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  9 BODILY CHANGES DURING YOUR FIRST TRIMESTER

  Apr 20, 2022

  First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!

   

  While this may be thrilling and exciting for the parents-to-be, it may also be overwhelming and nerve-wrecking, especially for first-time expectant moms. Fear not, fret not and faint not! Keep scrolling and allow us to shed some light on the changes you are bound to face in your journey of pregnancy. Knowing what bodily changes to expect will help you better prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

   

  Like a university or college course, a pregnancy is divided into three trimesters:

  The First Trimester	Week 1 to Week 12
  The Second Trimester	Week 13 to Week 26
  The Third Trimester	Week 27 to end of pregnancy (which is generally up to Week 40)

   

   

   

  Your body will experience different changes during these trimesters because each trimester brings specific hormonal and physical changes to your body. Some expectant moms go through really uncomfortable changes (e.g. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton had severe vomiting throughout all her three pregnancies) while others glow and flow through the gestational months with little to mild discomfort only.

   

  During the first trimester, even though you may not look pregnant yet, your body is undoubtedly going through enormous changes as it nurtures the little life growing within you.

   

   

  1. Bloated stomach and breast tenderness

   

   

  You may feel that your stomach is bloated and there is a sense of tenderness at your breasts/nipples. Your belly is getting ready to accommodate the new baby while your breasts are preparing to generate milk supply for your infant in the near future.

   

   

  2. Fatigue and feeling sleepy all the time

   

   

  As your body is now working overtime to support both yourself and your baby, you will feel exhausted and tend to feel sleepy all the time. Please make time for plenty of rest in the comfort of your own home, which in turn will allow your body to rest and recover.

   

   

  3. Abdominal cramping and light spotting

  You may notice some abdominal cramping and/or light spotting due to implantation of the baby onto your uterus. However, these should not be more than a few drops of blood. If it should cause you any concerns, please consult your doctor immediately.

   

   

  4. Nausea and vomiting

  This is generally known as morning sickness where you wake up feeling nauseous and need to vomit your stomach’s content. For some new mothers-to-be, this scenario may happen at any time of the day - morning, afternoon, evening, or night. You may try drinking ginger tea or nibbling on toasts and crackers which have been known to help keep the nausea at bay.

   

   

   

  5. Cravings and aversions

  With the hormonal changes in your body heightening your senses of taste and smell, you may find yourself craving for certain food. At the same time, you may also be turned off by a particular sense of smell or taste. It is even possible that what used to be your favourite food/smell may now be making you gag! It is okay to give in to cravings every now and then, as long as you ensure you are also taking in a balance diet with the necessary nutrition for your growing baby.

   

   

   

  6. Mood swings

  It is not uncommon for expectant moms to be riding on an emotional roller coaster. You may find yourself coping with mood swings from feeling exhilarated one moment to feeling melancholy at the next instant. We strongly encourage you to keep to activities that create positive vibes such as listening to music, doing some light exercises or going for a walk, meditating or watching a comedy show to help you beat the blues.

   

   

  7. Frequent urination

  Do not be alarmed when you notice that you are visiting the washrooms more often than ever. The need for frequent urination which starts to appear towards the later part of the first trimester is due to additional pressure to your bladder caused by the growth of your baby. Remember to continuously rehydrate your body every time after you answer the call of nature.

   

   

  8. Back pain

  As your pregnancy progresses, a dull throbbing backache may be felt as your back muscle works harder to support your expanding uterus and your developing baby. Practicing good sitting/sleeping postures and doing regular light stretching exercises may provide you some much-needed relief.

   

   

  9. Heartburn

  Heartburn is the sensation of a burning feeling in your chest which is generally caused by the stomach acid travelling up to your throat. To alleviate this, you should avoid food which may trigger stomach acid such as coffee, mint as well as oily, spicy, and acidic dishes. Instead of three regular big meals, it is recommended that expectant moms should take frequent small meals throughout the day for easier digestion.

   

  As you are experiencing these changes, the baby inside you will be evolving from the size of a poppy seed to the size of a passion fruit by the end of your first trimester, along with the formation of the heart, the brain and spinal cord, the nervous system and other major organs. Other body parts such as the arms and legs, as well as fingers and toes will also form during the first trimester. Your baby may even be able to make a fist in your next appointment with your doctor!

   

  For a lot of women, the pregnancy journey gradually improves after the first trimester. Most women are cautious until the completion of the first trimester, before making the grand announcement to their family and friends regarding the new arrival of their baby. Get ready to take your trumpet out and make the clarion call...or in this time and day, just log into your social media account and share the great news!

   

  For more info, please visit our Facebook and Instagram.

   

  Visit Us At

  Byond28 Confinement Care

  No.3, Jalan Pelandok,Taman Orkid, Cheras,43200, Selangor.

   

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