The Beginning of It All
As soon as I missed my period by a day or two, I took a test. I did not wait. When it was positive, I contacted my gynecologist and asked when to visit. The first scan is usually around forty five days and that is when you may hear the heartbeat. If you feel unsure before that, see your doctor. Early care brings clarity and calm.
The First Month
The first month went by calmly. I felt tired quite often and slept a lot, thinking it was just because of my busy routine. When I took the test and found out I was pregnant, I did not make any major changes. I continued with my regular activities, and followed my normal routine. My gynecologist reassured me that everything was fine and reminded me that I am pregnant, not sick. That helped me stay relaxed and continue as usual. Regarding food, I was advised that it is not necessary to eat more in the first three months. So I kept my meals simple, included more vegetables, and ate only what I needed. I also continued taking my folic acid tablets as prescribed. Of course, every pregnancy is different, and it is always best to follow what your doctor recommends. For me, the first month was peaceful, with a little extra rest and sleep, but everything felt normal.
Symptoms: Profound fatigue, severe weariness
The Second Month
The second month was more tiring than the first. I needed frequent naps and felt exhausted most of the time. By the third week of second month, I started getting severe headaches almost every day, which made it difficult to look at screens or read for long. I did not have vomiting, but when I brushed my teeth, it made me feel a little uneasy, like I might vomit. I had my first scan in the second week of this month, and that was when I heard the heartbeat for the first time. During that visit, my doctor explained that in the first three months, the baby receives nourishment from a small yolk sac and not directly from me. He told me that it is not necessary to overeat but that I should eat well, stay active and focus on nutritious food instead of more food. That conversation helped me understand that balance is important and that my body already knows how to care for the baby.
Symptoms: Migraine, fatigue
First Scanning
The Third Month
The third month was a bit more tiring as the headaches and fatigue continued, but I still managed to travel, visit relatives and enjoy some good food. By the end of the month, I had gained around two kilos. I had my first trimester scan, and the doctor showed the baby on the monitor and let me hear the heartbeat again. Everything looked fine. During this time, I also started drinking tender coconut water three to four times a week. Since it can sometimes be cold, I was advised to place the cup in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to warm it slightly before drinking. It helped keep me hydrated and felt refreshing. I continued to rest when needed, eat simple healthy food and follow my doctor’s advice.
Symptoms: Headaches, gastric, fatigue
First Trimester Scanning
The Fourth Month
The fourth month included a regular doctor visit but no scan. During the checkup, the doctor used a small device to listen to the baby’s heartbeat, and it was reassuring to hear it again. It is normal to feel worried in between, but the doctor reminded me that everything was fine. By the end of the month, I had gained another two kilos. The headaches continued but were slightly better than before. When the rainy days began, I felt some relief and realised they might have been due to the heat. From the very beginning, I made it a habit to walk every day, and it continued this month as well. I usually walked for about an hour, which came to around three kilometres. It may differ from person to person, so it is important to do only what feels comfortable and never push yourself too much.
Symptoms: Headaches
The Fifth Month
The fifth month felt more comfortable as the headaches and fatigue had reduced. There was some sleep discomfort and a mild pain in the lower abdomen, likely due to the baby’s movements. Sleeping on the sides helped, but when I slept straight, after two or three minutes, I would feel a slight pain in the lower abdomen. This month, I had my Anomaly scan, where the doctor checked the baby’s overall growth, the position of organs, limbs and heartbeat to make sure everything was developing well. By the end of the month, everything looked fine, and I had gained another two kilos.
Symptoms: Occasional headaches
Anomaly scanning
The Sixth Month
The sixth month was much easier as the frequency of headaches had reduced. Occasionally, I felt that my heartbeat was faster than usual, so I mentioned it to my gynecologist. He advised me to consult a cardiac electrophysiologist, who monitored my ECG for three days. The results showed an average heartbeat of 98 BPM, with a maximum of 125 BPM, and he assured me that everything was normal. This month also included my baby shower, and by now my tummy was clearly visible. I started feeling the baby’s movements occasionally, and by the end of the month, they became more noticeable, especially at night. Whenever you feel something uneasy or have any doubts, it is always good to share them with your gynecologist or send a quick message for reassurance. It helps you stay calm and confident.
Symptoms: Headaches reduced, Increased heartbeat, Baby movements
The Seventh Month
The seventh month felt more settled, though I started feeling a bit heavy while walking and woke up a few times during the night. I no longer had headaches, but even though it started raining heavily, I still felt quite warm. My tummy had grown much bigger, and the baby’s movements had become stronger. It was funny that whenever the baby was pushing, kicking or moving, it would stop as soon as I asked someone else to feel it or tried to take a video. I had gained more weight and stopped checking it often to avoid unnecessary worry. For food, I was enjoying vegetables, green leafy vegetables, and also river fish fry and curry. Most of the shopping was done by now, and I had finished washing the baby items. The next thing on my list was to get my hospital bag ready by the second week of August.
Symptoms: Weight gain, Swelling in the legs
The Eigth Month
The eighth month went on fine, apart from the weight of the baby that I am carrying. Since I now need to sleep mostly on the left side, I feel a little pain near my thighs. Changing positions from one side to another feels a bit painful and uncomfortable. At night, my tummy feels itchy, and I have unknowingly scratched it a few times while sleeping, which has left some marks. To avoid this, it is better to wear maternity shorts that cover the tummy completely and a long top over it. When awake, using a soft cloth to gently relieve the itch instead of scratching helps. There is swelling in my legs almost every day, but walking around 3 kilometres and light leg massages from my mom help ease it. By the 34th week, I also started doing basic exercises using a gym ball and squat hold for around five minutes. This month, I had my 32-week scan, where the doctor checked the baby’s growth, position, movements, heartbeat and the amount of amniotic fluid to make sure everything was normal.
Symptoms: Weight gain, Swelling in the legs & Fingers (sometimes)
The Ninth Month
The ninth month of pregnancy felt heavier. After the scan during the first week of the ninth month, the doctor said the baby’s head was facing downwards. I sometimes felt pain on the right side of my tummy, and the doctor explained it was because the baby’s toes were in that area, so when the baby kicked, it hurt a little. Sleeping at night had become more difficult, especially when turning from left to right. I also noticed that my heart rate increased after sleeping on my right side. The anxiety a mother feels when the baby doesn’t move for some time is very real. Whenever I got up after sitting or sleeping for long, it hurt. I also experienced vaginal pain occasionally, which usually happened when I stood for too long or was busy with some work. This month, I had my NST and scan in the first week, another NST in the second week, and again in the third week, a day before delivery, along with an internal examination. The NST, or Non-Stress Test, is done to monitor the baby’s heartbeat and movements to make sure the baby is active and getting enough oxygen.
Symptoms: Pain on the right side of the abdomen (because baby’s legs are in that position), Heaviness, especially when I get up after sleep or sitting for long.
Gentle Reminders for Mama
• Keep your belly moisturized as it grows. Coconut oil works best, but any gentle baby cream also helps keep the skin soft and prevent dryness.
• As your belly grows, you may feel itching on the skin. Try not to scratch, even unknowingly while sleeping. Wear maternity shorts or a long top that covers your tummy well, and if it itches, gently rub the area with a soft handkerchief or cotton cloth instead.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day. Drink plenty of water and include tender coconut water in the morning. To avoid catching a cold, you can slightly warm it by placing the glass in a bowl of hot water.
• Eat soaked dry fruits every day. They are rich in nutrients and give good energy.
• Drink a glass of milk daily to maintain strength and calcium levels.
• If you eat eggs, include one boiled egg every day or once in two days.
• Add plenty of green leafy vegetables, fruits, and seasonal vegetables to your diet.
• Gently massage your body with oil daily. It helps improve blood circulation, relaxes the body, and keeps the skin soft.
• If you experience swelling on your legs, ask someone to gently massage your feet, or soak them in warm salt water for relief.
• Stay physically active. Walk every day, even for a short distance, and avoid sitting for long hours.
• Always take your doctor’s advice before starting or continuing any exercise routine.
• Practice breathing exercises regularly, as they help improve lung capacity and support you during delivery.