What to Expect During Your First Trimester: Weeks 1-13

So, you’ve taken a positive test. Even if this isn’t your first rodeo, every pregnancy can be very different. Understanding what is typically experienced can help you navigate these next 9 months with a little more ease (or at least ease of mind). We’ll walk through changes in your baby’s body and yours, nutrition and exercise, and what to expect of prenatal care. The presented information comes from the book Your Pregnancy and Childbirth written by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Physical Changes:

Baby’s Body

From just a single cell, your baby quickly develops his or her nervous system and a four-chamber heart. By the end of the first trimester, all of your baby’s organs and limbs are present, but will take more time to grow and develop to prepare for life outside of the womb. 

For more information on the first trimester, you can watch this video.

Your Body

There are many hormones that help to maintain your pregnancy. Human Chorionic Gonadotropic (hCG) is called the pregnancy hormone. hCG nearly doubles in the body every 2 days. Due to this drastic increase in hormone levels, you can anticipate the onset of some uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Missed period
• Tender, swollen breasts
• Frequent urination
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Moodiness
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Acne

If you’re struggling especially with morning sickness, try some of these natural remedies or consult your doctor for medication.

Estimating Your Due Date (EDD)

• Your EDD is calculated based on your last period because this can be more accurate than estimating the date of conception. An ultrasound can also be used to estimate your due date more accurately if you don’t have regular periods.
• Your EDD can also be calculated online at Pregnancy Due Date Calculator

Nutrition and Exercise:

Weight Gain

Weight gain is a normal part of pregnancy. In the first trimester, most women gain between 0-5 pounds and if you’re experiencing a lot of morning sickness, you may actually drop some weight before the second trimester. Consult your doctor with any questions you may have. As a guide, here is a calculator for expected weight gain in pregnancy: Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator.

Diet

You may have heard that you’re “eating for two!” While this is true, in the first trimester, you don’t need any additional calories to your regular diet. Here are some healthy options to consider:

During this time, it’s also important to cut down on simple sugars, which are high in calories but low in nutritive value. Here are some suggestions:

Exercise

Exercise is safe during pregnancy as long as you aren’t exerting yourself more than you usually do. It also comes with many benefits:

• Reducing back pain, constipation, bloating and swelling
• Boosts your mood
• Promotes healthy sleep

Any amount of exercise that can increase your heart rate and focus on strength building is a good idea. Start small if you’re not used to exercising regularly. Here is a good place to start: Prenatal Workouts.

Substances and Pregnancy

• If you have a history of smoking or drinking, it is best for you and your baby to quit or cut down as much as possible. There are programs that can assist you in cessation of smoking and/or drinking alcohol.
  • Women’s Care Center offers referrals to community services such as First Breath, which help women and their families cut down on substances during pregnancy. For more information, please consult a Women’s Care Center counselor.
• Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor to be advised about dosage changes or if you need to stop a medication altogether.
• Talk to your doctor about what kind of prenatal vitamin to start taking. This will ensure you and baby are getting the additional nutrients you need.

Prenatal Care:

Your first prenatal visit may include the following:

• Health/pregnancy history and assessment of any potential medical issues
• Asking about prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Health history of your family (including your grandparents, parents, siblings, as well as you and the father of your baby)
• A physical examination with blood and urine tests
  • This may include a pelvic exam, checking blood pressure, height and weight
• Calculating your baby’s estimated due date
  • Some providers will base this due date off your last menstrual period, while others may opt to confirm through an ultrasound exam
• Screening for certain genetic disorders may be offered

Special Concerns:

What to Know About Miscarriage:

• Miscarriage is a common outcome in many pregnancies and can often occur without any known cause.
• The majority of miscarriages occur because of a chromosomal issue and are not linked to the health of the man or woman.
• Some warning signs of miscarriage to watch for if you’ve taken a positive pregnancy test are:
  • Spotting or bleeding without pain
  • Heavy or persistent bleeding with abdominal pain or cramping
  • A gush of fluid from the vagina
  • Passed fetal tissue

What to Know About Ectopic Pregnancy:

• Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus (usually in a fallopian tube). Ectopic pregnancy is far less common than miscarriage but can have serious health ramifications if not addressed.
• Some signs to watch for include:
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Pelvic pain
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

*For any questions regarding these special considerations, please talk to your healthcare provider.