Pregnancy and histamine: Trimester development & nutrition

Pregnancy is a super exciting and transformative time for every woman. During this time, the female body undergoes numerous changes to create and nourish a new life.

But what are the first signs of pregnancy? How does the body develop during the three trimesters , and what should expectant mothers know about nutrients , promoting breast milk production , and the connection to histamine intolerance ? In the following blog article, we'll share the most important aspects and give you valuable tips for a healthy pregnancy.

These are the first signs of pregnancy

The first signs of pregnancy can be very diverse and are also very unreliable . They usually appear even before a missed period . The following signs can occur early:

Nausea and vomiting, altered sense of smell and taste , forgetfulness , mood swings , growth spurt in hair and nails, sensitive breasts and darker nipples, frequent urination

When the first symptoms of pregnancy appear, and whether they appear at all, varies greatly from woman to woman. However, they can be roughly assigned to the following weeks of pregnancy (weeks of gestation):

4th week of pregnancy: Implantation pain & breast tenderness
Weeks 5 & 6 of pregnancy: Nausea & vomiting, mood swings & food cravings
Weeks 7 & 8 of pregnancy: Nausea, circulatory problems, low blood pressure, frequent urination
Weeks 9 & 10 of pregnancy: Breast changes & shortness of breath
Weeks 11 & 12 of pregnancy: Constipation & bloating

Nausea and a missed period are usually among the most reliable signs of pregnancy.

Ideal time for a pregnancy test

A pregnancy test is based on the detection of the hormone beta-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) in the blood or urine . This hormone, among other things, triggers the further release of estrogens and progestogens from the corpus luteum in the ovary .

In an existing pregnancy, hormone levels can be tested as early as 6-8 days after fertilization.

A distinction is made here between a blood test and a urine test . However, hCG can be detected earlier in blood than in urine.

The three trimesters at a glance

Pregnancy is an absolute miracle of nature. Below you will learn exactly what happens in each stage of pregnancy.

1st trimester (weeks 1-12 of pregnancy)
In the first phase, the embryo begins to develop. The nervous system , including the brain and spinal cord, grows, and blood and lymphatic vessels , muscles , skeleton , and internal organs develop.

The first heartbeat is usually heard from the 9th week onwards. During this phase, special attention should be paid to a low-histamine diet.

2nd trimester (13th-27th week of pregnancy)
During this phase, everything revolves around the child's senses . The first taste buds develop. From the 23rd week onward, the unborn child consciously perceives sounds, voices, and music.

Furthermore, the organs continue to grow, hair develops, and around the 20th week, the expectant mother will feel the first movements . From the 13th week onward, the DAO level in the body increases significantly, and histamine breakdown is promoted.

3rd trimester (28th-40th week of pregnancy)
During this phase, the unborn child primarily grows and gains weight . It also gradually changes position and curls into the typical fetal position . Furthermore, the brain develops significantly once again.

Histamine and pregnancy: What happens before, during and after pregnancy

It is now known that 80% of those affected by histamine intolerance are female . This, in turn, confirms a clear link between hormones and histamine intolerance. As a biogenic amine, histamine has a similar effect to hormones. The symptoms of histamine intolerance may lessen during pregnancy.

Getting pregnant with histamine intolerance

At the beginning of a pregnancy, the body develops important protective mechanisms to safeguard the fetus . The embryo must also be protected from the effects of histamine, as excessive histamine during pregnancy could cause uterine contractions and thus a miscarriage .

To protect the unborn child, the female body produces large quantities of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) in the placenta from the second trimester onwards. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down histamine. If you suffer from histamine intolerance, your symptoms may well improve significantly during pregnancy.

For this reason, many women can consume histamine-rich foods without symptoms from around the 13th week of pregnancy until delivery. Caution is still advised in cases of mast cell disorders.

This happens after pregnancy

The aforementioned hormonally related condition usually persists during breastfeeding until the first menstrual period returns. Women who do not breastfeed after giving birth and whose histamine intolerance is not due to impaired DAO synthesis , but rather, for example, as a result of estrogen dominance , should be cautious.

In both cases, a low-histamine diet should be followed. In rare cases, the histamine problem disappears after pregnancy once the hormones have regulated.

Tips and foods for breast milk production

Breastfeeding mothers often look for helpful tips , home remedies , or foods that can stimulate milk production . However, before you try these, you should be aware that milk production during breastfeeding is usually controlled automatically and reliably by your body.

The more often you breastfeed your child, the more you can stimulate milk production.

These tips can help you:

Offer your child both breasts whenever possible.
Direct skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding leads to increased oxytocin production, which also stimulates milk production.
It's better to breastfeed your child for a short time rather than a long time on one breast.
Warm your chest.
A breast massage or a classic back massage.

These foods are known to have a positive effect on milk production:

Kale, broccoli, fennel, chard, carrots, beetroot, sweet potatoes, apricots, apples, blackberries and nuts

These herbs and spices are often used to stimulate milk production:

Fennel seeds, anise, coriander, vervain, cumin & dandelion

Nutritional needs during pregnancy

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, nutrition is of course paramount. But what happens if the body's needs cannot be fully met through diet?

The need for certain nutrients is increased during pregnancy and breastfeeding , so you should pay particular attention to them. Below you will find a list of these nutrients.

Folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, calcium, vitamin E, B vitamins, vitamin D

However, the intake of dietary supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding should only be done after consulting a doctor or midwife.

You should also ensure an adequate supply of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) during pregnancy.

For pregnant women, this means:

2nd trimester: approx. 250kcal more per day
3rd trimester: approx. 500kcal more per day

Conclusion

Pregnancy is full of changes that strongly affect not only the developing life but also the mother's body. The first signs are incredibly varied and individual.

During the three trimesters of pregnancy, the female body undergoes intensive developmental phases . A balanced and nutrient-rich diet is essential for the health of both mother and child during pregnancy and breastfeeding. With the right tips and foods, milk production can also be optimally supported, ensuring a harmonious postpartum period.