The first trimester takes you through to week 13. Our step-by step guide takes you through what to expect at each step.
What is happening now?
You may notice the need to pass urine more frequently. This is mainly due to an increased blood flow to your kidneys (35 to 60%), making them produce around 25% more urine. Increased urine production peaks by 9 to 16 weeks of pregnancy and then settles, but urinating more often can also be caused by slight pressure from your growing uterus on the bladder, continuing throughout pregnancy.
- Bleeding
Emotional reactions
For many women early pregnancy brings concerns about the possibility of miscarriage. This may stem from a past experience or perhaps because it has happened to a friend or family member. You may feel anxious or in an emotional limbo, until your pregnancy reaches the 12th week (when the chances of miscarriage lessen).
Emotions can also feel heightened with some of the early physical changes of pregnancy. It is important to look after yourself by resting and sleeping when you can.
Partners may also feel anxious or concerned about miscarriage and perhaps this is something you should both talk about.
Physical signs
Decisions, choices and health insurance. The caregiver you choose to provide your pregnancy care and the place where you decide to give birth and spend your early postnatal days with your newborn baby, will very much depend on your personal preferences, where you live and the type of services available to you, as well as heath insurance.
- Maternity caregivers
There are many caregivers in the maternity health care system, all playing unique roles in caring for women and their babies. Knowing about their roles and how they may become involved in your care is not always clear. Read more about maternity health care providers here.
- Birthplace choices
Choosing where to have your baby can involve weighing up all your options and determining what is important for you and your partner, so your preferred birthplace can best meet your needs. To read more about birthplace options click here.
For some birthplaces an important consideration is the possibility of transferring to a hospital more equipped to care for you (or your baby after being born), if complications arise. This may be an issue when choosing a private hospital, a smaller metropolitan or rural hospital, birth centre or a homebirth. Read more about these considerations here.
- Lifestyle changes
Besides making adjustments to your diet and possibly your physical activity, you and your partner may wish to look at certain lifestyle habits such as caffeine intake, alcohol, cigarette smoking, marijuana or other recreational drugs. You may also have questions if you need to take prescription drugs during pregnancy. If you are worried about substances you have already used during early pregnancy, you can read about keeping lifestyle changes in perspective here.
Common symptoms to look out for
What is happening now?
At 6 weeks of pregnancy (or 28 days after conception) you are now at the beginning of week 7. Your baby is curled up and measures about 5mm (0.2 of an inch) from the crown of their head to their rump (or bottom). Your baby's facial features are now gradually forming, starting with a wide mouth. Their lower jaw forms first, shortly followed by their upper jaw, with their head and forehead being comparatively large and their brain now forming within. Your baby starts to develop bulging eyes on each side of their head. Some scientists have compared the look of unborn babies at this stage of pregnancy to the movie character E.T. (a loveable alien)!
During the next week your baby's limbs start to lengthen to form arms and then legs. Their hands and feet resemble ridged paddles that eventually become fingers and toes. Internal organs are also taking shape. Your baby's gullet (oesophagus), stomach, kidneys and bowel are being defined, as well as 2 small buds which will form their lungs. Your baby's heart now has four chambers and is beating away efficiently between 90 and 200 beats per minute!
An ultrasound at this stage can detect your unborn baby's heartbeat relatively easily, unless your pregnancy is less advanced than expected. Ultrasounds can also be used to date your pregnancy after about 7 to 8 weeks, if you are unsure when your baby was conceived (or their due date). You can read more about ultrasounds here.
Chances are that you'll be experiencing some form of morning sickness (or, as we like to call it - all day sickness) with your pregnancy. It's not the greatest experience, but there are some things you can do to ease the quease.
Physical changes
- Passing urine
During the next week your baby's limbs start to lengthen to form arms and then legs. Their hands and feet resemble ridged paddles that eventually become fingers and toes. Internal organs are also taking shape. Your baby's gullet (oesophagus), stomach, kidneys and bowel are being defined, as well as 2 small buds which will form their lungs. Your baby's heart now has four chambers and is beating away efficiently between 90 and 200 beats per minute!
An ultrasound at this stage can detect your unborn baby's heartbeat relatively easily, unless your pregnancy is less advanced than expected. Ultrasounds can also be used to date your pregnancy after about 7 to 8 weeks, if you are unsure when your baby was conceived (or their due date). You can read more about ultrasounds here.
Chances are that you'll be experiencing some form of morning sickness (or, as we like to call it - all day sickness) with your pregnancy. It's not the greatest experience, but there are some things you can do to ease the quease.
Physical changes
- Passing urine
You may notice the need to pass urine more frequently. This is mainly due to an increased blood flow to your kidneys (35 to 60%), making them produce around 25% more urine. Increased urine production peaks by 9 to 16 weeks of pregnancy and then settles, but urinating more often can also be caused by slight pressure from your growing uterus on the bladder, continuing throughout pregnancy.
- Bleeding
Some women experience bleeding during the early weeks of pregnancy. This may appear as bright spotting (fresh bleeding) or be brownish in colour (bleeding that happened a day or so ago). Any form of bleeding during pregnancy can be concerning. However, bear in mind that bleeding of some type during the first 12 weeks is a fairly common occurrence, which may or may not indicate there is a problem.
Emotional reactions
For many women early pregnancy brings concerns about the possibility of miscarriage. This may stem from a past experience or perhaps because it has happened to a friend or family member. You may feel anxious or in an emotional limbo, until your pregnancy reaches the 12th week (when the chances of miscarriage lessen).
Emotions can also feel heightened with some of the early physical changes of pregnancy. It is important to look after yourself by resting and sleeping when you can.
Partners may also feel anxious or concerned about miscarriage and perhaps this is something you should both talk about.
Physical signs
Decisions, choices and health insurance. The caregiver you choose to provide your pregnancy care and the place where you decide to give birth and spend your early postnatal days with your newborn baby, will very much depend on your personal preferences, where you live and the type of services available to you, as well as heath insurance.
- Maternity caregivers
There are many caregivers in the maternity health care system, all playing unique roles in caring for women and their babies. Knowing about their roles and how they may become involved in your care is not always clear. Read more about maternity health care providers here.
- Birthplace choices
Choosing where to have your baby can involve weighing up all your options and determining what is important for you and your partner, so your preferred birthplace can best meet your needs. To read more about birthplace options click here.
For some birthplaces an important consideration is the possibility of transferring to a hospital more equipped to care for you (or your baby after being born), if complications arise. This may be an issue when choosing a private hospital, a smaller metropolitan or rural hospital, birth centre or a homebirth. Read more about these considerations here.
- Lifestyle changes
Besides making adjustments to your diet and possibly your physical activity, you and your partner may wish to look at certain lifestyle habits such as caffeine intake, alcohol, cigarette smoking, marijuana or other recreational drugs. You may also have questions if you need to take prescription drugs during pregnancy. If you are worried about substances you have already used during early pregnancy, you can read about keeping lifestyle changes in perspective here.
Common symptoms to look out for
- Breast Tenderness: You’re not imagining it; your boobs are getting bigger and your nipples are pointing out more. They might also be feeling really tender as your body gets ready to breastfeed.
- Fatigue: Your body is growing a baby, so it’s bound to be exhausted! Listen to it and feel free to cancel those dinner arrangements and get an earl night. That said, as much as you might not feel like it, try and fit some exercise in – perhaps a gentle walk or a yoga class. The endorphins will help you feel better and it might help you get to sleep.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Whether you’re feeling a little sick at the sight of your partner’s scrambled eggs, or you’re throwing up your breakfast, lunch and dinner, relax and remember, this is one of the most common signs of pregnancy. If you are being sick, snacking is key.
- Bloating: This one is down to the progesterone that’s flying round your body right now. Remember to eat lots of fibre and drink plenty of water to avoid getting constipated, which will only make that horrible bloated feeling worse.
- Book an appointment with your doctor: As we mentioned above, now is the time to book that first appointment with your GP or a local midwife so you can discuss your antenatal care options. Your first of many prenatal check-ups, your doctor will give you a thorough check, including a pelvic exam, a smear test (unless you’ve had one recently) and a blood test. You might be asked to give a urine sample (which you probably won’t have a problem providing) and this will be tested for glucose, protein, red and white blood cells and bacteria. Another thing to expect is a lot of questions – so do your homework. Not only will they ask about your own health history, but also ask your mother if she had any difficulties or complications when giving birth. Remember to make a list of questions for your doctor and ask them, no matter how silly they may sound.
- Stop eating certain seafood: Avoid shark, swordfish and king mackerel, but don’t worry, you don’t need to cut out fish all together. According to pregnancy guidelines, you can still eat 12oz of well-cooked shellfish, canned tuna, salmon or cod a week.
- Opt for highlights, not a whole head of hair dye: During these first few months, it’s safest to avoid the chemicals involved in hair dye. Highlights don’t touch the scalp, so that’s the safest way to go. Ask your GP if you have any worries or questions.
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