What happens in the first trimester

[Jeff]

The first trimester of pregnancy can include the following changes:

• Weight gain: You may gain 1–2 kilograms, mostly in your breasts, uterus, placenta, and extra blood.
• Breast tenderness: Your mammary glands enlarge, causing your breasts to swell and become tender.
• Mood swings: Hormonal changes can cause mood swings similar to premenstrual syndrome.
• Morning sickness: You may experience nausea, vomiting, or an upset stomach.
• Other symptoms: You may feel tired, have more urination, experience heartburn, have food cravings, or have a metallic taste in your mouth.
• Skin changes: Hormones cause your skin to create more oil, which may lead to acne.
• Shortness of breath: You may feel short of breath with light physical activity

You may also experience a missed period, which can be one of the first signs of pregnancy.

During the first trimester, you should avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and illegal drugs. These habits can negatively affect your baby and you, increasing your chance of miscarriage, premature delivery, or severe birth defects.

You may also have genetic tests, such as a nuchal translucency (NT) screening, noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), chorionic villus sampling, or amniocentesis.

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