The First Trimester of Pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts nine months and it is divided into three stages known as “trimesters”. The first trimester refers to the time starting on the first day of your last period until the end of week 13. Your body undergoes many changes during this stage and it’s likely that you will experience morning sickness, breast tenderness, fatigue, and other symptoms. Meanwhile, your baby is growing rapidly, developing major organs and body systems.
Discover more about what to expect during the first trimester of pregnancy below.
Your body
Everyone experiences pregnancy differently. For some moms-to-be, the first three months are relatively easy and peaceful. Yet, others may have the infamous “morning sickness”, breast tenderness, and food cravings amongst other physical symptoms. Certain symptoms continue for various weeks or even months. Some others are only temporary and experienced for a short time. In any case, you may go through these changes because your body is preparing for nourishing and protecting your baby.
Some common first trimester symptoms include:
● Morning sickness. A spike in hormonal levels needed to sustain pregnancy might cause nausea or morning sickness. Contrary to popular belief, morning sickness isn’t exclusive to mornings; it can strike at any time of the day or night. This symptom is very common and rarely interferes with mom and baby’s nutrition.
● Tender breasts. Shortly after conception, the mammary glands start to enlarge. This will prepare you for breastfeeding. However, this change triggers breast soreness or tenderness. You will also notice other changes such as darker and larger areolas and more prominent veins on the surface of your breasts.
● Fatigue. Your body is working hard to create another human being! So expect some tiredness. Experts also believe that the spike in the hormone progesterone can put you to sleep more easily.
● Food cravings. Craving Nutella at 2 in the morning? It’s normal! Your sense of taste changes during pregnancy. Your food preferences may change too. You’ll likely begin craving specific foods or foods that you previously disliked.
● Heartburn. High levels of progesterone also relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus. In turn, this causes stomach acid to leak into your esophagus, leading to heartburn.
● Constipation. Your soaring hormones can slow down food’s movement through your digestive system. Consequently, you may experience constipation. In addition, your growing uterus presses on the rectum and intestine causing, you guessed it, constipation.
● Increased urination. You might find yourself peeing a lot, which is caused by two reasons. Firstly, you produce more blood during pregnancy. This makes your kidneys process extra fluid, which ends up in your bladder. Secondly, your expanding uterus puts pressure on your bladder, increasing your urge to pee.
● Weight gain. You can expect to put on weight during the first trimester. Your doctor may suggest adjusting your weight gain depending on your particular circumstances.
● Discharge. It’s common to see a white, milky vaginal discharge otherwise known as leukorrhea.
Emergency symptoms
By now, you know that you may experience several symptoms during your first trimester. However, you should pay attention to certain symptoms at this early stage. Nausea, bleeding, and vaginal discharge — while not uncommon — may be signs that there’s something else going on.
So make sure to get in touch with your doctor asap if you experience the following:
● severe vaginal bleeding;
● excessive nausea and vomiting;
● vaginal discharge that smells bad, it’s green, yellow, and/or abundant;
● pain or burning sensation during urination;
● severe headaches;
● and left pain or swelling.
Your emotions
Pregnancy is an exciting and downright frightening time. In addition to your changing body, your pregnancy is impacting virtually every aspect of your life. While taking care of yourself and your baby, you may be considering your finances. You may also wonder how to ensure the best care for your baby and how to balance your professional and personal life. All of that can be stressful and overwhelming and it’s completely normal!
Moreover, fluctuating pregnancy hormones can result in mood swings. Therefore, you may feel moody, irritable, and mentally exhausted out of a sudden. It can be a lot.
If you are seriously struggling with mood changes and your mental health, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your healthcare provider and seek support from your friends and family.
Baby’s growth
Lots of major changes are happening inside your belly during this time! Your little one graduates from a fertilized egg to a fully-formed fetus. His or her tiny heart begins to beat, and crucial organs and bodily systems start to form. It’s worth noting that this is a specially vulnerable time for your baby. Their developing organs and systems can be seriously harmed should you consume tobacco, drugs, certain medications, and/or expose yourself to radiation and toxic substances.
By the end of the first trimester, your baby will:
● weigh approximately 0.5 to 1 ounce and measure 3 to 4 inches in length;
● have a heart that beats 120 to 150 times per minute;
● look more like a human with visible eyes, ears, a nose, a mouth, and fully formed arms and legs;
● have a soft skeleton;
● develop a digestive system, which includes the intestines and kidneys;
● and develop a nervous system that connects nerves and muscles together;
Your first prenatal visit
Getting prenatal care is crucial. It helps to reduce risks during pregnancy and increases your chances of a healthy and safe delivery. Going for regular prenatal visits will help you identify any complications before they become serious.
Ideally, you should schedule a prenatal visit as soon as you know you’re pregnant. You’ll cover a lot of ground during this initial visit, including:
● your medical history, from previous and/or current medical conditions to previous surgeries and current prescriptions;
● a family history of illnesses, disabilities, and genetic disorders;
● any previous pregnancies;
● and your menstrual cycle history;
Your doctor will also perform several tests and exams to assess the health of both you and your baby. You can expect:
● a pelvic exam;
● lab tests such as urine and blood tests;
● blood screening tests;
● and genetic tests.
Your doctor will also talk extensively about all the precautions you need to take in order to have a healthy pregnancy. Expect to hear about balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and ideal weight gain. Take this opportunity to educate yourself on all things pregnancy and ask any questions and discuss any concerns you may have.
After this initial visit, you should continue seeing your doctor every 4 weeks.
Tips for staying healthy
Remember, your baby is highly vulnerable during the first pregnancy trimester. Make sure to take the following health precautions.
● Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and taking illegal drugs.
● Avoid raw fish or smoked seafood — that includes sushi too!
● Avoid fish with high mercury levels such as mackerel, white snapper, shark, and swordfish.
● Limit your caffeine intake to one cup of coffee or tea per day.
● Skip strenuous exercise or strength training that can potentially injure your stomach.
● Opt for safe exercises such as swimming, jogging, dancing, spinning, yoga, or pilates.
● Drink lots of water.
● Take prenatal supplements approved by your doctor.
● Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fiber, and low-fat protein.
Your to-do list
Many moms-to-be start freaking out soon after learning they are pregnant. And hey, we totally get it! There are just so many things to do and you’d like your pregnancy to be perfect and stress-free. So use this checklist to keep sane and track your progress.
- Find an OB-GYN or a prenatal healthcare provider.
- Schedule your first prenatal visit.
- If applicable to your country, check your health insurance policy to see what prenatal and childbirth care is covered.
- Research the cost of having a baby and make a financial plan accordingly.
- If you work, find out how many maternity leaves are available for you.
- Find the best way to break out the good news to your family, friends, and colleagues.
- Re-think your diet and start making the necessary changes to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
- Schedule time for regular exercise.
Beginning.com and your pregnancy
We are here to support you on your pregnancy journey! Beginning.com offers numerous informative resources and interactive features for expectant mothers. Not sure where to start? Check out the following resources:
● Sound journeys. “Nine Months” is a series of soundscapes specifically designed to help you reduce stress, relax, and bond with your baby during your pregnancy journey.
● Masterclasses. Our team of health and wellness experts has curated a series of masterclasses and blogs, which provide important information and practical advice on how to have a healthy and safe pregnancy.
● Pregnancy tracker. Beginning.com’s pregnancy mode offers week-by-week information about your changing body and growing baby.