1st Trimester of Pregnancy

First Trimester During Pregnancy (Week 1 thru Week 13)

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Your journey to motherhood has begun. Check out this article to read about the changes you are about to experience in your body and to see how your baby will develop and grow in your first 3 months of pregnancy.

Changes in Your Body During the First Trimester of Pregnancy

During the first three months of pregnancy, also known as the first trimester, your body will begin to undergo many changes. Your body will begin adjusting to the growing baby and because of this; you may experience nausea, fatigue, backaches, mood swings, and stress. Though some not pleasant, all are normal.

Each Woman Is Different, So Is Each Pregnancy

Most women will experience several of these pregnancy symptoms during the 1^st trimester, and some unlucky few might even get all of them. Some of these pregnancy discomforts will be alleviated as your pregnancy progresses into the second trimester, only to reappear again in the third trimester. While few women might not feel any discomfort at all. If this is not your first pregnancy, you might experience different symptoms this time around.

While your body begins adjusting to this change, you may need to make some changes to your normal routine, based upon how you’re feeling. If any activities during your normal, daily routine are now uncomfortable or even painful, stop. Don’t push yourself, especially during your 1^st trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is highest.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

Morning Sickness

Commonly referred to as “morning sickness,” nausea and vomiting are normal during early pregnancy and can actually happen during any time of the day. Although this period may seem like it lasts forever, nausea and vomiting usually subside at the end of the first trimester.

There are many suggestions for fighting off morning sickness and one may be right for you. Try one of the following ideas to lower your chances of morning sickness:

Drink carbonated drinks like Ginger Ale or Seltzer Water between meals.
Eat starchy snacks like toast, saltines, Cheerios, or other dry cereals.
Ask your doctor about taking Vitamin B6
Ask your doctor about a change in prenatal vitamins if they seem to make your nausea worse.
Try to take your prenatal vitamin at a different time (i.e. you may have less nausea if you take your vitamin at night rather than in the morning).

Feeling Sleepy, Tired, or Even Exhausted

Most women find that during the first trimester, they’re exhausted. While normal, it’s just your body’s way of telling you that you need more rest. Remember, your body is working at creating new life and this requires energy.

To help fight the feelings of exhaustion:

Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night
Nap during the day when possible
When you’re tried, don’t push yourself. Rather, relax or rest

If possible, you may want to try sleeping on your left side. Doing so will help to relieve pressure on major blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Should you have high blood pressure, it’s even more important to be on your left side when lying down.

Weight Gain

In the months ahead it’ll be vital to your baby’s development that you’re gaining weight, especially during the second and third trimesters. But in the first trimester, it’s more common that you only gain a small amount of weight. About 5 pounds total weight gain during the first trimester is average.

Also, it not necessary or recommended to increase your caloric intake during the first trimester. Continue to eat a normal, recommended daily diet for your size, age, physique and activity level. Only starting in the second trimester is it recommended to increase your caloric intake by 300 calories per day.

Frequent Urination

Visiting the bathroom all of the time begins in the first trimester and will last your entire pregnancy. The growing uterus presses on your bladder which causes the frequent urination. As your baby continues to grow, you’ll notice a more significant increase in bathroom visits too.

Changes in Your Baby During the 1st Trimester

By the end of the first trimester, your baby is about three inches long and weighs about half an ounce. Your baby’s eyes will move closer together into their positions. And your baby’s ears are in their position having made the move up from the neck. The liver is making bile, and the kidneys are secreting urine into the bladder. Even though you cannot yet feel your baby move, he or she is twisting and turning up a storm inside your womb! Your baby will also respond to pushing on your abdomen with movement, though it’s too early to feel.

Visiting Your Doctor or Midwife

Prenatal care, which are visits to your doctor or midwife, are especially important in the first few months of pregnancy. Make sure to choose a doctor who you meet and trust, and especially one who shares your views on pregnancy and birth. For example, some doctors perform more c-sections than others, while other Ob/Gyn’s prefer vaginal or natural births. Having a doctor who shares your pregnancy philosophy will allow you form a trustworthy and supportive partnership throughout your pregnancy, birth and beyond. And make sure you keep all the recommended appointments, every doctor’s visit during your pregnancy is important.

At your first visit, you can expect the following: