Make Room for the Baby: Your Pregnancy Symptom Guide

You're over the moon that you’re expecting, but also a little unsure about what to expect over the next nine months. From fertility facts and myths, to outlining the physical and emotional changes that may happen in each trimester, we’re here to take the guesswork out of being pregnant.

Everyone knows that the lifestyle choices made during pregnancy have a huge effect on the health of your baby, but what about when you’re trying to conceive? Is it safe to drink caffeine? Should I find a less stressful position? What really affects fertility?

Age

Whether it’s your first, third, or if you’re only contemplating starting a family, know that age does matter. As women get older, their ovarian reserve does decrease, possibly making it harder to conceive. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot become pregnant.

Food

Unless you aren’t eating enough, which can cause your menses to cease, what you eat has no direct impact on your fertility. Obviously, the best diet is one that’s low in fat and sugar, and high in heart-healthy fruits and vegetables.

Smoking

Fact: Smoking can harm your unborn baby. According to the CDC, mothers who smoke are more likely to go into premature labor or give birth to babies with lower birth weights.

Symptoms change among trimesters.

Pregnancy lasts up to 40 weeks, though a baby is considered "full-term" at 36 weeks. Pregnancy is divided into three distinct periods called trimesters, and each one brings its own set of common symptoms and changes to both the growing baby and the mother.

First Trimester

Even before you have a positive pregnancy test, you may have some tell-tale symptoms that you’re pregnant. The first trimester begins at the point of conception and lasts to the 13-week mark.

The first symptom is a missed period. As the first trimester progresses, you may find yourself having to use the bathroom more often, certain smells may be offensive, and you may feel like you’ve run a marathon even after a good night’s sleep. You may also develop nausea and food aversion to some of your favorite foods. Your breasts may also feel sore to the touch and larger than usual.

Second Trimester

As you enter week 14 of your pregnancy, you also enter the second trimester. Most of the unpleasant early pregnancy symptoms you experienced should ease up or disappear. You may feel less nauseated and your energy levels should be on the rise. Best of all, by the end of the second trimester, your lower abdomen will start to look more like the beginnings of a pregnant belly and less like you ate a huge meal. Your breasts will also continue to increase in size, but the soreness should subside.

Third Trimester

Your third trimester begins at the 28-week mark and lasts until you give birth, which is usually around 40 weeks of pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to have leg swelling, back pain, and feel uncomfortable due to the increasing pressure on your bladder. In addition, you may also feel like you have to urinate more as your uterus continues to expand to accommodate your growing baby. As you get closer to your due date, you might also start to feel Braxton Hicks contractions. Although they feel similar to true labor pains, these types of contraction are more like a warm-up for the main event.

Becoming a mother is miraculous and exciting. And even though it comes with a lot of changes—some pleasant and some not so pleasant—it’s safe to say that you wouldn’t change one moment of your pregnancy for anything in the world.

The key to a happy, healthy pregnancy begins and ends with you. Hopefully, knowing fact from fiction when it comes to fertility and knowing what to expect throughout each trimester will make your pregnancy even more memorable.