Your first pregnancy is an incredible experience that marks the start of an amazing journey that will forever change your life. We’re sure you’re eager to meet your first baby in a face-to-face encounter, but before this can happen, you and your body will have to go through some changes.
And, since change can be scary (even when it leads to such an amazing outcome), it’s important to know what to expect for the following months. For this, we’ll briefly go through the major changes and guide you through this exciting journey.
First Trimester (1 - 12 weeks)
While some signs are more common than others, every pregnancy is different (even for the same person). Still, you should feel some mild changes like abdominal and back cramps (similar to the ones you experience during your period), tender breasts, and morning sickness.
As the pregnancy progresses, you may notice a change in your dietary preferences. According to specialists, around 60% of pregnant women experience food cravings and taste aversion (foods you used to like or tolerate are a turn-off).
The first trimester is also the period when you may want to let close friends and family know about your pregnancy. In addition, you may even start to receive gifts from them, which can be helpful but can also leave you with more scented candles than you’ll ever need (the go-to gift people get when they don’t know what would be useful). So, to help them out, it’s a good idea to make a list of thoughtful pregnancy gifts for first-time moms - they’ll thank you for this!
Second Trimester (13 - 26 weeks)
The second trimester is (for many women) the easiest part of the pregnancy. You shouldn’t experience morning sickness any longer, and your belly will start to show (if it didn’t up until now).
You will also feel more energized and may even take on some pregnant fitness classes since physical activity helps reduce any discomfort. However, as the belly grows, you will start to feel more tired and achy. Also, due to hormonal changes, you may experience some darkening of the skin, hair growth (in unwanted places as well), and maybe hemorrhoids.
Third Trimester (27 - birth)
The third and last semester comes with the most changes in terms of weight gain, stretch marks, difficulty moving, and more. While it is the final stage of the pregnancy, many women feel like it’s also the longest because of the increasing discomfort.
You may also experience some anxiety mixed with the joy of soon meeting your new baby. After all, you both have to go through birth before the meeting. While it can be difficult, it is important to stay calm and talk about your fears and worries with your doctor and your partner. This is also a time to keep your loved ones close, as it will get increasingly more difficult to move around.
Wrap Up
Pregnancy is a time of change, but it’s also a time to take a step back and learn how to prioritize your personal life and well-being. Your little bundle of joy will need your full support for the first years of their life, and you must be prepared to shower them with love and affection.
