First Trimester of pregnancy


First and foremost, Congratulations on your pregnancy! Your body is phenomenal, it is amazing how a woman can grow a tiny human within her so perfectly!

Here are a few facts about your first trimester.



1. By just 6 weeks your baby has a heartbeat…

2. And by 8 weeks your baby is officially called a foetus, this means ‘little one’ in Latin.

3. The first trimester lasts 12 weeks

By 12 weeks, your baby is fully formed! They’ll continue to grow and develop their organs from this point onwards but everything is formed, including parts of the brain!

4. Folic acid

It’s advisable to take folic acid for the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. Once you reach 12 weeks your baby is fully formed so is it no longer required after this.
5. Odd sensations and symptoms 
You may get several odd sensations and symptoms during the early stages of your pregnancy. Sore/uncomfortable breasts are common and some women even experience shooting pains. 

6. Morning sickness is not always in the morning!

Morning sickness is more likely (or worse) in the morning for many women due to low blood sugar, so try to eat little and often. Ginger biscuits are good, as ginger is a natural way to reduce sickness. Also, the texture of a biscuit is best when you feel nauseous. Hydration is also key – be sure to drink at least a litre of filtered water a day.
7. A metallic taste in your mouth.
You can blame oestrogen for this one! Some women say it’s like sucking on a penny, the taste is that strong. Drinks may also taste different and you may start to dislike your favourite drinks. This is completely normal and will go by the end of the first trimester. To help alleviate the taste, try orange juice or lemonade.

8. Your hair might grow, become thicker and more glossy!

There’s a well-supported theory that you ‘bloom’ in pregnancy. This ‘bloom’ is due to good old hormone surges – mainly oestrogen. It tends to occur at the beginning of your pregnancy to keep the male around so that the pregnant woman has protection as she becomes more vulnerable. Enjoy!

9. Fatigue

Fatigue is most common during the first trimester. Your blood sugar levels and blood pressure can lower as your metabolic rate increases to provide your baby with everything it needs to develop, which can make you feel very tired. 

10. Feeling emotional?

It’s very common in early pregnancy to feel a change in your emotions – whether it’s feeling ecstatic, having mixed emotions or feeling anxious. These feelings are all normal, whether your pregnancy is planned or not, it’s a lot to take on. So, don’t be hard on yourself.

11. Cramps, aches, twinges and pinches

As your uterus expands to accommodate your growing baby you may start to get ligament pain. This is normal and should settle – there’s not much you can do to stop this as your uterus has to expand. 

12. Backache

Most people, quite rightly, associate backache with the third trimester but it’s also associated with the first. The sudden release of the hormone relaxin allows your uterus to expand, which means the ligaments in your back need to accommodate your growing baby. 




For our second trimester blog click here



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