Early Pregnancy
From the moment conception occurs, changes take place as your body prepares to grow a baby.
Although you might not notice anything at first, there are often signs and symptoms of early pregnancy if you know what to look for. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, your prenatal care for the first trimester might include blood tests, ultrasounds, or other forms of screening to monitor your health and your baby’s development. Dr Ljiljana will support you on your pregnancy journey and looks forward to providing care during this important time of your life.
Signs and Symptoms of Early Pregnancy
Conception usually occurs around 12 – 14 days before your next period is due. During this time, you might experience symptoms similar to premenstrual symptoms. These include:
- Dull ache around the lower back or pelvic region
- Tender, tingly or sore breasts (breasts may also feel fuller)
- Mood changes
- Fatigue
- Slight bleeding or cramping (known as implantation bleeding, when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterus wall)
- Abdominal cramps that feel similar to menstrual cramps
The most obvious symptom of pregnancy is a missed period or a period that is much lighter than usual. Other symptoms that you might experience during the first trimester of pregnancy include:
- Nausea with or without vomiting—this may begin as early as two weeks after conception
- Food cravings or aversions
- Headaches caused by hormonal changes that increase blood flow
- Feeling faint or dizzy due to lower blood pressure or low blood sugar levels
- Constipation associated with hormonal changes
- Elevated basal body temperature for more than two weeks
- Feeling dizzy, queasy, or just not your usual self—some women intuitively sense that they are pregnant and often turn out to be right
It’s worth noting that you can be pregnant and have no symptoms or you can have symptoms but not be pregnant. The best way of determining pregnancy is to have a blood test.
First Trimester Prenatal Testing
During your first trimester, you will have standard tests to check the development of your baby. Depending on your specific health considerations and circumstances, you may also be offered additional tests, ultrasounds, or screenings.
Routine Blood Tests
Your first blood test checks for elevated levels of human gonadotrophin hormone (HGH), which is a reliable indicator that you are pregnant. You may also be required to have a specific blood test to check if you are immunised against rubella and to screen for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C.
There are two required blood tests known as sequential integrated screening and serum integrated screening. These check certain protein and hormone levels. Elevated amounts of either one indicates a higher risk of your baby developing a chromosomal abnormality.
Your blood type may be tested to ensure that your Rh factor is compatible with that of your baby’s. If it is found to be incompatible, you will receive injections later in pregnancy to help avoid complications. You may also need to do a midstream urine test to check for kidney or bladder infections, diabetes, a urinary tract infection, or other disorders.
Ultrasounds
Usually, you will undergo an ultrasound early in your pregnancy to confirm the baby’s size, position, and exact age if you are unsure on when you conceived. A more comprehensive ultrasound is performed in the second trimester to check the baby’s development and gender (if you are wanting to know).
Another ultrasound you may need to undergo is called the nuchal translucency ultrasound. This scan is done to check the accumulation of fluid at the back of your baby’s neck and is performed between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy. If there is more fluid than usual, your baby is at greater risk of developing Down syndrome.
It’s important to note that only diagnostic tests can reliably identify abnormalities. Ultrasounds and blood tests give an indication of higher risk but do not positively identify abnormal development. Dr Ljiljana can answer any questions you have about the diagnosis of abnormalities.
Pregnancies with Dr Ljiljana
Dr Ljiljana offers a range of treatment for ectopic pregnancies and provides you with care and support during early pregnancies. For more information on early pregnancies or ectopic pregnancies, please don’t hesitate to call. Dr Ljiljana is happy to answer any questions.
Healthy Eating in Early Pregnancy
Growing a baby means that your nutrition needs change. Steady weight gain during pregnancy is normal and healthy, with women in a normal weight range expected to gain 11 – 16 kg. If you are underweight, it’s recommended that you gain 12 – 18 kg. If you are overweight, it is recommended that you gain 5 – 11.5 kg.
Try to include the following in your diet:
- A variety of fruits and vegetables—eat as many different colours as you can for extra nutrients
- Iron-rich foods such as lean red meat, seeds, nuts, legumes, dark leafy greens, and tofu
- Get plenty of calcium from dairy foods such as cheese and milk, dark leafy greens, broccoli, soybeans, and fortified orange juice
- Choose wholegrain options for bread, pasta, and rice
- Drink plenty of water (you need up to 1000 ml extra per day)
- Avoid or limit foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat
- Avoid drinks high in sugar
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Take a supplement specially formulated for pregnancy. Your needs for iron, folate, zinc and some other nutrients are higher when you are pregnant
Good food choices will help you maintain a healthy weight and provide your growing baby with the right nutrition.
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. This condition is not viable and can be life-threatening if left untreated, as it may cause severe internal bleeding.
Ectopic pregnancies are usually caused by a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, a previous ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, smoking, previous pelvic surgeries, or use of assisted reproductive technologies (e.g., IVF). These circumstances do not mean you will have an ectopic pregnancy, but they do increase the risk. This condition is rare, with only 2 in every 100 Australians being diagnosed.
Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy may not always cause symptoms at first, but as it progresses, certain signs and symptoms can indicate its presence.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting that differs from your usual period
- Abdominal or pelvic pain, which may be sharp or crampy
- Sudden shoulder pain, which can be a sign of internal bleeding affecting the diaphragm
- Dizziness or fainting, especially if the fallopian tube has ruptured
If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly severe abdominal pain or dizziness, seek immediate medical attention.
Dr Ljiljana Difference
Dr Ljiljana knows that women tend to prioritise the needs of everyone else before their own, which means their health concerns are often overlooked. This is why Dr Ljiljana takes her time listening to you and understanding how you wish to be treated. She then applies her skills and expertise to provide the best possible care with positive outcomes.