Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.
The first trimester of pregnancy can be overwhelming. Understand the changes you might experience and how to take care of yourself during this exciting time.
The first trimester of pregnancy is marked by an invisible — yet amazing — transformation. And it happens quickly. Knowing what physical and emotional changes to expect during the first trimester can help you face the months ahead with confidence.
While your first sign of pregnancy might have been a missed period, you can expect several other physical changes in the coming weeks, including:
Pregnancy might leave you feeling delighted, anxious, exhilarated and exhausted — sometimes all at once. Even if you’re thrilled about being pregnant, a new baby adds emotional stress to your life.
It’s natural to worry about your baby’s health, your adjustment to parenthood and the financial demands of raising a child. If you’re working, you might worry about how to balance the demands of family and career. You might also experience mood swings. What you’re feeling is normal. Take care of yourself, and look to loved ones for understanding and encouragement. If your mood changes become severe or intense, consult your health care provider.
If you haven’t yet received a COVID-19 vaccine, get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines don’t cause infection with the COVID-19 virus. Studies have shown COVID-19 vaccines don’t pose any serious risks for pregnant women or their babies. Vaccination can help pregnant women build antibodies that protect their babies. If possible, people who live with you should also be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Whether you choose a family doctor, obstetrician, nurse-midwife or other pregnancy specialist, your health care provider will treat, educate and reassure you throughout your pregnancy.
Your first visit will focus on assessing your overall health, identifying any risk factors and determining your baby’s gestational age. Your health care provider will ask detailed questions about your health history. Be honest. If you’re uncomfortable discussing your health history in front of your partner, schedule a private consultation. Also expect to learn about first trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities.
After the first visit, you’ll probably be asked to schedule checkups every four weeks for the first 32 weeks of pregnancy. However, you may require more or less frequent appointments, depending on your health and medical history. In some cases, virtual prenatal care may be an option if you don’t have certain high-risk conditions. If you and your health care provider opt for virtual prenatal visits, ask if there are any tools that might be helpful to have at home, such as a blood pressure monitor. To make the most of any virtual visits, prepare a list of questions ahead of time and take detailed notes.
During these appointments, discuss any concerns or fears you might have about pregnancy, childbirth or life with a newborn. Remember, no question is silly or unimportant — and the answers can help you take care of yourself and your baby.
There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.
Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.
ErrorEmail field is required
ErrorInclude a valid email address
To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.
You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.
Please, try again in a couple of minutes
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.
Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that’s changing medicine.
© 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.