Although some discomfort is common during the later stages of pregnancy, some signs need to be checked by a doctor immediately, including: changes to your vision, flashing lights or blurry eyesight, which are signs of pre-eclampsia. sudden, severe swelling in your hands, feet or face.
First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks)
The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development. During this period, your baby's body structure and organ systems develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period.
Most miscarriages - 8 out of 10 (80 percent) - happen in the first trimester before the 12th week of pregnancy. Miscarriage in the second trimester (between 13 and 19 weeks) happens in 1 to 5 in 100 (1 to 5 percent) pregnancies. Pregnancy loss that happens after 20 weeks is called stillbirth.
Your nausea and vomiting may be worse than ever: Morning sickness peaks around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy for many women. That's when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest (morning sickness is thought to be linked to rises in hCG and estrogen).
Easing Your Miscarriage Fears
Try to remember that your fears are normal, but that this phase will pass. Take time to practice mindfulness, meditation, and take some time for yourself. This could include any stress-reducing activities you enjoy like yoga or going for a walk.
You may be considered high-risk if you have a history of miscarriage, preterm labor, or cesarean delivery. Likewise, if you've already had one child with a birth defect, any subsequent pregnancies may be treated as high-risk.
The majority of pregnancies are considered low-risk. This means that there are no active complications and that there are no maternal or fetal factors that place the pregnancy at increased risk for complications.
If you are pregnant and working, you may want to reduce or avoid: Stooping, bending, or squatting often. Lifting heavy objects from the floor or any location that requires you to bend or reach. Lifting overhead or reaching.
Factors Considered for High Risk Pregnancy
Age – less than 15 or more than 38 years. Weight – weight under 100 lb before pregnancy or overweight. Height – under five feet. Difficult pregnancies in the past.
Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissues (incompetent cervix) might increase the risk of miscarriage. Smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs. Women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than do nonsmokers. Heavy alcohol use and illicit drug use also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Your first call at week 4 of pregnancy should be to your doctor to schedule your first prenatal visit, where they'll confirm your pregnancy with a urine or blood test. For updates on what's happening with you and baby throughout your pregnancy, sign up for The Bump pregnancy week-by-week newsletter emails.
In one study, researchers found a miscarriage rate of 9.4 percent at 6 weeks of pregnancy, 4.2 percent at 7 weeks, 1.5 percent at 8 weeks, 0.5 percent at 9 weeks and 0.7 percent at 10 weeks. This doesn't include situations in which you lose a fertilized egg before a pregnancy becomes established.
Key Takeaways at 6 Weeks Pregnant
If you're not experiencing morning sickness, extreme fatigue or other unpleasant early pregnancy symptoms, consider yourself lucky. Baby's heartbeat is most likely detectable by ultrasound at this point.
A cell-free fetal DNA test, also known as a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT), is a blood test drawn at week 10 or later. It screens mom's blood for signs of risk for Down syndrome, Edward Syndrome, Patau Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.
nausea (upset stomach) that keeps you from keeping down liquids and food all day long or vomiting (throwing up) more than two to three times each day on most days. temperature higher than 100.4 F. painful urination or greatly increased urination. headache that doesn't go away after taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
The most common time to have a first appointment is around eight weeks gestation or about a month after that first missed period and positive pregnancy test. That said, many pregnant people should be seen earlier than that.
The American Pregnancy Association recommends you make an appointment with your doctor for your first prenatal visit within eight weeks of your last menstrual period (LMP).
Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid disease, heart or blood disorders, poorly controlled asthma, and infections can increase pregnancy risks. Pregnancy complications. Various complications that develop during pregnancy can pose risks.
Risk factors for a high-risk pregnancy can include: Existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or being HIV-positive. Overweight and obesity. Obesity increases the risk for high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, stillbirth, neural tube defects, and cesarean delivery.