The first few weeks of pregnancy can certainly be overwhelming with a lot of life changes, physical symptoms, regular doctor’s appointments, etc. For first-time parents in particular, the early stages of pregnancy can feel daunting as you’re venturing into unknown territory for the first time.
Next, we want to clarify some aspects of early pregnancy. From symptoms to health concerns, learn more about what happens during early pregnancy.
Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms
Early pregnancy can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to obvious. Some symptoms are so mild that you might wonder if they have anything to do with your pregnancy. For example, is it just a tiredness from work or a pregnant belly bump? Here are some early pregnancy signs and symptoms you should know about.
Loss of appetite (or food cravings)
It’s normal to have aversions to certain tastes and smells during early pregnancy. “Your digestion slows, so you may find that foods that once tasted good are no longer to you,” explains Lisa Cain-Lo, PhD, RN, a certified midwife and lecturer at the University of Michigan Medical School. Ignoring aversions and forcing yourself to eat will only make you feel worse, so don’t feel obligated to eat something just because it seems good for you.
Cravings are the flip side of aversion. The cause is unknown, but they may simply be your body’s way of telling you to eat something you can tolerate. Food cravings are also very common; one study found that 40% of pregnant women experience the symptom. As long as it’s not likely to cause harm, go ahead and indulge. If you find yourself craving something other than food, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider.
Breast changes
Breast tenderness and pain are early symptoms of pregnancy, and you may notice your breasts getting bigger around weeks 6 to 8. “Pregnant women always focus on their bellies,” says Dr. Kayne Law. “But often the first physical symptom they notice is that their bra is too tight.” In fact, early pregnancy symptoms like acne, mood swings, period pain, and especially breast swelling and pain can be very similar to PMS.
tired
Feeling extremely tired is common during early pregnancy: “Your metabolic rate, or the amount of energy you use to stay alive, is much higher than normal,” explains Dr. Kayne Law. Emotional ups and downs can also affect you.
Your fatigue should ease by the second trimester, but if it doesn’t, you might be iron deficient. By the 28th week of pregnancy, more than 50 percent of pregnant women will have some form of iron deficiency, says Susan Watts, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist at Dallas-Presbyterian Hospital.
Weight gain
The average weight gain during early pregnancy is about 5 pounds, but some people actually lose weight due to morning sickness and loss of appetite. If this happens to you, don’t panic; you’ll soon see the weight come off.
Remember, pregnancy isn’t the time to diet, but to eat as balanced a diet as possible (some people prefer six small meals a day). “When your body is deprived of essential nutrients, it has to get them from somewhere else,” explains Dr Kayne Law, and that means raiding emergency stores of calcium and iron, for example.
nausea
Increased susceptibility to hypoglycemia and rising levels of the pregnancy hormones estrogen and beta-HCG can cause nausea. The following may help:
- Eat regular meals – being hungry will make nausea worse.
- Smell the lemon or eat lemon-flavored foods.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day.
- Try a sports drink such as Gatorade, which also provides glucose and essential minerals.
- Eat a protein-rich snack before bed, as protein will help keep you fuller for longer and make your morning easier.
- Exercise. Exercise helps get blood flowing out of your stomach, reducing nausea.
- Brush your teeth before eating, as brushing your teeth can stimulate your gag reflex.
Early pregnancy testing and appointments
During your pregnancy, you’ll probably have regular checkups with your obstetrician-gynecologist, midwife, or other healthcare provider. Some doctors want you to see them as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test. Others might ask you to wait until 8 weeks. Read on to learn more about the types of tests and visits you might have during your first trimester.
Pregnancy test
According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association , using a home pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period has a 10 percent chance of giving you a false negative result, because only 90 percent of pregnancies are detected that early. If needed, your health care provider can confirm the pregnancy with a blood test.
Supersonic
Most obstetricians and gynaecologists will perform an ultrasound at your first prenatal visit to confirm pregnancy and determine the date of conception. After that, you’ll probably have a transabdominal ultrasound (like the ones you see on TV), but you can also have an earlier test by inserting a plastic rod into your vagina. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt.)
Your first ultrasound will tell you when your baby is due. Pregnancy is calculated on a 40-week (280-day) schedule. To calculate your due date yourself, take the first day of your last menstrual period, add 7 days, and then add another 9 months. If your baby is born between 3 weeks before and 2 weeks after this date, he or she is considered full-term.
Placental Villus Sampling (CVS)
This test, to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, is usually performed between weeks 10 and 12 of pregnancy. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can be done earlier than amniocentesis, but unlike amniocentesis, it cannot detect neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Additionally, there is a slightly higher risk of miscarriage with CVS — about 1% with CVS compared with less than 1% with amniocentesis — according to Donald R. Mattison, MD, senior advisor to the director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Center for Maternal and Child Research.
Early Pregnancy Health Concerns
The start of pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also bring about health concerns and worries. Here are some common topics that might come to mind:
Prenatal Vitamins
Most healthcare providers recommend that those who are trying to become pregnant take a prenatal multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, and a multivitamin with 600 micrograms of folic acid during pregnancy. “Folic acid is critical for preventing serious neural tube defects of the brain and spinal cord,” explains Dr. Mattison. Spina bifida is perhaps the most well-known of these problems.
Avoid over-the-counter pre-pregnancy vitamins, including herbal and “natural” products; they’re not tightly regulated. If vitamins upset your stomach, the iron may be the culprit. Talk to your doctor about taking folic acid alone until your morning sickness subsides. In the meantime, eat plenty of folic acid- and iron-rich foods, such as beans, spinach, and raisins.
Genetic counseling
If you are at risk of having a child with a genetic condition, genetic counselling can help you and your partner decide whether to undergo further testing. These tests can determine if either of you are a carrier of the gene for the disease and if the unborn baby would be affected. Age and personal/family medical history are just some of the factors to consider when deciding whether to undergo testing.
Infect
You may be surprised and concerned if your healthcare provider prescribes antibiotics to treat a condition like simple gingivitis or cystitis. However, any infection in your body could lead to premature labor. If you have further concerns about antibiotics or infections, be sure to talk to your obstetrician-gynecologist or healthcare provider.
abortion
Between 10% and 20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, most of which occur in the first trimester. Many people blame themselves when it happens, but there’s no evidence that emotional stress, physical activity, or sex are to blame. If you start experiencing light bleeding or cramping during pregnancy, contact your doctor right away.
If you’ve experienced a miscarriage and need help coping, ask your healthcare provider to recommend a support group. Or you can find groups online. It’s important to remember that a miscarriage is not your fault and you’re not alone.
Before the end of the first trimester, visit your company’s human resources department to find out how much maternity leave you’ll get, and whether it’s paid or unpaid, or both. “You should also consider the work environment, including chemical exposure, stress, and physical strain,” says Dr. Kayne Law. Avoid heavy lifting and standing for long periods of time.
Stress-related risks like tight deadlines, long commutes, and grueling work hours are less visible but shouldn’t be overlooked. Put your feet up a few times a day, ask for help, and delegate when possible.
Although urinary leakage isn’t an issue during this trimester, it’s not too early to start strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. Contract and release your penis throughout the day (called Kegel exercises) in the same way you stop and start the flow of urine.
Expecting women often start taking birth preparation classes, such as the Bradley or Lamaze method, during the second trimester, but classes often fill up quickly. Find out what options are available in your area (your doctor, midwife, or local hospital may have lists) and sign up early. While you’re there, also look into newborn care and breastfeeding classes, hospital tours, and classes for older siblings, if necessary.
While some women enjoy feeling sexy and not having to worry about birth control, others just want to do nothing in bed but sleep. Don’t worry if you lose your sex drive — you’re more likely to experience this during the second trimester, what many call the honeymoon period of pregnancy.
You probably won’t look pregnant until after the fourth month of pregnancy, when your uterus has outgrown your pelvic cavity, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be comfortable wearing clothes until then.High estrogen levels cause fat to accumulate in many places, including your waistline.
Deciding when and with whom to share the news is a very personal decision, but here are some things to consider: Keeping your pregnancy a secret gives you and your partner time to think about it privately before others find out. Some people wait until the risk of miscarriage has decreased significantly (until the 14th week), while others tell people right away because they know they would tell their friends if they had a miscarriage. Telling coworkers is harder.
Having received this news, your employer may be waiting for further details about your maternity leave, but may not yet have decided if or when you will return to work.
What to avoid during early pregnancy
Expecting a baby will undoubtedly mean some lifestyle changes. To increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy, you may want to avoid or limit the following during the first trimester:
- Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs
- Uncooked cold meats, soft-boiled or raw eggs, raw or undercooked meat, raw bean sprouts
- Handling cat litter or gardening without gloves
- Herbal supplements and teas
- Hot tub and sauna
- Spanish mackerel, shark, swordfish, tilefish, etc. Raw oysters, mussels and other mollusks
- Oil-based paints, lead, mercury (found in some latex paints), chemical solvents, oven cleaners, and dry cleaning chemicals
- Prescription and non-prescription drugs not approved by a doctor
- Soft cheeses such as brie and feta. Unpasteurized milk and juices.
- No x-ray is required.
- More than 200mg of caffeine per day
If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, please consult your obstetrician-gynecologist, midwife, or healthcare provider.
