Symptoms In Your First Trimester
Lots of things happen in the first trimester. You’ll choose a doctor or midwife to care for you during pregnancy and you’ll go to your first prenatal appointments. For many expecting mums, the first trimester is when pregnancy symptoms are at their worst. We’ve outlined below the many common symptoms you may experience during your first trimester.
What is the first trimester?
The first trimester is the first of three phases (or trimesters) of pregnancy. It’s a critical stage in your pregnancy journey and your baby’s development. While your baby bump may or may not be showing, a lot is happening for both you and your baby. Your baby is growing rapidly, developing a brain and heart, forming facial features, and even growing tiny little feet, hands, fingernails, and toenails. In the first trimester, all of your baby’s major organs and systems form.
How long is the first trimester?
The first trimester begins at conception and lasts for 13 weeks, or three months. Month one spans from week one to week four of pregnancy; month two begins at week five and lasts until week eight; and the third and final month of the first trimester spans week nine through 13.
Weight gain
Gaining weight is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Experts say it’s normal to gain between one and five pounds in the first three months of pregnancy – though some women may gain more or less, or even lose weight during the first trimester due to morning sickness or other reasons.
First trimester symptoms
Some women have no pregnancy symptoms or mild symptoms during the first trimester, most experience some or all of the symptoms below.
- Spotting and bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Morning Sickness
- Shortness of breath
To complicate matters further, some symptoms may be more or less problematic depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in your pregnancy. But if you have any of these pregnancy symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
