Help! It’s My First Trimester

The first twelve weeks of pregnancy is called the first trimester. It’s exciting, but challenging too.

The hormones in your body will be making you extra tired and maybe even a bit weepy. On top of that, you’ll also have loads of questions about what’s happening. To put your mind at rest here are the answers to some of the questions you might have.

Will I Get Morning Sickness?

Some women sail through their pregnancy without a hint of nausea, but many will experience some sickness. It doesn’t just happen in the mornings either. It can affect you throughout the day. The good news is that it normally disappears in the second trimester.

You might find that food and drinks you previously liked, now taste awful. You’ll just need to avoid these things until you start to feel better. Morning sickness will make you feel bad, but don’t worry it won’t have any negative effects on your baby.

Why Do I Feel So Tired? 

Again, this is thanks to your hormones. Your body is using up vast amounts of energy to support your pregnancy. Your blood pressure and sugar levels are lower than normal as well. This combination will make you feel fatigued but It gets better during the second trimester.

In your third trimester, you will feel tired again as your body prepares itself for the birth.

When will I have my First Scan?

You’ll have your first scan between 10 and 14 weeks. This is the scan that will give the doctor’s a better idea of your due date. Doctors will also be looking for any signs of Down’s Syndrome or any other genetic diseases. You may be offered an amniocentesis.

When Should I Start Doing Pelvic Floor Squeezes?

Around about week 9 you might find that you leak urine when you cough or sneeze. This is because the uterus is getting bigger and is starting to press on your bladder. If you do exercises which are called Kegels, you will make your pelvic muscles stronger and this will help prevent leaking urine and help when it’s time to give birth.

You do Kegels by squeezing your vagina as if you want to stop having a pee half way through. Hold the squeeze for a few seconds and then let go. You can do this as many times as you can. It’s easy to do even when you are sitting or lying down. Pelvic floor exercise

When will I start to ‘show?’

You’ll start putting on weight very quickly, but you probably won’t have a baby bump until around the 16-week mark. Be careful about eating the wrong foods. Don’t diet, but when your hungry try and stick to foods that are good for you and baby. This may be the best time to get your first Mother & Nature maternity rain jacket. The pair that with our active maternity pants.

When Should I Tell Them at Work?    

Tell them during your first trimester, especially if you have a job that involves exposure to chemicals or heavy lifting. You can also find out about maternity leave and discuss the choices you have. Possible pregnancy issues at work 

Is it Okay to Exercise?

Yes. It’s a good idea to keep fit during pregnancy. Walking is very beneficial and easy to do, even when you’re feeling tired. Swimming and dancing are also recommended. Stretching and yoga will help your muscle tone. Weight training will build up strength and stamina, but get professional advice if you’ve never done it before. Exercise in pregnancy 

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