• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

First Trimester Pregnancy Information

December 10, 2010 by ds_15457 Leave a Comment

A positive pregnancy test sets you on track for a whirlwind of emotions and physical changes. Knowing what to expect during your first trimester makes the beginning of the pregnancy easier to handle for some women. Pregnancy feels different for every woman and not everyone experiences the same symptoms or physical changes, but many first trimester experiences are similar with all women.

Time Frame

The first trimester spans from week one to week 12 of the pregnancy. The first two weeks are actually before conception occurs. The 40 weeks of a pregnancy are calculated starting on the first day of your last period, but conception doesn’t usually happen until about two weeks later. Fertilization of the egg typically happens in week three, followed by implantation in week four. The baby becomes an embryo in week five. Much of the baby’s development begins at that point.

Symptoms

Many possible symptoms occur during the first trimester. You might experience only one or you might feel them all. Nausea, often called morning sickness, is a common first trimester experience for women. Fatigue is another common symptom in early pregnancy. You might also experience breast soreness or tenderness, bloating, constipation, frequent urination, headaches, food cravings or food aversions. As the end of the first trimester nears, many of the symptoms will decrease or subside in some women.

Baby Development

As an embryo, your baby begins developing his major organs, including the heart, brain and spinal cord. The heart begins pumping blood around week six of the pregnancy. At the same time, your baby begins developing facial features and buds for his arms and legs. At eight weeks, the baby begins moving. Week 11 marks the baby’s status as a fetus. The baby has arms, legs and even external genitalia. The baby grows from about 1/16 inch at week five to 2 1/2 inches by week 12.

Healthy Choices

Because of all the development that occurs in the first trimester, healthy choices on the part of the mother are essential. A prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg folic acid helps with proper neural tube development early in the pregnancy. A healthy diet and exercise keeps your body healthy overall, which benefits the growing baby. Avoid smoking, illegal drugs and alcohol throughout the pregnancy. A woman currently taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs should talk to her physician immediately to determine if it is safe to continue the medication.

Prenatal Care

Prenatal visits usually begin during the first trimester. Contact your physician as soon as you know you’re pregnant to schedule an appointment. The first appointment usually happens around weeks eight through 10. The first exam typically involves an exam complete with medical history and possibly blood tests.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ds_15457

Shelley Frost has been a freelance writer since 2007, specializing in parenting and education. Her work can be found on websites such as ModernMom.com and PreschoolRock.com. Frost holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in reading from the University of Northern Iowa.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

It’s One of Those “I Suck” Days…

Do you ever just have one of those I suck days? I do - a … [Read More...] about It’s One of Those “I Suck” Days…

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How Early Can an Ultrasound Detect a Fetus?

How Early Can an Ultrasound Detect a Fetus?

early signs you are pregnant with twins

Early Signs You Are Pregnant With Twins

Signs of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy & Signs of Gestational Diabetes

Do You Have to Refrigerate Glazed Donuts?

Do You Have to Refrigerate Glazed Donuts?

Soothe Red and Irritated Skin After a Brazilian Wax

How to Soothe Red and Irritated Skin After a Brazilian Wax

Post-Pregnancy Headaches

Post-Pregnancy Headaches

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.