Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in early pregnancy

Despite the knowledge of physiological processes, each woman’s pregnancy is unique. There is a difference in everything - from what first signs of pregnancy the expectant mother will notice, and ending with how her well-being will change at the time of childbirth. Even the same woman who has given birth to several children may have different pregnancy symptoms each time.

In addition, the first signs of pregnancy may feel similar to the sensations before and during menstruation, so the woman does not immediately understand that conception has occurred. In this article, Women First experts talk about symptoms that may indicate pregnancy.

When might the first signs of pregnancy appear?

In gynecology, the gestational age is counted not from the moment of actual conception, but from the last day of the last menstruation. The duration of pregnancy is measured in weeks. They are called "obstetric weeks." Depending on the processes occurring in a woman’s body, each obstetric week has its own characteristics.

Let's look at the sensations during pregnancy week by week:

Now let’s look at the symptoms of pregnancy in the early stages with delayed menstruation, which are more common than others.

Important!

Some symptoms do not only occur in pregnant women. They can be a manifestation of diseases. We recommend that you consult a doctor if there are any changes in your health.

Clinical picture of diarrhea during pregnancy

Dehydration due to diarrhea can also negatively affect the fetus.

Do not forget that diarrhea is not an independent disease, but only a manifestation of the main pathological process. It is often accompanied by other symptoms:

• general weakness;
• temperature increase;
• nausea and dizziness;
• chills;
• headache;
• dehydration;
• lack of appetite or feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
• flatulence.

When to see a doctor urgently:

1. there is mucus with blood streaks in the stool;
2. diarrhea is accompanied by high fever and vomiting (nausea);
3. severe dizziness;
4. The color of the stool is dark, almost black.

Delayed menstruation (missed menstrual cycle)

If the menstrual cycle is regular, lasts on average 28 days, ovulation occurs and occurs on days 14-15, then the absence of menstruation on time may indicate pregnancy.

The delay is due to the fact that after conception the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) begins to be produced, which maintains the normal course of pregnancy and prevents the egg from maturing in the next cycle. Accordingly, the expected menstruation does not begin. Other symptoms of pregnancy in the early stages may not yet appear if there is a delay.

It is worth noting that a missed period is not always the first sign of pregnancy. With an irregular cycle, nervous strain, or past illnesses, such cycle disturbances may indicate other processes in the body. Delay may also result from discontinuation of oral contraceptives.

To avoid guessing and worrying once again, you should use a home test to determine pregnancy in the early stages. Most of them will show pregnancy within 8 days after the missed cycle. An option for finding out if a woman is pregnant without a test is to donate blood for hCG in a laboratory.

Clue

• Take a pregnancy test.
• If the result is positive, make an appointment with your doctor.
• If you are taking any medications, ask your doctor if they are dangerous for you and your baby.

Another important point is that in the first trimester bleeding may occur, which can be mistaken for menstruation. Because of this, women do not notice pregnancy in the early stages, especially if there are no unusual sensations.

What should you avoid in mid-pregnancy?

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the characteristics of a woman’s condition suggest some restrictions and more careful behavior in everyday matters.

• Do not take medications without a doctor's prescription.
• Do not wear tight, constricting clothing.
• Never lift more than 3 kg.
• If you are involved in strength or team sports, you will have to give up training. You can move on to more gentle and relaxing activities, such as swimming, Pilates, etc.

It is in the second trimester that a woman gets used to her new role, “gets to know” the baby when he moves, and becomes attached to him. This is a period of bright feelings and genuine emotions. Do everything in your power to ensure that your future baby develops correctly and is born healthy!

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISING. THE MATERIAL WAS PREPARED WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF EXPERTS.

Fatigue

What other sensations are most often noted during early pregnancy? This is fatigue, lethargy and drowsiness. They can appear at any time, and this is quite normal. But at the very beginning, many women notice that they often want to lie down and it becomes more difficult to wake up.

This condition may be associated with several factors: an increase in the level of the hormone progesterone, a decrease in blood pressure, an increase in blood production, and a decrease in blood sugar concentration.

Clue

• Try to get enough sleep and follow a routine.
• Walk outside more and regularly ventilate the rooms you are in. Before going to bed, try to ventilate the bedroom.
• Add foods high in iron and protein to your diet.

Breast changes: tingling, pain, growth

The period when breasts begin to grow during pregnancy occurs at 4-6 weeks. At this time, due to changes in hormonal levels, a woman may feel tingling, she may get the impression that her breasts have become heavier or larger, swelling has appeared, and sensitivity has increased.

These sensations during early pregnancy go away as soon as the body adapts to the new level of hormones.

By week 11, visual changes may become noticeable: an increase in breast size, enlargement and darkening of the areola (the area around the nipple).

Clue

• Don't be afraid of changes. To make it more comfortable, you can use breast care creams during pregnancy.
• Choose 1-2 comfortable bras. Cotton models with adjustable volume, without wires and lace inserts are very comfortable. They can be worn throughout the entire period of pregnancy and lactation.
• Use breast pads, such as bamboo ones. They are inserted into cups and reduce friction between underwear and skin.

Features of treatment

The choice of treatments for diarrhea and the prescription of medications depend on its cause. However, doctors face a problem when treating pregnant patients: they have a very limited range of effective medications and procedures at their disposal. Treatment of bacterial intestinal infections is particularly difficult, since most antibiotics are not used during pregnancy.

Drug therapy

Approved drugs include sorbents - substances that can absorb and remove toxins from the body. Pregnant women are prescribed the following medications:

To replenish lost fluid, your doctor may prescribe oral rehydration medications:

Antibiotics for the treatment of pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy, as a rule, are not prescribed, since they can cause disturbances in the development of the embryo and termination of pregnancy. The main task of doctors is to neutralize the effects of toxins and replenish fluid loss.

Diet for diarrhea

In the first hours and even days, it is better to refuse food completely. As a rule, if an intestinal disorder is caused by illness or overeating, a woman’s appetite will disappear. It is worth preparing a compote of dried apricots and raisins without sugar - it compensates for the deficiency of potassium and vitamins that occurs during diarrhea.

Gradually, you can start eating after a day. Dishes should have a liquid or puree consistency and be warm. Spicy, fatty, smoked, salty, sweet foods are excluded until symptoms disappear completely and for another 2-4 days. Allowed to use:

• pureed porridge (rice, semolina, oatmeal, buckwheat) in water or lean broth;
• boiled pureed meat (beef, veal, rabbit, chicken, turkey), steamed cutlets, meat soufflé, meatballs;
• lean fish, boiled or steamed;
• soft-boiled eggs, omelet, egg soufflé.

Vegetables are acceptable as a puree addition to soups in very limited quantities. As fruit, pureed raw apples are allowed. Herbal tea, rosehip decoction, infusion of bird cherry, blueberry, green tea are useful.

Meals should be 6 times a day, portions should be small. If you have no appetite, you should not force yourself to eat “for the sake of the child.” As soon as the body is cleansed, the desire to eat will return.

Folk remedies

Traditional methods of treating diarrhea should be treated with caution and their use should be coordinated with a doctor. Rice water can be considered the safest and most effective remedy. 1.5 tbsp. l. washed rice is boiled in 0.5 liters of water until completely cooked. The decoction is filtered and drunk in small portions throughout the day.

Another remedy is a decoction of pomegranate peels. The peel with white pulp is removed from a well-washed fruit and dried. Subsequently, a teaspoon-sized crust is crushed and poured with a glass of boiling water, kept in a water bath for 10 minutes. Then cool, filter and drink a third of a glass throughout the day.

A decoction of oak bark has proven itself well - it is sold in the pharmacy in crushed form. 1 tbsp. l. you need to pour a glass of boiling water and keep it on medium heat for 15 minutes. Cool, strain and drink 1 tbsp. l. 3–5 times a day depending on the severity of the condition.

Cramps, discharge

Changes in the female body occur from the first week of pregnancy, but the signs of these changes are not always specific. For example, discharge and cramps that are caused by the attachment of the embryo to the uterus:

• During the first 5-6 days from the moment of conception, a blastocyst develops - several hundred cells at the preimplantation (before implantation) stage of embryo development. In the future, these cells will form the child’s organs.
• After 10-14 days (approximately 4 obstetric weeks), the blastocyst is implanted into the endometrium (the mucous tissue lining the inside of the uterus). During implantation, bleeding may occur, which makes it difficult to recognize pregnancy in the early stages - the sensations are close to those during menstruation.

The duration of implantation bleeding is less than during menstruation. Usually the discharge ends within 1-2 days. The discharge has features that are taken into account when determining pregnancy in the early stages.

4 common signs of implantation bleeding:

• Pain.
  The pain can vary in intensity, from mild to severe. A study was conducted among 4,539 women, which showed that in 28% of study participants, discharge was accompanied by pain1.
• The color of the discharge
  varies from pink or red to brown. This is fine.
• Bleeding.
  The intensity of the discharge is most often compared to regular menstrual flow.
• Episodes.
  Bleeding during embryo implantation normally lasts no more than 3 days. It is not a reason for treatment or concern.

The cramps that can accompany implantation bleeding are similar to menstrual cramps, so many women mistake these sensations for a normal period.

In addition to bleeding, a pregnant woman may have white or milky discharge, which is associated with the growth of cells lining the vagina. Such discharge may be present throughout pregnancy.

Advice.

If there is a burning sensation, itching, or an unpleasant odor from the discharge, you should consult a doctor. The changes may be due to an infection that requires treatment.

Is diarrhea during late pregnancy a sign of preterm labor?

Premature birth may be indicated by nagging pain in the lower abdomen that appears at the 37th week of pregnancy or earlier, which can sometimes be accompanied by diarrhea.

Here are other possible signs of premature birth:

• the consistency of vaginal discharge changes (becomes watery, mucous or bloody);
• vaginal discharge becomes more abundant;
• nagging pain appears in the pelvic area;
• back ache;
• periodic or frequent contractions are felt;
• the waters recede.

If you think you are going into preterm labor, call your doctor as soon as possible.

Nausea and vomiting

If we talk about what sensations during early pregnancy cause the most discomfort to women, then these are nausea and vomiting. They usually appear in the morning (morning sickness), starting at 4-6 weeks. For some women, unpleasant symptoms may appear both during the day and in the evening.

There is no exact scientific explanation for morning sickness, but it is attributed to the action of hormones. The intensity of sensations changes. In the first trimester, nausea can be mild or severe, but it usually intensifies towards the end of the trimester (by week 12), and in the first half of the second trimester, the unpleasant symptoms weaken or disappear completely. There are cases when ailments continue throughout pregnancy, but still their intensity decreases.

Some pregnant women may experience changes in their taste preferences. You may want some foods that were not previously present in your diet. Or vice versa, your favorite dishes can cause rejection.

Clue

• Before you get out of bed in the morning, eat a few saltine crackers. Prepare them in advance, the evening before. Lie down for a few minutes, only then slowly get up.
• Drink more water. When vomiting, the body loses fluid; if the water balance is not replenished, dehydration may occur, which can have negative consequences for mother and baby. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain a drinking regime.
• Call your doctor if you are unable to keep fluid down in your stomach. This point follows from the previous one. The specialist will take measures to prevent dehydration.

It is equally important to balance your diet so that the body receives all the necessary substances. To avoid vomiting, it is better to eat small portions 4-5 times a day. Your doctor will help you create a menu.

Good to know.

Morning sickness and vomiting are symptoms of pregnancy in the early stages with a delay, which, perhaps, everyone knows about. But they are not found in every woman. At the very beginning, pregnancy may occur without symptoms.

Delicate question. Intestinal problems during pregnancy

It is no secret that during pregnancy women have to deal with various kinds of ailments: toxicosis, cramps, increased urination, and frequent unmotivated mood swings... All organs and systems of the expectant mother experience increased stress. It’s not easy for the digestive system either.

The most common problems that arise during pregnancy in this area include constipation, hemorrhoids, heartburn, as well as intestinal upset and associated bloating, diarrhea, increased gas, discomfort and pain. Even if the disease does not pose a danger to the health of the mother and baby, it can cause a lot of unpleasant sensations, significantly reducing the quality of life. This means you can’t let ailments take their course!

Constipation

From a medical point of view, constipation is defined as the absence of bowel movements for three or more days. The act of defecation is usually difficult and accompanied by painful sensations. Frequent accompaniments of constipation can be abdominal pain, a feeling of incomplete bowel movement, bloating, nausea, and bitterness in the mouth.

Where does the problem come from? One of the reasons that provoke disturbances in natural bowel movement is hormonal changes in the body. The hormone progesterone, against which pregnancy proceeds, has a relaxing effect on the intestinal muscles, which helps slow down the movement of feces. Over time, the growing uterus begins to put pressure on the intestines, which disrupts its motor function, further aggravating the problem. Poor nutrition also contributes – it is known that during this period expectant mothers’ taste preferences change and their appetite increases. Experts do not deny the psychological nature of constipation. The fears that expectant mothers are exposed to and an unstable emotional background can also contribute to the development of constipation.

What should I do? The main method of combating constipation should be diet correction. In no case should you allow long gaps between meals, as well as overeating. It is imperative to include in your diet daily foods that enhance intestinal motility: bread with bran, raw vegetables and fruits (especially apples, carrots, pumpkin), dried fruits, buckwheat, barley and oatmeal, meat with a lot of connective tissue, fermented milk products containing bifidobacteria. It is important to ensure sufficient fluid intake into the body. Preference should be given to drinking still water, as well as unclarified juices with pulp rich in fiber (apricot, peach, etc.). In the morning on an empty stomach, it is useful to drink a glass of raw cold water with the addition of a spoon of honey.

You will have to avoid foods that cause constipation. These include flour, sweet, salty, spicy, smoked, fried, etc. It is recommended to exclude from the diet foods that cause increased gas formation: legumes, cabbage, onions, garlic, radishes, radishes, apple and grape juices.

Please note that laxatives are rarely prescribed during pregnancy, since by increasing intestinal motility they can tone the uterus. However, in some cases, it is more advisable to resort to drug treatment rather than suffer from constant constipation, which threatens to lead to the development of hemorrhoids.

Haemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in the anus. According to statistics, more than 50% of expectant mothers have to face this problem during pregnancy.

The main symptoms of this unpleasant pathology include mucous discharge, pain, burning, itching and a feeling of discomfort in the anal area. There may also be pain during bowel movements and the appearance of blood in the stool.

The clinical manifestations of the disease also depend on its stage. In stage 1, the woman, as a rule, does not worry about anything; the hemorrhoids do not come out or come out a little when straining. At the 2nd stage, the nodes come out when straining, but are reset back on their own. When the disease is advanced to the 3rd stage, the hemorrhoids come out and cannot be set back.

If a woman does not have any complaints, then during an external examination the doctor can diagnose hemorrhoids only at stage 2, since only then is the inflammatory process visible. To make a diagnosis at stage 1 of the disease, the doctor relies on the patient’s complaints and examination of the rectum.

Where does the problem come from? Well, of course, hormones are to blame again! All the same progesterone hormones have an antispasmodic effect: they relax all organs, including veins. In addition, during pregnancy, the blood supply to the uterus increases, and, as a result, blood flow to the pelvic area. And the gradual growth of the fetus causes its head to put pressure on the vessels and impair blood flow.

Since during pregnancy the volume of circulating blood and its clotting ability significantly increase, thrombosis of any localization can become a very serious complication!

What should I do? Treatment of hemorrhoids depends on the stage of the disease. If we are talking about mildly symptomatic hemorrhoids of the 1st and 2nd stages, then in most cases it is enough to solve the problem of constipation by adjusting the diet and resorting to exercise.

With uncomplicated hemorrhoids of stages 2 and 3, the patient most often has to be hospitalized, but without surgical intervention. Complicated hemorrhoids with bleeding require surgical intervention, but the disease reaches such an advanced state extremely rarely.

Of course, a disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Avoiding hemorrhoids is not difficult. To do this, you need to monitor regular bowel movements - at least once, and preferably twice a day. Ideally, it should happen at the same time. After each act of defecation, be sure to wash yourself using soap and cold water. Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle plays an important role in preventing constipation. Moderate physical activity - special exercises for pregnant women, walking, swimming - will help you avoid many problems. Kegel exercises are also useful - drawing in and relaxing the muscles of the perineum and anus.

A separate point in measures to prevent hemorrhoids should be a proper balanced diet.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, sometimes reaching the esophagus and throat, caused by the reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus. In addition, heartburn may be accompanied by flatulence, nausea, belching, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Typically, a feeling of discomfort occurs after eating or while lying down.

Where does the problem come from? Unfortunately, heartburn is a common companion of pregnancy. Under the influence of progesterone, which we already know, the smooth muscles of the sphincter located between the stomach and the esophagus relax, which contributes to the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. In the second half of pregnancy, the problem is further aggravated by the fact that the growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach.

Heartburn can also be caused by overeating, insufficient chewing of food, and poor nutrition.

What should I do? To combat heartburn, experts recommend paying attention to your diet. Firstly, meals should be fractional: you need to eat often and in small portions. Secondly, you should avoid foods that are too fatty (especially meat and fish), carbonated drinks, fresh bread, baked goods, black coffee, as well as sour and spicy foods. After eating, you should not take a horizontal position for 30–40 minutes. To relieve heartburn symptoms, your doctor may recommend taking antacid medications.

Intestinal disorder

Intestinal upset most often means banal diarrhea. However, depending on the severity of the disorder, it may be accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, increased body temperature, symptoms of intoxication of the body (pale skin, weakness, sweating, etc.).

Where does the problem come from? Intestinal upset can be caused by two main reasons. The first includes power supply errors. As we have already noted, during pregnancy, taste preferences often change significantly and appetite increases. As a result, overeating and a combination of incompatible foods may well cause indigestion with subsequent upset. The second reason is associated with an infectious factor, that is, the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the body, for example, through the consumption of poor-quality food.

What should I do? If the symptoms of the disorder are minor and are not associated with a bacterial nature, it will be enough to temporarily limit your diet and drink as much fluid as possible. Most likely, the doctor will prescribe a therapeutic diet. To relieve the condition, you can take activated charcoal and an antispasmodic.

If the intestinal disorder is caused by a bacterial infection, you cannot do without prescribing serious medications. In any case, only a doctor can determine the nature of the disease; in this case, you should not self-medicate.

To avoid intestinal upset, just follow some simple rules. Remember that pregnancy is not the best time to experiment with new products or try exotic dishes - try to stick to familiar foods. Wash vegetables, fruits and berries thoroughly in warm water before eating. Carefully study the expiration dates of products and observe their storage conditions. If the sight, smell or taste of a product makes you doubtful, don’t risk it - send it home.

Be healthy!

Head of the antenatal clinic Korban A.G.

High blood pressure and dizziness

From the first week of pregnancy, one of the signs may be dizziness. It is caused by dilation of blood vessels and a decrease in blood pressure.

High blood pressure (BP) is more difficult to determine during early pregnancy. An increase in blood pressure is not always accompanied by any sensations. But almost always, hypertension up to 20 weeks is not associated with the fact that the woman is pregnant. More often than not, this is a symptom of some kind of health problem.

Your doctor will help you determine your basic blood pressure readings at your first appointment. He will also give recommendations on maintaining normal values.

Clue

• If there are no contraindications, do physical exercises recommended for pregnant women.
• Follow your doctor's advice to control your blood pressure. Find out how to take measurements correctly and what to do in case of deviation from the norm.
• Ask your doctor about which foods to include in your diet and which to avoid to help stabilize your blood pressure.
• Maintain drinking regime. Avoid sudden movements. Try to bend over or stand up calmly and smoothly.

Toxicosis: why and for what?

• Nervous system. It has been noticed that toxicosis is most pronounced in anxious women, managers, doctors, teachers, that is, people with increased nervous stress. And, by the way, note that animals do not have such toxicosis as people do. They do not take on “all the world's responsibility” and therefore do not feel sick or vomit. At most, females sleep a lot and retire to save energy.
• Lifestyle. If a woman enters pregnancy not in a resourceful state, tired, exhausted, slagged from poor nutrition and lack of water, and even after some illness, poisoning, herpetic manifestations, ARVI, then the body will try to “put the woman to bed” in order to get enough sleep, rest, gain strength, eat different foods to replenish your reserves. Everything is logical. This is a smart move in the fight for survival.
• Every person has a unique genetic code, which is laid down at the moment of fertilization. And how different it will be from the mother’s code, the toxicosis will be expressed. To make it clearer, there are people who are so similar in this code and protein composition that their organs can be transplanted to each other and they will take root. Others, on the contrary, are not at all similar, and if a kidney is transplanted from such a person, for example, it will be rejected. Also here. If a child has inherited a similar genetic code, then the intoxication from its protein entering the mother’s blood will be less. And vice versa. As pregnancy progresses and the placenta forms between the body of the mother and the child, a placental barrier is formed. And toxicosis decreases: that’s why in most women it goes away by the 12th week.

Frequent urination and urinary incontinence

During pregnancy, the volume of blood in the circulatory system increases, so more urine is released. At the same time, the pressure of the uterus on the bladder increases. The changes may result in a frequent urge to go to the toilet or spontaneous leakage of urine.

Clue

• To avoid getting into an unpleasant situation, use special gaskets.
• Don't give up drinking. Drink enough water, you can even increase your daily volume by 300 ml.
• Don’t be impatient and don’t put off going to the toilet—it’s better to go there in advance.

Sensitivity to odors

One of the differences between PMS and pregnancy before pregnancy is an increased sensitivity to odors or a distortion in the perception of odors. Previously pleasant smells can become unpleasant and cause nausea, and you may like aromas that you previously did not pay attention to.

There is little scientific work explaining odor sensitivity. But there is a review2 based on long-term observations (from 1922 to 2014), which states that in the first trimester of pregnancy, women report an increased intensity of odors.

Treatment of viral infections in pregnant women

If a cold during pregnancy cannot be avoided, it is important to approach treatment as competently and carefully as possible. What do you need to know? There is no specific and safe treatment that can destroy all viruses that cause ARVI. Neither homeopathy nor interferons will become that “magic wand” that will help a woman quickly “come to her senses.” On an outpatient basis, a therapist and obstetrician-gynecologist have the right to observe pregnant women with a mild course of the disease. Treatment mostly consists of eliminating unpleasant symptoms.

Treatment of ARVI and influenza at home

An increase in temperature during infection is not an annoying fact. This is a sign that the immune system is beginning to cope with the disease on its own. Interferon synthesis occurs at body temperature from 37 degrees. Attempts to get rid of fever lead to the recovery process being delayed over time. Temperature should be reduced during pregnancy only when it rises to 38.0 - 38.5 degrees. Hyperthermia is dangerous - it can lead to fetal deformities. It is permissible to use drugs based on paracetamol and ibuprofen as antipyretics.

Sore throat, cough, runny nose, and a feeling of nasal congestion directly worsen the quality of life. During an acute respiratory viral infection, the expectant mother is at a “disadvantage” - swelling of the nasal mucosa, difficulty in nasal breathing, a feeling of dryness and increased sensitivity to environmental humidity are characteristic of a normal pregnancy. Against the background of infection, these symptoms worsen, bringing with them headaches, inability to sleep due to a stuffy nose, and in some cases, a greater risk of sinusitis (for example, sinusitis). To eliminate dryness and cleanse the mucous membranes of infectious agents, it is recommended to irrigate the nasal passages with sterile saline solutions. For swelling and difficulty breathing, drops with a vasoconstrictor and softening effect are used for a course of up to 3-5 days.

For sore throat, it is recommended to gargle with chamomile decoction or a weak solution of soda and salt. These products cleanse the nasopharynx and have a mild anti-inflammatory effect.

To alleviate the condition, you need to provide bed rest and create a favorable microclimate in the room (air temperature no higher than 22 degrees, humidity from 50%). If there are no health restrictions, the expectant mother should drink enough fluids and eat food often and in small portions.

Formally, this is all that can be done at home if a pregnant woman has a cold or flu and tolerates the infection quite easily. It is not advisable to start taking antiviral drugs, interferon drugs, sore throat lozenges, or iodine solution on your own. If disturbing symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Moderate and severe acute respiratory viral infection, according to clinical recommendations, requires hospitalization in a hospital. Here are the main indications for translation:

• fever from 38 °C in the presence of chronic somatic diseases;
• fever from 37.6 °C against the background of influenza with moderate and severe severity of the disease;
• pneumonia;
• severe intoxication in a woman, regardless of the severity of the disease.

Weight gain

Weight gain becomes noticeable towards the end of the first trimester. The gain can range from 500 grams to 2 kilograms in the first few months. Early pregnancy calorie needs are not much different from normal, but they will increase as pregnancy progresses.

At later stages, the weight is distributed as follows:

• chest (from 500 grams to 1.5 kilograms);
• uterus (about 1 kilogram);
• placenta (about 500 grams);
• amniotic fluid (about 1 kilogram);
• increased volume of blood and fluid (about 2-3 kilograms);
• fat (from 2.5 to 4 kilograms).

Prevention of ARVI

Prevention of viral infection during pregnancy is mostly nonspecific and is aimed at maintaining the woman’s physical health, limiting contact, especially with people who have signs of acute respiratory viral infection, and maintaining hygiene standards. Specific prevention is only possible to prevent infection with seasonal influenza.

Nonspecific prevention

Obstetricians-gynecologists do not advise taking immunostimulating, multivitamin medications unless absolutely necessary. Among the main recommendations:

• Avoid contact with people who have ARVI symptoms; if living together, organize isolation, wear a mask, frequently ventilate the room, and carry out wet cleaning with antiseptics.
• At home, maintain an air humidity level of 50% and irrigate the nasal mucosa with weak saline solutions.
• Limit visits to crowded places. During visits to a store, clinic, or other institutions, wear a medical mask and change it every 2 hours or until the material from which it is made becomes wet.
• Do not touch your face with dirty hands after any contact (for example, handrails, door handles, bills or goods in a store) - wash your hands first or treat them with antiseptics.
• Try to maintain a sleep-wake schedule and eat a balanced diet. Take regular walks in the fresh air.

Specific prevention

Flu vaccination during pregnancy is allowed for women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Its safety has been confirmed by clinical trials. The vaccine is usually well tolerated and provides immunity from the virus within 4 weeks. WHO experts recommend the use of drugs with an antigen dosage of 15 mcg; they assess other vaccines as insufficiently effective.

So the expectant mother can choose a vaccination from the following list:

• "Ultrix";
• "Vaxigrip";
• "Influvac";
• "Flu-M".

Vaccination is contraindicated in patients with individual intolerance to vaccine components, systemic diseases, acute conditions or decompensation of severe chronic pathologies. If a woman has had an acute respiratory viral infection during pregnancy without any complications, she can maintain an interval of about 2-3 weeks and get a flu shot.

Heartburn

Hormones can cause the valve between the stomach and esophagus to relax. This allows stomach acid to leak out, causing heartburn.

Before using heartburn medications (antacids), be sure to consult your doctor. Some antacids (drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice by neutralizing hydrochloric acid) can negatively affect the health of the unborn baby.

Clue

• Eat small meals several times a day.
• After eating, try to remain upright for about an hour so that the food can be properly digested.
• Do not take antacids without consulting your doctor.

Treatment of diarrhea during pregnancy

It’s worth reminding right away: you shouldn’t self-medicate, because you can harm not only yourself, but also your desired child! Only by turning to specialists for help, you can receive qualified assistance, the right approach to the treatment of diarrhea and the prescription of drugs that are most suitable according to the timing of pregnancy. You should also be prepared for the fact that you will have to follow a certain diet.

The causes of diarrhea can be different, they will be named in the video:

How to understand that you are pregnant if there are no typical symptoms?

How to recognize pregnancy in the early stages if a woman does not have the most common symptoms? Other manifestations may indicate an interesting situation:

• Bloating and constipation
  . Due to the increase in progesterone levels, the bolus begins to pass through the intestines more slowly, which can cause constipation. Drink more water, exercise, and eat plenty of high-fiber foods.
• Mood swings.
  Estrogen and progesterone levels increase during pregnancy. This can affect your mood. The symptom is subtle, since increased emotionality can also indicate premenstrual syndrome. There are practically no differences between PMS and pregnancy before the delay. But after confirming pregnancy, we recommend paying attention to your psychological state, as severe irritability and mood swings can turn into depression.
• Headaches and back pain.
  Some women report mild headaches and back pain.

Can pregnancy proceed without symptoms? Yes, this is possible in the early stages. Symptoms may be absent or may not attract the woman’s attention.

How common is toxicosis during pregnancy?

This ailment occurs during most pregnancies. It affects 3 out of 4 women, and in only one of them the symptoms are limited to nausea; in the other two, vomiting comes along with it.

Many women who suffered during their first pregnancy are very afraid to meet him again. This is possible, but not at all necessary. The presence or absence of this disease and how severe it was does not help in any way to predict what will happen during the next pregnancy.

Symptoms subside in the second trimester

During pregnancy, you may experience all of these signs and symptoms, and some women may only experience one or two. Many of these symptoms you experience in the first trimester will begin to disappear in the second trimester. Be sure to tell your doctor about any symptoms that interfere with your daily life.

Womenfirst

• Pregnancy, childbirth, the first years of a child’s life: to help the expectant mother: [16+] / Larisa Anikeeva. — St. Petersburg: All, 2018.
• Obstetrics and gynecology. 2022, no. 2.
• Obstetrics and gynecology 4th edition revised 2019.
• Research methods in gynecology: educational manual / S. P. Pakhomov, O. B. Altukhova, E. V. Zhernakov 2018
• Educational and methodological manual for classes in the discipline “Gynecology” T. A. Ayvazyan Eco-Vector, 2022.

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Vitamins and minerals in the second trimester of pregnancy

What you need to know about the second trimester of pregnancy? During this period, the fetus actively grows and develops, its body begins to function independently. Micronutrients in food are no longer enough for two organisms. Therefore, women during this period are strongly recommended to take vitamin and mineral complexes. They help provide the child with the substances necessary for growth and development, and the mother to maintain her health. After all, if there is a shortage of any useful substances, they will be “extracted” from the pregnant woman’s body and given to the baby.

A good choice would be the Pregnon Mama complex, which takes into account the needs for vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. In addition, it contains 200 mg of omega-3. The peculiarity of the complex is easily digestible forms of nutrients. For example, iron is contained in liposomal form, which is absorbed several times better than other types of iron and is therefore more effective in preventing anemia. Folic acid is found in the form of methylfolate.