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Symptoms normal during first trimester

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Dr. Paul,
Thank you for your previous advice. I do intend to make a visit with an ob/gyn. Another quest: In addition to the symptoms mentioned before I see that my nipple look larger and they poke out more now Im beginning to be more hungry and yes I have been eating more! I have slight achiness in my ankles only when I rise from bed..also I have a little dull pain in legs(here and there)normally when lying in bed. Is this normal during first trimester? Thanks alot


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replied July 26th, 2010
First Trimester of Pregnancy Answer A14647
Hello,
Thank you for your repeat query.
Your nipple looking bigger and seeming to poke out is one of the earliest and a definite sign of pregnancy. The changes that happen in breasts during pregnancy include changes in the breast tissue becoming more and getting ready for milk production, and changes in nipples and areola that get bigger, darker, and with small elevations at the margins (the Mongomery tubercles). You may also see some golden or yellowish fluid leaking from nipples, which is the first milk the body produces for baby and is called Colostrum. All these are normal; you do not need to be worried.
Feeling more hungry and eating more is body’s response to the growing need of both you and the baby together. You calorie intake rises to about 200-300+ calories every day during the first trimester pregnancy. The total calorie requirement slowly increases to about 2000-2500Kcals per day by the last 3 months of your pregnancy. So start making healthy choices for the extra needs.
The ankle ache is also a common symptom, it happens due to the increasing weight and the water retention that happens during pregnancy. I suggest you to massage your ankles a bit in gentle circulatory motion when you wake up before getting out of bed. It will give you some relief.
The dull pain in legs when lying down also can be managed by lying down more on sides rather than straight, as the weight of the baby and uterus falls on the blood vessels supplying the legs, so any obstruction to the blood flow will result in pain. Another possibility would be lack of essential vitamins and minerals, which could also cause this kind of pain. The lack is merely an indication that you require more as you need to supply them to your baby, and not because you are eating less or less healthy. Consider stating on pre-natal vitamins soon.
Schedule your visit to your gynecologist ASAP.
Take care.



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