In the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy, what changes occur in our bodies? How do our moods change? How can we improve our nutrition? Expectant mothers, let's learn together!
[Early Pregnancy]
In the first few months of pregnancy, especially the first month, the embryo is most sensitive to various teratogenic factors. This is also a critical period for organ differentiation and formation. Therefore, expectant mothers must not be careless and must take it seriously to lay a good foundation for the baby's future.
Body changes: Expectant mothers may experience nausea, fatigue, and sleepiness. The breasts also become sensitive and slightly swollen. There may be increased vaginal discharge and more frequent urination due to the growing uterus pressing on the bladder. These symptoms will gradually disappear around the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. If nausea is severe and affects normal eating, it is recommended to eat smaller meals more frequently and choose mild, tasty, easily digestible foods that can alleviate the feeling of nausea, such as soup, porridge, and soda crackers. At this time, there is increased vaginal discharge, so it is important to change underwear frequently and avoid using sanitary pads, as they can increase the risk of vaginal inflammation and urinary tract infections.
Mood: Due to hormonal changes and complex emotions during the first few months of pregnancy, expectant mothers may experience significant mood swings. They may become easily irritable, sensitive, and prone to crying and feeling aggrieved. Expectant fathers should communicate more with their wives and listen to their inner feelings. It is important to understand and be tolerant of these changes. Wives should also consider the perspective of their husbands, think more about each other, restrain themselves, and minimize anger. Both husband and wife should be considerate and accommodating towards each other.
Nutrition: In the first few months of pregnancy, morning sickness may be more pronounced, and appetite may decrease. Expectant mothers may worry that inadequate nutrition intake will affect the baby's development. However, this is not a cause for concern because at this stage, the baby is still very small and the mother's body has sufficient stored nutrients for the baby to use. When entering the middle stage of pregnancy, the baby's nutritional needs increase, and the early pregnancy symptoms subside, so the mother's appetite will return to normal.
[Middle Pregnancy]
In the middle stage of pregnancy, morning sickness gradually disappears, and appetite returns to normal. During this stage, it is essential to have a balanced and reasonable diet because the baby is rapidly gaining weight, and some organs and tissues are still differentiating.
Body changes: With the growth of gestational weeks, the abdomen gradually protrudes, but overall, it remains flexible. Therefore, if there are no complications, expectant mothers can actively participate in professional prenatal classes to learn about scientific nutrition, prenatal education, and practical methods to relieve discomfort. Under the guidance of professional teachers, suitable exercises can be performed. All of these can help expectant mothers safely, confidently, and happily go through the entire pregnancy.
Mood: During this time, expectant mothers will pay more attention to the baby's development and how to conduct scientific prenatal education. Here, we want to emphasize that no prenatal education method is as important as having a good mood. When a mother is in a good mood, her body is in the best condition, ensuring sufficient blood and nutrition supply to the baby for better growth and development.
Nutrition: Morning sickness has disappeared, and expectant mothers can eat normally. However, it is important to pay attention to a balanced and timely nutritional intake. It is not necessary to have the mindset of "one person eats, two people supplement." Eating large amounts of meat and disregarding other aspects often leads to excessive weight gain, which can cause pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, harming both the mother's health and the baby's growth. At this stage, the diet should be based on grains, followed by vegetables and fruits. Meat, eggs, and dairy products should be consumed in moderation. Oil, salt, and sugar should be consumed in appropriate amounts. It is advisable to minimize exposure to stimulating condiments to avoid diarrhea and premature birth. Additionally, iron-deficiency anemia is more likely to occur during this period, so it is important to consume foods high in iron, such as liver, blood tofu, and lean meats from livestock and poultry. Calcium supplementation is also crucial, and foods such as dairy products, sesame paste, shrimp skin, and small fish with bones should be consumed. Regular exposure to sunlight helps synthesize vitamin D through the skin and promotes calcium absorption.
[Late Pregnancy]
In the late stage of pregnancy, the uterus gradually enlarges, pushing the stomach upward and compressing the intestines. Therefore, expectant mothers need to change their eating habits and adopt the method of eating smaller meals more frequently. Adequate exercise is also important and can aid in the delivery process.
Body changes: The body becomes heavier, and even a short walk can cause shortness of breath and chest tightness. Sleeping on one's back becomes difficult at night. Hang in there and wait for the day of delivery!
Mood: As the delivery date approaches, you may start to feel somewhat nervous and even fearful. Will the delivery go smoothly? Will it be painful? Will it be a natural birth or a C-section? Your mood becomes complex again, and you may even doubt whether you and your spouse can handle everything that is about to happen. In fact, your spouse is also anxious at this time. It is important for both of you to communicate more and together create a birth plan, listing all possible problems and their solutions, such as coping strategies for different delivery methods and how to quickly reach the delivery hospital and navigate the emergency entrance. It is recommended that you and your spouse attend courses on childbirth assistance and postnatal care to timely understand everything you will face. This will be of great help to both of you.
Nutrition: The late stage is a sprint stage in the entire pregnancy, and the amount of food intake can be slightly higher than during the middle stage. Protein, iron, and calcium should be increased appropriately to meet the rapid growth of the baby and the mother's own needs. Additionally, due to the reduced stomach space, it is advisable to choose small-sized but highly nutritious foods, such as dairy products or animal-based foods.
