This is the first part in a three part series covering the three Trimesters of Pregnancy.

Through pregnancy the trimesters are the chief milestones of the mother-to-be. Rather than signifying three three-monthly periods, they are periods of uneven duration, and are defined by the physiology of foetal growth. By convention, the trimesters run from presumed conception (a fortnight after your LMP), and the first trimester represents the first twelve weeks of your baby’s foetal life. The second trimester ends at 28 peeks, and the third trimester encompasses the rest of your pregnancy.

Throughout the first trimester, your body adjusts to pregnancy. At the start you won’t look pregnant, and you may not feel pregnant either, but the activities of your hormones will soon start to affect you in a range of ways. Your moods may change unpredictably, your libido may decrease or increase and you will probably find that your appetite changes and that you prefer more simple food.

Physical Changes:
Your pregnant body is working very hard to accommodate the growing embryo and the placenta. Pregnancy induces a higher metabolic rate - between 10 percent and 25 percent higher than normal – and that means that the body speeds up all of its functions. Your cardiac output rises sharply, almost to the maximum level that will be maintained throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. Your heart rate rises as well, and will continue to do so until half way through the second trimester. Your breathing becomes more rapid as you now send more oxygen to the foetus and exhale more carbon dioxide.

Because of the action of oestrogen and progesterone, your breasts quickly become heavier and larger, and are usually tender to touch from very early on. Fatty deposits are increased and new milk ducts grow. The areola around the nipple becomes darker and develops little nodules called Montgomery’s tubercles. Underneath your skin, you will notice a network of blue-ish lines appearing as blood supply to the breasts increases.

Your uterus enlarges even in the early stages of pregnancy, but it can’t be felt through the abdominal wall until the end of the first trimester, at which point it begins to rise above the pelvic brim. While it is still low in the pelvis, your uterus will increasingly press on your bladder as it enlarges, so that you will probably find that you will need to urinate more frequently. Also, the muscle fibres of your uterus will begin to thicken until it has become very solid. However, you will probably not notice any increase in your waistline until the end of this first trimester.

How to take care of yourself:
You will have an increased need for carbohydrates and protein to supply your developing baby and the placenta, as well as your uterus and breasts, so it is really important that you eat healthily right from the start of your pregnancy. You will also have an increased need for fluids, so try to drink at least eight glasses of fluid a day. Make sure that you are getting plenty of rest as well.

Drugs, caffeine, junk food, alcohol, and smoking should be avoided throughout the whole of pregnancy, but particularly during this time.

While there is no need to invest in maternity clothes just yet, there’s nothing worse than having to put up with your clothes feeling tight even if it’s only for a few days, so make sure that you keep one step ahead of your increasing size. However, you will almost certainly need a larger bra from early on, and this should be a correctly fitted maternity bra.

Antenatal care:
Your doctor might be the one that confirms your pregnancy, or you might make an appointment with the antenatal clinic as soon as you have a positive test. If this is the case, you may not be seen until your second trimester. At the first visit, you will be asked about you and your family’s medical histories and you will have a thorough physical examination, which will include urine and blood tests.

Making plans:
Your doctor will be able to advise you as to the childbirth options that are open to you in your area, and may offer antenatal care, whether full or shared with your hospital. You will need to start thinking about the type of delivery you want and where you are most likely to get it. Books like this one can help you determine your choices in childbirth as well as provide in-depth information on aspects of pregnancy, birth, and baby care.

Soon after pregnancy is confirmed, most women are unable to resist buying their unborn babies at least one small gift, such as a teddy bear, although many feel that to do more than this is to tempt fate.

Being prepared for a fire is the best way of not becomming a victim of one. You should always install fire detectors, they are cheap and freely available, there really is no excuse. Fires can happen for a number of unexpected reasons so it’s important to have given some consideration to how you would react to a fire before you actually find yourself with one. Here’s what to do.

Act quickly - remember that most fires can be smothered before getting out of control - but do not waste valuable time trying to extinguish it yourself if it seems likely to spread. Call 999 (or 911) and be sure to give clearly the address where the fire has occurred. In town areas the Fire Brigade can get to the scene of a fire within a very few minutes, so do not hesitate to call it out in an emergency; its services exist for these reasons.

MINOR outbreaks : Follow these general rules :

1. If you have no fire extinguisher, Smother the flames with a wool rug, a wet sack or - provided the blaze has not been caused by electricity or flammable liquids - a bucket of water used with as much force as possible. Fat that catches fire in a pan can be covered with a large saucepan lid or a damp table cloth; turn off the gas or electricity at once.

2. Before using water on a fire caused by electricity, switch off the electric current.

3. shut the doors and windows in order to prevent the flames spreading.

4. If the fire is not immediately brought under control, deal with it as for a major blaze (below).
Clothing on fire: Roll the victim in a
wool rug or blanket and make him lie
down.

MAJOR outbreak Memorize these important rules :
1. Shut the room conceded and get everybody else out of the house.

2. Leave the house, closing all doors behind you.

3. Call the Fire Brigade.

4. If you are caught in an upstairs room and you know that someone else has called the Fire Brigade, wait as long as possible for rescue. If you are unable to summon help, think of some means of lowering yourself from the window, for example, by making a rope of sheets or other strong material. lf it becomes necessary to drop to the ground, try first to throw out something which will break your fall, such as a mattress, pillows or blankets.

A baby has only one source of food – you. During pregnancy, more than at any other time, it is necessary to have as varied and as wide a diet as possible. You don’t need to plan special meals and you don’t have to eat for two.

To have a good diet during pregnancy all you need to do is eat a variety of fresh, unprocessed foods from the selection below. Doing that will ensure you get all the nutrients you and baby need.

Calcium:
Calcium is important to ensure the healthy development of your baby’s bones which start to form from about eight weeks. You will need about two times as much calcium as usual, good sources include dairy products such as milk and cheese – although they are quite fatty so get low fat versions if you can, green vegetables, brazil nuts, sardines or several slices of white bread.

Protein:
Fish, meat, pulses and dairy foods all supply protein. Peanuts (even peanut butter), lentils, eggs and hard cheeses are all other good sources. Animal products can be high in fat so try to always get lean cuts. White meat is less fatty then red meat while fish is an excellent all rounder.

Vitamin C:
Helps to build a strong placenta, helps your body to fight infection as well as helping in the absorption of iron. It is required daily since the body cannot store vitamin C. Any vegetable or fruit is a good source so there are a wide variety of possibilities from oranges to cabbage. However, remember that a lot of vitamin C is lost by prolonged storage and cooking, so try to only eat fresh produce and steam green vegetables or eat them raw.

Fibre:
Fibre should be a large part of your diet because constipation is common during pregnancy and fibre is good for preventing this. Fruit and vegetables are great sources for fibre since you can eat quite a lot of them during the day. Don’t concentrate too much on bran since it can hinder the absorption of other nutrients. There are plenty of other alternatives, try: wholemeal bread; mixed nuts; raspberries, whole wheat pasta; garden peas; dried apricots; raisins; leaks; or brown rice.

Folic Acid:
This is needed for the growth of the baby’s central nervous system, particularly in the first few weeks. The body can’t store this nutrient and during pregnancy excretes several times the usual amount; therefore it’s necessary to have a daily intake. Fresh dark green, leafy vegetables are a good source of folic acid, but remember to steam them or eat them raw. Broccoli, spinach, hazelnuts, peanuts and wholemeal bread are all good sources of folic acid.

Iron:
This is needed in increased amounts throughout the pregnancy. The baby needs to build up a store of iron for after the birth and the extra blood your body produces needs iron to carry its oxygen. Iron from animals is absorbed more readily than iron from other foods such as dried fruit and pulses, so if you don’t eat meat combine iron rich foods with those rich in vitamin C to maximise the absorption.

A successful pregnancy, labour and the birth of healthy babies are the responsibilities of both parents to the same degree. A baby’s health depends to a large extent on the health of her parents at the time of conception, and the baby’s well-being can be put in danger not only by long-standing medical conditions or inherited genetic defects, but also by her parents ‘ lifestyle prior to conception. A lot of couples do not plan for pregnancy with the same care as other significant life events, yet it is one of the most important things you can do.

Starting a family is a time of re-evaluation because becoming a parent will fundamentally change your life.

Many things that we take for granted - who we are and what we do - will affect or be affected by a baby. Most people’s lives are very busy and many new parents think that their new baby will somehow fit in. They don’t. Babies and children need a lot of time and attention, and parents will always have less time than they did before.

In financial terms the average experience is that you will spend 15-25 pen cent of your income, in spite of of how much you earn or the size of your family, on child-related expenses such as clothes and equipment. But there are also hidden costs such as heating, transport, and what you may give up - meals out, holidays, and, perhaps, some of your ambitions.

It is not only your relationship with your partner that alters when you have a baby. Your relationship with your parents will change, and you may find that you grow away from your childless friends and seek new friendships with other parents who are going through the same experiences as you.

One of the most damaging factors to the health of your unborn baby and the major cause of avoidable health problems is smoking. The connected risks include miscarriage and stillbirth, harm to the placenta, a low birth weight baby that fails to prosper, and an increased chance of foetal abnormalities. Smoking is also one of the factors that can cause a low sperm count, and a man who continues to smoke while his partner is pregnant can risk damaging the health of his unborn baby via passive smoking.

Smoking also can have long term effects - children of heavy smokers tested at five, seven, and eleven years have been found to suffer from impaired growth and learning difficulties.

Alcohol is another substance to avoid when pregnant; it is a poison that may damage the sperm and ovum before conception, as well as the budding embryo. The chief risks to the unborn baby are mental retardation, retarded growth, and harm to the brain and nervous system. Alcohol can also cause stillbirth.

Research suggests that the effect of alcohol is variable: some heavy drinkers seem to get away with it while some women who drunkenly a small amount doesn’t. The only sureness is that there will be no effect if alcohol is avoided. Women tend to have a lower tolerance than men, and have a higher proportion of fat to water, so alcohol can become very highly concentrated in the blood that nourishes your developing baby.

Over-the-counter medicines should only be taken when necessary, and social drugs should definitely be cut out before you conceive. Marijuana interferes with the normal production of male sperm, and the effects take three to nine months to wear off. Harder drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and morphine can damage the chromosomes in the sperm and ovum, leading to abnormalities.

Diet and exercise are both vital to your health and the health of your baby. You ought to have a balanced diet that is low in fat content, particularly animal fat, with high intakes of raw fruit and vegetables. Good eating habits must be coupled with moderate forms of exercise.

During pregnancy, all the ligaments and cartilages slacken up so that the pelvis can expand more easily. This can put some strain on your muscles endpoints, and so the fitter you are, the better you will cope.

In terms of age many women are delaying pregnancy until their 30s, and even 40s, and this is no more hazardous than being in your 20s as long as you are fit and healthy. Whatever your age, you are likely to have a standard pregnancy and birth, although some problems such as infertility and chromosomal defects, for example Down’s syndrome, become more frequent with the growing age of both parents. Tests for chromosomal abnormalities are always offered to older women.

Lastly be aware of what’s around you, both in and out of the home, and avoid anything that is potentially dangerous. What we eat where we work, the places we travel to, and sometimes even the people we come into contact with may be risky for a pregnant woman.

In a typical childless house the owners tend to want to show off their prized possessions, their expensive vases, designer light shades and the urn containing Great Uncle Albert’s ashes. More often than not these esteemed items are placed unwittingly at toddler height, perfect for adventurous young people to knock over and destroy. So when all of a sudden a child is introduced into the house a major rethink is in order.

You may think that it won’t be like that for your little angel. We can teach her to be sensible. If we learn to divert her attention and say ‘no!’ enough she will eventually learn not to touch. Many experienced parents know that this is probably not worth the hassle.

Keeping valuable or tempting objects out of the way, reintroducing them slowly as the child grows older is often a far less stressful way of keeping your possessions and more importantly your child, safe. Without toddler proofing, parents need eyes in the back of their heads. Once you have your home toddler secure you can relax a little, so here is a guide to what you need to consider.

Latches, locks and prohibited areas:
Stow breakables in a child proof cupboard or up high on a shelf out of reach. If your house has a good room, with expensive furniture and a snow white carpet, it is probably best to declare this room out of bounds.

Some cupboards will need to be latched and out of bounds, while others are open to play in and explore. For example cupboards with vegetables and thick-skin fruit or large saucepans are always popular and much safer, whilst those with plates, glass, sharp knives, detergents and drain cleaners are an absolute no-no.

One way to prevent inquisitive little ones from getting into cupboards and drawers is to buy a roll of wide super sticky tradesman’s tape. A short length struck across a drawer, cupboard, or fridge, dissuades all but the most determined toddler, yet it can be easily peeled back for adult access.

Little people can be kept out of the refrigerator with a remarkably simple technique. Take a short piece of elastic cord, the bungee rope type used to hook articles onto the roof rack of a car. Clip the hooks around the back of the fridge and across the face of the door round to the other side. Now you have a spring-loaded door which only opens a short distance before the tension gets too great for toddlers young muscles.

Make-up, creams and indelible markers:
Many toddlers believe they have wonderful artistic talents, particularly when it comes to finger panting on work tops, the floor or mirrors. Make-up creams and indelible markers should be kept well out of reach.

Dangers, dogs and sharp toys:
Houses which have glass doors or windows that come down to floor level pose a danger to the child. If he falls through the glass he will suffer severe cuts and even greater injury if he rides his tricycle through an unprotected first floor window to the ground below. Block such dangers with furniture, fit temporary bars across the widow and use safety glass where possible.

Safety plugs should be fitted over power points. It is not a bad idea to have a commercial circuit-breaker fitted to your fuse box, and then at least you can rest safe in the knowledge that if a knife does get jammed into the toaster, junior will still be around to jam it in another day.

Toys with sharp edges that are likely to cut or damage either the child or something else are best removed altogether. It is imperative that all medicines are stored safely in a securely locked cupboard high up out of harm’s way. It is a common mistake for people who are very conscientious about storing medicines to leave even more dangerous products within easy reach in the kitchen or laundry. Bleach, rat poison, weed killer, drain cleaner and dishwashing detergent are the main offenders, and they must be locked well away.

Pets and toddlers generally mix quite well, but there is no place in the same house for a savage dog that bites when teased, however important his role as a guard dog may seem.

Fortify the garden:
Coping with an active toddler is always easier if you have access to a small piece of secure garden. They need the space, but you can never relax unless there are fences and gates to prevent escape onto the road. Where there is particular danger, some parents find chicken wire is a cheap form of fencing and although it’s not as safe as a brick wall, it is an affordable alternative.

Where fencing is inadequate and roads are busy, all doors leading from the house must be immobilised. The best methods are a high level latch, security chain or deadlock.

Babies’ nappies require careful laundering, but there are various ways of reducing the amount of washing. You can use a nappy-washing service, if there is one available in your area or you can buy disposable nappies which are used by themselves or with ordinary ones.

The actual washing becomes easier if you have a washing machine of the type which will heat the water and boil when necessary. It should have a capacity of about 6 lb dry weight, or be able to wash smaller loads than its maximum capacity.

If you have to wash by hand, wear rubber gloves so that the water can be really hot. The washing process should be started as soon as the nappies are removed. Put the wet ones to soak in a covered bucket of cold water to which has been added the correct proportion of antiseptic (see the manufacturer’s instructions for exact
amount). This reduces the need for boiling each time and helps the subsequent washing.

Flush soiled nappies in the lavatory pan (holding on to the ends before soaking them separately.

You need only boil nappies from time to time to keep them white (unless your baby suffers with nappy rash, when they should be boiled every time). Start by dissolving soapflakes or detergent thoroughly in warm water; add the nappies, bring to the boil and boil for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse in cold water.

When possible, dry nappies in the open air, as this helps to keep them soft and sweet. If you have little room for drying, a spin-dryer will reduce the drying time. A  tumble dryer will dry articles completely (the nappies must be wrung out or spundried first) and the tumbling process will soften the nappies. There are also inexpensive heated dryers, both cabinets and foldaway models, but these are not automatic, so the nappies will need turning and shaking to ensure even drying and softness.

Keep the nappies in a warm place after laundering, so that they are always aired and ready for use.