A pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks. It consists of three trimesters.
First trimester: 1–12 weeks
Second trimester: 13–24 weeks
Third trimester: 25–40 weeks
The first and last trimesters need more precise care. Let us now scroll down to get a brief view of the 1st trimester weeks of pregnancy.
The process of conception until 12 weeks of gestation is said to be the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Changes in the mother:
Tender and Enlarged Breasts
Hormonal changes may cause your breasts to become sensitive or sore shortly after conception. The breasts get swollen, and dilated veins appear around the breast and in the abdominal region.
Nausea
Morning sickness typically starts one month after becoming pregnant and can happen at any moment of the day or night. This could be due to increased hormone levels.
Frequent Urination
During your pregnancy, your uterus starts to expand to make enough room for your baby. So, it might press against your bladder, making you urinate often.
Mood Swings
The sudden surge of hormones may send you on an emotional rollercoaster. You may get a mix of emotions, from feeling anxious or frightened to being excited or weepy.
Fatigue
Fatigue is an important sign during the 1st trimester weeks of pregnancy. Progesterone levels keep rising during early pregnancy, which can put you to sleep. Rest as much as possible.
Constipation
High levels of the hormone progesterone can cause constipation by slowing the motion of food through your digestive system. Iron supplements may exacerbate the problem.
Do You Need To Know How Your Fetus Develops in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Trimester?
Read the below blogs to know more about it in detail.
Changes in the baby:
- A sperm cell enters the egg, resulting in the conception of your child. This occurs near the end of your second week of pregnancy
- Your baby develops into an embryo as it grows. An embryo is composed of three tissue layers. The lungs, liver, and digestive system of your baby will be located in the inner layer
- Your baby’s bones, kidneys, sexual organs, and heart will be formed in the middle layer
- The skin, hair, eyes, and nervous system of your baby will be made up of the outer layer
- Your baby’s body parts start to grow rapidly. Around week 6, your baby’s heart will begin to beat. Sometimes it won’t be heard until the 10th or 12th week
- During the first trimester, the umbilical cord is formed, which is responsible for supplying your unborn child with nutrients and eliminating waste products throughout the pregnancy
- Your child will measure around three inches long and weigh half an ounce by the end of your first trimester
Essential care during the 1st trimester weeks of pregnancy
It is important to take precise care of your health during the 1st trimester weeks of pregnancy, as new bodily changes are occurring. The adaptation to the bodily changes and symptoms will be quite tedious in the beginning. These tips might help.
- The first and foremost care is hydration. Despite frequent urination, it is essential to drink more water
- Divide your meals into small quantities and have them at an interval of 4-5 hours
- Consulting a physician and being under the supervision of a midwife or GP is advisory
- Getting yourself the Antenatal screening to eliminate the risk of Down’s syndrome
- Taking basic blood tests actively helps early detection of any abnormality in the mother and the child
- Gestational diabetes mellitus and Gestational Hypertension are common to get during pregnancy and subside after delivery in most cases
- Constipation comes hand in hand with pregnancy, so never skip your fibers
- It is important to take iron and folic acid supplements on a regular basis as advised by your GP
- Pregnancy fatigue is normal, move your body daily. Walking and mild exercises can help
- There are many possibilities that you might feel lonely, might hate your body, and have mood swings, food cravings, and aversions. These are completely normal. Don’t be hard on yourself
- Seek emotional and physical support every time you feel like it
- Attend the umpteen pregnancy classes that are available online. Take resources and read a lot about what is exactly happening to your body and your child
- Try Yoga and meditation to keep yourself content and relaxed
Pregnancy is the most beautiful process of bringing a human into the world through us. Embrace, cherish, and own your body and pregnancy.
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