For expectant moms, pregnancy is generally a roller-coaster of hormones and emotions, ranging from excitement and anticipation to fear of the unknown. The good news is, it’s natural and entirely normal to feel this way – so take a deep breath and enjoy the journey to parenthood. If you’re a first time mom, then this is where you need to be. We spoke to Dr Russell Thomson, one of our resident doctors at Hello Doctor about common symptoms and what to expect in each trimester. Dr. Thomson suggests scheduling a visit with your doctor as soon as you suspect that you might be pregnant in order to ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy. Remember, each woman is different and each pregnancy is different so try not to constantly compare yourself to other pregnant women. The only thing you need to focus on is staying healthy and making sure your baby gets the nutrients it needs for healthy development.
So, what are the early pregnancy symptoms?
- A missed menstrual period (often the very first sign a woman notices)
- An upset stomach, nausea and vomiting
- Feeling excessively tired and fatigued (and no amount of sleep seems to help)
- Craving certain foods that you wouldn’t normally eat
- Racing off to the toilet more often, especially at night
- Tender and swollen breasts
- Implantation bleeding – this happens when the embryo attaches to the uterus during the third or fourth week after your last menstrual period. It’s often mistaken as a normal period.
What Happens Week by Week?
A full term pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks from the start of your last normal menstrual period. These 40 weeks are grouped into three trimesters. Let’s take a look at each of them.
First trimester – Week 1 – 12
The first trimester is arguably the most important, and the hormonal changes going on inside you affect almost every organ system in your body. Hey, no one said growing a baby was easy! Most pregnancy symptoms are experienced in the first trimester, and it’s during this period that you’ll generally feel your worst – nauseous, tired and moody. The good news is, these horrible symptoms do pass, and most women start feeling much better once they hit their second trimester. PHEW! Find out more about what to expect during the first trimester of your pregnancy.
Second trimester – Week 13 – 28
With the first trimester out of the way, most women start feeling more like themselves again, especially when the worst of the symptoms have eased up. However, now that most of the early symptoms are gone, it’s time to start coming to terms with your changing body. In the second trimester, your abdomen starts expanding as your baby grows. What’s most exciting about this period is that before your second trimester ends you’ll feel your baby move for the first time. Find out more about what to expect during the second trimester of your pregnancy
Third trimester – Week 29 – 40
By the third trimester you’re in the final stretch, however, sometimes symptoms experienced in the second trimester continue, plus the third trimester comes with its own challenges (unfortunately.) The most common complaints that pregnant women speak about during this period, is that they struggle to breathe normally and they have to go to the toilet more often. This is entirely normal though, and it’s due to the fact that your baby is getting bigger and putting more pressure on your organs. Find out more about what to expect during the third trimester of your pregnancy
Find out what to expect during labour
Giving birth is one of the most natural processes a woman can go through, and yet many women are nervous about it and don’t know what to expect. The pain, the possible complications – they’re all valid concerns. The truth is, the more you know about the labour process, and the more prepared you are when the time comes, the better it is for you and your baby. Find out what to expect during labour.
