What to expect in your first trimester of pregnancy
What to expect in your first trimester of pregnancy
You might have sensed that something felt a little “off”, even before taking a pregnancy test. Then those two lines appeared, and now the fun really begins!
Every pregnancy is unique, and every woman’s body is unique. But there are a few things you can expect to feel and experience during those exciting, potentially scary yet amazing first 12 weeks.
Here’s what you need to know...
The classic sign of pregnancy, morning sickness, is a bit of a misnomer - many women report that a more appropriate name for this affliction would be “all-day sickness”, as they struggle to keep their breakfast, lunch and dinner down without keeping a bucket nearby. It can be hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced it, though many women say pregnancy nausea feels like a hangover but without the fun from the night before. Unfortunately, for some women, nausea can be crippling and last right through to their final days of pregnancy, while some lucky ladies manage to escape pregnancy unscathed. It’s all luck of the draw really, but many women say that surviving on a diet of dry crackers and plain toast is all they could do to get through those early days.
Speaking of food, it’s likely that on some days you will not be able to get enough of it as your baby begins to grow and depend on your calories to support its growth. Many pregnant women possess insatiable cravings for weird and wonderful combos, and it can be quite common to desire foods that you’ve previously disliked or have deemed off-limits – like a vegetarian salivating for a juicy steak or a health-freak caving at the scent of a burger and fries. You can expect these cravings to ebb and flow throughout your pregnancy, so get used to it, and try not to feel guilty!
Aside from nausea and general aches and pains, one of the most difficult parts of early pregnancy is keeping quiet when you are dying to tell everyone your news. Many parents choose to keep their pregnancy a secret in the early days, and this can be especially hard in the workplace, when you have to explain why you’re not drinking alcohol at after-work drinks, or why you’re frequently running to the bathroom for a cheeky spew. In this respect, the first trimester can seem like it drags on forever, but rest assured that many women find relief from nausea as they enter their second trimester, and they finally feel that they can share their news.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. Another early sign of pregnancy can be changes to your boobs – they can become achy and lumpy, and as the weeks progress, you may notice your nipples become darker and bigger! These bigger bosoms may be a blessing for some, and it’s an exciting opportunity to start investing in your maternity wardrobe. These days, the frumpy maternity clothes our mums wore are a thing of the past, and many women find they become more confident and feel sexier as their bump begins to grow. It’s worth investing in some pieces that you know are going to keep you comfortable - yet still feeling like yourself - right from when your waistline starts to grow, through to post-partum wear. A big reason that I created Milkbar was because I found it hard to find maternity and breastfeeding clothes that were comfortable, without having to compromise on style. You can check out our range of maternity clothing, which is designed especially to fit and flatter your body at all stages of your pregnancy!
Most importantly, this is a time to feel beautiful and proud of the changes that are taking place in your body! There are several books and apps you can find which walk you through these changes - it can be fun to follow along as your baby grows from the size of a sesame seed to the size of a plum in the space of 12 weeks! If you’ve already been there, what else would you add to the list of what to expect in your first trimester?