The first trimester is such a whirlwind! There’s so much happening at once that it’s easy to feel like you’re riding a rollercoaster (mentally and physically 🤮). Between all the emotions and physical changes, your body's working overtime to support that tiny little life growing in your belly.
Some of these changes are exciting, while others might have you wondering if what’s happening is normal or something that should be checked out. Let’s break down what you can expect, from the emotional rollercoaster you might experience to the cool ways your baby is developing.
Emotional Changes For Mom In The First Trimester
Let’s talk hormones! They’re the reason you might feel extra emotional (and that’s putting it mildly). One minute you’re overjoyed, and the next, you might be crying over a commercial. You’re not losing it - it’s totally normal! That’s thanks to skyrocketing levels of progesterone and estrogen.
Know what else is normal? To feel completely normal emotionally! The beauty of a spectrum of symptoms is not everyone is the same.
Be kind to yourself, regardless. Your body is adjusting to its new role, and these big feelings are just part of the process. Don’t worry, you’re doing amazing.
Fatigue - Have you EVER felt this tired?!
Feeling completely wiped out? 😴 Yeah, that’s par for the course, unfortunately. If you’re suddenly needing extra naps and feel like you can’t stay awake past 7 p.m., it’s because your body is working hard growing your placenta.
It’s a lot of work, and that tiredness is a sign of just how much is going on behind the scenes. If you can sneak in a nap, do it - your body needs the rest! Pushing through typically makes things harder. If you’re a “go-getter” and “don’t sit still well”, I get it…. But this is a mindset product of our society and might be helpful to start working on now, especially before postpartum comes.
Dizziness
Have you had those moments where you stand up and feel a bit wobbly? Yep, this is a (not so fun) thing that happens. With all the changes in blood flow, it’s easy to feel lightheaded. One of the first things we did when I worked in the ER and someone was dizzy or fainted was a pregnancy test. It’s very common.
Make sure you’re staying hydrated and getting up slowly from sitting or lying down. Turtle pace is good here until your body adjusts.
Appetite Changes & Cravings
Cravings might be the pregnancy symptom everyone talks about, but for some, the first trimester can actually make food a bit of a turn-off. Nausea, food aversions - ugh.
With my son I didn’t have much for cravings aside from fruit but so so many things made me sick and I hated the smell of - eggs and meat mainly. With my daughter, I craved Pho like it was my job to eat it but was so grossed out by sourdough. They’re all different!
And for others, pregnancy brings out some weird (but awesome) cravings. Pickles and ice cream anyone? Whatever your experience is, it’s all thanks to hormones. The key here is to eat small, frequent meals to keep nausea at bay and energy levels up.
Oh, and if you start craving chalk or lint or other things typically inedible, please talk to your doctor. It’s a condition called Pica and usually just represents a deficiency in iron or other nutrients.
Tender, sore breasts
Oh, the boobs! “Tender” is probably an understatement. Your breasts are preparing for their big job ahead, and believe it or not, they actually finish puberty during pregnancy - something you may not have known!
Around 16 weeks, your body actually starts producing colostrum, often referred to as “liquid gold” for your baby once they’re born. So, yeah, all that soreness? Totally normal. Don’t worry if you don’t see the colostrum leaking - some do and some don’t.
Running to the Bathroom
If you feel like you’re always headed to the bathroom, hello, welcome to the frequent bathroom dwellers club.
As your uterus grows and puts pressure on your bladder, and with all the extra blood flow in your body, it’s no surprise you’re making more trips. It’s a bit of an adjustment, but you’ll likely be spending a lot of time in the bathroom from here on out! Thankfully, by around 12 weeks this eases up as your uterus moves out of your pelvis.
Morning Sickness
“Morning” sickness? More like “any-time-of-day” sickness, right? For many, nausea can hit at any point, and it’s not always pretty.
Those higher estrogen levels and a sluggish digestive system don’t make things easier. And don’t get me started on that heightened sense of smell - some strong scents can make you want to immediately throw up.
Small, frequent meals can help, and if you’re struggling to keep food down, smoothies can be a great option to get nutrients in.
Bloating & Constipation
Pregnancy can make you feel a bit backed up. Progesterone slows down your digestive system, so bloating and constipation are common struggles in the first trimester. Load up on fiber and drink plenty of water to help keep things moving.
What’s Happening with Baby In The First Trimester?
While you’re navigating all the ups and downs, your baby is growing at lightning speed! Let’s chat about what’s happening with your little one during these first 12 weeks.
From Cells to a Fetus
In just a few weeks, your baby goes from a bunch of cells to an actual fetus. That’s wild, right? Around week 4, your baby implants into your uterine wall, and soon after, the neural tube starts forming (that’s going to be their brain and spinal cord). By week 6, their heart is beating - although you won’t feel it, it's happening. Trust me, they’re making big moves in there!
Major Milestones
By the time you hit 12 weeks, your baby will have fingers, toes, and the beginning of all their major organs like the heart, brain, and lungs. The placenta is also forming, which is huge because that’s what will nourish your baby throughout your pregnancy.
Getting Ready to Move
Even though you won’t feel it yet, your baby is already moving. Their little arms and legs are starting to wiggle around, and by the end of the trimester, they might even start hiccuping. I know it’s hard to wait, but those kicks and movements are coming soon!
If you want to learn all about baby kicks (when you should start to feel them, what they feel like, how to count them and when you should be seen by your care team) read this blog HERE.
You’ve got this! It may feel challenging now, but soon enough, you’ll be in the second trimester, and your baby will continue growing and developing. Everyone’s pregnancy is unique, so give yourself grace and take it one day at a time.
-Lara
CEO Beyond The Bump Education, RN, IBCLC
If you’re pregnant, in Canada and want to be fully prepared for the rest of your pregnancy, birth and postpartum, consider joining our Empowered Birth Online prenatal course! It’s packed with everything you need to navigate pregnancy, childbirth, and those crucial first weeks postpartum. Click HERE to learn more.
And if you’re in the Fredericton or Saint John, New Brunswick area, our experienced team offers postpartum doula services and lactation support. Click HERE to learn more.
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