The first trimester of pregnancy is a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings. There are some very common symptoms that you should be aware of. We explain to you how to deal with them.



The first trimester of pregnancy is probably the most special one. These are weeks of great emotions for the couple, but the mother-to-be is faced with certain physical changes that are not easy to manage. During these weeks you will go for your first prenatal visit and request your first ultrasound scan. But, at the same time, you will have to change your lifestyle, you will experience mood swings and other uncomfortable symptoms.


This first period of pregnancy starts from the first day of your last menstrual period and lasts about 13 weeks. This is because your due date is calculated based on this event. If you are still struggling to do the calculations, you can consult this guide.


Baby development during the first trimester

Before we go into detail about what symptoms you may be experiencing and ways to alleviate them, it is important to understand what is happening in the process of the baby's development.

The first major event is implantation, in the fourth week. This is the moment of embryo formation, which is feasible when the blastocyst, a group of hundreds of cells, attaches to the endometrium. The inner cell mass is what will create the embryo. And the outer part will form the placenta, to nourish the baby throughout the pregnancy. Some women experience implantation bleeding.

In week 6 the formation takes place. Important organs such as the heart and lungs begin to develop, and the head and limbs are formed.

The first movements of the foetus are not expected until week 9 of pregnancy. However, it is unlikely that the mother-to-be will notice them.

Finally, from week 10 onwards, some of the baby's heartbeat can already be heard on ultrasound scans.


Common discomforts and how to relieve them

Every pregnancy is different. However, there are a series of symptoms that usually appear during the first trimester that you should be aware of:

Changes in your emotional state: It is normal that during the first few weeks many feelings come together. You will be immensely happy to start a unique stage with your partner. But, at the same time, you may feel a certain amount of stress.

  • How do you deal with the emotional ups and downs? The best thing to do is to open up to your partner and communicate your feelings. Talk to loved ones and people who have been through this situation to share their experiences. To relax, focus on your breathing whenever you feel upset. It may be a good time to practice meditation.

Fatigue: The body undergoes major changes during the first trimester of pregnancy. A woman's body requires a lot of energy because of the formation and implantation of the baby. In addition, much more progesterone is created than usual. The hormonal changes will make you feel tired and sleepy.

  • How to deal with fatigue? Eat a balanced and healthy diet to give your body more energy. Accept the situation and go to bed when your body asks you to. Whenever possible, take short naps. Don't forget to do some moderate sport to help you feel better.

Nausea: One of the most unpleasant symptoms of the first trimester is nausea. Some women don't even suffer from it, but there are also those who don't get rid of it until the last trimester. High hormone levels are the cause of a situation that can be felt at any time of the day and can cause dizziness and vomiting.

  • How to deal with nausea? Avoid leaving your stomach empty. Try to eat frequently, but don't eat a large meal. Drink plenty of water during the day and avoid high-fat foods. Ginger is also recommended to avoid nausea because of its anti-nausea properties.

Acne: Not only the freckles you had before pregnancy may increase in size and darken, but it is also common for pimples to appear due to the increased oil production of the sebaceous glands. 

  • How to deal with acne? Maintaining good skin hygiene is key to preventing and clearing up acne quickly during the first months of pregnancy. Wash your face a couple or three times a day and don't use greasy cosmetic products. If it is affecting you intensely, it is advisable to discuss this issue with a doctor so that he or she can prescribe appropriate medication.

Breast pain: The production of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone increases considerably from the first moment to develop the mammary glands. These glands are preparing to nourish the future baby. For some mothers, the change makes the breasts very sensitive and can cause pain due to rubbing against clothing.

  • How to deal with breast pain? Choose bras that do not squeeze and have as few seams as possible to avoid chafing.

Dizziness and headaches: During pregnancy, more blood circulates in the body and blood pressure can drop significantly. This can lead to episodes of dizziness. As for headaches, they are mainly caused by a drop in blood glucose levels.

  • How to deal with dizziness and headaches? For the first problem, try lying down with your legs bent upwards to improve blood flow and constantly hydrate yourself. For headache relief, make sure you eat enough meals throughout the day and exercise to improve circulation.

Nasal congestion: Even though it is not a health hazard for the mother, another common symptom during the first trimester is pregnancy rhinitis. The nasal passages become irritated and can lead to nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing and mucus. Nosebleeds are also more common. High hormone levels are thought to be the cause.

  • How to deal with pregnancy rhinitis? If the discomfort is mild, we recommend not to be alarmed. It will disappear in a few months. Just be more careful when blowing your nose. If you feel very uncomfortable, consult your doctor and he or she will prescribe oral decongestants and antihistamines.

The need to urinate: You will certainly have to go to the toilet more often. Your body is working harder than usual to form the foetus. In addition, there is more blood flow and the kidneys have to process more fluids than usual.

  • How to deal with the urge to urinate? Under no circumstances do you have to stop hydrating in order to go to the toilet less frequently. When you urinate, make sure you empty your bladder as much as possible by leaning forward. To avoid having to get up at night, drink more fluids in the morning and evening but not so much just before you go to bed.

 

All in all, some of these symptoms may affect you more than others. And some you may not even experience at all. The first trimester is full of changes and you have to accept that. There are many people who have experienced it who can accompany you during these intense weeks.