First Trimester of Pregnancy

The first trimester of pregnancy can be an exciting time. Every child bearing stage is different, but there are some common things that all women may experience and enjoy at this time.

The first trimester includes a trip to your doctor. Prenatal care is important throughout child bearing stage. At the first visit your doctor with gauge the age of the fetus and set a due date, which is typically based on the date of your last period. Your doctor will also prescribe prenatal vitamins. They may make you nauseous, but they’re critical to your baby’s health in development.

The first few weeks of the pregnancy you may experience a missed or lighter period, morning sickness, headaches or fatigue. All, few or none of these symptoms may manifest. They may go away or persist until you have the baby. As you progress through the first trimester you may begin to have unusual cravings or urinate more frequently.

Food cravings are normal. Many women experience them throughout their entire child bearing or until they have the baby. While some crave pickles and ice cream, these cravings can vary greatly. This can be caused by stress, PMS, or a poor diet. In most cases, your body is communicating with you via craving to give get the nutrition that it’s lacking.

The beginning of your baby’s development occurs late in the first trimester. Your baby will begin to develop facial features and organs. The heart can often be heard beating by the eighth week. Before the start of your second trimester your baby will begin developing bones and arms and legs.

It’s critical to ensure that you and your baby stay healthy for a successful delivery.

While the first trimester of pregnancy is different for every woman, it’s important to know what will or won’t happen. Talk to your doctor about what to expect and let him or her know if anything out of the ordinary presents itself.