Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms: What To Expect During Each Trimester

Pregnancy can be a mixed bag of emotions. Excitement, confusion, worry, stress and grief are all common emotions to experience. What doesn’t help though is the amount of information out there and how hard it can be to navigate. Your friends might say one thing, your mom might say another thing, and the internet might say something else! If you are confused on what to expect, here is a list of a couple of symptoms of pregnancy you might experience. We want you to feel empowered and informed when it comes to navigating your pregnancy. 

 

What Are the Earliest Signs of Pregnancy?

 

One of the earliest signs and symptoms of pregnancy is a missed period. Although this isn’t always a reliable indicator, as periods can sometimes be irregular, it’s one of the most common early signs that you may be pregnant. Other signs and symptoms can start as soon as conception occurs. This can look like fatigue or breast tenderness.  For some women, these early symptoms can appear within days after conception while for others they may take weeks.

 

First Trimester Symptoms: Weeks 4-6 

 

The first trimester can sometimes be the hardest as you and your body learn how to live with a growing fetus. You might not be able to see any outward differences in your body, but beneath the surface, a whole new body is forming. When you first get pregnant, your body experiences a rise in hormones such as hCG and progesterone, and it’s these hormones that are to blame for most common pregnancy symptoms. While these are common pregnancy symptoms, you may not necessarily experience all of them, and that’s not a bad thing! Here are a couple of signs of pregnancy you may want to watch out for in those early weeks. 

  • Missed period
  • Fatigue
  • Breast tenderness or soreness
  • Nausea or vomiting (also known as morning sickness)
  • Increased urination frequency
  • Food cravings and aversions to certain smells
  • Constipation, 
  • Headaches
  • Light spotting or bleeding
  • Cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Mood swings

 

Second Trimester Symptoms: Weeks 13-26 

 

The second trimester can be exciting, as it is the time your belly will start to grow bigger and your baby will start to move. You may experience physical symptoms like stretched skin, increased appetite, and swelling in your hands and feet. You may also experience mental and emotional symptoms, such as “nesting.” Nesting is a term used to describe a pregnant woman’s need to prepare for her baby. She may decorate the nursery, pay too much attention to diaper organization methods, and start to get carried away with cleaning the house. This can be exciting too, as your brain is starting to transition into a more maternal mindset. Other common pregnancy symptoms during the 2nd trimester include:

  • Increased energy levels
  • Growing, rounder abdomen
  • Weight gain due to baby’s growth and maternal water retention
  • Darkening of the areolas (the skin around the nipples)
  • Stretch marks on abdomen, breasts, hips, or buttocks
  • Itching on abdomen, palms, or soles of feet as skin stretches
  • Backache and abdominal pain caused by increased weight bearing down on muscles and ligaments
  • Heartburn
  • Leg cramps from hormonal changes in the body causing imbalances in electrolytes   
  • Heavier vaginal discharge that may have a slight odor
  • Possible Braxton Hicks contractions (irregular uterine tightening)

 

Third Trimester Symptoms: Weeks 27-40

 

The third trimester of pregnancy is often the most physically and emotionally challenging stage as the baby is growing and your body is beginning to prepare itself for labor. Whether you have enjoyed pregnancy or you’ve had a rough couple of months, it’s almost time for your baby to come! You might be feeling excited, nervous, ready, sad, unprepared or any other emotion as you get ready to meet your little one.  Here are some of the third trimester pregnancy symptoms you might experience during these final weeks:

 

  • Braxton Hicks contractions  
  • Increased urination frequency
  • Food cravings and aversions to certain smells
  • Fatigue due to the body working harder for oxygen and nutrients for the baby
  • Swelling in hands and feet
  • Backaches, headaches, constipation, or heartburn
  • Enlarged breasts and darkening of the areolas
  • Mood swings or emotional changes
  • Shortness of breath caused by pressure on internal organs

Of course, every pregnancy is different and not all pregnant women will experience all symptoms listed above.  You may even find yourself experiencing symptoms that are more “uncommon”. Pregnancy requires a lot of change to your body as it cares for your growing baby and prepares for labor. Pregnancy symptoms are not always pleasant, but there are small things you can do to help make yourself more comfortable throughout your pregnancy. 

 

Tips for Helping with Symptoms

 

During pregnancy, it’s important to take extra care of yourself. Simple lifestyle tips such as eating a balanced diet full of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients can help reduce fatigue and keep your body nourished. Getting adequate sleep at night and taking regular breaks during the day will help with energy levels and overall well-being. 

Additionally, staying hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day will help reduce swelling in your hands and feet. Regular exercise such as walking, yoga or swimming can also be beneficial for reducing stress levels as well as easing back pain and improving circulation. Lastly, creating an environment of emotional support during this time by seeking out family members or friends for comfort can be a great way to manage any mood swings or emotional changes you may experience. 

It can be a difficult and overwhelming experience to go through pregnancy (whether planned or unplanned). However, it is important to remember that all of the physical and emotional changes you may experience are natural parts of the process. We are here to help you through every stage of pregnancy, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

 

Not Sure if You’re Pregnant?

 

If you find yourself experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, and think you might be pregnant, the team at First Choice is here for you.  We offer free and confidential, lab-quality pregnancy testing as well as a free ultrasound to confirm pregnancy and viability (no insurance necessary). 

 

Call or visit us today! 

Request An Appointment

If you think you could be pregnant, please come in for a pregnancy test and to receive information about your options. All of our services are free of charge.

Pregnancy tests are the only service that can be scheduled online. STD screens and ultrasounds must be scheduled via phone or text.