First trimester Content

📖 Most viewed content

Foods to avoid during pregnancy

You're eating not only for yourself but also for the baby. When you're pregnant, you should always stay alert and avoid all items that could potentially make you sick or badly affect your baby's health condition.Why should you avoid certain foods during pregnancy?Some foods are a shelter of bacteria like E.coli.🦠 Meanwhile, pregnancy also diminishes your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to all ailments like flu or common cold.🥶 You are more likely to get sick or suffer from complications such as miscarriage or premature delivery if you have foodborne illness.😟 The disease which crosses the placenta will harmfully affect your baby, developing severe birth defects or serious infections.😔 Foods to avoid during pregnancy🐟High mercury fishFish is loaded with brain-boosting nutrients and omega-3.🐟 However, some fish contain a dangerous level of mercury that is detrimental to your baby's developing nervous system.🧠 The bigger and older the fish, the more mercury it carries. Avoid shark🦈, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and bigeye tuna. Limit white albacore to 6 ounces a week. Fish such as salmone, anchovies, cod, catfish, shrimp, trout, or sardines can be eaten up to 8 to 12 ounces per week. 🥩Raw, undercooked foodRefrain from blood-red meat🥩 because they can harbor bacteria causing food poisoning such as E.coli or Salmonella. Uncooked fish in sashimi🍣, raw oysters should also be off-limits because the danger of ingesting bacteria or parasites is too high. Dishes having undercooked eggs🥚 are so prevalent such as soft scrambled eggs, homemade mousse, raw batter or cookie dough, mayonnaise. Pregnant moms🤰 who consume these rampant raw and undercooked eggs are prone to Salmonella infection.☕Too much caffeineCaffeine wakes you up when you're tired. However, too much caffeine can interfere with the ability to absorb iron, leading to anemia.☕ It is time to switch to decaf ones. You should consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day. Any caffeine sources such as chocolate🍫, black or green tea, energy bars and coffee-flavored desserts, ice cream🍨, yogurts should also be controllably devoured to ensure the 200 milligram limit. 🥛Unpasteurized dairy and juicesDairies such as skim milk🥛 and cheese🧀 can be a healthy part of your pregnancy diet. However, anything containing unpasteurized milk is a big no-no since they might have Listeria and other pathogens. Check your products' label before making a purchase.🐄 🍷AlcoholAlcohol is extremely harmful to your health during pregnancy so avoid it at all cost.🍷 The concentration of alcohol that goes into your bloodstream is also the same as that enters your baby, resulting in fetal alcohol syndrome, which can cause facial deformities and intellectual disability.☠️ Toast happy events with healthy fruity juices! If you're concerned about alcohol that you drank before you knew you were pregnant, please consult your worries with doctors.👩‍⚕️

Best food to eat during pregnancy

Are you worried that you're not hitting the healthy pregnancy diet mark? Don't worry, you can always look up to this information and prepare all vitamins and minerals that both you and your baby need.Essential nutrients for you and your baby💊Folic acidGetting at least 600 micrograms per day during pregnancy is important. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects, serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord.🧠💊IronIron plays an important role in hemoglobin formation🩸, a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. Your body needs iron to make more blood to supply oxygen for the baby.👶💊CalciumCalcium makes bones and teeth strong.🦷 It also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems function normally.🧠 You should aim for 1000 milligrams a day.💊Vitamin DVitamin D assists calcium to do its job and your immune system to stay healthy. You should take 600 IU a day.😃💊DHAAn omega-3- fatty acid called DHA is vital in your baby's brain and retinal👁️ development. It helps absorb fat soluble vitamins and reduce symptoms associated with prenatal depression. You need 200-300 milligrams per day.👁️💊IodineIodine, available in salt, promotes your baby's brain and nervous system development.👁️ You should get 290 micrograms per day.🧂Examples of recommended pregnancy diet🥩Lean meatHigh protein lean meat🥩 provides you energy throughout the day and stabilizes your blood sugar. In addition to being protein-packed, it's also rich in iron, developing red blood🩸 cell supply for both you and your baby.🥜LentilsLentils are a great alternative source of protein that deserves a good place on your plate.🥜 Not only are they rich in vitamin B folate, they are also high in fiber which protects your digestive system and prevents pregnancy-related constipation.🚽 🐟SalmonFatty fish are one of the best foods to eat during pregnancy.🐟 Since your body cannot produce omega-3, salmon are packed with DHA omega-3s and iodine, making it a safe seafood choice for pregnancy.🤰🥑AvocadoThis creamy green fruit has a high amount of folate, along with vitamin B6 which also alleviates morning sickness. It's a healthy source of monounsaturated fats so your body can absorb vitamins in veggies and fruits better.🥑 🥬KaleKale is a potent pregnancy, all in one package of food.🥬 It serves lots of nutrients that you need, including folate, iron, vitamin C, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K and fiber.😄

Morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy

Congratulations! Finally you're sailing along on your pregnancy adventure. Are you feeling any seasickness along the way? That's probably because you are experiencing morning sickness which definitely does not occur in just mornings. Morning sickness🤢What is morning sickness?It describes the nausea and vomiting that happen when you are pregnant.🤰 Depending on how sensitive you are to smells and odors, you may have strong aversions to certain smells or foods that are so powerful that you feel sick to your stomach.👃Morning sickness does not necessarily mean it only happens in the morning. In fact, you can suffer the symptoms any time of the day or night.☀️🌃🤢When does morning sickness start?It typically starts around week 6 until the middle of month 2. It is truly the first sign you'll notice after your hCG hormone levels overcome the threshold to produce a positive pregnancy test result.🤰 🤢How long does morning sickness last? Nausea and vomiting diminish between weeks 12 and 16, but they are at their peaks form weeks 10 to 16. It is possible that you continue experiencing these symptoms when you enter the second trimester or even throughout pregnancy.🤮 Morning sickness causes🤢Hormone levelshCG hormone level is at its peak when morning sickness is worst. Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone relax the muscles of the digestive tract and make it difficult for you to digest food.📈🤢A sensitive brainIf you are already hypersensitive to car sick🚗 or seasick🌊 compared to others, you are subjected to morning sickness. A family history of migraine also makes you prone to morning sickness. 🤢StressEmotional stress such as anger😠, depression😫 can upset the gastrointestinal tract. No wonder when you're under stress, you experience morning sickness more often.🤢FatigueIf you have morning sickness, fatigue can make the nausea worse. On the other hand, morning sickness can increase fatigue.🥴🤢First time pregnancyIf this is the first time you're pregnant, the symptoms might appear more severely and decrease when you're pregnant again.🙋 Your body is less prepared for the sudden surge of hormone levels, making you feel more anxious and resulting in stomach upset. Morning sickness remedies🤢Stay away from offensive smellsBecause your sense of smells is so keen, some scents may be offensive and sickening despite them being familiar. Stay away from smells that make you feel nauseous. Open windows so the air inside your room can be well ventilated.🍲🤢Wear Sea-Band wristlets They are clinically proven to be effective to protect you from severe morning sickness. These 1-inch-wide bands are anti nausea acupressure wristbands that put pressure on an acupressure point and naturally relieve the symptoms.😃🤢Rest wellMeditation, visualization or any methods that help you stay calm can help minimize queasiness. Relax your body and take it easy since rushing only makes your pregnancy experiences worse.😶‍🌫️😌

Early pregnancy symptoms

Have you been actively trying to conceive? Because very early signs of pregnancy symptoms are similar to premenstrual syndrome, the most accurate way to know that you have a baby on board is to take pregnancy tests. However, these symptoms can still provide credible clues.Early signs of pregnancy before a missed period🤰Basal body temperatureAn elevated basal body temperature🌡️ by 1 degree when you check your first morning temperature can be a good indicator of the big news. The temperature may rise and stay the same during pregnancy, but it's not likely to be a huge increase.😃 🤰Smell sensitivitySmells of your favorite food or previously mild odors👃 that once made you pleasant become unappealing and distasteful. You might want to throw up immediately if the situation is severe.🤮 This is a very common symptom of pregnancy indicating good news.🤰Breast changesTender, swollen breasts followed up with darkening and bumpy areolas🧐 are signs of breast changes that make you feel itchy and be in pain. Tiny bumps growing in size and quantity appearing on your areolas are preparing to produce oils that lubricate your nipples. 🤰FatigueSince all of your energy goes into building a placenta at the early stage of pregnancy, you tend to get hungry more easily. Pregnancy fatigue occurs shortly after you conceive.🥘Other signs of pregnancy including missed periods 🤰 Missed periodsIf you have regular periods🩸, this can be a good sign that all expectant moms experience. Missed periods are very common when you suspect pregnancy.😃🤰Implantation bleedingLight spotting or implantation bleeding can be an early pregnancy signal that an embryo has deposited itself into the uterine wall. Unlike the usual red color of periods🩸, implantation bleeding is usually medium pink or light brown, lasting for a few hours to a few days in discontinuity.📅🤰Changes in cervical mucusIf your cervical mucus becomes creamy and remains the same after ovulation, it's likely that you'll have a positive pregnancy test result.😃 Increased amount of thin, milky-white vaginal discharge post ovulation is normal and healthy. If it gets thicker and lumpy, you need to have a checkup with your practitioner or doctors.👩‍⚕️ 🤰Incessant urinationAfter conception for two or three weeks, you constantly want to pee.🚽 Due to the hormone hCG, your kidney receives more blood, aiding the solid and liquid waste disposal process from the body. Your growing uterus is putting more pressure on your bladder, leaving less space for urine and increasing the need to pee.🚻 🤰Mood swingsBlame your hormonal changes all you want for the sudden mood swings you may be experiencing.😃🥴☹️ Your life is going through a major change, so it's completely normal for your moods to fluctuate.

Miscarriage rates by week

The experience of miscarriage is physically and mentally painful that no words can describe. Miscarriage often occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy when the fetus isn't heathily developing and happens less often after that. Miscarriage🤰What is a miscarriage?Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of pregnancy before the 20th week.🤰 It typically happens during the first three months of the first trimester.📅 Miscarriage can take place for a variety of medical reasons, some of them are unpredictable and out of control. It is very common but that doesn't make the entire experience easier.😭🤰Miscarriage signsDepending on your stage of pregnancy and health condition, the symptoms may vary. Sometimes it happens so fast that you can't detect the signals.😥 Some of the symptoms of a miscarriage are heavy spotting, vaginal bleeding🩸, discharge of tissue or fluid from your vagina, severe abdominal pain, or back pain. If you experience any of these, please call your doctor immediately as soon as possible to prevent miscarriage.👩‍⚕️ Miscarriage causes🤰Chromosome problemsChromosomes are blocks of DNA.🧬 They are the keys to control a wide range of factors, from the baby's hair color to the baby's formation.👶 Any problems happening during cell division or at the point of conception, leading to the fetus receiving repeated or not enough chromosomes can result in miscarriage.😥 The exact cause of chromosomal abnormalities is unknown. The phenomenon is known to occur more frequently in women at advanced maternal age, or greater than 35 years old.👩👵 🤰Maternal health conditions Uterus or cervix infections can be detrimental to a developing baby. If the uterus cavity has any defects, it can't support a healthy pregnancy.🤰 Underlying health conditions and bad lifestyle habits also impair successful pregnancy rate. Malnutrition, drug abuse, hormone issues, or obesity, for instance, can all interfere with fetus development.😟Miscarriage rate by week 🤰Week 0 to 6These early weeks have the highest potential of miscarriage. You can experience it without realizing you're pregnant.😟 The later you conceive your baby, the more dangerous the risks are. 🤰Week 6 to 12When your baby makes it to 6 weeks and has confirmed viability with a heartbeat, the rate of miscarriage drops to 10 percent. The miscarriage rate decreases as the gestinational age increases.😃🤰Week 13 to 20By week 12, the risk of miscarriage drops to 5 percents. However, you shouldn't be ignorant as complications can arise at any point.⚠️

👉 First trimester content list

Sexually transmitted diseases testing (STDs)

Why should I take the test?💡 Sexually transmitted diseases, also called sexually transmitted infections are acquired during sex, sometimes passed from mother to child. The bacteria, parasites or viruses that cause the infections are sexually transmitted from one person to another in blood, semen, vagina and other body fluids. If left untreated, the disease can infect the baby while he is still in the womb. STIs pose significant risks to the baby, including premature birth, birth defect, low birth weight, or even death. How is the test done?💉 The type of test varies depending on which type of STI you are affected with. Tests usually require a urine sample, a swab, a blood test, or physical examination. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: Why do I have STIs?If you have unprotected sex, have sexual contacts with more than one partner or have a history of STIs, there is a high possibility that you are exposed to STIs. Misuse of substances, drugs injection can also lead to higher risks of STIs infection. Symptoms of STIsSometimes, you won't see any symptoms until you get tested. Some symptoms include sores and bumps on the genitals, pain when urinating, unusual discharge from vagina, pain when having sex, and rash on the body.Incubation period vs Window periodSome STIs do not show any visible symptoms during the incubation period. The incubation period is the time that passes between being exposed to STIs and starting to have symptoms. The microorganisms incubate as short as two days or as long as 26 weeks.When interpreting STD test results, it's important to keep in mind that there is a window period, which is the time between when you come in contact with STIs and STIs actually show up positive on the test. If you take the test too soon right after the infection when the incubation period is not over, the result is probably false negative.

Metallic taste during pregnancy

Having a metallic taste in the first trimester is a common symptom. It soon will go away when you enter the second trimester, so don't worry too much about weird taste. Metallic taste🤮What is metallic taste?Your recent experience of having weird metallic taste is called dysgeusia. You may find yourself craving acidic and salty foods to counteract this unpleasantly bitter, sour, and burnt taste.🍲🤮Causes of metallic tasteDuring pregnancy, a surge of estrogen hormone can heighten your sense of smell and taste.👄 Increased sensitivity to bitter tastes may cause some difficulties for you to design your daily menu items.🤔 How to get rid of the metallic taste🤮Good oral hygieneBrushing and flossing frequently can freshen the taste of your mouth.🦷 Gargling mild solutions such as salt water can also alleviate the discomfort.😃🤮Tart, acidic foodsAcidic foods can counteract this metallic taste. Try drinking lemonade🍋, eating citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, or vinegary foods.🤮Mint gumChewing sugarless mint gum can reduce the taste and stimulate saliva production.😃 Then you can drink water to wash all the taste away.🌊🤮Change prenatal vitaminSome prenatal vitamins having high iron content may worsen the metallic taste. Consult with your doctor for accurate information.👩‍⚕️

Pregnancy acne

Pregnancy breakouts are common during pregnancy. Whether you have never had acne or already battled with one, you will see some pimples on your face when you're pregnant. Don't worry, acne can be treated with self-care and medication.Causes of acneThe real culprit of pregnancy breakouts is overproduction of sebum as androgens hormones overdrive. Androgens are responsible for triggering sebaceous glands in your skin to get bigger and produce more sebum🛢️. This extra oil on your skin clogs your pores, allowing bacteria to rapidly inhabit, leading to skin inflammation and skin outburst of acne.😟 Treatment of acne💊Wash your face with a gentle cleanserYou should wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser🧼 and lukewarm water.🌊 Excessive washing like facial scrubs can irritate your skin more severely.💊Shampoo regularlyIf you develop acne around your hairline, you should wash your hair everyday.🛀 Choose shampoo that is safe for pregnant women.🙆‍♀️💊Don't pick or squeeze blemishesSqueezing your blemishes can cause infection and prolong the acne treatment process.🙅‍♀️ If infected, they can leave acne scars on your face.😟💊Avoid irritantsAvoid oily or greasy cosmetics💄, hair styling products or acne concealers because they irritate your skin more badly. You should consult with your dermatologist, choosing products labeled water-based or noncomedogenic.👩‍⚕️💊Be aware of what touches your skinAvoid putting your hands✋ or objects on your face. Try to wear comfortable clothes👚 because tight clothing or hats can increase your body temperature and provoke sweating and oil, contributing to more acne. 💊MedicationSince any medication applied to your skin or swallowed during pregnancy affects your baby👶, you should consult with your dermatologists about the safest treatment.👩‍⚕️ Generally, skin treatment containing erythromycin and clindamycin are considered safe.

3D and 4D Ultrasounds

Why should I take the test?💡Are you anxious to see your growing baby in your belly? 3D and 4D ultrasounds allow you to see your unborn baby in depth and detail which you could not see in a standard 2D ultrasound. Your midwife may offer you an ultrasound if your baby is at risk of complications. Depending on the trimester and your needs. If you have any existing medical conditions or experiences of eclampsia, you are the right candidate for ultrasounds. Ultrasounds in 3D and 4D are performed only to closely examine fetal demise or monitor something specific. These are usually not included in routine prenatal exams. How is the test done?💉A sonographer will put some gel on your tummy and move a transducer over your skin. 3D ultrasoundsMultiple two-dimensional images are taken at various angels and put together to create a three-dimensional rendering. 4D ultrasounds4D ultrasounds provide you with baby's movements in real time. You can see your baby opening and closing his eyes or even sucking his thumbs. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: Risks of the procedureThere are no known risks of ultrasounds for pregnant moms. However, ultrasounds should only be performed by qualified medical professionals when necessary.

Food cravings and aversions during pregnancy

Pregnancy cravings and aversions are common symptoms during the first trimester. Don't worry, you're not alone on this journey.Food aversionsFood aversion🍲🤮 is the sudden hatred towards a certain dish due to unpleasant smells or texture, even when it is used to be your favorite snack.😢 The most common food aversions include eggs, onions, fish and other seafood, meat, dairy products. It is often associated with morning sickness and nausea.Food cravingsOn the contrary, food craving🍲😝 is a sudden urge for a type of dish that you just can't get enough of. The most common pregnancy cravings include fruit🥝, vegetables, carbs, salty snacks, ice cream and chocolate. It usually emerges at the end of the first trimester. Causes of food aversions and cravings🍲HormonesA flood of pregnancy hormones is the culprit for most of these experiences.😃 If you have strong cravings for sweet food before your period, you're likely to feel the same urges during this time.😃 🍲Eccentric sensesYour taste receptors are hypersensitive and somewhat dull. Even a slight smell of tomato paste can make you feel nauseous and walk away.🥴 Sometimes, you know that your body needs vitamins but these days, it translates into a craving for ice cream with lots of Oreos sprinkles.😋 🍲A need for comfort foodYou may crave special dishes when you feel nostalgic of your past. As long as your comfort food is on the healthy list, it's fine to indulge.😋 Solutions when having food aversions and cravings🍲Try to hold yourself togetherDon't spoil yourself with pregnancy cravings that do nothing for you nutritionally.⚠️ Eat tiny bits of them to make you feel better, but avoid the whole unhealthy bar of chocolate🍫, for example.🍲Give inIt's totally fine to indulge in nutritious food and healthily gain weight.💪 If they are good for the baby, they are approved. If food aversions are severe and limit your list of intake, look for other substitutes among healthy options and try them little by little.😃 🍲Get movingTake a walk🏃‍♀️ and do something else to distract you from unhealthy cravings when they get serious. Reading a book📘 or chatting with other people can also help take your mind off.

Pregnancy test

Why should I take the test?💡 A pregnancy test is an easy and accurate way to confirm your pregnancy. If you think you're pregnant having some symptoms of pregnancy such as a missed period, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, tender breast and bloated feeling in the abdomen, take a deep breath and prepare for surprises.How is the test done?💉 A pregnancy test works by checking the presence of hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your urine or blood. HCG is only released when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, meaning that it's only made when you're pregnant. If the test comes out positive, it indicates you're pregnant. If the test is negative, it means you're not pregnant.You may find two main types of home pregnancy test, one including a dipstick, some including a collection cup. You should do the test on your first urination of the morning since morning urine has a higher level of HCG. Hold the dipstick under the urine stream for a few seconds. If your kit comes with a collection cup, you can urinate into the cup and dip the dipstick into the cup for 5 to 10 seconds. After a few minutes, the dipstick will show the results. Depending on brands of the test kits, the time and the way that results exhibit vary. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: A pregnancy test can be done in a healthcare provider's office or with a home kit. The test is inexpensive and available in any drug store. You can choose to use a home pregnancy test first and check multiple times before calling your doctor. When used correctly, it is 97-99 percent accurate. Many test kits claim that they provide the best accuracy even when you take it immediately after you notice your missed period. However, it's best to take it after the first day of your missed period because HCG needs time to build up and enter your uterine and blood stream after the placenta forms. If you use the kit too early, the result is not reliable as it may be false positive or false negative.However, you should do the test early enough to confirm your pregnancy right away and start thinking about your options. Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, your doctor might recommend ultrasound or a blood test to carefully determine amounts of HCG.

Genetic counseling

Why should I take the counseling?💡 A genetic counseling guides you through complex information about whether your little baby may have a birth defect or a genetic disorder. The counselor walks you through each technical information in detail and offers you the best advice so that you can make your decision wisely for you and your baby.As fertility wanes as you age, the odds of your baby having chromosomal abnormality also increase with your age. If you're over 35 or older on your due date, you may want to talk to your counselor. If you or one of the other family members have a genetic disorder, it can be passed down to the next generation and especially to your baby. Any history of infertility, stillbirth, miscarriages also greatly affects your baby's health condition. If you've had chemotherapy or have a medical condition, such as epilepsy or diabetes, the medications that you're taking can deteriorate your baby's growth. Birth defects are more feasible if you've been exposed to substances that are reported to cause birth defects. How is the counseling done?💉 A genetic counseling aims to provide information and emotional support. The counselor will ask you and your partner about your background, health histories as far back as possible, possibility of chronic diseases or inherited disorders. You may also need to find out the health histories of your parents, siblings and close relatives to accurately determine the possibility of disorder inheritance of your baby.TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: Your exposureThe counselor will ask you if you've ever been exposed to dangerous substances before and during your pregnancy. Also you should bring a list of medications that you're taking for evaluation.Prenatal testsCarrier screening is done to determine if you or your partner carries the genetic mutation and possibly passes down to your baby. Screening tests help determine your risk for carrying a baby having birth defects, genetic disorders, or chromosomal abnormalities.Diagnostic tests indicate the range of genetic mutations or chromosomal conditions in your baby. You can choose to initially have screening tests done before making decisions about further testing. If your baby has a problem…Even if you're scared and against abortion, don't automatically reject going to a prenatal testing or a genetic counseling. Abortion is not the only solution. The counselor is there to offer you support and guidance and explain all options that you have. Full comprehension of your child's problem would enable you to be prepared both mentally and physically. Genetic counselors will ask you open-ended questions for you to think carefully about your decision, but they won't make any decisions or steer you in a particular direction. The decision is yours.What would having a child with a genetic condition mean to you? Are you aware of all the difficulties that may arise when raising your child? Would you feel guilty of your child's lifelong needs for special care? Will your child be resentful of you for the disabilities and different treatment from other people? Most importantly, are you ready to become a mom of a child with disabilities?

Hair and nail changes during pregnancy

Have you noticed that your hair is shinier and thicker recently? Your nails are softer and more brittle too. Your body is undergoing so many changes!Thicker hair during pregnancy👩Thicker hair phenomenonYour hair feels fuller when you're pregnant but you're not actually growing more hair.🧑‍🦱 The texture of hair can also be altered, your curly hair suddenly becoming straightened. 👩Causes of thicker and shinier hairWhen you're pregnant🤰, high levels of estrogen hormone prolong the growth phase of hair and slow down the process of losing hair. Your hair doesn't fall out that much anymore so you might feel your hair being thicker and stronger. The growth cycle goes back to its pattern after delivery.👩Facial and body hair growth👩Cause of facial and body hairAn increase in androgens hormones cause facial and body hair to grow faster.😃 Most of this unwanted hair will fall out after delivery three to six months.🤰👩Hair removal techniquesTo get rid of stray hair, you can safely tweeze, wax or shave. Avoid all chemicals⚕️🥼 such as bleaches or depilatories because they can be harmful for the baby.👶Permanent hair removal techniques such as laser and electrolysis can cause skin pigmentation and painful experiences.😟 Otherwise, if you can bear the discomfort, you can consult it with your medical provider.👩‍⚕️Nails growthThe changes are subtle so you might not be able to notice it.🙂 Depending on each person's health condition, your nails can be softer and more brittle or harder.💅 If you get all the nutrients that you need, your fingernails will return to normal after delivery three to six months.

Nuchal Translucency Screening

Why should I take the test?💡A nuchal translucency testing is a specialized routine ultrasound that measures the nuchal fold thickness. It focuses on a small, clear space at the back of a baby to determine whether the baby has chromosomal abnormalities. This spot tends to accumulate fluid and looks thicker if your baby carries genetic problems.It is mandatory but highly recommended if you are over 35 years of age or you have a family history of certain conditions. It is conducted between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy. The result of the test can help you make important decisions about your management of pregnancy and delivery, and any necessary preparations or special care that your child might need. How is the test done?💉Your healthcare provider will use abdominal ultrasound to measure the nuchal fold. A sonographer applies a transducer to the outside of your stomach to measure the baby from crown to rump. The fetal age, the location of the nuchal fold and its thickness will appear on screen. Having a full bladder will give you the best ultrasound picture. An hour before the test, you might need to drink 2-3 glasses of water to make your bladder full. You cannot urinate before the ultrasound. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: Normal results of the testNuchal translucency measurement correlates with the gestational age. The higher the measurement compared to other babies at the same age, the higher the risk is for the baby to have genetic disorders. If the measurement is up to 2mm when the baby is around 11 weeks old, the baby is at low risk for any problems. If the measurement is up 2.8mm at 13 weeks and 6 days old, the baby is relatively safe and healthy.Abnormal results of the testMore fluid at the back indicates that the baby might have Down's syndrome, Turner syndrome or congenital heart disease. However, the test itself cannot diagnose any specific condition. An abnormal result only means that there is a statistical likelihood of your baby having a problem. Your doctor might suggest follow-up diagnostic testing. Nuchal translucency risksBoth the ultrasound and the blood tests are completely painless and safe for you and your baby. You are perfectly fine in the hands of all professional doctors!

Urine tests

Why should I take the test?💡A urine test is used to assess bladder or kidney infections, diabetes, dehydration and preeclampsia by looking at markers that show up in your urine. It is expected during your first prenatal exam and periodically in future prenatal visits. If you feel tired, lethargic, or constantly thirsty, you might need to consider taking the test. If you lose weight or have a consistent level of sugar detected, the urine test is necessary to detect any risks and protect both you and your little one.How is the test done?💉You will be given a specimen cup and an antiseptic wipe and sent to the bathroom to collect a clean, midstream urine sample. Wash your hands first, then separate your labia and clean your vulva from front to back with the wipe. After you start urinating for a few seconds into the toilet, you can slip the cup under the stream until you collect enough for the sample.Remember not to contaminate the sample and avoid touching the inside of the cup. Once you finish, close the lid of the cup and deliver it to medical assistants. They will check your urine by dipping a colored test stick in it and compare the result with the chart. A color change of the strip indicates a positive test result. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: What is your urine tested for?The test looks for:Diabetes: If a high level of glucose/sugar is detected in your urine, it may indicate that you might have pre-existing type 2 diabetes. If tested later in the pregnancy, it may indicate gestational diabetes (which is also tested for with a glucose screening between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy)Preeclampsia: The level of protein in your urine early in the pregnancy will be compared to levels measured in later stages of the pregnancy. High levels of protein can be a sign of preeclampsia (characterized by sudden high blood pressure, severe swelling of the hands and face, and signs that some organs may not be working normally, including protein in the urine), or pregnancy - induced high blood pressure.A urinary tract infection (UTI): If red or white blood cells of bacteria are detected in the urine, it can be a sign of a UTI (a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, the urethra, or in more serious cases, the kidneys).Risks of the procedureThere are no risks of urine tests to you or your baby so keep calm and pee in your cup! Maybe a glass of water before coming to your appointment might help you keep things short and simple! Results of the testPositive for glucoseIt's normal for your sugar level in urine to be a bit high, especially after you eat a large meal or drink a really sweet beverage. However, if you have elevated levels at a few more prenatal visits in a row or an extremely high level at one visit, you may be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.Positive for protein High levels of protein may suggest a possible urinary tract infection or kidney disease. You might be offered further tests by the hospital in order to make a preeclampsia diagnosis. Positive for urinary tract infections (UTI)UTIs occur when bacteria enter and grow in the urinary tract. Because of your growing uterus and an increase in hormones that relaxes your muscles in your uterus, the bladder is less likely to be completely empty when you urinate.Hence, the urine remnants support the development of bacteria. There is no need to worry since the infection can easily be treated through a course of antibiotics.Positive for ketonesHigh levels of ketones infer that your body is too acidic. It can be a potential indicator of diabetic ketoacidosis which is a severe complication of diabetes.

First trimester Content | Baby Billy