Expecting your first child can be exciting and scary. Your body changes as your baby grows, and you might not understand what\u2019s happening or why. On top of that, there\u2019s the stress of not getting timely appointments with a doctor when you need care. Below are some common symptoms that can develop from your first trimester to your third during a first-time pregnancy. Keep in mind that some of these may continue throughout your pregnancy or reappear in another trimester.<\/p>\n
The good news is you\u2019ve come to the right place to learn how to get help and what to expect throughout your pregnancy. Maple<\/a> is a virtual care platform with Canadian-licensed doctors<\/a> available online, 24\/7. While you should always be in touch with your gynecologist or obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) throughout your pregnancy, you might be unable to reach them or your family doctor for symptoms like heartburn, constipation, and more. These can make an already challenging time even more difficult.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re feeling unwell in the middle of the night or need to see a doctor on the weekend, you can rest easy knowing a general practitioner from our hand-picked network of doctors is available online in minutes, any time.<\/p>\n While you may not be showing much yet, the first trimester is the most crucial part of your pregnancy. The embryo starts to form, and hormonal changes affect everything in your body. Here\u2019s what you may experience during your first few months.<\/p>\n Pregnancy mood swings are very real. While hormones are elevated during your entire pregnancy, you\u2019ll likely feel most of the effects of pregnancy moods and emotions during the first trimester due to increased estrogen and progesterone. Add to that pregnancy making you feel tired and emotional, and mood swings during pregnancy can be a recipe for happiness one moment and tears the next.<\/p>\n Worrying or feeling anxious during pregnancy isn\u2019t uncommon, but it can hit the hardest during your first trimester. This is also the most common time for miscarriages, which may be stressful. You can always reach out to a mental health therapist<\/a> for counselling to talk it out and help manage your feelings.<\/p>\n Morning sickness<\/a> is common in the early stages of pregnancy, often causing nausea and vomiting. It\u2019s also not uncommon to experience a loss of appetite during early pregnancy because of this.<\/p>\n Morning sickness doesn\u2019t cause harm to the baby, but it can be very uncomfortable. And don\u2019t be fooled by the name \u2014 morning sickness can occur any time of day. While we don\u2019t conclusively know what causes morning sickness, it\u2019s believed hormonal changes are the cause.<\/p>\n You may also be more at risk<\/a> if you are:<\/p>\n Even if you feel nauseous with morning sickness, make sure you eat enough to support the baby\u2019s development and maintain your hydration. If you aren\u2019t keeping anything down, it\u2019s best to check in with your healthcare provider<\/a> to discuss your treatment options.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever felt unsure if it\u2019s safe to have sex during pregnancy, you\u2019re not alone. Many women worry that sex will harm the baby or cause other symptoms. But the answer is, yes, it\u2019s safe to have sex during pregnancy. However, it\u2019s typical for your sex drive to decrease in the first trimester as you feel tired, nauseous, or your breasts feel tender. And, while your libido can increase in the second trimester, it may dip again in the third and continue after you give birth<\/a> too.<\/p>\n Between 50 and 90%<\/a> of pregnant women experience cravings in their first trimester. Doctors still aren\u2019t sure what causes cravings; like morning sickness, the most common theory is that cravings occur because of surging hormones.<\/p>\n From pickles and ice cream to sweets or fast food, there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all for pregnancy cravings, and if you follow a healthy diet, indulging now and then is safe. Cravings can continue throughout your second trimester, but by the third, they usually disappear.<\/p>\n It\u2019s normal to experience a metallic taste in your mouth during pregnancy in the first trimester. Also called dysgeusia<\/a>, that unpleasant sense of taste in your mouth is also attributed to changing hormone levels. Not to worry though \u2014 as your pregnancy continues, the metallic taste settles down.<\/p>\n You may also have dry mouth during pregnancy. This is because your body stores water to help support increased blood volume and hormonal changes. It\u2019s a good reminder to keep hydrating to support your and the baby’s health, even though you\u2019ll likely go to the washroom more often.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also crucial to stay on top of your oral hygiene if your mouth feels dry since a lack of saliva can lead to dental problems like tooth decay and bleeding gums.<\/p>\n One of the tell-tale signs of pregnancy is more frequent urination<\/a> than usual. While this can also happen in the third trimester as the baby pushes on your bladder, it starts as early as the first. This is because your body produces human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which increases blood flow to your kidneys. Your growing uterus also forces you to take more trips to the washroom as it takes up space.<\/p>\n However, there\u2019s a difference between frequent urination and a urinary tract infection (UTI)<\/a>. UTIs are the most common bacterial infection in pregnancy, often due to hormonal changes. Symptoms include pain or difficulty during urination and feeling like you have to urinate constantly but only passing small amounts. You may also notice dark, cloudy, or foul-smelling urine.<\/p>\n UTIs can become serious if left untreated during pregnancy, so if you suspect you have one, it\u2019s best to check in with a healthcare provider for antibiotics that are safe to use during pregnancy.<\/p>\n Heartburn<\/a> often occurs during pregnancy, beginning in the first trimester. Even though it\u2019s called \u201cheartburn,\u201d that acidic burn doesn\u2019t actually come from the heart<\/a>. Heartburn arises when acid in your stomach irritates your stomach lining or esophagus, which causes a burning and sometimes painful sensation. In your third trimester, heartburn is often caused by the uterus expanding to accommodate the growing baby, which can push stomach acid toward your esophagus.<\/p>\n Headaches are common during pregnancy<\/a>, specifically during the first trimester. Causes can include:<\/p>\n To help the pain, try resting and drinking lots of fluids. If that doesn\u2019t work, it\u2019s safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed by your doctor.<\/p>\n However, if you have severe headaches in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy, it may be another issue, like high blood pressure, or preeclampsia<\/a>. If this is the case, you should see a healthcare provider right away.<\/p>\n By the second trimester<\/a>, your baby\u2019s pancreas and kidneys start functioning. The baby also moves freely in the amniotic sac in your uterus. Around week 19, you may start feeling those magical movements.<\/p>\n The second trimester often marks a turning point for how you feel. Many women find that nausea and fatigue start to fade. Even though your breasts are growing, which can cause pain, you\u2019re typically more comfortable than in the third trimester. But, there are a host of other symptoms<\/a> that can appear, like congestion, swelling, and more.<\/p>\n First, it\u2019s natural to gain weight while pregnant, as long as you do it in a healthy way. So, what exactly does that mean? Gaining a healthy amount of weight<\/a> is based on your body mass index (BMI) before getting pregnant.<\/p>\n For example, if your BMI is between 18.5 to 24.9 before getting pregnant, healthy weight gain in your second and third trimesters would be one pound per week. Eating well and being physically active can help you achieve this.<\/p>\n You may also notice pregnancy stretch marks appear in your second trimester and wonder how to prevent more from popping up. The reality is that millions of women have stretch marks, and there\u2019s no proof using creams or oils can stop them from forming. However, you\u2019re more likely to get stretch marks<\/a> if you gain more weight than average during your pregnancy (more than 22 to 28 pounds) or gain it rapidly.<\/p>\n Half of all pregnant women<\/a> experience the joys of constipation. But just how early does constipation start in pregnancy?<\/a><\/p>\n For some, it may begin in the first trimester, but constipation is most common during the second. Progesterone causes your bowel muscles to relax so that food stays in the digestive tract longer. And your ever-expanding uterus continues to take up space, making it difficult for your bowels to function normally.<\/p>\n Here are some home remedies that may offer immediate constipation relief during pregnancy:<\/p>\n If nothing\u2019s working, speak to a healthcare provider. They may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications that are safe during pregnancy.<\/p>\n Many people talk about the \u201cpregnancy glow\u201d \u2014 that radiant quality pregnant women have. The truth is a beautiful glow happens because there\u2019s an increase in blood circulation to your face, which can make your face and skin appear brighter. Not a bad little bonus!<\/p>\n But, skin changes<\/a> like darkened nipples, areolas, freckles, moles, and more aren\u2019t talked about as much. Caused by increased hormone levels, these skin pigmentation changes like melasma<\/a> can seem alarming but are completely normal. The darkened areas may even stay the same shade after you give birth.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also normal to see changes in moles during pregnancy. However, you should see a healthcare provider<\/a> if you notice a mole or freckle is no longer symmetrical, has irregular edges, has gotten much darker than the rest of your moles, or is more than one colour to ensure there\u2019s no risk of skin cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n You might also notice a dark line from your belly button to your pelvis. This is called the linea nigra, and it usually appears during the second trimester. It\u2019s caused by a spike in hormones and unlike other darkened skin changes, it typically fades after the baby\u2019s born.<\/p>\n If you experience morning sickness, it\u2019ll likely go away by your second trimester, and you may feel more energetic and hungry. And while you\u2019re feeling peckish, your baby needs all the nourishment it can get.<\/p>\n In your second trimester, you only need to add about 340 extra calories to your regular diet each day. And, it\u2019s best not to get these from ice cream or cookies. Use that hunger to fill up on nutritious foods like nuts, fruit, low-sugar yogurt, lean meats, or fish high in omega-3 fatty acids.<\/p>\n Chronic pelvic pain during pregnancy can happen in your first or second trimesters, but it\u2019s most common in your third<\/a>. It\u2019s sometimes called pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP)<\/a>, a term for symptoms caused by one or more of the three pelvic joints moving unevenly, causing instability in the pelvic girdle.<\/p>\n If you have a history of lower back pain, PGP, or both before becoming pregnant, you\u2019re at greater risk of experiencing it during pregnancy.<\/p>\n You\u2019re getting closer! By the third trimester<\/a>, your baby\u2019s lungs are maturing, and their head starts to sit lower in your pelvis to prepare for birth. Your skin and ligaments stretch to accommodate the growing baby, and your cervix softens. You may continue experiencing heartburn among these third-trimester symptoms.<\/p>\n Noticeable shortness of breath in pregnancy is common in the third trimester. Your body\u2019s doing a lot of work, and your baby’s sheer size and position \u2014 pushing your uterus against your diaphragm \u2014 is the cause. On top of that, increased levels of progesterone can cause shortness of breath. Thankfully, you\u2019re still getting enough oxygen for you and the baby.<\/p>\n There are some home remedies for shortness of breath during pregnancy, such as:<\/p>\n While shortness of breath during your third trimester\u2019s normal, sudden onset of shortness of breath with chest pain, fast heartbeat, or intense chest pain could signal something more, like a blood clot. If this is the case, you\u2019ll need medical care immediately.<\/p>\n Hemorrhoids<\/a> are another unpleasant surprise in the third trimester. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around your lower anus and rectum, and they come in two forms:<\/p>\n In your third trimester, the pressure from your growing uterus increases blood flow to your pelvic region, which can cause larger veins. Constipation can be another factor. When you\u2019re pushing to release a bowel movement, it can put pressure on your veins, causing them to swell. There are a few things you can do to help soothe hemorrhoids, such as:<\/p>\n Swelling (edema)<\/a> during pregnancy often happens in your third trimester. You might notice it in your ankles, feet, and even your fingers. This is because your body holds more fluids than usual while pregnant. By the end of the day, those fluids gather at the lowest parts of your body \u2014 especially if you\u2019ve been standing a lot.<\/p>\n Your growing uterus can also affect blood flow to your legs, which can cause water to build up in your legs, ankles, and feet. While swelling can be uncomfortable, it\u2019s not usually harmful to your baby. However, an increase in swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia. If this is the case, you should see a doctor immediately.<\/p>\n There are a few changes you can make to help with pregnancy swelling, including:<\/p>\n Your breasts begin to produce colostrum, the first form of milk that\u2019s rich in protein, low in sugars, and contains essential antibodies to protect your baby\u2019s health. Colostrum forms during pregnancy and lasts a few days after giving birth.<\/p>\n Because colostrum is forming, it\u2019s not uncommon to leak from your breasts or to find dried-up colostrum on your nipples. However, if you\u2019re not leaking colostrum, there\u2019s no cause for panic since it has nothing to do with how much breast milk you\u2019ll have when the baby arrives.<\/p>\n Braxton Hicks<\/a> \u2014 contractions that begin before labour \u2014 can start as early as the second trimester but are most common in the third. You\u2019ll likely feel Braxton Hicks in the afternoon or evening, especially if you\u2019ve had an active day. While they\u2019re your body\u2019s way of preparing for labour, they don\u2019t necessarily mean labour\u2019s beginning. Think of it as \u201clabour practice\u201d mode.<\/p>\n One easy way to tell<\/a> if you\u2019re experiencing Braxton Hicks is if the contractions are irregular, intermittent, and uncomfortable rather than painful. They also tend to become more infrequent, then reappear later on. On the other hand, labour contractions occur consistently, feeling like they come in waves and have more pain that builds in intensity.<\/p>\n While knowing what to expect during pregnancy won\u2019t stop your symptoms, it can help ease your worries. So can having accessible medical care to treat pain and discomfort. Instead of waiting hours at the walk-in clinic or days for an appointment with a doctor for heartburn, hemorrhoids, constipation, and more, you can speak to a doctor in minutes on Maple<\/a>. We connect you with Canadian-licensed doctors<\/a> online, 24\/7 for a diagnosis, health advice, prescriptions and more through secure text messaging, audio, or video chat.<\/p>\n And with 91% of medical issues being fully resolved within the first visit, you can feel confident turning to Maple for help. It\u2019s easy to get started. \u2014 Simply sign up, click \u201cGet care,\u201d and start talking to a doctor from your phone, tablet, or computer.<\/p>\n The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional.<\/i><\/i><\/p>\n When using virtual care, all medical treatment is at the sole discretion of the provider. Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies, and your provider will determine if your case is appropriate for virtual care. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulties breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Expecting your first child can be exciting and scary. Your body changes as your baby grows, and you might not understand what\u2019s happening or why. On top of that, there\u2019s the stress of not getting timely appointments with a doctor when you need care. Below are some common symptoms that can develop from your first…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[7376],"tags":[],"acf":{"image":{"ID":29895,"id":29895,"title":"0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","filename":"0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","filesize":234041,"url":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/what-expectant-mothers-need-to-know\/0772_first-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-jpg\/","alt":"Expectant mother experiencing physical and mental pregnancy changes is lying on her side. An illustrated sonogram is below.","author":"23","description":"","caption":"","name":"0772_first-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-jpg","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":29892,"date":"2023-04-11 23:40:37","modified":"2023-04-12 22:58:54","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1180,"height":483,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-300x123.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":123,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-768x314.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":314,"large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-1024x419.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":419,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","1536x1536-width":1180,"1536x1536-height":483,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","2048x2048-width":1180,"2048x2048-height":483,"square1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","square1200-width":1180,"square1200-height":483,"square600":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-600x483.jpg","square600-width":600,"square600-height":483,"square300":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-300x300.jpg","square300-width":300,"square300-height":300,"square200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-200x200.jpg","square200-width":200,"square200-height":200,"square100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-100x100.jpg","square100-width":100,"square100-height":100,"feature1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","feature1200-width":1180,"feature1200-height":483,"feature1100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-1100x483.jpg","feature1100-width":1100,"feature1100-height":483,"feature800":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-800x400.jpg","feature800-width":800,"feature800-height":400,"feature400":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1-400x200.jpg","feature400-width":400,"feature400-height":200,"facebook1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","facebook1200-width":1180,"facebook1200-height":483,"medium_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","medium_retina-width":1180,"medium_retina-height":483,"large_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0772_First-time-pregnancy-tips_1180x483-1.jpg","large_retina-width":1180,"large_retina-height":483}},"intro_text":"","meta_description":"No matter your pregnancy trimester, you\u2019ll likely experience body and mood changes. Here's the lowdown on pregnancy symptoms.","add_promotional_banner":false,"add_call_to_action":true,"show_age_gate":false,"call_to_action_text":"See a doctor online","call_to_action_button_text":"Get started ","call_to_action_link":"[mpl-register-link]","icon":false},"yoast_head":"\nFirst trimester \u2014 week one to 13<\/h3>\n
Mood changes<\/h3>\n
Morning sickness<\/h3>\n
\n
Decreased sex drive<\/h3>\n
Cravings<\/h3>\n
Metallic taste and dry mouth<\/h3>\n
Increased urination<\/h3>\n
Heartburn<\/h3>\n
Headaches<\/h3>\n
\n
Second trimester \u2014 week 14 to 27<\/h3>\n
Pregnancy weight gain<\/h3>\n
Constipation<\/h3>\n
\n
Darkening of the skin<\/h3>\n
Increased appetite<\/h3>\n
Pelvic pain<\/h3>\n
Third trimester \u2014 week 28 to delivery<\/h3>\n
Shortness of breath<\/h3>\n
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Hemorrhoids<\/h3>\n
\n
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Pregnancy swelling<\/h3>\n
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Leaky breasts<\/h3>\n
Braxton Hicks contractions<\/h3>\n
How Maple can help with pregnancy symptoms<\/h3>\n