Pregnancy: All About the First Trimester

What changes to expect during week 0-13 of your pregnancy.

Congratulations, your journey to motherhood is underway! With the first realization that you're having a baby, together with uncomfortable morning sickness and erratic mood swings, your 1st trimester is a very exciting yet overwhelming stage of your pregnancy. Find out other changes to expect during this stage of pregnancy.

First Trimester: Week 0-13

Your Baby's Growth and Development

Your baby's growth rate is the most rapid during the 1st trimester. In fact, the 1st trimester is also one of the most crucial stages for your baby. It is during this period that the baby is most vulnerable to damage from drugs taken by the mother, or infections, like German measles, affecting the mother.

  Week 4: The embryo's spinal column, nerves, some blood vessel and the heart have started to form.

  Week 5: First heartbeats begin. Arm and leg buds appear.

  Week 6: Nostrils are formed. Brain and instestines grow.

  Week 7: Fingers and feet start to develop. Ears, eyes and nose appear. Teeth begin to develop beneath the gums.

  Week 8: Body grows. Cartilage and bones begin to form. Webbed fingers and toes appear.

  Week 9: Most basic development is complete and all major body systems have formed.

  Week 13: The baby's sexual organs develop.

  By the end of the 1st trimester, the baby is about 3.4" long and weighs about 43 grams.

Your Body's Changes

In early pregnancy, physical changes in your body are mainly due to elevated hormone production. It is quite common to feel increasingly tired and sleep as many as 12 hours a day.

In fact, the symptoms of early pregnancy closely resemble PMS and include acne, mood swings, cramps and especially swollen, tender breasts. Your breasts will grow and feel tender, due to the expanding milk ducts. The aerola (dark area around the nipple) begins to darken.

Frequent urination is normal due to hormonal changes and the increased pressure exerted on the bladder as the baby grows. Some women also experience increased vaginal discharge and irregular bowelmovements.

You may experience morning sickness, which can range from a slight upset stomach to nausea to vomiting. Nausea tends to be worse in the morning, but it can last all day. You may be repelled and nauseated by certain smells or foods and drinks. On the flip side, cravings for certain food can also occur.

Spider veins, which are thin veins visible at the surface of the skin, may begin to appear.

Your Emotional Changes

You may experience mood swings, ranging from the joy of having a baby to anxiety or depression from being exhausted and stressed. You may even have misgivings about your pregnancy at times, and experience bouts of weeping. All these feelings are normal, but do look to your partner for encouragement and understanding.

You may also have a heightened awareness of your body and its new shape. If you think you are becoming unattractive, it is important to share your fears with your spouse.

Apart from mood swings and thoughts about your new body shape, you also begin to think more about your baby and its wellbeing, and if you are working, how to balance career and family demands, and how the baby will affect your work productivity.

At the same time, your interest in sex may decrease due to fatigue and nausea.

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