7 Things you might expect from the first trimester.

If you’re a first time mum you may not know what you can expect from the first trimester. Even if you’re not, each pregnancy can be so different, it’s difficult to know what you can expect.

Today I’m documenting some common symptoms you can expect from the first trimester. Some of the first signs of pregnancy show quickly after conception, some of them take much longer & some of them you may not notice at all. Each person & each pregnancy is different.

What you can expect from the first trimester.

1. Missed period.

One of the first tell tale signs of pregnancy is a missed period. For some women however a missed period can go unnoticed due to implantation bleeding.

Implantation bleeding is a small amount of spotting that usually happens 10-14 days after conception. It’s completely normal. The bleeding happens usually around the time you’d expect to have a menstrual period although often appears much lighter than menstrual bleeding.

2. A heightened sense of smell.

Hyperosmia, or a heightened sense of smell is something a lot of women experience during their first trimester. This can make previously mild smells become really appealing and difficult to deal with.

It’s thought that women who experience hyperosmia will also experience a higher level of sickness during their pregnancy.

3. Tiredness.

When you first get pregnant a huge amount of your energy goes into growing your baby which can cause huge amounts of tiredness. The first trimester and third trimester are renowned for being the most draining.

4. Nausea.

There’s no such thing as morning sickness! It’s a lie! Nausea and sickness can happen at any time of the day (or night) in pregnancy.

It usually comes in around the six week mark. There are also different levels of sickness during pregnancy. Some women don’t experience it, others can suffer quite badly. Hyperemesis Gravidarum is an extreme form of morning sickness which can cause severe vomiting during pregnancy.

5. Breast tenderness.

Tender, swollen and quite heavy breasts can be expected during the first trimester. This is due to having higher levels of oestrogen and progesterone & your body preparing itself for making milk.

6. Frequent urination.

One of the more annoying pregnancy symptoms is the increased need to wee. Your body produces the hormone HCG during pregnancy. This increases blood flow to your kidneys helping to efficiently rid your and your baby’s body of waste.

Your growing uterus will continue to put pressure on your bladder meaning the need to urinate becomes more frequent. Luckily this feeling lessens during the second trimester as this is when your baby will begin growing outwards.

7. Mood swings.

A change in hormones can create huge mood swings during your first trimester. It’s completely normal for your mood to change regularly.

I'm going to be putting an article together shortly comparing my first trimester symptoms from both pregnancies. If you have any questions, please leave them below.

Have you experienced any of these first trimester symptoms?