The first trimester is a whirlwind of crazy physical and emotional changes. You may not show at all, you may or may not have symptoms and it can all feel a little surreal. You may wonder: what are the signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester? And how do you know everything is progressing well?
First, let’s back up and remember, your body is growing, your hormones are shifting and your brain is working overtime trying to mentally prepare that you could be welcoming your baby into the world in a matter of months. With all of these changes happening, it can feel very overwhelming, so it’s totally okay to have a million questions running through your mind. And if you’ve experienced pregnancy loss in the past, you may have increased anxiety.
To name a few: Is this part of a healthy pregnancy? Is my pregnancy progressing at the rate it should be? How do I know my baby is growing? Asking these questions is normal, but having an understanding of signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester can help ease your mind.
Your checkups with your doctor can help answer a lot of these questions and look out for the signs that your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester, but you’re not with your doctor 24/7. Between appointments, you might experience some new symptoms that you didn’t discuss with your doctor. It’s easy to ask “doctor Google” and get carried away, causing unneeded anxiety. Some of the symptoms you’ll experience are actually a sign that you’re working towards a healthy pregnancy.
“As a doula, I understand how challenging the first trimester can be with symptoms like nausea, fatigue, sore breasts, gas, bloating and frequent urination often kicking in around six weeks, driven by rising hCG levels. If your test is negative, your OB or midwife might recommend bloodwork a few times to check if your hCG levels are increasing as expected. These signs are all normal, and understanding them can help you navigate these early stages with confidence,” Liza Maltz explained.
One important disclaimer before we move forward: While we all wish we could get a daily ultrasound to check on our baby’s progress and health, unfortunately, there is no perfect measure of a pregnancy. This means you can have a healthy pregnancy and not have any symptoms or feel pregnant at all. You could also barely be able to get out of bed—and also have a healthy pregnancy. Remember, each pregnancy is unique, and if you’re ever concerned or worried, don’t hesitate to reach out to your medical provider and/or doula.
In this article, we’ll break down some of the common signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester.
- Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms
- Fetal Development Milestones
- When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms
As your body adjusts to being pregnant, you can expect to experience several symptoms. But don’t worry; these are all common and, more importantly, completely normal. While they aren’t a guarantee of a healthy pregnancy, they are a good indicator your hormones and body are changing to support the growing fetus. Also, you may not have any of these symptoms—and also be right on track. Generally speaking though, these are some symptoms or signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester:
- Missed period: This is the first telltale sign that you are pregnant!
- Tender or swollen breasts: After you become pregnant, your body has to adjust to several hormonal changes. These shifts can cause your breasts to become sore, swollen or sensitive. Don’t worry! As your pregnancy progresses, this discomfort will likely relieve itself. Your body just needs time to adjust.
- Exhaustion: Experiencing fatigue is very common during your first trimester. As your progesterone levels rise, which helps your uterine lining thicken to help your baby grow, you’ll probably feel more tired. That’s why rest is super important! Take naps or lie down if you’re feeling fatigued throughout the day.
- Increased urination: When you’re pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases. This can lead to your kidney having to process extra fluid, meaning you might have to visit the bathroom more often.
- Morning sickness: You might find yourself vomiting or feeling like you’re on a boat 24/7, and while the common term suggests that it will happen in the morning, it can happen at any time of the day.
- Heartburn: The many hormone changes that occur during your first trimester can also affect your digestive system, leading to stomach acid leaking into your esophagus, which can cause heartburn.
- Constipation: As we said, your digestive system is affected during pregnancy. You might experience constipation or fewer bowel movements. Your uterus and baby growing can place more pressure on your bowels, so it’s recommended that you eat plenty of fiber to help.
- Cravings: You’ve probably heard about all sorts of weird cravings pregnant women have. You might crave different foods from pickles and ice cream to extra spicy food. On the other hand, you could also experience strong dislikes towards foods.
If you’re experiencing some or all of these, remember that they vary from woman to woman—and from pregnancy to pregnancy. You might have a friend who is having a smooth first trimester with just a bit of heartburn here and there. But you might be throwing up left and right.
Both situations are normal and signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester. 59 percent of women experience pregnancy symptoms by their fifth or sixth week of pregnancy. By week eight, that number is 89 percent. If you’re not experiencing any symptoms, that’s also completely normal. Whatever you’re feeling (or not feeling) is expected.
Fetal Development Milestones
Even though you might be experiencing many symptoms, you might worry more about the baby you’re growing. Unless you’ve had a history of pregnancy loss, you likely won’t visit your doctor until week eight of your pregnancy. If you see that positive test around week three or four, it may be excruciating to wait it out, but your body is doing a lot of work during those weeks. If you have increased anxiety or you’d like tests sooner to help ensure your body is supporting your pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider to be seen sooner.
Even though they are still super tiny, there’s so much happening for their development. Below is a timeline of some key milestones in fetal development during your first trimester.
Week 1 and 2:
- It’s weird to think about, but during your 40 weeks of pregnancy—you’re technically not actually pregnant during that first week. Pregnancy is measured from day one of your last period, so before you conceive. Conception usually occurs roughly two weeks after your last period.
Week 3:
- Now, we’re at fertilization! Your egg and the sperm will connect in your fallopian tube, creating a zygote. It has 23 chromosomes from your DNA and 23 from the sperm. These will help create your baby’s gender and their physical traits. After this, your baby will travel to the uterus, where it will grow for several months.
Week 4:
- Your baby becomes a cluster of cells, with the inner group of those cells being the embryo.
Week 5:
- Your embryo is growing! It now has an outer layer that will become its skin, eyes, inner ears and nervous systems. The middle layer will form the heart, bones, kidneys and circulatory system. The inner layer will form the lungs and intestines.
Week 6 to 12:
- There’s so much happening for your baby during these weeks, including your baby having its first heartbeat. In week six, your baby’s brain and spinal cord will start to develop and so will its heart and other organs. It’s also beginning to form that C-shaped curve or fetal position. By weeks seven and eight, the baby’s head had started to grow along with its lip and nose. In week nine, your baby’s toes, arms, and elbows appear; by week ten, the elbows can bend. During this week, your umbilical cord will be clearly visible. In weeks 11 and 12, your baby’s genitals will develop and its fingers will start to grow fingernails. By week 11, your baby can officially be described as a fetus.
All of these milestones are what make your first trimester so magical—but also so critical. Each development, from your baby’s first heartbeat to the formation of its organs, is an essential step towards making sure your baby is healthy and growing at a good pace. Knowing signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester can help reassure you as you navigate the uncertainties of pregnancy. While you might not be able to see these changes, trust in yourself and your body that it’s providing the best home for your baby to grow in.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
While we’ve mentioned that many first-trimester symptoms are completely normal, there are some signs that may need medical attention. Below is a list of concerning symptoms that warrant medical attention:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever that won’t subside
- Rapid weight gain or too little weight gain
- Strong dizziness
- Fainting
- Severe abdominal pain
- Heavy bleeding
Dr. Melissa Dennis, a board-certified OB/GYN, explained that it’s especially important that you attend all of your prenatal visits so they can check your health and your baby’s development. During these appointments, your healthcare team can also make sure you’re maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing your stress.
“I firmly believe that prevention is key during pregnancy, so the more support you can get, whether it’s from a registered dietitian, a perinatal mental health specialist, a birth doula or a pelvic physical therapist, the better off you’ll be in the long run,” Dennis explained. “Birthing parents who are able to adopt healthy habits have better maternal health outcomes. This includes a reduction in preventable c-section rates by 40 percent, reduced rates of postpartum anxiety and depression, improved birth satisfaction scores and improved breastfeeding success rates “
As you journey through pregnancy, remember that there are several signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester. Morning sickness, nausea, swollen breasts, increased urination, exhaustion, heartburn, constipation, cravings, and, of course, a missed period are all completely normal symptoms you may experience, keyword: may. Remember, that’s also normal if you’re not experiencing any of these. Ensure you drink plenty of water and fluids, take your prenatal vitamins, eat balanced meals, and have regular prenatal checkups.
Working towards a healthy pregnancy can be overwhelming, especially in those first few weeks. Remind yourself that every pregnancy is unique. No woman has the exact same experience as another. Trust that your body is doing what it needs to do, look out for the signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester and don’t hesitate to lean on your loved ones and healthcare team if you need it.
