Written by Candace Inge
Congratulations! You are pregnant! Now what? Well, once you have told your partner the good news, you have to decide when to tell others along with a myriad of other things– Like where to give birth and what to register for. The most important thing is taking care of yourself so that you are taking care of your growing baby. Here are some things to know from one trimester to the next.
First Trimester: Week 1-12
You likely just found out you are pregnant and told your partner the good news. That is an important first step. After your first ultrasound you may start to feel more like a mom and want to do things like decorate the nursery and create a baby registry. If that does not happen for you right away, don’t sweat it. A lot of moms don’t go through this phase until much later in their pregnancy.
During your first trimester your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes. You will likely find yourself feeling fatigued, having mood swings, and even constipated. These are all very normal early pregnancy symptoms. Other symptoms include but are not limited to: missing your period, frequent urination, food carvings, food aversions, tender or swollen breasts, nausea/morning sickness, heartburn, headaches, and weight gain or loss.
Each person and each pregnancy are different so you may have all of these symptoms, or you may not notice any of them. If any of your symptoms become severe it is best to contact your doctor or midwife to find out what the best course of treatment is.
Second Trimester: Week 13-28
Usually, this is about the time people start telling family and friends about their bundle of joy. If you told people sooner, that is fine. If you have not told anyone besides your partner, that is fine too but keep in mind, you may start showing soon if you haven’t started already. Pick what time frame is most comfortable for you and your partner to share your joyous news.
As your pregnancy progresses you may notice your first trimester symptoms become less severe or even resolve. Many women say the second trimester is easier than the first trimester however, your body is still changing while baby continues to develop and grow.
Some common changes are minor aches and pains in your back, thighs, and abdomen. You may also experience itchiness of the abdomen, hands, and feet as you may be experiencing some swelling and weight gain. You may start to notice some stretch marks or dark patches of skin.
What is important to look out for is sudden and severe changes such as: extreme ankle or facial swelling. If you notice any extreme or sudden swelling or nausea and loss of appetite associated with your new found itchiness, call your doctor or midwife as they may want to see you for a quick check up.
Third Trimester: Week 29-40
This is the time you want to make sure your babies room is ready, your birth plan is in place and you have a bag packed for when the time comes. It is also a good idea to have your car seat installed well in advance so you are not scrambling at the last minute.
You may still have some lingering second trimester symptoms and that is completely normal. Your body is still changing as baby continues to grow and prepares to make his or her entrance into the world. One of the most common symptoms in the third trimester is frequent urination. This is due to your ever growing baby putting pressure on the organs that are around him or her.
Other symptoms include, but are not limited to: Swelling, heartburn, hemorrhoids, tender breasts that may leak a bit, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, contractions (Braxton-Hicks or real labor), and the baby dropping (meaning sitting much lower than before). As always, if any of your symptoms become severe, it is best to contact your doctor or midwife.
Enjoy this special time with your partner before your baby is born. If this is not your first baby, you may consider spending some extra quality time with your other children before your new baby arrives. Your routines will change throughout pregnancy and once baby arrives. Give yourself a little grace and try your best to relax when you can.
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