The first trimester of pregnancy is a big adjustment period for every woman. Not only will you begin preparing your life and your home for a new little one, your body also begins to go through a number of changes as it creates a nurturing environment for the growing baby.

This physical change evidences itself differently for each woman. Some women will feel healthy and strong as they increase their nutrition intake and healthy habits for pregnancy, while others will have symptoms from the hormonal and physical changes in their body.

Call your doctor if you experience:

• Significant bleeding
• Severe abdominal pain
• Urinating only small amounts of liquid or urine that’s dark in color
• Rapid weight gain, or not enough weight gain
• Severe dizziness

Changes to your body

During the first trimester, some women will experience the following changes:

Breast tenderness

Hormone changes that occur during the first part of a pregnancy often cause a woman’s breasts to feel sore or tender as they are prepared to produce milk. This is usually the earliest indicator of pregnancy.

Wearing a support bra or a larger bra size can help ease some of the discomfort.

Weight gain

It’s good for a woman to gain a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy. However, most women only need an extra 150-300 calories (from nutritious sources) a day and will gain less than 10 pounds in the first trimester.

If rapid (or not enough) weight gain occurs, contact your doctor to adjust your diet.

Change in eating habits

Women often experience food cravings and food aversions. A woman’s taste buds can actually change during pregnancy. Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet is an important part of having a good pregnancy, so make sure to monitor food intake.

A condition called pica, a craving for non-food items, may occur during the first trimester and can be dangerous. If you experience pica, discuss it with your doctor.

Symptoms & side effects of pregnancy

During the first trimester, a woman may also experience:

Morning sickness (nausea)

One of the most common – and well-known – first-trimester pregnancy symptoms is morning sickness. Nausea can range from mild and infrequent to extreme and constant, and can be worse in the morning.

Bland foods, water or light-colored juices, and lying down can help calm nausea. Contact your doctor if you’re having a hard time keeping food down because it can negatively impact the baby’s nutrition intake.

Fatigue

Since a pregnant woman’s body has to invest a lot of energy into the developing baby, you may feel more tired than usual. Resting as needed, as well as increasing iron intake, will help you feel better.

Dizziness

Increased blood flow during pregnancy can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. You can generally prevent dizziness by avoiding long periods of standing and rising slowly after sitting or lying down. If you experience severe dizziness, it may indicate a problem, so contact your doctor.

Mood swings & strong emotional response

Hormones and fatigue during pregnancy can cause a change in a woman’s moods. These can run the gamut from extremely happy to depressed, scared, or angry. Emotional responses to the many expected life changes a baby brings can also cause anxiety or stress.

Talking about how you’re feeling – with your partner, family, or friend – will help manage your mood. Additionally, communicating with your partner about your upcoming role as parents and other changes will help address any worries or fears either of you have, and can help strengthen your relationship.

Bleeding

Some women experience spotting or slight bleeding in early pregnancy. This is normal, and often indicates the newly fertilized embryo has implanted in the uterus and has begun developing.

However, if the bleeding is significant (similar to a woman’s menstrual cycle) – especially when accompanied by sharp pain or cramping – it could signal a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (when the embryo implants in the fallopian tube instead of dropping to the uterus). If you experience heavy bleeding, call your doctor immediately.

Discharge

During the first trimester, many women have a white discharge (leucorrhea), which is normal. You can wear a light day pad to catch the discharge. However, if the discharge is clear, greenish or yellow, or has a bad smell, call your doctor.

Frequent urination

A woman’s uterus expands as the baby grows. Even in the first trimester, this can put pressure on the bladder, which can cause the feeling of always needing to urinate. It’s important to continue drinking liquids, although cutting down on caffeine will lessen the urge to urinate.

As soon as you do feel the need to urinate, you should go as soon as possible to avoid infection.

Constipation

During your first trimester, the production of the hormone progesterone is increased and women taking prenatal vitamins will also have higher levels of iron. The combination can cause constipation, gas, and bloating.

Increasing your intake of fiber and liquids – or taking mild laxatives for more severe cases – can help alleviate these symptoms.

Heartburn

Increased progesterone production causes smooth muscles to relax, affecting the esophagus, which helps keep food and acids down. This can cause acid reflux (heartburn). Waiting to lie down right after meals; eating smaller, more frequent meals; and avoiding greasy, spicy or acidic foods will help you avoid heartburn.

As your body settles into the changes of pregnancy, the symptoms associated with the first trimester begin to fade away and the baby begins to grow rapidly.

The second trimester is often the most pleasant for women. However, changes within the body are still occurring and can cause certain symptoms.

Contact your doctor if you experience:

• Bleeding
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Rapid or too little weight gain (consult your doctor for proper weight ranges)
• Severe dizziness

Changes in your body

During the second trimester, a woman’s body can undergo the following changes:

Breast enlargement

Your breasts will continue to grow in the second trimester as your body prepares for the baby, but most of the tenderness from the first trimester should be wearing off. Wearing a supportive bra can help ease any discomfort.

Appearance of your “baby bump”

During the second trimester, your uterus will begin expanding – sometimes rapidly – to make room for the growing baby. You will gain weight and your belly will begin to show and become rounder as the baby grows.

“Quickening”

During the second trimester, the baby will begin stirring – a very delicate movement called “quickening.” This activity can happen early or very late in the second trimester.

Skin changes

Hormone levels during pregnancy can cause a woman’s skin to appear flushed or glow. Increased melanin can also lead to the skin browning, as well as a dark line to appear down the abdomen – all of which should disappear when the baby is born.

Your skin can also increase in sensitivity to the sun, so be sure to wear sunscreen when going outdoors. Thin red or purple lines may also develop, as well as stretch marks, which should fade after delivery.

Weight gain

Normal weight gain during the second trimester should be around 1 pound a week. As your appetite steadies, you should monitor your calorie intake to moderate your weight gain.

Increased hair growth

Hormone changes can cause increased hair growth – both thickened hair growth in normal locations, and hair growth in new locations, such as the face, back and arms.

Symptoms & side effects

During the second trimester you may also experience:

Backache

During the second trimester, increased weight gain from the baby’s growth can cause your back to ache or become sore. You can ease the pain by sitting up straight in a supportive chair, sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs, wearing comfortable shoes, and avoiding picking up anything heavy.

Lessened urge to urinate

During the second trimester, the uterus rises – giving a brief period of relief to the bladder and lessening the urge to urinate.

Headache

Headaches are common for pregnant women, which can be helped with rest and relaxation (such as techniques like deep breathing).

Dizziness

Pregnancy can cause a drop in blood pressure, which can be accompanied by dizziness. To lessen this symptom, rise slowly after sitting or lying down, drink extra liquids, and lie on your left side to help increase blood pressure.

Discharge

White vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) is normal earlier in pregnancy. You can wear a panty liner to catch the discharge. However, if the discharge is yellow, green, clear, bloody, or foul smelling, you should contact your doctor.

Heartburn with constipation

Increased hormone production causes smooth muscles to relax, affecting the esophagus (which helps keep food and acids down). This can cause acid reflux (heartburn). Waiting to lie down right after meals; eating smaller, more frequent meals; and avoiding greasy, spicy or acidic foods will help you avoid this symptom.

Congestion or nosebleeds

Changes in hormones can cause the lining of your nose to become swollen, which can cause snoring, a stuffy nose, and nose bleeds. Using saline drops (or other natural methods) and a humidifier can help. If a nosebleed occurs, apply pressure to the nostrils for a few minutes and keep your head straight until the bleeding stops.

Leg cramping

You may experience leg cramps, particularly at night, during the second trimester. Staying active, stretching your calf muscle, and drinking enough fluids can help prevent cramping. If you experience leg cramps, you can take a warm shower or bath or massage your legs to help the cramping go away.

Bleeding gums

Because of hormone changes, some women develop sensitive gums that can bleed easily. Using a softer toothbrush and being gentle while flossing will help, and the condition usually goes away after the baby is born.

Varicose and spider veins

Varicose veins – swollen veins that appear blue from pressure from the abdomen – may develop during the second trimester, but usually clear a few months after delivery. To prevent varicose veins from worsening during pregnancy, you should move throughout the day, as well as prop your legs up when sitting for long periods.

Thin red veins – called spider veins – may also develop due to increased blood flow, but also generally clear up after delivery.

Hemorrhoids

Veins around the anus can become swollen and discolored (varicose veins) during pregnancy as extra blood begins flowing and the uterus grows and puts pressure in the abdomen. Hemorrhoids can be itchy and cause discomfort, which can be relieved by sitting in a warm bath, or hemorrhoid ointment (if advised by the doctor).

The third trimester of pregnancy can often be the most challenging for women. As the baby finishes growing, your body begins preparing for delivery and many of the light affects of pregnancy during the second trimester make way for more intense changes.

Contact your doctor if you experience:

• Bleeding (this could signal preterm labor or other serious problems)
• Severe dizziness, abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, or vomiting
• Rapid weight gain or too little weight gain
• Pain or burning during urination (this could be a sign of a urinary tract infection)

Changes in your body during the third trimester

During the third trimester, your body can undergo the following changes:

Breast enlargement

Close to the baby’s due date, your breasts will have become enlarged and may begin discharging a yellowish substance from the nipples. This is called colostrum, which will nourish the baby during the first few days of life. Breast enlargement can cause back pain, so it’s important to wear a supportive bra.

Swelling

Mild swelling due to water retention may occur in the ankles, hands and face during the third trimester. Elevating your feet when sitting or sleeping can be helpful. If you experience sudden swelling, call your doctor right away – it could mean a pregnancy complication called preeclampsia.

Weight gain

It is normal to gain ½ to 1 pound a week during your last trimester (consult with your doctor about your target weight gain range). This weight includes the baby’s weight, placenta, breast tissue, increased blood flow, amniotic fluid and other fluid.

Symptoms & side effects

During the third trimester, you may also experience:

Backache

From all the extra weight put on through pregnancy, your back may feel sore or achy. Additionally, your pelvis and hips may also feel uncomfortable due to the ligaments loosening in preparation for labor. To ease achiness, sit up straight, sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs, wear comfortable shoes, and use a heating pad on the achy area (as needed).

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common experience during the last few months of pregnancy, caused by carrying extra weight, difficulty sleeping, and emotional aspects of preparing for the baby’s arrival. Exercising, eating healthy, napping and taking time to relax can help maintain your energy through the day.

Frequent urination

The baby becomes much larger during the last trimester and can put a lot of pressure on your bladder. This causes the need to urinate much more often than usual, including throughout the night (which can also cause fatigue). Additionally, leaking may occur when you laugh, sneeze, cough or exercise. Wear a panty liner to absorb leakage, and limit fluid intake before bed to keep nighttime bathroom trips at a minimum.

Shortness of breath

As the baby grows, the uterus rises to the bottom of the rib cage, taking up some of the space where the lungs normally expand. This can cause shortness of breath. Propping your head and shoulders up at night and exercising can help with difficulty breathing.

Heartburn

Increased production of the hormone progesterone can stimulate the esophagus, which helps keep food and acids down, to relax. This can cause acid reflux (heartburn). Waiting to lie down after meals; eating smaller, more frequent meals; and avoiding greasy, spicy or acidic foods will help you avoid heartburn.

Constipation

Extra progesterone can also cause constipation. Introducing more fiber and liquids into your diet will help symptoms.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Toward the end of your pregnancy, you may begin to feel slight or intense contractions as you near your delivery date. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions, which may lead to labor and actual contractions – marked by an increase in intensity and frequency. If you feel regular and intense contractions, you may be in labor and should call your doctor.

Discharge

Close to your due date, you might have a clear, thick, or blood-tinted discharge that indicates the cervix has begun dilating for labor. If this flow is heavy and soaks through a panty liner, you should call your doctor. A large amount of sudden discharge probably means your water has broken, signaling the beginning of labor (this does not often happen before contractions begin).

Anemia

Abnormally low blood cell or hemoglobin (a protein that contains iron) levels can slow the baby’s growth or induce preterm labor. Iron supplements can help treat anemia.

Gestational diabetes

A pregnant woman may develop diabetes during pregnancy that lasts until after the baby is born. Monitoring blood sugar levels and healthy eating habits will help manage gestational diabetes.

Hemorrhoids

Veins around the anus can become swollen and discolored (varicose veins) during pregnancy as extra blood begins flowing and the uterus grows and puts pressure on surrounding areas. Hemorrhoids can itch and cause discomfort. To relieve symptoms, it helps to sit in a warm bath. If hemorrhoids become problematic, ask your doctor if you should use hemorrhoid ointment.

Varicose and spider veins

Varicose veins are blue, swollen veins caused by pressure from the abdomen. If varicose veins appear, you can prevent them from worsening by moving throughout the day, propping your legs up when sitting for long periods and wearing support hose.

Thin red veins – called spider veins – may also develop due to increase blood flow. These tend to get worse during the third trimester, but both spider and varicose veins usually clear after the baby is born.