The first trimester takes you through to week 13. Our step-by step guide takes you through what to expect at each step.
At 5 weeks of pregnancy (or 21 days after conception) you are now at the beginning of week 6. Over the next few days, your baby's heart develops and begins beating, but is simply a long tube at this stage rhythmically expanding and contracting.
Your baby's umbilical cord starts to develop, with two arteries and one vein. These blood vessels transport oxygen and nutrients from you to your baby and take carbon dioxide and waste products away from your baby, for your body to excrete.
Your baby's blood stream remains completely separate from yours, often having a different blood type from you and/or their father.
Your baby's small hands and feet are starting to bud from their upper and lower body and their neural tube (encasing their brain and spinal cord) has now closed. It is important to have sufficient folic acid in your diet during this time to support this process. You can find out more about folic acid here.
Your baby is curled up in the shape of the letter C, making them difficult to measure from head to toe. Ultrasonographers routinely measure very young unborn babies from the crown of their head to the base of their back (or rump), referred to as the crown to rump length (CRL).
At this time, your baby's crown to rump length is around 2 to 4 mm (0.08 to 0.16 inches).
Physical changes
- Aches and pains
At this early stage of pregnancy it is normal to feel bloated or experience pulling, tugging and/or mild cramping or lower backache as your uterus grows. Although many women worry about feeling these sensations, they are very common. If there is no vaginal bleeding associated with it, then it is probably normal. Some women find tissue salts, such as Mag Phosphate, helpful for cramping - available at natural health stores.
NOTE: If you have strong cramping or pain, with or without bleeding, you should contact your local hospital, doctor or pregnancy caregiver for guidance and advice.
- Tiredness
It is normal to feel tired or extremely fatigued during the early weeks. For some women, their tiredness can seem never-ending. It is not unusual to have 10 or 12 hours sleep, only to get up and still feel exhausted! This is your body adjusting to the enormous metabolic changes that are necessary to grow your baby. Excessive tiredness usually subsides around 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, bringing renewed energy and vigour. Try to rest as much as possible or set aside time on the weekends to nap. Early nights seem to be inevitable at this stage.
At 5 weeks of pregnancy (or 21 days after conception) you are now at the beginning of week 6. Over the next few days, your baby's heart develops and begins beating, but is simply a long tube at this stage rhythmically expanding and contracting.
Your baby's umbilical cord starts to develop, with two arteries and one vein. These blood vessels transport oxygen and nutrients from you to your baby and take carbon dioxide and waste products away from your baby, for your body to excrete.
Your baby's blood stream remains completely separate from yours, often having a different blood type from you and/or their father.
Your baby's small hands and feet are starting to bud from their upper and lower body and their neural tube (encasing their brain and spinal cord) has now closed. It is important to have sufficient folic acid in your diet during this time to support this process. You can find out more about folic acid here.
Your baby is curled up in the shape of the letter C, making them difficult to measure from head to toe. Ultrasonographers routinely measure very young unborn babies from the crown of their head to the base of their back (or rump), referred to as the crown to rump length (CRL).
At this time, your baby's crown to rump length is around 2 to 4 mm (0.08 to 0.16 inches).
Physical changes
- Aches and pains
At this early stage of pregnancy it is normal to feel bloated or experience pulling, tugging and/or mild cramping or lower backache as your uterus grows. Although many women worry about feeling these sensations, they are very common. If there is no vaginal bleeding associated with it, then it is probably normal. Some women find tissue salts, such as Mag Phosphate, helpful for cramping - available at natural health stores.
NOTE: If you have strong cramping or pain, with or without bleeding, you should contact your local hospital, doctor or pregnancy caregiver for guidance and advice.
- Tiredness
It is normal to feel tired or extremely fatigued during the early weeks. For some women, their tiredness can seem never-ending. It is not unusual to have 10 or 12 hours sleep, only to get up and still feel exhausted! This is your body adjusting to the enormous metabolic changes that are necessary to grow your baby. Excessive tiredness usually subsides around 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, bringing renewed energy and vigour. Try to rest as much as possible or set aside time on the weekends to nap. Early nights seem to be inevitable at this stage.
- Emotional reactions
During the early weeks of pregnancy emotions can feel like a roller-coaster ride. The immense physical and emotional adjustments may change emotions quickly, with feelings easily coming to the surface, often heightened by symptoms of pregnancy. It is important to look after yourself at this time. Rest and sleep when you can.
Early pregnancy symptoms
During the early weeks of pregnancy emotions can feel like a roller-coaster ride. The immense physical and emotional adjustments may change emotions quickly, with feelings easily coming to the surface, often heightened by symptoms of pregnancy. It is important to look after yourself at this time. Rest and sleep when you can.
Early pregnancy symptoms
- Food cravings: It might be early days, but the food cravings might already be kicking in. Hormones play a part here, so try and relax and go with it as your body gets used to the hormone havoc! That said, indulge your cravings within reason and make sure you’re getting healthy substitutes for the foods you can’t stand.
- Tiredness: During the first trimester, most of your energy will go into growing your new arrival. Of course, you’re not complaining, but it’s normal to feel completely wiped out. The good news is that by the end of trimester one the placenta will be in place, but in the meantime, listen to your body and rest up!
- Feeling sick: Sure, you’ve heard all about morning sickness, but didn’t realise it would be THIS bad! That queasy feeling in your stomach won’t just hit you in the mornings, but can hang around all day, especially during these first twelve weeks. Try not to skip meals, as much as you don’t want to eat, instead, try grazing throughout the day.
- Excessive saliva: Morning sickness and excessive saliva? You’ve hit the confusing jackpot of early pregnancy symptoms. Try chewing sugarless gum to help your mouth stay a little dryer (and stop you dribbling in meetings!) Experts aren’t really sure why this happens, but have put it down to those pregnancy hormones.
- Now is the time to stop eating certain foods. These include unpasteurised foods, undercooked meat and eggs and some kinds of fish. These can cause food-borne illnesses that are damaging for your little one.
- If you’ve got a cat, it’s time to hand over the litter cleaning duties for the next eight months (not that you’ll be complaining!) This is dangerous as it can cause an infection called toxoplasmosis, which can harm your unborn baby.
- Don’t skip that evening floss! More than 90% of pregnant women suffer from gum problems during pregnancy thanks to the extra blood surging round your body.
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