What to Expect During Your First Trimester

Congratulations, you're pregnant!  You can look forward to many, many happy years with your child, from experiencing the joys of holding your newborn, through graduation, through adulthood.  But, first, you have to get through the first trimester.

What happens during your first trimester of pregnancy?  Fatigue, light-headedness and nausea are just some of the things you might experience. For most women the uncomfortable symptoms during the first trimester make it the most difficult of the three trimesters.  Cheer up, because the second trimester is easier, much easier.

What to Expect in the First Trimester of Pregnancy

You probably know by now that there is some discomfort associated with pregnancy. You do have a baby growing inside you, after all!  The changes your body goes through in the first trimester includes:

Nausea and Vomiting

Yes, the dreaded morning sickness.  Not all women experience morning sickness, and those who do experience it to varying degrees.  Morning sickness is caused by the increased levels of hormones that sustain the pregnancy, an increase in acid in the stomach, as well as the stretching of the uterine muscles.  Not limited to just the mornings, this nausea associated with morning sickness may be so strong that it leads to vomiting. 

You can read more about the symptoms of morning sickness as well as remedies by going to our pages on:

Symptoms of morning sickness
Morning Sickness Remedies

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

As if nausea weren't enough, you may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, gas and constipation.  You can help lessen the gas and bloating by eating several small meals a day rather than a few large meals.  Also, it helps to avoid gas-producing foods such as beans, cabbage, onions, rich foods and fried foods. 

To deal with the constipation, make sure you try to include the following foods in your diet daily:  fresh or dried fruit; raw vegetables.  Drinking 8 glasses of water everyday can also help with the treatment of constipation. 

Increased Urination

As the uterus grows and begins to press on your bladder, you may need to urinate more frequently.  You will find some relief in the fourth month (second trimester) as the uterus rises.  But, you'll feel the pressure again in the third trimester when the baby drops back down into the pelvis.  Be sure to empty your bladder completely when you urinate.  Leaning forward while urinating can help in this regard. 

Fatigue

A pregnant woman can feel tired even after a good night's sleep.  Feeling exhausted in the first trimester is perfectly normal and no cause for concern.  Just realize that pregnancy puts a lot of physical and emotional demands on a woman, and requires obtaining more rest than normal.  Try to get eight hours of sleep at night, and, if possible, a nap during the day. When you're body begins to adjust to the changes you'll find your energy will return. 

In the meantime, there are ways to help yourself deal with the fatigue of pregnancy:

• Get eight hours of sleep
• If possible, take a nap during the day
• Make sure you get enough protein and iron in your diet
• Make sure you continue to exercise

Varicose Veins

Many women are affected by varicose veins during their pregnancy.  They can occur on the inside of the legs, the backs of the calves, and the breasts.  They can also appear as hemorrhoids.  This problem should go away after delivery.  You can help prevent or minimize varicose veins by sitting with our legs and feet raised, by exercising, and avoiding heavy lifting or straining during bowel movements. 

Dizziness

Some women experience dizziness during the first trimester.  Since the uterus is requiring more of your blood, you may not have adequate blood supply, resulting in dizziness or fainting.  This is normal.  You can help yourself by making sure you don't get up from a seated or lying position suddenly. 

Mood Swings

I am not moody!  Well, the truth is, you probably are.  No wonder, with the surges in hormones you're experiencing.  You may wish to try some deep breathing exercises, or learn some form of meditation to help deal with the emotions you're experiencing. 

Cramping of your Legs

You may find your legs are cramping.  You can help yourself by making sure you get plenty of calcium in your diet, either with nonfat or low-fat milk, or by taking a calcium supplement.  You sould, of course, talk with your doctor before taking any supplement of any kind. 

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