You’re having a baby! Maybe you’re over the moon, or maybe you weren’t quite prepared. Either way, you’re now part of the miracle of life. The first trimester can be quite uncomfortable for some women, while others sail right through it with nothing more than the pleasure of a missed period. Whatever the case, you’re probably full of questions and can’t wait for your first obstetrician’s appointment. Here’s an overview of some things you can expect during your first trimester.
Your Body
Pregnancies take a grand total of 40 weeks. Your doctor will start counting from the first day of your last period even though you probably won’t suspect you are pregnant until you miss the next period. If you’ve been planning many pregnancy tests can give you a result a few days before your missed period.
Make an appointment with your OB/GYN as soon as you know you’re pregnant. They confirm you are pregnant, find out exactly how far along you are, and help you prepare for what’s ahead. If you have certain health issues, like diabetes or a blood disorder, you may need to see an obstetrician who specializes in high risk pregnancies. You should also start taking prenatal vitamins (especially folic acid) immediately.
Morning sickness typically starts around week 6 and is one of the most common signs of pregnancies; more than half of women experience morning sickness. It can happen at night or a few hours in the afternoon, and can range from no more than slight nausea until breakfast to violent vomiting. Some experts say it’s a good sign, because it means the placenta is doing what it should; ultimately, it is your body’s way of responding to all the hormones flooding your body.
Other fun side effects of pregnancy may include constipation, light vaginal discharge, sore breasts, and an overwhelming exhaustion as your body works on forming an entirely new human being. Drink water, get plenty of fiber, and nap when you can. It’s also time to start cutting things like sushi, unpasteurized cheeses, and alcohol out of your diet.
Your Baby
During the first trimester your baby is so tiny you can’t even tell it is there. By week 5 your baby will be entering the embryonic stage—the development of heart, brain, spinal cord, and other major organs have begun (which is why it's so important to start folic acid and other prenatal vitamins early).
What will eventually be a chubby, lovable baby is right now just 3 layers—ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm—that do not resemble an infant. There is just slight evidence of where arms, legs, eyes, and ears will be, and the heart is pumping blood. By the end of week 5, your baby will be about the size of a pea.
By the end of the second month a rough facial structure has formed. Tiny webbings will eventually be hands and feet, and every vital organ should be beginning to grow as well. Your baby’s tongue and eyelids will begin to form during week 7, and week 8 will bring bones and muscles that can contract. At 8 weeks your baby is about a half inch long—the size of kidney bean (although your uterus is about the size of a grapefruit). You may even be able to hear a heartbeat through a vaginal ultrasound.
By week 9, your baby will have toes. By week 10, your baby will roughly triple in size from week 8. The genitals will have decidedly formed, although you won’t be able to tell for a couple more months. The eyelids have formed, although they’ll be closed for several months. At week 12, your baby weighs about half an ounce and is 2-3 inches long, about the size of your pinky, and has fingernails and a facial profile.The end of the third month is around the time when most new parents feel comfortable making their announcement (although if you have experienced difficulties in the past, you might wish to wait).
Concerns
Spotting is not uncommon during the first trimester although the chances of a miscarriage are highest for most women during these first months, which means it is imperative that you pay attention to your body. Sharp pains, cramping, or significant bleeding may be signs of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy (the embryo is not forming inside the uterus).
If your morning sickness is severe, hyperemesis gravidarum may be an issue for you. This can be problematic because both you and baby are at a risk of missing out on key nutrients for development. If you can’t keep food down, talk to your obstetrician as soon as possible.
