Early Pregnancy: First Trimester Symptoms

More about Early Pregnancy First trimester

Pregnancy is classified in 3 parts, each one called a trimester (a period of 3 months or 13 weeks). The first three months of gestation (1-13 weeks) are considered as first trimester of pregnancy.

Pregnancy is different for every woman. Some women glow with good health during those first 3 months; others feel absolutely miserable. Here are some of the pregnancy related changes you might notice during early pregnancy weeks, what they mean, and which signs need you to see your doctor.

Early pregnancy symptoms

The earliest sign of pregnancy, and most common, is a missed period but there are other pregnancy symptoms to look for. Following is a list of pregnancy symptoms that you may experience during the first few weeks of pregnancy:

• Your period is late: A late period is the earliest sign of pregnancy. If your period is late, take a pregnancy test to check whether you are pregnant.
• Cramps: About eight to ten days after ovulation, you might experience cramps in your lower abdomen. You may also have a slight pink, red or brown staining around the time you expect your period. This is known as implantation bleeding. It is caused by the fertilised egg settling into the lining of your womb.
• Tiredness and Fatigue: The first few weeks of pregnancy can be draining, both physically and emotionally. You may have extreme tiredness, caused by the recent changes in your body. Early pregnancy fatigue is not like ordinary tiredness – you may feel completely exhausted after a normal day’s activities. Listen to your body and rest as and when required.
• Breast tenderness: Early weeks of pregnancy may mean breast tenderness or a tingly feeling in breasts. The skin around your nipples may look bumpier than usual, too. These bumps are called ‘Montgomery’s tubercules‘ and they secrete an oily fluid to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding. Your breasts may also feel heavier.
• Altered taste: Some women experience change in smell and taste – not like their favourite food or develop a strange metallic taste in the mouth. Some pregnant women also complain about having too much saliva. These are signs of early pregnancy.
• Frequent urination: In early pregnancy, you may need to pass urine more often than usual because your womb is expanding and pressing on your bladder. The hormone progesterone also makes you need to urinate more, as well as sometimes causing constipation.
• Constipation. During pregnancy, high levels of the hormone progesterone slow down the muscle contractions that normally move food through your system. This causes constipation and gas that can keep you feeling bloated throughout your pregnancy.
• Morning sickness and nausea: Pregnancy hormones are flooding your body and, for some women, the reaction to this is vomiting and dizziness. Some women feel slightly queasy and others may actually be sick. This is commonly known as morning sickness but it can happen at any time of the day.
• Mood swings: The hormones oestrogen and progesterone flood your body in the first 12 weeks. It is these hormones that can also make you feel more emotional than normal. You may find that you are laughing one minute, then crying the next. Don’t worry, this is normal.

Emergency Symptoms During the First Trimester

Any of these symptoms could be a sign that something is seriously wrong with your pregnancy. Don’t wait for your prenatal visit to talk about it. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Severe dizziness
• Rapid weight gain or too little weight gain

Precautions during early pregnancy

Here are a few things you should avoid during first trimester pregnancy:

• Don’t avoid or skip Doctor Appointments and tests. You may have to undergo different tests to ensure all is well with the baby and you
• Prenatal vitamins: If your doctor has advised you food supplements and prenatal vitamins. Do not be careless ith them. Folic acid, iron among others are essential for your baby’s rapid growth.
• Don’t ‘eat for two’: There’s no need for extra calories in the first trimester. Focus on optimal nutrition for pregnancy and keeping the food down despite nausea and morning sickness. Click here to read more about Dos and Don’ts for Pregnancy Nutrition.
• Tobacco and alcohol: Smoking is a major modifiable risk factor (something you can change) for all sorts of health problems for your baby. It’s never too late to stop. Don’t drink alcohol, especially in the first trimester when the baby’s brain is going through a period of intense development.
• Don’t diet in pregnancy: Cutting out food groups may deprive your baby against nutrients needed for their growth. Instead of dieting, it is best to have a healthy balanced diet.