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The first trimester takes you through to week 13. Our step by step guide takes you through what to expect at each step.
Your Pregnancy - Week 6
You
Congratulations! You have found out that you are expecting, although you may not really believe it just yet. No doubt you are feeling a sense of nervous excitement about the months ahead of you. Take time to talk to your partner and include them in your thoughts, they are probably feeling as nervous as you are. You may already be feeling physical changes with sore breasts (try sleeping in a soft cotton bra top for extra comfort) tiredness, frequent peeing and nausea.
Your Baby
Baby is busy already. Baby has grown to 5mm long, although baby is curled up like a bean shoot. Baby's larynx is starting to form, along with their inner ear. The lining of the placenta begins developing but the placenta will not take over production of the hormones until about week 12. Your baby's heart (which is starting to divide into the right and left chambers) is beating about 100 to 130 beats per minute - almost twice as fast as yours - and blood is beginning to circulate through baby's body. Baby's intestines are developing and tiny breathing passages are beginning to appear where their lungs will be. Baby is also starting to build muscle fibres and, halfway through this week, baby will likely start moving their tiny limbs.
Your Pregnancy - Week 7
You
It's more than likely you are going to have cravings. Often the stress of trying to resist can cause more harm than having that second Tim Tam with a hot chocolate chaser and pink marshmallow on the side. Make your motto "everything in moderation" and you'll stay healthy and happy all through your pregnancy.
It's important to take pre-natal vitamins as recommended but watch out for constipation. Sometimes the extra iron can cause you to become less regular. Try switching to another brand, however, if the problem continues to persist ask for professional advice.
Feelings of heartburn or indigestion can be relieved by eating smaller meals more regularly. If you find yourself snacking more than usual, try to stick to healthy options such as peanut butter and celery sticks, or apple and cheese. Begin taking folic acid even if you haven't already.
Your Baby
Baby is continuing their rapid growth phase and is now 1 cm long. Baby's skin is paper-thin and their veins are clearly visible.
Baby's teeth and the inside of their mouth are forming, and baby's ears continue to develop. Each eye has an optic cup, retina and lens and the tip of baby's nose is sprouting. Baby will go through three sets of kidneys, and is currently developing its second set. There's is an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. Baby's liver is busy producing red blood cells, and a loop of your baby's growing intestines is bulging into their umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from their tiny body. Baby is certainly on the move now but you won't be able to feel anything yet.
Your Pregnancy - Week 8
You
Exciting news! It's more than likely that you will be having your first appointment, this week. Be prepared with the questions you should ask your doctor or midwife (we've put together a 20 questions to ask your doctor list together for you). You probably won't remember all the answers from your first visit so it's worth keeping the list and asking your doctor or midwife to explain again, once you start to get a feel for this pregnancy thing and work out exactly what you don't know.
Your Baby
Baby is 1.5 cm long and their skeleton is starting to form. Their arms and legs have grown longer, with their elbows appearing and the process of ossification, or hardening of the bones beginning. Babies are measured from the crown (or top) of the head to the rump (or bottom) until about 20 weeks. After that, they're measured from head to toe. This is because baby's legs are curled up against their torso during the first half of pregnancy and very hard to measure. Your baby's hands and feet now have five ridges on each, separated by narrow grooves, making them appear webbed.
Your Pregnancy - Week 9
You
You may find yourself riding pregnancy's emotional roller coaster, feeling moody one day and joyful the next. Disturbing as this is to some women who pride themselves on being in control, what you are going through is normal and will probably continue throughout your pregnancy. Up and down emotions are partly caused by raging hormones.
Your skin needs a helping hand to survive pregnancy, too. It will become drier, and perhaps itchier, as your body loses much of its natural oils. It may be worthwhile switching to a moisturising bodywash and a gentle body moisturiser.
Your Baby
Your baby is almost fully developed and measures approximately 2.3cm long and weighs 2 grams. Your baby's tiny body is starting to make its first movements although it is unlikely that you will feel these yet. Baby's eyelids are fused and won't open until week 27. Baby's wrists are more developed, ankles have formed, and their fingers and toes are clearly visible. Baby's arms are growing longer and bend at the elbows. By week's end, the inner workings of baby's ears are complete. Though you can't identify the sex of the fetus by ultrasound, their genitals have begun to form.
Your Pregnancy - Week 10
You
Some women will have extreme bouts of nausea, while the lucky ones will scarcely have a trace. The might sight of certain foods may send you running, or else you just can't stop eating everything in sight. Be prepared for extreme swings in terms of your nausea, that way you won't be caught by surprise after a couple of "great I'm eating again days".
If you do have serious morning sickness, which is not uncommon, swap your big meal to the morning and east something light, such as a bowl of cereal for dinner.
Your Baby
Baby is still considered a foetus at this point. Baby is beginning to take on human features and looks more like a miniature person, but baby's head is still the largest part of all 3.1 cms of them. Baby weighs just 4 grams. Baby's arms and legs are short and thin, and curled up tight next to their body. In the coming weeks the rest of your baby's body will grow to be more in proportion to its head. Its skin is clear and see-through, so if you were to have a 4D ultrasound you could see the inner working of your baby too.
Your Pregnancy - Week 11
You
Already you may be seeing the physical signs of pregnancy. Bloating, swelling and being just plain old tired are not uncommon, even at this early stage. Your body is having a surge of hormones while it develops your baby, and retaining all sorts of fluids. And it's not just a small amount - your body is holding an extra 75 millimeters of fluid. With all of the work going on, you may be extremely tired and fatigued throughout the day, even when you have had a good night's sleep. Nap as often as you can and rest assured that this will pass with the first trimester.
It is very important for you to eat well, especially during the first trimester while your baby develops its essential systems. With a bad case of morning sickness, eating will be the last thing you will want to do, but don't worry, you can still eat well if you take it little by little. Choose foods that are high in protein, iron, folic acid and calcium. If you can't manage to get them all in each day, make sure to take pre-natal vitamins. Take the vitamins at a time during the day when you feel the least sick and aren't likely to throw up.
Your Baby
Baby is now 4.1cm from crown to rump and weighs 7 grams. Baby's placenta is beginning to produce and deliver all of the hormones needed for their development.
Baby's placenta will also grow slightly in size as she grows. The placenta is full of fluids such as hormones, blood and antibodies that circulate to your baby while it grows. Your baby is forming their organs, skeletal system and muscles, but they won't have any significant weight for several weeks yet. From week 16 onwards, you will feel those muscles working as that's when baby begins to kick.
Your Pregnancy - Week 13
You
Having pains in your abdomen this week may be common. Your abdomen will begin expanding, and when it does, the muscles tissues and ligaments need to stretch too. This stretching may occur quickly and cause you some pain, especially if this is your first pregnancy. To prevent sharp pains across your lower belly, move more slowly and reduce your physical activity until they have stretched comfortably. You should avoid sit-ups during exercise for the duration of your pregnancy.
You may find your vaginal discharge increases with pregnancy. This is partly due to an increase in estrogen production and greater blood flow to the vaginal area. Wearing panty liners may help to make you feel more comfortable.
Keep a dream journal. During pregnancy your dreams will be so much more vivid so keep a record in your pregnancy journal.
Your Baby
Your baby increases their growth spurt. Baby is 7.4cm long from crown to rump and weighs 23 grams. Baby's intestines will emerge from the umbilical cord and will shift into the stomach cavity. Baby's intestines won't be in their proper place for a few more weeks but are getting there. When they do move into the correct position, they will remain fairly empty until the end of the pregnancy. Fluid will flow through baby's system and will be filtered through the kidneys and bladder as urine.
