You are starting the adventure of the first trimester. In these first three months you will experience new symptoms and emotions. In this blog we want to help you understand each of them and give you some recommendations to reduce these symptoms.
Symptoms of the first trimester
During the first trimester you will start to see changes in your body and to experience new symptoms. Due to hormonal changes you may feel tenderness in your breasts, until your body adjusts the hormone levels. Nausea with or without causing vomiting “morning sickness” usually begins one month after conception. Nausea can occur at any time of the day, not just in the morning. These are caused by high levels of hormones. To reduce nausea, avoid having an empty stomach. Some recommendations to help you with nausea are to eat slowly and in small quantities, eat low-fat food, avoid strong odors, increase the amount of fluids, ginger tea and vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 can be found in bananas, dried apricots, plums, seeds, nuts, chicken, salmon, prickly pear, turkey, sweet potato and grains. It is important to keep in mind that vitamin B is lost when you overcook food or when you cook it at high temperatures. During these months you will also experience the frequency of urination, the increase in the amount of blood in your body causes the kidneys to produce more fluid. Increased progesterone levels can cause fatigue, desire for more sleep, mood swings, or constipation. Progesterone can slow the movement of food in the digestive system causing constipation. You may experience heartburn as increased hormone levels relax the valve between the stomach and the esophagus.
Many times in the first trimester mothers want to know whether or not it is convenient to exercise. This is something that will depend on each woman, so it will always be better to consult your gynecologist or midwife about the possibility of starting or continuing with the practice of exercises. The main reason is that the first trimester of pregnancy is the most delicate and when there is a greater risk of a complication or miscarriage.
Exercises are beneficial in many ways. They will help you increase your energy, you will sleep better, help manage stress, help with mood swings. 80% of women who exercise during pregnancy tend to go into labor before their due day. Exercises help the development and function of the placenta. Improves blood flow and oxygen to your baby. A heart rate between 140-150 bpm during exercise has good benefits. But you should never exceed 180 bpm as this can lead to pregnancy problems. You should drink plenty of water before and after exercise. Some of the recommended exercises are moderate aerobics, low intensity exercises, swimming, walking, stationary biking, water aerobics, and yoga. If the pregnancy continues without difficulties, the second trimester is still a perfect time for exercising. It is important to note that you should call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms: vaginal bleeding, difficulties or efforts to breathe, dizziness, headache, chest discomfort, muscle weakness, pain or swelling in the calves, contractions , reduced movement of the fetus, blurred vision or leakage of fluid from the vagina.
How chiropractic can help you?
Chiropractic is beneficial throughout your pregnancy, not just the first trimester. Chiropractors are experts in improving the functioning of your nervous system. During pregnancy 80% of women experience back pain. During pregnancy your body has to adapt to two major changes, these are gravitational changes and hormonal changes. Even the healthiest and most athletic woman will go through the same changes. Chiropractic care can benefit and positively impact your pregnancy since a good functioning of the nervous system will help you to combat symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, shortness of breath, constipation, hemorrhoids, back pain, headache and constant frequency to urinate. An adjustment in the pelvic area will help your baby have more room to grow and move, decrease pain in the pelvis and restore correct pelvic movement.
One study revealed that women under chiropractic care reduced the need for pain relievers during labor by 50%. Another study, conducted by Dr. Joan Fallon, concluded that pregnant women under chiropractic care decrease the time of labor. The results showed a 24% reduction in births to first-time mothers and a 39% reduction in the second birth.
A chiropractor can also perform the Webster Technique on pregnant women. This is a specific chiropractic adjustment to the sacrum. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of a subluxation on the sacrum. As a result, it facilitates the neuro bio-mechanical function of the pelvis. A subluxation in the sacrum can contribute to a difficult delivery for the mother, caused by poor uterine function, pelvic contraction, and poor presentation of the baby.
If you want to know more about chiropractic care in our office during your pregnancy, contact us.
By: Dr. Valerie Nazario
Well Aligned Family Chiropractic 