Pregnancy can be scary. When the pregnancy is unplanned, additional elements of worry and terror often ensue. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma wants to alleviate your worries and help you prepare for what to expect with your unplanned pregnancy in the next nine months.
First Trimester: Conception to Week 12
Size: During the first trimester, your body is developing the ability to support a life. Throughout these transitions, what to expect varies from woman to woman.
Symptoms:
- Morning Sickness: Nausea and vomiting, contrary to popular belief, can occur at any point of the day. This symptom may last through the entire pregnancy; however, several women experience it within the first trimester. How do you overcome it? Remedies include, but are not limited to: not leaving your stomach empty eating throughout the day, making sure you are drinking fluids — ginger ale is a good choice — and talking to your doctor about nausea medication or vitamin B6.
- Tenderness: You may experience tender or swollen breasts. Soothing remedies include: cold compress, warm showers, loose clothing, and changing the type of bra you are using. Talk to your doctor about taking medication for the pain.
- Tiredness: Your body will get tired sooner than it did before due to the extra activity going on inside. Do not be worried, though, as this is normal! Listen to your body and get extra rest when you can.
Care: As your body goes through changes, it is important to develop a routine for yourself that you can follow throughout your pregnancy. For instance, taking prenatal vitamins, exercising and staying active, drinking lots and lots of water, and making sure you are eating enough for two. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid the foods that are deemed unsafe and cut out any other substances that can cause harm to your baby — nicotine, alcohol, drugs and high levels of caffeine.
Plan: Think about what you want for your pregnancy, hospital plan and the baby’s birth. Begin by choosing a doctor and making your first few appointments. If adoption is an option, begin to research and contact us at Adoption Choices of Oklahoma. Get connected with clubs and support groups to help you prepare appropriately.
Second Trimester: Week 13 to Week 28
Size: Your baby is getting bigger, and you are beginning to show. Because of the size increase, you begin to start feeling he/she moving around and being active.
Symptoms:
- Growth: Weight gain is inevitable. Embrace it! This is a sign that your baby is growing, so don’t be scared as your uterus and breasts grow and expand.
- Braxton Hicks: You may begin to experience mild contractions known as Braxton Hicks. These may occur more frequently depending on your level of activity.
- Aches and Pains: As you bear the weight of your baby, you may begin to experience back pain, cramps and soreness throughout your body. These are all expected. But don’t forget to listen to your body. Exercise can relieve cramps and strengthen your abdominal muscles. Changing your footwear and clothing can help with your discomfort. Heating pads are your best friend against back pain. Avoid pain medication before talking to your doctor.
- UTI: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are very common during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about taking antibiotics that are safe for your baby.
Care: During your second trimester, you should continue in your routine of taking prenatal vitamins and exercising regularly. Remember, water and nourishment are also super important. Stay hydrated and eat, eat, eat! You’ll begin to notice a change in your energy levels as your growing baby helps themselves to more of your nutrients.
Plan: Tour the hospital or birth center that you are planning for labor to get comfortable with the location. Continue or begin to take birthing classes and CPR. It’s always good to be prepared and know how to handle situations.
Third Trimester: Week 28 to Birth
Size: At this point, your baby is getting very big and there’s not much room for him or her to move around without you feeling it.
Symptoms:
- Braxton Hicks: There is a higher chance of you experiencing these while in your third trimester. They may occur frequently, depending on your level of activity. As your due date gets closer, they will occur more often and become stronger.
- Backaches: Backaches will occur as your body rearranges in preparation for birth. To relieve the pain, make sure you are focusing on your comfort. Sit in positions and in chairs that are easier on your body. Wearing shoes that will help support you as you are standing or walking. Stretching will also help to ease the pain, as well as heating packs.
- Shortness of Breath: Carrying a greater weight will cause you to be exhausted easier. Remember to take breaks and sit up to increase the air moving into your lungs.
- Urination: Because your baby is rapidly growing, he or she will be pushing on your bladder more. Expect to need to go to the bathroom more frequently than you did before.
Care: Continue your routine of prenatal vitamins, eating and drinking an ample amount of water. Exercise when you can. Resting and sleeping is also vitally important as you prepare for labor.
Plan: Preparing for your labor is important. This includes: getting your hospital bag ready, preparing for maternity leave and taking care of, or getting someone to look over, household matters while you are away.
Preparation for the Stress
Your pregnancy may be unplanned or scary, but preparing yourself and those around you for what to expect can help get you in the mindset of having a child. Worrying and being scared is okay. But, with the help and preparation that Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is here to provide, that stress can be alleviated. Now, go out and get prepared!
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma
If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact, Adoption Choices of Oklahoma. You may visit our website here or call 405-794-7500 (Oklahoma City) or 918-982-6220 (Tulsa).
Support Adoption Choices
Adoption Choices, Inc. is partnering with Crowdrise, a fundraising website for nonprofits, to help our adoptive parents and birth parents with much needed financial assistance. We understand that expenses keep clients from fulfilling their dreams. Both with birth parents making a plan for adoption, and with adoptive parents growing their family. It is our mission to provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships, awarded annually in November, in honor of National Adoption Month. Funds assist adoptive parents with matching and placements, adoption finalization and helping birth mothers improve their lives through higher education — and much more.
However, we can’t do it alone. Please read up on our programs and donate money where you are able. Your donation will make a huge impact.
About the Author
Jadzia Miller is currently in the final stretches of pursuing an English degree at Colorado Christian University. She has lived in the beautiful state of Colorado for the 22 years she has been on this earth, and loves exploring the beauty that is constantly surrounding her.
She aspires to pursue a career in publishing or library science; either way, Jadzia wants to be surrounded by books and stories. Living near Denver, she is surrounded by artistic pursuits and wants to continue exploring these as often as possible. Jadzia has a passion for encouraging people to read and find the joy in reading books.
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Sources:
Daly, Kimberly A. “Symptoms and Solutions for Breast Pain and Soreness.” Parents, www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/aches-pains/pregnancy-symptoms-complaints-breast-pain/.
Gates, Marcella, et al. “The Ultimate Pregnancy To-Do List: First Trimester.” BabyCenter, www.babycenter.com/0_the-ultimate-pregnancy-to-do-list-first-trimester_10341205.bc.
Mayo Clinic Staff. “First Trimester Pregnancy: What to Expect.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 14 Apr. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047208.
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Morning Sickness.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Sept. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375254.
“Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy: Symptoms & Prevention.” American Pregnancy Association, 9 Oct. 2019, americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/urinary-tract-infections-during-pregnancy/.
