The first trimester (weeks 1-12) of pregnancy are dynamic for you and your growing baby. The astonishingly rapid hormonal changes are responsible for the formation and ongoing growth of your baby, as well as preparing your body for the birth. And although each day may seem to take forever as you go through this transitional fourteen weeks, the anticipation of holding your baby carries you through.
Beginning as a Zygote the size of a small seed, your future baby becomes an embryo at eight weeks, developing into a fully formed fetus complete with umbilical cord and placenta at fourteen weeks. You can watch it happen here … https://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy–weeks-1-to-9_10302602.bc
The Good News is the excitement, hope and joy for you and your family and friends. If it is your first pregnancy there is anticipation, anxiety and an extraordinary amount of thinking and planning to do for your future family.
The Hormonal Changes have begun already and over the forty weeks will affect every part of your body. The earliest of these is tenderness and enlargement of the breasts, often the very first physical sign of pregnancy.
Tiredness is almost a universal first trimester experience. Consider what is happening in your body, who you are creating, and how much of your energy this is taking. This is not a good time to take on extra commitments!
Your Digestive Tract, from taste buds to bowel elimination, will be affected throughout each trimester. Food aversions and cravings come and go as your body is telling you what food you need for both you and your baby. Go with the cravings unless there is a craving for earthlike food such as dirt, ice or even stranger, paint! Any non-nutritional craving is called pica and may be an indication you are missing some important minerals, like iron. Check with your midwife or care provider.
Nausea and Morning Sickness coincide with the embryo stage transforming into a fully functioning fetus, usually from four to six weeks lasting about a month. For some women morning sickness lasts longer. Approximately three quarters of pregnant women suffer from some form of nausea and or vomiting. You could try some of the natural remedies in the link below. Txt your midwife/care provider to check she is ok with them if you are unsure. If your nausea is not manageable and you are losing too much fluid, make an appointment with your GP.
www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9602/30-natural-remedies-for-morning-sickness.html
Then there is the food you should avoid because of listeria contamination. A rough rule is; eat no raw or unpasturised protein foods and also be cautious of deli food that may not be as fresh or as washed as it should be. Check out this site… https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety/food-safety-for-consumers/food-and-pregnancy/list-of-safe-food-in-pregnancy/
Alcohol and cigarettes are best completely avoided while you are pregnant.
Finally the last of the digestive tract disruptions is constipation – include lots of vegetables, fruit and whole grains to manage this if it is a problem for you.
With an Increase of Fifty Percent More Blood in your system, your metabolism and urination both increase and the relaxin hormone now entering your body dilates your arteries and may cause dizziness and fainting.
Around the Tenth Week the relaxin hormone will also show up any underlying joint mal-alignment or past injury issues to the lower spine and pelvis, resulting in early back or pelvic joint pain.
Mood Swings and Loss of Libido are also common by-products of hormonal disruption.
Like much of pregnancy, and in fact life, these are transitional stages which may or may not impact on you.
By Week Thirteen, the end of the first trimester, most women start to feel much better. From conception to fourteen weeks pregnant is the most rapid transition your body will make in your lifetime. Puberty and menopause happen over years but the first three months of creating a baby is monumental. Please treat yourself with care, no one understands how you are feeling, except you.
Read more pregnancy related posts here 🙂