Pregnancy: 10 FAQs and answers
In this article we will answer 10 FAQs about pregnancy.
Question 1: How long does pregnancy typically last?
Answer: Pregnancy typically lasts around 40 weeks, divided into three trimesters: weeks 1-12 (first trimester), weeks 13-26 (second trimester) and weeks 27-40 (third trimester).
Answer: Pregnancy typically lasts around 40 weeks, divided into three trimesters: weeks 1-12 (first trimester), weeks 13-26 (second trimester) and weeks 27-40 (third trimester).
Question 2: What are the earliest signs of pregnancy?
Answer: Common early signs include missed periods, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, breast enlargement and tenderness, and frequent urination.
Question 3: When can I hear my baby’s heartbeat?
Answer: No, not normally. But the heartbeat is audible during an ultrasound between weeks 10-16 of pregnancy.
Question 4: Can I exercise during pregnancy?
Answer: Yes, exercise is recommended for healthy pregnancies.
Question 5: What foods should I avoid during pregnancy?
Answer: Avoid foods high in mercury (raw fish), undercooked meat, raw eggs, unpasteurised dairy, and excessive caffeine.
Question 6: Can I travel during pregnancy?
Answer: Generally, air travel is safe up to 36 weeks.
Answer: Generally, air travel is safe up to 36 weeks.
Question 7: What are the symptoms of morning sickness?
Answer: Morning sickness typically includes nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue, often triggered by smells or foods.
Question 8: When can I feel the baby move?
Answer: Women typically feel fetal movements between weeks 16-25, starting with gentle fluttering sensations.
Question 9: What prenatal tests are available?
Answer: Common tests include ultrasound, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for genetic screening.
Question 10: What do you do when you find out you are pregnant?
Answer: You may be able to self-refer to your local maternity unit directly for your antenatal care. They will allocate a midwife to you. Visit your local hospital’s website to find out more. Speak to your GP if you can’t self-refer or if you think your pregnancy may be high-risk. For example, if you have a long-term condition, such as diabetes, or you are over 40 years old. They will tell the midwifery team you are pregnant.
Summary
We have answered 10 FAQs about pregnancy. We hope it has been helpful.
