Your pregnancy is a journey that can fill you with joy, anticipation and a lot of questions. Each trimester of pregnancy will bring new questions and concerns about your health, the tests you might need and how you and your baby are doing. Whether you're planning to get pregnant, newly expecting, a first-time mom or you've been previously pregnant, this guide is for you.
What Are the 3 Trimesters of Pregnancy Called?
Trimesters refer to the three segments or stages of pregnancy, during which your baby develops from an embryo into an infant ready to be born. Every pregnancy is unique, and yours will not be the same as other women's. Regularly visiting your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) can help you get a clear picture of your unborn baby's and your health. Here's what you need to know about the pregnancy trimesters:
First Trimester (Weeks 1–13)
The first 13 weeks of your pregnancy mark the first trimester. It starts on the first day of your last period until the end of week 12. During this time, the fertilized egg rapidly divides into layers of cells and settles in the wall of your uterus, where it will continue growing. The first trimester is when your baby is developing his or her major organs so that by the 6th week, a heartbeat can be heard, and his or her bones, muscles and other organs have formed by the end of the first trimester. By the 12th week, your baby will have working eyelids and visible sex organs. An ultrasound is a test you'll need during this trimester so your doctor can have a look at your baby's early development.
Pregnancy symptoms in the first month are usually due to fluctuating hormones. You may start feeling morning sickness and find the word "morning" misleading since this pregnancy sign can happen at any time of day. Manage morning sickness by avoiding spicy and greasy foods. Consume plenty of fluids and opt for protein-rich foods and complex carbs in smaller, more frequent meals. Call your doctor if you cannot keep food or liquids down. You may also feel fatigued since your body is adjusting to the growing baby, so get as much rest as possible.
Ask your doctor about taking iron supplements, as anemia during pregnancy is often a cause of fatigue. This is because the amount of blood in your body increases by up to 30%, meaning your body will need more iron and vitamin supplies to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that delivers oxygen in your body's cells. Mild anemia is normal, but more severe anemia can put your unborn baby at higher risk for developing anemia later in infancy and can also increase the risk of blood loss during childbirth. Your doctor may be able to help manage your anemia.
Hormonal changes may also give you headaches. You may have sore, tender breasts, mood swings and cravings. The first trimester is a good time to start learning more about breastfeeding and the various health benefits it offers for both mothers and babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6-month age of your infant.
Second Trimester (Weeks 13–28)
Many women report feeling much better in this trimester when they're no longer feeling queasy (in most cases). Morning sickness may lessen, and breast tenderness and fatigue usually ease up. Your baby and your abdomen are growing, which may feel achy, especially in your back. Your skin is stretching and can itch. Swelling of the face, feet and fingers is normal but if you have extreme swelling and/or gain weight quickly, tell your doctor, as this can be a preeclampsia sign.
During the second trimester, your doctor will order you to take a glucose screening test, which is usually done at the end of the second trimester. This aims to see if you have gestational diabetes. As for your baby, his or her bones and muscles continue to form. The baby also develops a sucking reflex, and you may start feeling him or her moving around. Your baby can hear and swallow and has developed a coating called vernix and fine hair (lanugo) that protect their brand-new skin. By the end of this trimester, the baby's bone marrow is busy making red blood cells. The baby will also begin to develop regular sleep/wake cycles.
Third Trimester (Week 28 to Birth)
The home-stretch trimester is, in some ways, more relaxing (because it's all about the baby putting on weight to get ready for birth). You'll feel more forceful movements (usually kicks) from your baby. After about 37 weeks, baby is ready to be born! The third trimester can be far less relaxing because it's harder to move around easily and sleep well. But you're almost there! During this time, you may experience backaches, frequent urination and other uncomfortable signs as your baby takes up more room in your body.
Your baby's weight pressing on your rectum and perineum, plus increased blood volume, leaves you more likely to become constipated, which can lead to hemorrhoids. The baby is also pressing on your bladder, making you need to pee more often. You may have heartburn or even feel labor contractions (often false but call your doctor to be sure). Late in pregnancy, usually 35-37 weeks (about 8 and a half months) you'll have a test for group B strep (GBS), a common infection that, if you have it, can be passed to your baby during childbirth.
What Is Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care includes medical screenings, education, regular exams, counseling and support that you'll need to help ease you throughout your pregnancy journey. Early and regular prenatal health checks can increase your chances of having a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Why Is Prenatal Care Important?
Doctors can help spot health problems during your pregnancy, allowing them to treat you as early as possible. During the first prenatal visit, here are some things your doctor will do:
- Ask about your health or medical history, including diseases, prior pregnancies or any prior surgery.
- Ask about your family's medical history.
- Do a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap smear.
- Take your urine and blood for lab work.
- Check your height, weight and blood pressure.
- Estimate your due date.
Take this time to ask questions and discuss any concerns related to your pregnancy and how to stay healthy. Your following prenatal visits may be shorter, as your doctor will check on your health and your baby's development. Most prenatal visits will include:
- Measuring your abdomen to check your baby's growth
- Measuring your weight gain
- Checking your blood pressure
- Checking your baby's heart rate
Your doctor may also order routine tests while you're pregnant, including blood work to check your blood type, anemia, HIV and more. Talk to your doctor to learn more details about prenatal care and tests you may need.
Schedule Your Appointment
Receive the pregnancy care you deserve so your baby has a healthy and safe entry into the world. Contact Valley Baptist Health System at 956-394-1316 to schedule an appointment. We offer pregnancy and childbirth services near Brownsville and Harlingen, TX.
