What to Expect in Your First Trimester
The first trimester – the period from the date of conception to 12 weeks – is a unique stage in your pregnancy, because you will not be aware in the first few weeks that you have conceived, and even after you will not appear pregnant. Because of this, there are precautions to be exercised to ensure that you a have smooth first trimester.
The first few weeks after finding out you’re pregnant can be an emotional roller coaster. You might be happy that you’re pregnant but also more than a little concerned about the new changes looming on the horizon. Rest assured it’s completely normal to feel this way.
Not all women experience morning sickness or nausea in the first trimester. For those who aren’t as lucky, morning sickness can be something of a misnomer as nausea can continue throughout the day. In most cases it subsides by the fourth month. In some rare instances however morning sickness lasts for the entire course of pregnancy. Try to eat small meals and avoid oily or fatty foods. During the first trimester your sense of smell is heightened which is why you develop a sudden aversion to smells that you were familiar with earlier. Avoid cooking smells that don’t agree with you. Food like ginger biscuits, crackers or a plain boiled potato can help combat feelings of nausea.
If your morning sickness is severe and you find yourself vomiting several times in a day, it could cause dehydration. Consult your doctor if you feel run down.
Fatigue is another common complaint in the first weeks of pregnancy. This can be explained by the fact that all organs of your body are busy preparing to create a nurturing environment for the fetus. With so much energy being used to form the placenta and other processes, it’s but natural that you will have lower reserves of energy for yourself.
The first trimester is also a time of major hormonal changes. These can cause mood swings which get better as the pregnancy progresses. Family Education has more advice for moms to be in their first trimester.
Filed under: Pregnancy Tests & Symptoms
