Pregnancy: Expectations and Changes for Each Trimester
If you're already pregnant and curious about your immediate future, or if you are planning a pregnancy and want to set some realistic expectations, knowing what is happening each trimester of pregnancy can help you feel connected and less afraid.
Not everyone has the same experience while pregnant, but there are enough people who do that there are some commonalities that we can share. We recommend having credible prenatal care from the time you find out you are pregnant, because of the differences that are possible, and for early detection of any anomalies that could require more care.
1st Trimester: Week 1 -Week 12
The first trimester is a time of rapid changes to hormone levels. These changes can have significant impacts on how your body reacts to foods, smells, and increasing general sensitivities. The first weeks of pregnancy may mean you change your sleeping habits, size and frequency of meals, and seek support from trusted friends or professionals to help validate this time. Many of the unpleasant symptoms will naturally be relieved in the 2nd trimester
In the First Trimester, the following are common:
Extreme tiredness
Tender, swollen breasts.
Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness)
Cravings or distaste for certain foods
Mood swings
Constipation (trouble having bowel movements)
Need to pass urine more often
Headache
Heartburn
Weight gain or loss
2nd Trimester: Week 13-Week 28
The Second Trimester means you may start feeling less or no nausea or fatigue. Many pregnant people say the 2nd semester has them feeling energized again. There are also more external changes that become noticeable like breast size and outward bulging of your waist and hips from your baby's growth. One exciting change is you may begin to feel the baby move!
In the Second Trimester, the following are common:
Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
Stretch marks on your stomach, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
Darkening of the skin around your nipples
A dark line on the skin running from the belly button to the pubic bone
Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip.
Numb or tingling hands called carpal tunnel syndrome
Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice, or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a severe liver problem.)
Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)
3rd Trimester: Week 29-Week 40+
The Third Trimester means you are in the last stage of your pregnancy! If you experienced discomfort in your 2nd trimester, that continues, and most likely have other aches added like shortness of breath, disrupted sleep, and frequent urination.
As you near the end of your pregnancy, your prenatal care will become more frequent, going from monthly to twice a month, to weekly. At your last appointments before birth, your provider may ask to check your cervix to see if it is showing any signs of being ready for labor through dilation, effacement, or positioning. Pregnancy does not end immediately at 40 weeks, so know that some first-time parents can remain pregnant until their 41st or 42 weeks of pregnancy without any complications.
In the Third Trimester, the following are common:
Shortness of breath
Heartburn
Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)
Hemorrhoids
Tender breasts may leak a watery pre-milk called colostrum
Your belly button may stick out
Trouble sleeping
The baby "dropping," or moving lower in your abdomen
Braxton Hicks Contractions