Pregnancy, Trimester by Trimester (What to Expect approach)

Grounded in: the month-by-month approach of Heidi Murkoff's What to Expect When You're Expecting, and standard prenatal-care guidance (for example from ACOG in the US). Paraphrased general information, not medical advice - the pregnant person's own practitioner decides.

The approach

Knowing what is typical at each stage reduces worry, and anything unusual gets checked with the practitioner (OB, midwife or family doctor) rather than looked up and guessed at. "Call your practitioner" is a normal, encouraged step, not an overreaction.

First trimester (weeks 1-13)

Common: fatigue, nausea/vomiting ("morning sickness" can be any time of day), breast tenderness, frequent urination, mood swings, food aversions.
Start prenatal care early; a prenatal vitamin with folic acid is standard advice.
Severe, persistent vomiting (can't keep fluids down) needs a call to the practitioner.

Second trimester (weeks 14-27)

Often more energy and less nausea. The anatomy ultrasound usually happens around 18-22 weeks.
First fetal movements are typically felt somewhere around 16-25 weeks (earlier in later pregnancies); timing varies widely.
Glucose screening for gestational diabetes is commonly done around 24-28 weeks.

Third trimester (weeks 28-40+)

Common: backache, heartburn, swelling of feet/ankles, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions.
Many practitioners suggest paying attention to the baby's usual movement pattern; a noticeable decrease is a reason to call right away, not to wait.
Preparing: a birth plan (held loosely), a car seat installed before the birth, and support lined up for the postpartum weeks.

Emotional side

Anxiety, ambivalence and big feelings are common. Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or anxiety that interferes with daily life can be perinatal depression or anxiety - treatable, and worth raising with the practitioner.

Themes

pregnancy, pregnant, trimester, weeks pregnant, morning sickness, nausea, prenatal, fetal movement, kicks, ultrasound, glucose test, third trimester, What to Expect, Heidi Murkoff