728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Early Pregnancy › Trimester One

Trimester One

All About the First Trimester

By Teri Brown

Pages:  1  2  3  

"The first trimester involves a rapid rise in the hCG hormone, which triggers many different changes in a woman's body," says Dr. Imler. "It is common to experience nausea, dizziness, tender breasts, headaches and lower backaches throughout the first trimester."

According to Dr. Imler, the hormones generally increase throughout the first trimester and begin to level off during the second trimester. The increase in pregnancy hormones may cause a variety of first trimester changes and complaints including heartburn, weight changes, tender breasts or nausea.

"One physical change that occurs that most women are not aware of is an increase in the blood volume by approximately 40 to 50 percent," says Dr. Imler. "The increased blood volume is necessary to meet the demands of both you and your baby."

The Mood Fairy
Physical changes are not the only thing you can expect going into your first trimester. Mood swings are common and for some women they are the first indication of pregnancy.

"The first trimester is a challenging trimester because the body is changing rapidly and the rise in hormones can trigger so many different things, in particular, a shift in emotions and moods," says Dr. Imler.

Dr. Imler says the emotions experienced by women who are pregnant vary from woman to woman and even pregnancy to pregnancy.

"Whether a pregnancy is planned or unplanned, the first pregnancy or a subsequent pregnancy, women may experience myriad emotions including fear, shock, denial, excitement, joy, happiness or confusion, to just name a few," says Dr. Imlr. "Complications with a previous pregnancy often heighten sensitivity and fear during a second or subsequent pregnancy; similarly with a previous pregnancy loss. The dynamics of the relationship also plays a factor."


Pages:  1  2  3  

Want to see more?

Comments

Found 3 comments
Displaying all 3 comments below

Trimester One by Anonymous on 06/12/2009 06:18PM

i'm on child number 3 and find that this time around i stay tired and feel like a swollen balloon

Trimester One by Anonymous on 06/01/2009 06:21PM

I stay so tired all the time. ugh

Trimester One by Anonymous on 05/04/2009 11:25AM

Keep having mild cramping. I'm at the end of week 6. I know this is normal but once you miscarrage it is still bothersome!!

add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.