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| Pregnancy week
by week - Week
3, |
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| Week
3 Fetus |
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Must-ask
Questions this Week (Week 3)
What are the common early
symptoms of pregnancy?
It is possible to have symptoms and
yet not be pregnant just as having
no symptoms at all and yet be expecting.
Below are the more common symptoms
you can expect, and if you don't experience
any of these, it doesn't mean something
is wrong with your pregnancy. It just
means you are one of those lucky ones
to have it smooth.
| Symptoms
|
When
it occurs |
The
cause |
Other
causes |
| Menstrual
changes |
|
|
|
| Missed
period |
Typically
4 weeks after the first day
of your LMP, give and take a
few days depending on your typical
cycle length. |
Rising
levels of progesterone which
suppresses your periods. |
Jet
lag, weight loss, severe illness,
surgery, shock, bereavement
and other forms of stress.
Birth control pills can affect
your periods. |
| Mild
spotting |
About
1 week after conception |
It
occurs when the zygote implants
itself in the uterine wall.
Only a small % of women experience
this. |
Fibroids,
infections, birth control
pills. It may also be indicative
of any impending miscarriage.
|
| Abdominal
cramps (period-like pains in
the lower abdomen and pelvis,
bloating and gassiness) |
Around
the time your period is due.
|
Hormonal
changes trigger this; it is
very much like period pains.
|
PMS,
constipation, irritable bowel
syndrome. |
| Breast
changes (tenderness and enlargement)
|
As
early as a few days after conception
and it does not last beyond
1 st trimester. The other change
occurs as the pregnancy progresses
and lasts throughout your pregnancy.
|
Hormonal
changes. Other changes include
darkening of the areola and
enlargement of the tiny glands
on the areola. |
PMS,
excessive caffeine intake,
or fibrocystic breast disease.
|
| Nausea,
food aversions, cravings, heightened
sense of smell. |
|
|
|
| Morning
sickness(mild nausea to severe
vomiting) |
2-8
weeks after conception |
It
has been linked to high levels
of progesterone and HCG. It
tends to be worse in the morning
when blood sugar is lowest
but can happen any other time
of the day. |
Flu,
food poisoning |
| Food
aversion and cravings |
2-8
weeks following conception.
|
Hormonal
changes |
Poor
eating habits, stress or PMS.
|
| Heightened
sense of smell |
2-8
weeks after conception. |
Hormonal
changes |
Illness
|
| Increased
need to pee |
2-3
weeks after conception. |
Increased
blood flow |
UTI,
uterine fibroids, excess HCG. |
| Constipation
|
2-3
weeks after conception. |
Progesterone
relaxes the intestinal muscles
causing various degrees of
constipation. |
Inadequate
high fiber foods or fluids.
|
| Fall
in energy level (fatigue) |
Anytime
during the 1 st trimester.
|
Progesterone
which acts as a sedative and
an increase in metabolic rate.
|
Lack
of sleep, poor diet. Flu and
other illness. |
| Changes
to reproductive organs |
|
|
|
| Changes
to cervix and uterus: both begin
to soften; uterus takes on a
purplish hue. |
About
6 weeks |
Detectable
by doctor during pelvic examination;
caused by hormonal changes.
|
Delayed menses.
|
|
|
Some Basic
Pointers (Week 3)
Vegetarian diet
A well balanced diet can be nutritionally
beneficial. Protein from a combination
of vegetable sources such as nuts,
lentils and seeds can bring about
the benefits that are found in meat
sources, with the added plus of being
full of complex carbohydrates and
fiber with none of the saturated fats.
However ensure you do not suffer from
any deficiency particularly in vitamins
B2, B6 and B12, zinc, iron and calcium.
Energy requirements
Your metabolic rate increases making
your body more energy-efficient during
pregnancy. This in turn affects your
calorie needs. As a pregnant woman
your energy requirement is about 1940
calories per day, with an increase
of 200 cal in the final trimester.
Your appetite will govern and predict
how much to eat. Little and often
is the key: five or six small but
nutrient laden meals a day are advisable
to one or two large ones. |
|
Your Nutrition (Week 3)
You must be prepared to gain weight
during your pregnancy as it is necessary
for your health and that of your baby.
You don't have to let yourself go
you only need to gain enough to meet
the needs of your pregnancy. You may
be eating for two, but you don't have
to eat twice as much. The amount of
weight you gain in your first trimester
is important. If you gain a lot of
weight in the first trimester, your
baby may be large. If you didn't gain
much during that time, you may have
a lower birth-weight baby. You probably
won't be able to eat all you want
unless you are one of the lucky ones
who don't have to deal with calories
or pregnancy related discomforts.
Eat nutritious foods. Avoid those
with empty calories (sugar and fat
laden foods.) Eat lots of fresh vegetables
and fruits and avoid caffeine wherever
possible.
Key Food Types during pregnancy
Proteins
These consist of amino acids - the
basic builders of cells. Foods rich
in protein include meat, fish, cheese
and eggs
Carbohydrates
The main sources of energy; simple
carb is sugar, complex carb is starch
(pasta, rice, potatoes)
Fats
These are concentrated sources of
energy. Some are good for health (polyunsaturated
fats) while others cause more harm
than good such as saturated fats.
Key nutrients Needed and Sources
Calcium
Milk, cheese, yoghurt, pulses, nuts,
tofu, wholegrain
Iron
Meat, poultry, dark oily fish, pulses,
seafood, fortified grains, nuts, seeds,
dried fruit, green leafy vegetables
Zinc
Meat, poultry, shellfish, pulses,
kiwi fruit
B vitamins (including folate)
Meat, poultry, fish, dairy products,
fortified cereals, nuts, seeds, green
vegetables, pulses, orange juice,
bananas, avocado, wholegrain
Vitamin C
Citrus fruits, tomatoes, red peppers,
strawberries, kiwi fruit, parsley |
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