What Happens In The First Trimester Of Pregnancy?
The first trimester of pregnancy is full of exciting and emotionally charged developments. Though you may not look pregnant just yet- odds are, you’re feeling those pregnancy symptoms. During this trimester, a flood of pregnancy hormones is preparing your body to carry your baby for the next nine months.
You’ll feel everything from aches and pains to fatigue and nausea. Let’s not forget about that heightened sense of smell! While these symptoms aren’t a walk in the park, the temporary discomforts are all a part of a truly amazing process happening within your body: you’re growing a baby!
What happens during the first trimester?
The first trimester of pregnancy is defined as week 1 through the end of week 13 of pregnancy. It is a time of many new and exciting changes for both you and your growing baby. During this time, your baby will change from a single fertilized cell known as a zygote to the embryo that will implant itself in your uterine wall. In time, it will grow into a peach-sized bundle growing limbs and other important body systems. Organs begin to form and the baby will start to move. What else happens during this exciting time? Here are a few big changes:
Baby’s Bones: At around week 6 of pregnancy, your baby will begin to sprout arms, legs, hands, and feet. Fingers and toes will begin around week 10!
Hair and nails: Between weeks 5 and 8, your baby’s skin will begin to form. Hair follicles and nail beds begin to form around week 11.
Digestive System: By about week 8, your baby’s intestines will begin forming and your little one will have already gone through two sets of kidneys.
The first trimester of pregnancy is full of exciting and emotionally charged developments.
Touch: Believe it or not, by around week 8, your baby will develop touch receptors on his face (mostly lips and nose). By week 12, it will have receptors on palms and the soles of his feet!
Eyesight: By week 4 of pregnancy, the optic nerves and lenses begin to form. The retina forms around week 8.
Heart: By around week 5, the tube that becomes your baby’s heart will actually begin to beat spontaneously. It will only become stronger and more regular with time. Believe it or not, you’ll be able to heart your baby’s heartbeat at around week 9 or 10.
Brain: At around 8 weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s brain will start to wiggle your little one’s developing limbs.
A sense of taste: At around week 8, your baby will develop taste buds that connect to the brain. Of course, it will need taste pores before it can actually taste the surrounding amniotic fluid. Did you know that fluid will taste like your most recent meal?
First Trimester Changes For You
Much like your baby, your body will also undergo plenty of changes during the first trimester. A few of the most common early pregnancy symptoms experienced include:
-Morning sickness
-Tender Breasts
-Mood swings
-Fatigue
-A heightened sense of smell
-Dizziness or lightheadedness
-Cramping
Enjoy all of the miraculous changes during this first trimester of pregnancy and know that any discomfort is well worth it for your future little miracle!
