FIRST TRIMESTER:
Week 0 – 12
You: For some of this time you may not even know you are pregnant, and once you find out (usually around week 5), it will probably take you a while to absorb the monumental news. Be prepared for a wide range of emotions, from joy to fear to total overwhelm. You wonât âlookâ pregnant, and you may choose to keep everything a secret or just between you and your partner for the time being â although there is no rule about waiting and you might be bursting to tell everyone! As you get further into your first âtrimesterâ, you might find you begin to experience a range of new feelings and âsymptomsâ, from the less glamorous such as bloating, constipation and indigestion, to the more mysterious, such as cravings, a heightened sense of smell, and a new tendency to sob during cheesy TV dramas.
Your baby: From the moment of conception to 12 weeks is a huge journey for your developing baby, as it grows from a tiny ball of cells called a blastocyst, to embryo, to fetus. In simple terms it starts out smaller than a grain of sand and by week 12 is around the size of a plum. At this point the fetus is starting to look more âhumanâ, and even has fingernails and a very tiny heartbeat.
Key scans / tests etc: During this time you will âbook inâ with your midwife, and at around 12 weeks you will be offered your first ultrasound scan. Sometimes known as the âdating scanâ, this will give you an estimated due date and also check your baby is growing and developing as they should. If itâs twins or multiples, this scan will give you this news. You can also choose to have the âcombined testâ at this time, which calculates the chance of your baby having Downâs Syndrome, and two other more complex syndromes called Edwardâs and Patauâs.
NOW IS THE TIME TOâŚ
REST
Listen to your body. Itâs doing something completely amazing. Listen to your mind. Itâs probably working overtime too! There is a lot to take in which in itself can be exhausting. Try to really mother yourself, with lots of nutritious meals, early nights and plenty of whatever makes you feel calm and nurtured. Pay attention to your emotions and your mental health too, and seek extra support if you need to.
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