And then? To make the 40 weeks until birth as comfortable as possible, we’ve put together a few pregnancy tips .

Today: The first few weeks.

The first third of pregnancy

“What will change in my life with a baby?”, “How will my family react?”, or “When can I talk about the pregnancy?” – these and similar questions trouble many pregnant women. They are often accompanied by a veritable rollercoaster of emotions .

In addition, your hormone balance is also upended. One moment you’re overjoyed, the next you might be crying. It usually helps to talk to your partner or a friend who knows how you feel. A pregnancy diary can also be helpful if you’re not sure what to do with your emotions.

Leaden fatigue & the right diet

Even if your belly is still flat in the first few weeks, your body is changing to prepare for the baby. However, there’s no reason to eat for two. The additional calorie requirement is only 200 kcal. A balanced, healthy, and vitamin-rich diet is perfectly sufficient: Fresh fruit and vegetables should be on your menu every day.

Raw milk products , raw meat, raw fish (e.g., sushi), or ham are not allowed – they can contain dangerous pathogens for the unborn child. Alcohol and cigarettes are also, of course, taboo!

Coffee and black tea are allowed in moderation. Leaden fatigue is nothing to worry about during the first trimester. Your body is working at full speed now so the baby can develop in peace. If possible, just lie down and rest! Or take a short walk in the fresh air, which is invigorating.

The right outfit

First-time mothers usually don’t have any problems finding the right clothes in the first few weeks. However, the belly and breasts are extremely sensitive. Even now, comfortable, stretchy clothing is advisable.

If the smells and impressions on your way to work become too much for you, carry a bottle of an essential oil you like with you and take a quick sniff every now and then.

A really bad thing?

The good news: Morning sickness usually subsides by the second trimester at the latest! And not all pregnant women suffer from it.

If you’re having trouble with this, treat yourself in the morning before you get up. Perhaps your partner can make you some chamomile or ginger tea. Light snacks like rusks or crispbread, almonds, or nuts often relieve the discomfort.

Ginger soothes the stomach lining, and almonds bind stomach acid. Caution! Ginger tea has a mild labor-inducing effect, so it should only be consumed early in pregnancy.

Vitamin B6 can also relieve nausea.

Always take it easy!

Heavy bags, crying siblings, and strenuous housework are now men’s work. You should definitely avoid lifting and carrying heavy loads during the first three months of pregnancy to minimize the risk of miscarriage. As a rule of thumb, leave anything heavier than 5 kg at home!

Often, as soon as the first positive pregnancy test arrives, parents begin to perceive their surroundings differently. Suddenly, all they see in the park are small children, and every headline about possible illnesses, complications during pregnancy, and parenting advice literally stands out from the sea of ​​letters.

Or in short: it has never been so easy to drive yourself crazy.

Finding the right course in the sea of ​​information

Especially for pregnant women, there’s a flood of books, information, and videos that could fill your entire free time. Here’s a documentary about a family with twins, there’s a book about birth and the proper development of a child.

Your own parents, friends, and acquaintances also have many stories to tell , as well as their own opinions and ideas. For example, your brother-in-law might bring over a book about baby sign language, while your good friend insists that only linen diapers are allowed in the house.

Meanwhile, the almost endless checklist from the birth preparation course for the hospital and the time after the birth lies on the table.

Sure, this is all well-intentioned, but does it really have to be that way?

Many young parents must first learn to create their own filters against the flood of information . Especially in our fast-paced, digital lives, the absorption and transmission of information is often a constant flow, without a fixed beginning or clear end. We unconsciously read push notifications on our phones or are manipulated by ads, advertisements, and messages on social media or while surfing the web.

We’ve forgotten how to separate important information from unimportant information. And this skill often has to be painfully relearned. Usually through dramatic experiences, like a recent TV show on German afternoon programming about miscarriages, which was worthy of criticism and included crying mothers, which gave pregnant women many dark thoughts.

Talk early about what is important to you

During pregnancy, it is important to insulate yourself from the storm of stories, opinions and ideas to such an extent that important information gets through, but unimportant or even negative contributions are kept at the door.

After all, young parents certainly have a great need for useful information, whether it’s about important features of a stroller, how to dress children properly, or how to recognize complications during pregnancy early on. Therefore, it’s important to build a network right from the start of pregnancy that provides a manageable stream of reliable and relevant information, without creating unnecessary anxiety or stress.

So totally simple, right?

Many small steps are recommended. For example, you can start by selecting sources to use during pregnancy, whether that’s a friendly YouTuber or a professionally produced specialist magazine.

It also helps if expectant parents discuss things and agree on clear rules about how they want to deal with various issues, fears, and worries. This makes it easier to resolve many critical topics, from amniocentesis to cesarean sections.

But one thing is most important: keep a cool head !

During pregnancy, even doctors tend to exaggerate things or be overly cautious and critical. That’s the job of doctors. Yours, on the other hand, is to enjoy the pregnancy and take a step back. Go to a spa, enjoy the weather, and eat some ice cream. Your worries can wait for you at home while you enjoy the time until your little one turns your life upside down.

Of course, your mind is racing, and suddenly everything’s happening at once. Where are the car keys? Who do I need to call? And where is the suitcase?

Yes, the day of birth is a strenuous activity not only for the child and the mother, but for everyone involved. However, with proper preparation, you can approach what is probably the most exciting day of your family life so far with complete peace of mind.

The key to this is that you ‘re ready to go as soon as labor begins . We’ll explain everything you need to consider, pack, and prepare.

The hospital bag

Pack your hospital bag a week or two before your due date. It’s important that it’s readily available and can be loaded into the car.

This must be included:

• Clean underwear and socks for at least four days. (For him and her)
• Comfortable clothes for the first few days in the hospital (for him and her). Look for tops that are suitable for breastfeeding .
• Additionally, clean spare tops for the family visit after the birth .
• Toothbrushes, toothpaste and hygiene products.
• Snacks like granola bars, as fathers tend not to eat anything, especially on the day of the birth – which can cause problems in the delivery room.
• Charging cable for all technical devices (mobile phone, Kindle, Bluetooth speaker, etc.).
• Possibly reading material – although your little darling will provide plenty of entertainment!
• If necessary: ​​Medications that must be taken in the context of chronic illnesses such as blood pressure lowering medication or insulin.
• Smaller health items such as creams and balms.

You can find our comprehensive birth checklist here:

Checklist – What you need for the birth!

The car

Not only is the right attire important for the big day, but it’s also crucial that you and your family arrive at the hospital safely. So prepare your car accordingly for a quick trip to the hospital.

So, in the days leading up to your due date, it’s better to visit the gas station once too often than once too few. Also, keep a set of towels in your car, as well as still mineral water.

Also, drive the route to the hospital at different times of the day and days of the week so that you can get a feel for how long it will take you to get there.

To ensure your little one gets home safely after the hospital visit, a suitable and safe infant car seat is essential and should be part of your initial equipment . We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the purchase, installation, and seating position beforehand to ensure your baby’s safety.

No stress: children’s room and home

Many mothers are particularly struck by the nesting instinct shortly before the birth. This is when scrubbing, polishing, and buffing are a must. The future nursery, in particular, becomes the center of attention.

However, you should still treat yourself to a few quiet days and just put your feet up. After all, the coming years will be stressful enough.

Furthermore, no child sleeps alone in their own room for the first few months, or even years. Methods like Ferberization, which involves letting children cry themselves to sleep , are now extremely controversial and are considered by many experts to be torture, undermining children’s fundamental trust in their parents.

The fact is, even if it feels urgent, the nursery doesn’t have to be ready on the day of the birth. However, if you can do it in time, you can be doubly happy because you can cross another item off the list.

Vacation planning and parental leave

Births, with the exception of cesarean sections, are unpredictable. This also makes vacation planning difficult, especially for fathers. Especially in jobs with limited flexibility, a sudden vacation block of several weeks is often impossible.

Therefore, plan your vacation well in advance and create gaps in your calendar around your due date. Even if you don’t believe it, colleagues are often very helpful if you just ask nicely. However, spontaneity in the sense of “can you step in tomorrow?” is counterproductive. So start planning well in advance.

The same applies to parental leave . As a couple, discuss how you want to use the parental leave granted to you in good time. There are various models, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Families often opt for the 14-month model, which guarantees the mother 12 months of parental leave and the father two months.

During this time, you’ll receive a good 65 to 70 percent of your last average salary. So, consider the family account when discussing possible periods.

While parental leave can be interrupted spontaneously and resumed later, this involves a significant amount of bureaucracy. If the very strict regulations are violated, the office often demands the full amount of parental allowance paid back. So, pay meticulous attention to your documents in this regard.

The most important thing when preparing: stay calm!

On the big day, things may feel overwhelming. So prepare well. But don’t forget that this moment will never come again.

So, enjoy your little one’s first big appearance on this earth. After all, you’ll want to tell your child about this moment someday, and you’ll always associate it with wonderful memories.

Giving birth is a routine for the hospital’s experts, and you’re in good hands. So relax and soak up the impressions of this day.

And of course: congratulations !

Find out how this happens and whether you can do anything about it here.

One thing to note right away: While the cause of hereditary hair loss in men is the male sex hormone testosterone, in women the female hormone estrogen is to blame for hair loss after pregnancy.

Hair loss cause after pregnancy: estrogen

It’s not too much estrogen that leads to unwanted hair loss, which hits women particularly hard because they often have full, radiant, and healthy hair during pregnancy, but rather a lack of estrogen. This female hormone plays a major role during pregnancy and is therefore produced in greater quantities. A positive side effect is that estrogen promotes hair growth and extends the hair’s life cycle, thus making the hair fuller.

The technical term for hormonal hair loss after pregnancy is postpartum effluvium. This occurs when estrogen levels gradually decline after birth and return to normal levels. As a result, hair grows more slowly and the hair cycle returns to normal.

How does our hair grow?

Our hair goes through three phases throughout its life. The growth phase lasts between two and six years. During this time, hair is produced, meaning it grows in length, before entering the transition phase for a few weeks. During this time, the hair falls out, and finally, after a two- to six-month regeneration phase, new hair grows.

While hair growth is accelerated during pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels, hair becomes thicker and fuller, but more hair also enters the transition phase and falls out two to three months after birth. This is why women appear to lose a lot of hair postpartum, even though they are actually returning to their normal hair density.

Before hair falls out, it is deprived of nutrients, which in turn causes it to appear dull and lifeless. It can take up to a year for normal balance to be restored.

Other causes of hair loss after childbirth

Although hair loss after childbirth is part of the body’s natural regeneration process, certain factors can still contribute to hair loss.

Stress, for example, is a well-known and common cause of hair loss, and it doesn’t just affect young mothers. However, stress levels are often particularly high for new mothers, as their daily routine lacks structure and they are often faced with numerous societal expectations regarding how they should fulfill their new role.

If hair loss doesn’t resolve itself in the first year after birth, you should consult a doctor or dermatologist. Nutrient deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, or genetics may also be contributing factors.

Tips for hair loss

Hair loss is a natural part of pregnancy for many women, and while it may be difficult to come to terms with it, it is nevertheless a natural biological reaction. The female body performs a miracle during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond, and it can be a wonderful opportunity to see your own body in a new light and cultivate gratitude for it.

If you still want to do something about hair loss, you can try the following tips:

• Relaxation, relaxation, relaxation! Anything that helps a young mother relax and counteract stress will also minimize stress-related hair loss. It helps to slow down as much as possible, ask for and accept help, and continually find small moments for yourself in your new and exciting everyday life.
• A nutrient-rich diet is particularly important after birth and supports the body in its regeneration.
• Special caffeine shampoos can provide hair with additional nutrients, strengthening it to prevent hair loss. These active shampoos should be left on for at least two minutes and used daily. If you don’t wash your hair daily, a caffeine-containing toner will provide the necessary caffeine intake, as it stays in the hair.
• A new haircut can be a small blessing to help you accept hair loss. Motherhood is a new chapter in a woman’s life, and a new hairstyle can serve as a rite of passage.

The cause of hair loss in women after pregnancy is directly related to the hormone that ensures the body can provide a safe place for a baby to grow for nine months. This process is truly miraculous, and awareness of it may make it easier for new mothers to accept the subsequent hair loss. However, caffeine-containing products can effectively counteract this unpleasant side effect.

So, when is the best time to announce this to the general public, and especially to your employer? Immediately after the test? After three months? Are there perhaps even legal regulations?

We at the Parents’ Handbook have compiled basic information on the topic of “ Pregnancy and Employers ” for you.

When do I have to inform my employer?

The sooner I inform my employer, the sooner maternity protection regulations will kick in. After all, my employer can’t protect me from potential risks associated with my job if they don’t know about my pregnancy. Therefore, I should inform my employer of my pregnancy and the expected date of delivery as early as possible.

Sometimes employers require a medical certificate of pregnancy. However, if this is the case, the employer must cover the costs of the medical certificate.

Are you afraid of office gossip if your boss finds out about your pregnancy? This is unfounded. The employer is not allowed to disclose the special circumstances without the consent of the expectant mother.

What must the employer do if an employee becomes pregnant?

The Maternity Protection Act ( Section 27 MuSchG ) requires employers to inform the relevant supervisory authorities (state occupational health and safety or trade inspectorates) of an employee’s pregnancy so that they can monitor compliance with maternity protection regulations. Therefore, it is helpful to provide some information about the pregnant woman’s type of employment as part of this notification so that the authorities can promptly assess whether there are any employment bans .

Incidentally, the same authorities are a good point of contact if the expectant mother or the employer has questions about pregnancy in the workplace and the application of maternity protection regulations.

Compliance with maternity protection regulations is monitored

The Maternity Protection Act imposes a number of obligations on employers to optimally protect their pregnant employees:

26 Display of the law

If more than three women regularly work in a company, a copy of the Maternity Protection Act must be displayed or posted in a suitable place so that employees can quickly find out about their rights and obligations during pregnancy.

29 Supervisory authorities

Compliance with the provisions of the Maternity Protection Act is monitored by supervisory authorities. Depending on the federal state, these may be, for example, trade inspectorates or occupational safety and health authorities. The respective addresses can be found (unfortunately somewhat hidden) on the website of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth: www.bmfsfj.de . Simply enter “Maternity Protection” in the search bar, and links to the individual addresses will appear.

All information on maternity protection

Since maternity protection is a very comprehensive topic, we’ve split the information into several articles. Further information will follow in a loose series, with links to previously published articles:

• Maternity protection in general : A brief overview of what maternity protection means and who it applies to.
• Pregnancy and employers : When do I have to report my pregnancy? What does my employer have to do then? What are the employer’s obligations when an employee is pregnant?
• Pregnancy and protection against dismissal : When is dismissal prohibited? What exceptions are there? What can I do if I am dismissed anyway? Dismissal protection and parental leave? What if I want to resign myself?
• Maternity protection at work : What employment bans exist, and how is my income secured during these periods? Does maternity protection also apply after the birth, and if so, how?
• Maternity protection – protection periods before and after childbirth : How long are the protection periods generally? What about breastfeeding mothers?
• Parental leave : What are my entitlements to parental leave? What is recreational leave?

Further regulations to protect expectant mothers

Regulations for the protection of women of childbearing age, expectant and breastfeeding mothers can be found, among others, in the following legal provisions:

• Law on the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training and in Studies ( MuSchG ),
• Fifth Book of the Social Code ( SGB V ), formerly regulated in the Reich Insurance Code ( RVO ),
• Farmers’ Health Insurance Act ( KVLG ),
• Workplace Ordinance ( ArbStättV ),
• Biological Agents Ordinance ( BioStoffV ),
• Hazardous Substances Ordinance ( GefStoffV ),
• X-ray Ordinance (RöV),
• Radiation Protection Ordinance ( StrlSchV ) and in
• special state regulations.