How many weeks in the first trimester of pregnancy and when does it end?

The first trimester of pregnancy is rightly considered the most important and responsible, determining the further course of pregnancy. It is during this period that the child travels a huge path from a single cell with a complete set of DNA to a complex organism, a little man who already has all the internal organs and systems. It is the first trimester of pregnancy that is sometimes very difficult, and then the woman is acutely interested in the question, and when, in fact, this painful period ends.

The first trimester is also called the early gestational period. It starts at 1 week and ends at 13 weeks gestation..

The most common question - from what time to count. Women often think that pregnancy begins from the moment of conception. In fact, it is. But the term of the actual existence of the fetus is called the embryonic term, and pregnancy is usually calculated from the first day of the last menstruation. Thus, in the first two obstetric weeks of pregnancy, the child is not yet in sight. And only in the fifth week, women usually do pregnancy tests on the occasion of the delay of menstruation.

It ends at 13 obstetric weeks of pregnancy, the second trimester begins at week 14.

While organogenesis is underway (the process of laying the organs and tissues of the fetus), the baby is incredibly vulnerable to any negative effects, both exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal) origin. Disruption of processes at the cellular level can cause malformations, death of the embryo, miscarriage. therefore The first trimester is considered the most dangerous and most critical.

A woman's body is rebuilt, adapts to new working conditions, taking into account the development of a new life in the womb, and therefore often (about 8 out of 10 pregnant women) it is toxicosis that occurs in the first trimester, which manifests intolerance to certain odors, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, headaches .

Baby for the first 13 weeks is a huge way from a single cell to a full body. From the end of week 5, his heart begins to beat, at week 6 a neural tube is formed, which by week 13 is divided into the brain and spinal cord. At week 7, the spine is formed, hands grow, at week 8 tiny fingers appear. From week 9, the baby begins to move actively.

The laying of organs is completed by week 10, and from that moment the child is called the fetus. Everything that will happen in the remaining months of pregnancy will already be based on what is laid in the first three months - the baby will simply grow and gain weight.

It is easier to survive the first trimester and protect the baby from the negative effects of harmful factors. during this period will help simple tips:

• exclude alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beer (it also contains a small amount of alcohol), smoking and psychotropic substances;

• do not take any medicine without the knowledge of the doctor, try to avoid even multivitamin preparations (an excess of vitamins in the first trimester contributes to the formation of defects in the fetus);

• pay proper attention to sleep and rest - it will be much easier for a pregnant woman to go through a difficult time if she will sleep at least 8 hours a day;

• organize your meals correctly: eat fractional, in small portions up to 6 times per day, saturate the diet with all kinds of necessary substances - and fats, and proteins, and carbohydrates;

• eat meat and fish - animal protein is a structural material for the fetus;

• from 8-9 weeks increase the amount of calcium, since gradual mineralization of the bones of the fetus begins at this time;

• exclude fried, fatty, smoked meats, carbonated drinks, spices, ketchup and mayonnaise, as well as an abundance of sugar and sweets;

• register as early as possible - it will help notice in time possible complications, malformations of the fetus;

• in any situation keep a positive attitude - eliminate communication with unpleasant people, try to read and watch only good news, books and movies, this will help to cope with mood swings and depression, which develop against the background of progesterone exposure;

• do your best not to get the flu, acute respiratory viral infection, rubella, chickenpox, measles and other infectious diseases, because viruses can cause severe fetal malformations, sometimes incompatible with life.

• stay away from crowded placesfrom public transport at rush hour;

• if you feel unwell, feel free to be a signalist, consult a doctor, because self-medication is very dangerous for mom and fetus;

• be patient, if there is toxemia - second trimester usually brings relief.