The first trimester of pregnancy

What to expect in the early stages of pregnancy

If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant, you may be full of questions about what happens next. Here you’ll find lots of useful information to help you get your pregnancy off to the best possible start, including advice about exercising and keeping fit and what to eat while you’re pregnant.

If you have any questions or niggles, no matter how silly they seem, feel free to give us a call – that’s what we’re here for!

First trimester: Your baby’s development week by week

Amazing things are happening inside your body. Click on any week and discover how your baby’s developing, how your body’s changing as well as some fascinating facts about your pregnancy.

Your baby's development week by week

Click on any week to find out how your baby is changing, learn more about some of the things you might be experiencing, and discover some fascinating facts about your pregnancy.

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Food and drink during labour

How long is the first trimester?

Your first trimester lasts 12 weeks in total, and starts from the first day of your last period. This means that by the time you’ve taken a pregnancy test and had a positive result, you could already be five or six weeks pregnant.

Diarrhoea in the first trimester

All of the hormonal changes your body goes through during the first trimester can affect your digestive system, and unfortunately diarrhoea can be a common side effect. It’s all part and parcel of pregnancy so try not to worry. It’s a good idea to drink plenty of water if you can until the symptoms pass, because diarrhoea can leave you dehydrated. And of course, if you have any questions or concerns, speak to a pharmacist or your GP.

Bleeding and cramps in the first trimester

Light bleeding, spotting and cramps are very common during early pregnancy and are usually no cause for alarm. However, if you experience any heavy bleeding, or cramps that feel stronger than period pains, it’s best to give your GP a call, just to be on the safe side.

Weight gain in the first trimester

While some women so no sign of extra weight for months, others put on weight from the get-go. Whichever camp you fall into, try not to stress about it. The reality is that every woman puts on extra weight during pregnancy – you can thank all the extra litres of bodily fluids, the increasing size of your uterus and breasts and the small human you’re growing for that!

Pregnancy weight gain is different for everybody – and for every pregnancy for that matter. We’ve got lots of information to help you understand a bit more about weight gain in pregnancy and what to expect.

Flying in the first trimester

Flying during your first trimester is totally up to you. While it’s perfectly safe to fly during the first three months (and beyond!), if you’re feeling nauseous and sick or tired and low on energy, you might prefer to give travelling a miss.