Your first trimester is 12 weeks of physical and emotional changes
Before you may even realize you’re pregnant, your body is changing, and your baby is starting to develop. During the first 12 weeks of gestation, you probably won’t look pregnant, but you may begin to feel more emotional and notice physical differences. This stage of pregnancy is a vital one for your baby, too, because their major organs are developing. It’s important to see our San Antonio OBGYNs to begin your prenatal care during your first trimester.
What to expect as your pregnancy begins
Maybe you first suspect you are pregnant before you even miss a period because you feel tired or nauseous. Here some common first trimester symptoms of pregnancy.
- Feeling tired or fatigued
- Breast enlargement or tenderness
- Urinating more often
- Heartburn
- Craving certain foods
- Feeling sick when smelling or eating certain foods
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation
- Losing or gaining weight unexpectedly
You might experience many of these issues, or only one or two.
What is happening to your baby?
While you are getting started with your pregnancy, your baby is beginning to grow, too. They begin life at about the size of a poppy seed during week four, and grow to the size of a lime by week 12. Their brains and spines begin to form, along with their major organs. By the end of the first trimester, your baby will even have kidneys that are making urine.
What should you do to stay healthy during this stage of pregnancy?
One of the most vital things you can do is schedule your first prenatal visit. At this visit, our San Antonio OBGYNs will perform a physical, a pelvic exam and several tests, and establish a care plan for your pregnancy.
Here are some other things you should do as soon as you know you are pregnant.
- Switch to a healthy diet that features lean proteins, dairy, fruits, veggies and whole grains
- Sleep more if you’re tired
- Continue to participate in moderate exercise, like walking or swimming
What should you avoid during the first trimester?
There are definitely some “don’ts” during this stage of pregnancy. Avoid the following things.
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking or using tobacco
- Recreational drug use
- Certain foods, including unpasteurized cheese, milk or juice; undercooked meat of any kind; and raw fish or fish with a high mercury content
- Exposure to chemicals
- Sitting in hot tubs
- Saunas
- Activity that requires extreme exertion or full contact
Our San Antonio OBGYNs are with you through all the stages of pregnancy
The first stage of pregnancy can be exciting, emotional and overwhelming, but support helps. Contact our OBGYNs for an appointment, and get the care you need during the first trimester and beyond.