RAY LINE

SUSAN REGISTERS FOR ANTENATAL

Susan leaves immediately after Bob's call ends. She feels relieved that Bob spoke with her because she thinks, Bob will longer have anything to do with her, having decided not to terminate the baby.

Susan arrives at the Queen's Clinic, as she walks straight to the Front Desk officer to enquire how to register for antenatal care.

The Front Desk officer directs Susan to the Antenatal Department.

When Susan arrives at the department, the antenatal classes are ongoing, while she approaches the Front Desk officer in the antenatal department.

Susan is asked to pay a token to open a file in her name. A file is opened for Susan, after which she is directed to the lab. At the lab, the lab technician handed Susan a test tube to urinate in, to carry out some tests.

After carrying out the tests, Susan is directed to go measure her height and blood pressure, and then do an ultrasound scanning to check the position of the baby and to be sure that the baby is fine.

Susan, after, being directed to go join the antenatal classes to participate. She feels encouraged.

There is a senior nurse who was teaching about breastfeeding. She says, immediately after the baby comes, the first thing the mother does is insert the n****e into the baby,'s mouth. The first yellowish breast milk that comes out from the breast is very important for the baby's growth.

The senior nurse also decides to talk about the trimester of pregnancy. She says, "The First trimester of Pregnancy is considered the moment of body changes because of the fetal development.

"As first-trimester pregnant women, you need to visit the doctor on your scheduled days of visit to monitor the development of your baby. It is also very important to stay healthy. Nevertheless, there are other considerations.", says the nurse.

The nurse goes further to ask, "What is the first trimester?" and goes ahead to say, "A pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters. The first trimester is the time in between the fertilization of the egg by the sperm (conception) and week 12 of pregnancy.

A woman’s body goes through many changes during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Women often start to have concerns over:

what to eat

which types of prenatal tests they should consider

how much weight they might gain

how they can make sure their baby stays healthy

Understanding a pregnancy week by week can help you make informed decisions and prepare for the big changes that lie ahead.

What is the first trimester?

What happens to a woman’s body during the first trimester?

In the first trimester, a woman’s body goes through many changes. The body releases hormones that affect almost every single organ in the body. The first sign you may be pregnant is missing a period. As the first few weeks pass, some women experience the following:

tiredness

upset stomach

throwing up

mood swings

tender breasts

heartburn

weight gain

headaches

cravings for certain foods

revulsion to certain foods

constipation

You may need to rest more or eat smaller meals during this time. Some women, however, don’t feel any of these symptoms at all.

What happens to the fetus during the first trimester?

The first day of your pregnancy is also the first day of your last menstrual period. At about 10 to 14 days after, an egg is released, combines with a sperm, and conception occurs. A baby develops rapidly during the first trimester. The fetus begins to develop a brain and spinal cord, and the organs begin to form. The baby’s heart will also begin to beat during the first trimester.

Arms and legs begin to bud in the first few weeks, and by the end of eight weeks, fingers and toes start to form. By the end of the first trimester, the baby’s s*x organs have formed. According to the Office on Women’s Health, the baby is now about 3 inches long and weighs almost 1 ounce.

Words matter: What is conscious language?

Make sure your words portray people the way they want you to see them. Our Conscious Language Guide explains terms like person-first language and identity-first language to help you get started.

What can be expected from the doctor?

When you first learn you are pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor to begin caring for the developing baby. If you are not already on prenatal vitamins, start them immediately. Ideally, women take folic acid (in prenatal vitamins) for a year before pregnancy. Women normally see their doctor once a month during the first trimester.

During your first visit, a doctor will take a full health history and perform a full physical and pelvic exam. The doctor may also:

perform an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy

perform a Pap test

take your blood pressure

test for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and hepatitis

estimate your date of delivery or “due date,” which is around 266 days from the first day of your last period

screen for risk factors like anaemia

check thyroid levels

check your weight

At around 11 weeks, the doctor will perform a test called a nuchal translucency (NT) scan. The test uses an ultrasound to measure the baby’s head and the thickness of the baby’s neck. The measurements can help determine the chance that your baby will be born with a genetic disorder known as Down syndrome.

Ask your doctor whether or not genetic screening is recommended for your pregnancy. Genetic screening is a test used to find out your baby’s risk for specific genetic diseases.

While the nurse pause and ask if anyone has a question, Susan ask a question, "How can I stay healthy during the first trimester?" and the nurse answer in response, saying,

"It’s important for a woman to be aware of what to do and what to avoid while pregnant to take care of themselves and their developing baby." She continued the lectures saying,

"What to do

Here are good personal health measures to take during the first trimester:

Take prenatal vitamins.

Exercise regularly.

Work out your pelvic floor by doing Kegel exercises.

Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, low-fat forms of protein, and fibre.

Drink lots of water.

Eat enough calories (about 300 calories more than normal).

What to avoid

These things should be avoided during the first trimester:

strenuous exercise or strength training that could cause an injury to your stomach

alcohol

caffeine (no more than one cup of coffee or tea per day)

smoking

illegal drugs

raw fish or smoked seafood (no sushi)

shark, swordfish, mackerel, or white snapper fish (they have high levels of mercury)

raw sprouts

cat litter, which can carry a parasitic disease called toxoplasmosis

unpasteurized milk or other dairy products

deli meats or hot dogs

Susan was so impressed after the nurse had finished her lecture.

Susan's name is called as she walks in to see the doctor. She stays in for about 30 minutes, but when she comes out, she is amazed to see Bob standing right at the spot where she had her antenatal lecture.