When you find out you’re pregnant, you’ll feel lots of emotions. You will be overflowing with excitement and joy to the point where you and your family might start buying clothes and things for your new baby. However, you may also begin to question yourself about the dos and don’ts of pregnancy.
For first-time moms, you might know something about what happens during your first trimester — either you heard it from your mother or the people around you — but that may not be enough.
Here are some things you should expect during your first trimester and how to cope with the many changes.
How long is the first trimester?
The first trimester of your pregnancy starts from the first day of your last period (before you were pregnant) and lasts until the 13th week of your pregnancy.
This is when an expecting mom may start making changes to prepare for a healthy baby, like watching what food she eats, changing her exercise routines, etc. The first trimester is also when you will notice a lot of changes in your body.
Changes in your body during your first trimester.
You must remember that pregnancy is different for all women. For example, some women radiate good health, while others may just feel sick.
The most common symptoms you might experience during your first trimester:
Physical and emotional symptoms
Bleeding
Almost 25% of women experience slight bleeding during the first trimester of their pregnancy. Bleeding or light spotting might indicate that the fertilized egg has been implanted in your uterus. However, if you experience severe bleeding or sharp pain in your belly, contact your doctor immediately.
Enlarged and tender breasts
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is sore breasts. This happens when your body is triggered by the hormonal changes inside you. You might feel sore breasts throughout the first trimester. Most women tend to go up one size bigger than their regular bra size.
Discharge
Don’t panic when you see a thin, milky white discharge, don’t panic. It’s very typical to have discharge during your first trimester. If it has a foul smell or changes color to green or yellow, contact your doctor right away.
Fatigue
It’s normal to often feel tired when you’re pregnant. Your body is working hard to support the growing baby inside your belly, which takes a lot of energy. Make sure you get enough iron for your body to avoid getting anemia while pregnant.
The constant need to pee
Your baby might still be tiny during your first trimester, but as your uterus grows, it will start putting more pressure on your bladder, so you will have to go to the bathroom frequently. Don’t stop drinking liquids like water because your body needs it.
Weight gain
Gaining weight is very normal during pregnancy; after all, your body is starting to support two people. You will gain about three to six pounds during your first trimester. Make sure to maintain a healthy diet to keep you and your baby healthy!
Mood swings
Because your body is experiencing many physical symptoms like fatigue and hormonal changes, it’s normal to feel a roller coaster of emotions. If you feel like everything is too overwhelming, you can always talk to your partner, a family member, a friend, or even a professional. It’s always good to have an understanding ear to help you go through this new life experience.
Morning sickness
85% of pregnant women experience morning sickness during their first trimester. This can be caused by the hormonal changes inside your body. For some women, morning sickness is very mild; some do not even experience morning sickness at all. However, other women can’t start their day without vomiting once or twice in the morning — though “morning” sickness can happen any time. You can calm your morning sickness by eating bland crackers or high-protein food.
Pregnancy is never easy, and the changes can be overwhelming. By learning what to expect in these first critical weeks, you’ll set yourself up for the healthiest pregnancy you can have.
