Quick answer: The first trimester is weeks 1-12 of pregnancy. Book your first antenatal visit before 12 weeks, take folic acid 400 mcg (0.4 mg) daily, eat safely, avoid tobacco, alcohol and self-medication, and get urgent help for vaginal bleeding, severe or one-sided lower abdominal pain, fainting, persistent vomiting, fever of 38 C or above, or severe headache with blurred vision.

When should antenatal care start?

Start as early as possible, with the first visit before 12 weeks. WHO recommends at least 8 antenatal contacts during a pregnancy. Early visits find problems such as anaemia, high blood pressure or infections while they are easy to treat.

A usual first visit includes blood group and Rh type, haemoglobin, urine tests, blood sugar, screening for hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis, and an ultrasound if your doctor advises it.

Which supplements do I need?

  • Folic acid 400 mcg (0.4 mg) daily: ideally starting at least a month before conception and continuing until 12 weeks, to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (problems of the baby's brain and spine). If you were not taking it, start as soon as you know you are pregnant.
  • Higher dose (4-5 mg): prescribed by a doctor only, for example after a previous baby with a neural tube defect, or if you have diabetes, take epilepsy medicines or are obese. Do not start this yourself.
  • Iron and calcium: WHO recommends daily iron and folic acid in pregnancy; take iron and calcium exactly as your doctor advises.

You can find vitamins and supplements on MedEasy, but ask your doctor which ones and what doses suit you.

Pregnancy also raises calcium needs; see calcium and bone health for food sources and when a supplement is advised.

What should I eat and avoid in early pregnancy?

  • Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, and unpasteurised milk.
  • Avoid high-mercury fish such as shark, king mackerel and swordfish.
  • Wash fruit and vegetables well and cook food thoroughly.
  • Limit caffeine to under 200 mg a day, about 2 cups of coffee. Tea and cola also contain caffeine.
  • Avoid tobacco in every form, including cigarettes, jorda, gul and sada pata, and avoid alcohol.
  • Do not take herbal or traditional remedies without medical advice.

Which medicines are safe in the first trimester?

Do not self-medicate. Always tell every doctor and pharmacist that you are pregnant. When a painkiller or fever medicine is needed, paracetamol at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time is the usual choice. Avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen unless a doctor prescribes them. Never stop a medicine your doctor prescribed, such as for epilepsy or thyroid problems, without speaking to the doctor first.

How can I cope with nausea and vomiting?

Nausea (morning sickness) is very common and usually eases by weeks 16-20. Try:

  • small, frequent meals instead of large ones;
  • dry biscuits or toast before getting out of bed;
  • ginger and sips of fluid through the day;
  • resting and avoiding smells that trigger nausea.

Ask a doctor if you cannot keep fluids down.

What activity and rest do I need?

Gentle walking, enough sleep and good hydration are helpful for most women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. Ask your doctor before starting anything strenuous, especially if you have had bleeding, a miscarriage or other complications. Preparing early also helps later: our guides on breastfeeding and newborn care are worth reading before the baby arrives.

What changes are normal in early pregnancy?

Tiredness, tender breasts, needing to pass urine more often, nausea and mild period-like twinges are common in the first weeks. They do not mean something is wrong. But bleeding or severe pain is never something to wait out, and any bleeding should be checked by a doctor.

Before your first visit, write down the first day of your last period, any medicines you take (including traditional ones), any long-term conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease or epilepsy, and details of previous pregnancies. This helps the doctor plan your care.

When should I see a doctor urgently?

Go to a hospital or call 999 if you have:

  • vaginal bleeding;
  • severe or one-sided lower abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain or fainting, which can signal an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb) and is an emergency;
  • vomiting so often that you cannot keep fluids down, or very dark urine;
  • fever of 38 C or above;
  • burning when passing urine;
  • severe headache or blurred vision;
  • passing tissue from the vagina.

For questions between visits, such as symptoms, medicines or diet, an online doctor consultation can help. It does not replace antenatal check-ups, blood tests and ultrasound, which must be done in person.

References

This article is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified doctor. If your baby seems unwell, seek medical care promptly.