This is when you will be 40 weeks or nine months pregnant. This date is only a guideline. It is normal to have your baby sometime between 37-41 weeks.
Up to 28 weeks – once a month
25-35 weeks – once every 2 weeks
Beyond 35-weeks – weekly
Normal weight gain is approximately 10-12 Kg during pregnancy. You tend to gain the majority of your weight between 20-28 weeks of pregnancy.
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is very common. For most women, it begins in early pregnancy, comes and goes for several weeks then disappears by the third or fourth month. Nausea can be triggered by a variety of things, including smells, quick movements and an empty stomach. Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy
The diet during pregnancy should be light, nutritious, easily digestible and rich in proteins minerals and vitamins, if possible it should include sufficient milk (half liter), One egg, plenty of green vegetables and fruits. Salt restriction may be advised if pregnant lady has edema feet or hypertension. Eat small frequent meals, include high protein diet. Dal, Sprouts, Nuts, Soya Protein/Milk & Milk Products. Avoid spicy / outside food or juice / tea / coffee/ junk food/ Late Dinner/ Late Breakfast.
Dietary iron is not sufficient to meet the increased iron requirements during pregnancy. Hence supplementary Iron therapy is needed by all mothers, even those with normal hemoglobin. Iron supplementation is started from the 20th week. Dose of iron is increased if there is anemia. Supplementary calcium too is advisable.
The patient may continue her usual activities throughout pregnancy. However hard and strenuous work should be avoided especially during the fist trimester and the last 6 weeks. On an average the patient should be in the bed for 10 hours (8 hours at night and 2 hours at noon), especially in the last 6 weeks. In late pregnancy lateral posture is most comfortable & beneficial for mother & baby.
Intercourse should be avoided during first trimester for fear of abortion and during the last 6 weeks for the fear of introduction of infection and premature labor.
Travel by vehicles giving jerks are but avoided especially during the first trimester and last 6 weeks. Trains are preferred for road journeys.
Smoking increases the risk of abortion. Alcohol too can cause fetal mal development and growth retardation. Hence both smoking and alcohol should be avoided or drastically cut down during pregnancy.
Do not take medications without the approval of your doctor including Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines.
All patients routinely receive 2 injections of Tetanus, Toxoid, given at 6 weeks intervals, the first being given between 16-24 weeks.