pump. Feed the baby on demand ensuring a good latch, as often as the baby wants and as long as the baby wants. Continue to breastfeed to ease the engorgement. Otherwise it may increase the chance of Mastitis, a painful inflammation of the breast.
Use a cold pack after feeding to soothe the pain. Wearing a good support bra is essential to reduce the discomfort.

5. Mastitis
It is a bacterial infection alongwith fever and inflammation of the breast. Clogged duct, improper latch, engorgement, sore nipples, if left untreated result in Mastitis.

Solution:
Breastfeed frequently or express milk to ensure the red firm areas of the breast are softened. Massage your breasts with a warm flannel, try breastfeeding in different positions to drain out your breasts and in extreme cases in a lot of pain, mothers have to take antibiotics. Rest and drink plenty of fluids to recover faster.

The postnatal period still has a “fame” that doesn’t match reality. Although much more is talked about it today, a lot still needs to be demystified. In evidence, the pressure society in general places on new mothers and families, which is almost a “mystery”: if all women who become mothers go through the postnatal period, why do we still have so much misconception about it? We are led to believe in the idealization of motherhood, and that we should not speak about the challenging side of it and about those situations in which we don’t respond to the expectation put on us (speaking briefly and generally).

At Motherly Hug it’s our priority to speak of the real postpartum, of the postnatal period as it is, without creating false expectations. Only then will we understand the importance of preparing for postpartum (in the part where preparation is possible) and only then will we have an idea of ​​what to expect … but only an idea, since each woman is unique and each experience is unique and unpredictable in its essence.

Here are seven postpartum myths:

# 1 You will fall in love with your baby immediately when you look into his/her eyes

It’s lovely to see that little baby that just came out of our own body, but that doesn’t mean we fall in love instantly. This does happen to some women, but not to the majority of us. Love is built on a daily basis, through the establishment of the mum-baby relationship, through interactions, through the first smiles (and then it doesn’t stop growing!), but it’s not necessarily immediate. So don’t blame yourself if your heart doesn’t explode with love in the early days. It’s normal.

# 2 Being a mother is instinctive

The maternal instinct exists and must be listened to, but mothering is a learning skill! And on the journey we make mistakes! It’s okay, it’s part of it! The perfect mother doesn’t exist. So don’t feel guilty when you don’t know what to do (in the postnatal period and also later). Mothering happens through attempts with both successes and errors!

# 3 Breastfeeding is natural and instinctive

I guess everyone thinks like that before getting involved in maternity matters. But breastfeeding, even though a beautiful natural event, is also a technique to be learned – by the mother and the baby (a few babies seem to be born knowing it already though). So it’s worth reading about it in pregnancy, watching videos, watching breastfeeding friends, chatting about it… for it’s not a knowledge that we bring within us!

# 4 You will feel like the happiest person in the world

Note the idealization of motherhood there! You will have moments of intense joy in the midst of a rollercoaster of other varied feelings! Especially in the first few weeks, it’s common to feel lost, confused, even sad! It’s important to have trustworthy friends or a doula to talk about your feelings without the fear of being judged, just as it’s important to allow yourself to cry whenever you feel like it. Don’t blame yourself for not feeling like the happiest person in the world now that you have your baby in your arms, as that is not the reality of most mums in those first few weeks (and do look for help if a strong melancholy is still there for most of the time after 3 or 4 weeks).

# 5 Newborns just feed and sleep, it’s easy to look after them!

Oh, if it were that simple! Newborns feed a lot … and cry a lot! And they require a lot of care and dedication! There’s no time for anything else! Hence the importance of a support network to be in charge of the “mundane tasks” while the new mum takes care of her little baby.

# 6 As soon as your baby is born, you forget all the pain

It’s quite true that as soon as your baby is born you feel a relief. But you may have contractions later, both to expel the placenta and later, for days or weeks, when the uterus is returning to its normal size and place. If you had a c-section, seven layers of your tummy will be healing, and yes, it may be painful! Not to mention the emotional pains that, depending on your birth experience, may be present for a while.

# 7 You have to handle it all on your own because it’s not difficult

This is perhaps one of the most unfair myths of postpartum! It’s humanly impossible to account for everything alone, as society sometimes makes us believe. You will need help and it’s not wrong to need help, let alone asking for help! Hence the importance of thinking during pregnancy of those who are part of your support network and talking to them about what kind of help you may want from them. It’s also good to know who the professionals that can be useful in this period are (check our website to know better how a postnatal doula can help you! www.motherlyhug.com.

Were you made to believe in any of these myths? How did you deal with them? How do you deal with them today?

Finally the day you have been waiting for is here! You have discovered you are pregnant and probably excited and anxious at the same time, wondering what is happening inside your body. Apart from the missed period, there are some early pregnancy symptoms you should be aware of. You may feel some or all of these symptoms.

1. Spotting and cramping:

About 6 – 12 days after conception, the embryo attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. This is called implantation. There may be spotting at this time along with cramps. Many women mistakenly think that it is the start of their period. Implantation bleeding doesn’t last too long, and is very light compared to menstrual bleeding. Some women may only have spotting others may only have cramping and some may not feel any of it.

2. Fatigue or Tiredness:

This is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Hormonal changes in pregnancy creates high levels of progesterone in the body, which can make you feel extremely tired and can also make you terribly sleepy. Sometimes to the extent that you find it difficult to be up and about for too long. Sometimes due to low blood sugar and low blood pressure also leads to fatigue, because of the changes happening in the body.

3. Nausea and vomiting:

Morning sickness, which can happen anytime of the day or night (between 2 – 9 weeks after conception) is another common pregnancy symptom. Due to the sudden hormonal changes during pregnancy, you might be very nauseated, and even have bouts of vomiting. It helps to suck on a boiled sweet or have a cracker / biscuit just before you get out of bed in the morning. Staying hydrated and eating protein rich foods throughout the day can also help. Some women are lucky not to have any nausea at all, while some may feel nauseous throughout their pregnancy.

4. Dizziness:

Some women may feel dizzy and some may even faint. This may happen because your blood vessels are dilated, leading to low blood pressure during pregnancy. Do get it checked with your doctor. If your blood sugar is low, it is crucial that you eat small meals every 2 – 3 hours. By the end of the first trimester, many women start feeling better.

5. Changes in the breasts:

You may find your breasts heavier, tender and achy. The pregnancy hormones surging in your body might cause your breasts to start swelling and become painful or tingly on touch. The areola (area around the nipples) may get bigger and darker too. Apart from the hormonal changes, water retention due to pregnancy can make you feel bloated. It is very important to wear a good supportive bra (preferably without underwire, as it may cause discomfort) more so while exercising.

6. Need to urinate frequently:

Suddenly you will find yourself visiting the toilet more often. This is because not only is your uterus growing and exerting pressure on the bladder but also your kidneys have to process more urine now.

7. Constipation:

The hormone progesterone, causes the smooth muscles to relax during pregnancy, as a result the digestive system is affected, and slows down a little. Due to this the food passes through the intestines more slowly. This might cause constipation and gas. Apart from this, your growing Uterus takes up more space, giving your bowels less room. Further the iron supplements can also lead to constipation. Do ask your doctor to change your iron supplement in case it is causing constipation. Eating high fibre foods will help greatly in reducing constipation.

8. Shortness of breath:

You need more oxygen in pregnancy. The increase in the levels of Progesterone affects your lungs. The growing embryo needs more oxygen, and as a result, you might be short of breath even though you haven’t exerted yourself too much. You’ll feel better if you take slow, deep breaths.

9. Heightened sensitivity to smell:

Some pregnant women develop a heightened sense of smell. They find some smells cause nausea, which might have not bothered them earlier. Some women also develop a funny taste in their mouth, which may just not go away.

10. Change in food likes and dislikes:

It is common to have food cravings and aversions to food during pregnancy. You might start reacting unexpectedly to certain foods. A favourite food might suddenly make you retch, and you might start craving for a food you never really cared much for.

11. Headache:

You might be prone to headaches due to the rise of hormones in the body.

12. Mood Swings

The high level of hormones in early pregnancy can cause emotional upheavals making you unusually sensitive and weepy. If you find yourself tearing up at the slightest stimulus, don’t worry, nothing is wrong with you. You could be happy one minute and weeping the next minute. This is completely normal and something you cannot help!

Do remember these signs are not unique to pregnancy. If they persist, you need to see the doctor. At the same time, some women may not experience these symptoms and might still be pregnant.

It is best to wait until you miss your period, and take a pregnancy test to be absolutely sure, and then follow it up with a visit to the doctor! The sooner you know you are pregnant, the sooner you can start taking prenatal care.

Do message me if you have felt any symptoms which are not mentioned here. Also if you would like to know more about any topic related to Pregnancy and beyond. Look forward to your comments.

Seema Kazi Rangnekar is the founder of  Samã Birthing & Beyond. She is a Mumbai-based internationally certified Childbirth, Pregnancy Fitness, Prenatal Nutrition and Lactation Educator. Seema is a member of CAPPA – Childbirth & Postpartum Association, USA, the world’s largest Childbirth organization. She is a passionate advocate for womenâ€s maternity care and her articles have appeared on various Mother & baby blogs. Seema is also a CAPPA faculty in India, conducting workshops for Childbirth Education and Pregnancy Fitness. Last, but absolutely not least, she is also the mum of two beautiful children, her daughter Samara and son Samarveer.

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