Third Month Pregnancy: Diet And Exercise Routines For Expecting Women

The third month of pregnancy is when you are in the last phase of your first trimester. Many women settle down with the news of pregnancy, while many find they are expecting in the 9th or 10th week of pregnancy.

In any case, an expecting woman can feel overwhelmed, especially when she cannot understand several changes happening in the body followed by nausea and morning sickness.

We connected with Dr Sriprada Vinekar, Senior Consultant, Minimal Invasive Gynaecologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Malleshwaram, Bangalore, to provide you with an A-Z pregnancy care guide for the third month.

Third Month Of Pregnancy: Growth Of Baby And What To Expect

The third month of pregnancy is covered between 9 to 13 weeks when the baby graduates from an embryo to a fully developed foetus. By the end of the first trimester, all the organs of the foetus are fully developed, and it starts showing on the mother. Yes, many women start showing at least an inch of increase in their waistline. This increases to three inches by the end of 13 weeks.

In the last month of the first trimester, the hormones are all over the body creating havoc. An expecting woman can expect

• Nausea
• Sleeplessness
• Mood swings
• Tiredness
• Excess white discharge
• Frequent urination or constipation
• Tenderness around breasts

Dr Vinekar added that many women can also witness acne and breakouts. She also said that these symptoms might be at their peak among some expecting women in the third month of pregnancy.

Medication And Diet Routine In The Third Month Of Pregnancy

Dr Vinekar added that in the third of pregnancy, most experts prescribe folic acid supplements that they started in the first month. This supplement continues until the end of the first trimester (13th week).

If a woman is experiencing nausea, constipation, and vomiting, the doctor will look into the situation and prescribe additional medication to help her deal with the symptoms.

Apart from taking medicines, she suggested taking small meals at frequent intervals. She also added that since the baby is quite small at this stage, it is not much dependent on you for nutrition. You should eat food that your body can digest without vomiting.

She advised mindful eating of healthy food that is a good mix of seasonal fruits and vegetables. You should also ensure that your diet has the optimum amount of protein in it.

To fight constipation, you should include food items that are rich in fibre. To tackle sleepiness and tiredness, the doctor suggested taking rest and avoiding screen time before dozing off. You can dim the lights and play soulful music to calm your mind and feel relaxed. For other symptoms, your doctor would be the best judge to prescribe medicines.

Weight Gain In The Third Month Of Pregnancy

Dr Vinekar said that most women experience nausea and vomiting in this month, they do witness much weight gain. Instead, many lose 2-3 kg in this period. However, there is nothing to worry about because you will find your appetite improving in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Exercise In The Third Month Of Pregnancy

Dr Vinekar suggested lightweight exercises for the third month of pregnancy. It includes:

• Regular walks
• Stretching exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist or yoga expert
• Prenatal yoga

Tests And Scans In The Third Month Of Pregnancy

The doctor said that most experts would have conducted blood work, and haemoglobin, thyroid, and sugar tests by this time. They will proceed ahead with an ultrasound to rule out genetic abnormalities like Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, and Down Syndrome. The scans will be done between 11 to 13 weeks.

In the ultrasound, the doctors also measure nuclear translucency and look for other markers like the nasal bone. It helps them assign a risk score to the foetus.

A radiologist will also look at the spine, limbs, and anatomy of the baby to ensure everything is developing at the right pace. At this stage, the doctors also measure the cervical length or mouth of the uterus. It helps the experts navigate the risk parameters in pregnancy.

There are anti-scans, additional blood tests, and measurement of Doppler (predicts high BP preeclampsia in pregnancy) are also done. Dr Vinekar assured us that all these tests are non-invasive.

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Chances Of Miscarriages In The Third Month Of Pregnancy

Dr Vinekar said that 80% of miscarriages happen in the third month of pregnancy. If you have completed the third trimester successfully, it significantly reduces the chances of miscarrying in the upcoming months. Hence, many doctors advise against travelling in the first three months of pregnancy. You can travel afterwards if everything is okay.

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