Overall well-being guide for Pregnant Mothers - 1 Trimester

On my 39th week! It’s been quite a journey, thus far indeed – the personal nuances of which I would like to document on a separate thread. But here on this post, I would like to pen down all the good tips and advice that worked well for me.  You being pregnant means loads of outward care, advises  List dos and don’ts pouring in and it can get quite confusing and nagging, to choose from the right piece of advice and ignore the casual preaching. This thread hopes to list bear minimal alterations that may be required of you, in best interest of your child.

First and Foremost: Don’t feel Pregnant!!!:

This is one of the best tips passed on to me, both by my younger sister-in-law, Enith Geno Robinson and my gynecologist. As much as possible, great care should be taken in fine details, but in your mind just let that be for your overall optimal health and not a superficial godly mother thought of living up to the demands of you being pregnant. Many women that I know of, especially, those who choose to spend the entire pre-natal term at home, have a lot of pain, discomfort and complications to complain about, greatly because their mind is not occupied by superior challenges. If you’re working it’s better you continue work until 37th week or the last day of labor signs. If you are a stay at home housewife, I would highly recommend you to take up some hobby or assignments, which demands your mind to stay active. Don’t feel pregnant innately – in spite of all the challenges your body is going to put you through. Put on your Active, Energetic and full of life self so that the entire pre-natal term would be a delightful journey for you and your partner.

First Trimester Care:

1. Have a "Healthy Diet", Avoid Just certain Kind:

In India being pregnant is to be fed, fed and fed like a princess. Well, though it may sound like great care for healthiness, but it's better one eats just 300 calories extra to satiate the nutritional needs of "You and your little birdie caged in your amniotic nest" :-)

Do's:

• Have loads and loads of Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts (dates, almonds, walnuts and pistas), Otas/Cereal/ Ragi Malts and one whole Egg, "EVERYDAY".
• Include a minimum of 3 servings of green leafy vegetables per week, for it's a natural source of iron and folate.
• Have One serving of fish every week (Be careful to go for fish varieties with minimum Mercury content. Overdoing Fish can also be fatal for pregnant mother, given the mercury content in some variety of fishes higher). Walnuts and Fish are great source of Omega-3 fatty acids and fish consumed in moderate amounts, will help in the neural development of your baby. 
• Carb intake to be normal!!! Yes Normal!!! 300 extra calories each day can be satiated by first bulletin points in this Do's list.  Overdoing carbohydates is just providing energy void of nutrients to the baby, so it's better one just sticks to normal intake of carbs.
• Drink a minimum of 3 liters of Water everyday. 

Dont's:

• Avoid Junk and cheesy food, that includes routine of Pizza's, Burgers, Hot Dogs and White Bread Sandwiches and processed food of any kind,.... 
• Doctors in India recommend pregnant mothers to avoid Chicken, Beef Pork, Crab or Prawn, as much as possible in first 5 months, for it generates a lot of heat that can be handled by a first trimester fetus. 
• Doctors in India, also recommended intake of Non-veg, like Fish, if any, during lunch hours, for this gives enough room for digestion. A light dinner, is good both for you and your little fetus.
• Old wives tale in Asia, is to avoid fruits like papaya and pineapple, which generate heat in human body.
• Salt intake to be limited to minimum.
• Spice intake to be limited to minimum - for overdoing spices will lead to complications in final trimester. So try to stay conscious while your finger lingers to lick on that tangy pickle or tamarind. 

First three months, there is but a minimum care food care, that is required of you from your baby. Progressively, in second and third trimester, you may need to add in new items on your "To-Do List". Remember, your baby is cocooned in your womb and has only you to look up,...