The 1st Trimester.....What exactly is going on in there?

You have been feeling a little run down, your period is late, and you wonder....could I be Pregnant?? you go and get an early detection pregnancy test and you get an extra one just in case. You rush home, take the first test and positive, take the second one and yes!!! You are PREGNANT!! Every emotion hits you all at once. You compose yourself to tell your partner, then you make a doctors appointment. Unfortunately, they will not be able to see you until you are 8-12 weeks. Then the waiting begins. All the questions, so many questions. so you turn to Google, and down the rabbit hole you go. Please breathe, you got this!!

The 1st trimester is full of mysteries. here is a little guide to help you on your crazy new journey.

Weeks 0-4

Mom: You are feeling a little worn down, maybe a lot worn down. Your boobs hurt, you pee every 10 minutes, and did I mention you were tired? Your body is already starting to make Prolactin, the hormone to make milk for your baby. It takes a lot of energy. Spotting may occur, this is usually from implantation, so don't be frightened.

Baby: Baby is the size of a poppy seed, still a bundle of cells multiplying rapidly everyday. All of the building blocks are in place, so get ready for some rapid growth. A couple more weeks, a detectable heartbeat.

Week 6-9

Mom: Hormone levels have increased tremendously, beginning at 6 weeks gestation. So you have a new symptom, nausea. You have started taking prenatal vitamins, which is great, and taking them in the evening will help with nausea. Spotting is also common during this period. Some women, due to the high hormone surge, will notice spotting because of previous sub-uterine hemotomas. These are usually harmless and maybe detected during your first doctors visit. You are still worn out, maybe even more because you cannot keep food down. But do not worry, Baby is not going without. It has come with it's own supply of food and oxygen (yolk sac). so don't worry about that margarita you had a few weeks ago.

Baby: Starting at 6-7 weeks a heartbeat is detectable (heart rate around 80-130 BPM. It is hard to get sometimes, depending on the placement of baby. It is the size of a Lemon seed and will soon be the size of a grape. At 8 weeks the baby's heart rate will jump up to 140-200 BPM. Little arms and legs have formed.

Get ready for crazy movements starting week 10/11. But you will not feel a thing.

Week 10-12

Mom: Your are feeling a little more irritated, emotional, and frustrated. For many different reasons, but the main one is hormone increase, and PMS symptoms are not uncommon. Don't worry, your loved ones will forgive you. You are not feeling movement, but believe me baby is moving. This causes even more anxiety. The nausea maybe getting better, but tiredness continues. There maybe some cramping, similar to period cramps. This is normal. Your uterus is growing fast and the pain is a little reminder.

Baby: THE SPARK has been LIT! Baby starts doing toe touches at 10 weeks. YES! they have perfect little toes and fingers at this stage, the size of a gummy bear. Baby is starting to look like. well a baby, believe it or not. At week 11 they are full on twerking ninjas. They have little baby butts, and play all the time. This is my favorite stage to capture ultrasound images, because it is so crazy to see how they move. I always give New clients a free visit to see there baby at 10/11 weeks bc it is just so cool.

The First Trimester is full of mysteries, and thanks to technology we can finally see what was once hidden. see below ultrasound images at 5 weeks pregnant ultrasound, 6 weeks ultrasound, 7 weeks, 8 weeks ultrasound 9 weeks 10 weeks 11 weeks 12 weeks ultrasound.

5 weeks, 6 weeks ultrasound, 7 weeks, 8 weeks ultrasound 9 weeks 10 weeks 11 weeks 12 weeks ultrasound.