The First 3 Months
Helping you out from Weeks 1 to 13
-
1 Am I pregnant?
If you think there’s a chance you may be, confirm it with a pregnancy test asap. You can buy a home pregnancy test or visit your GP, medical centre or self-employed midwife for a free test.
-
2 First take folate
Take folic acid tablets during early pregnancy and if you can even before you conceive – it cares for your baby’s brain and spinal cord development.
-
3 The drugs don’t work
Avoid recreational drugs as they can affect your developing baby, causing miscarriage or abnormalities. Check with your Dr about any prescribed drugs you may be taking.
-
4 Auditioning your LMC (Lead Maternity Carer)
Start looking early – this is a special and important relationship during your pregnancy. Your LMC could be a midwife, a GP or specialist obstetrician. Call freephone 0800 MUM 2 BE for LMC’s in your area or check out www.midwife.org.nz.
-
5 The beginning of a beautiful friendship
Meet your LMC for the first time once your pregnancy is confirmed. Remember to ask any questions you may have, your LMC will be asking lots of you – it’s very helpful to remember the date of your last period and take a pen and paper to make some notes!
-
6 Breast (ouch) tenderness
Watch out for breast tenderness, your nipples especially may become super-sensitive – even before your period is missed.
-
7 Toilet tripping
Feel like you are constantly taking trips to the bathroom? You may have interrupted sleep as a result of night time visits to the toilet.
-
8 That sicky feeling
Get more rest to help with morning sickness. Eat very small portions every 2 to 3 hours. Try ginger, homepathic remedies or acupuncture. Remember, it generally gets better after weeks 11 to 15.
-
9 Let’s talk about sex
You may feel changes in your desire for sex or notice differences in the experience itself. Some lucky women enjoy it more, others not as much.
-
10 ZZZZZZzzzzzz…..
Rest. Put your feet up. Go to bed early. Listen to your body and relax!