The first three months of pregnancy are known as the first trimester. This period covers weeks 1-12 and there are a lot of changes that happen and physical challenges to overcome for some women.

Emotional Changes of the First Trimester

The feelings a mother may go through the first trimester can vary a great deal depending on her situation. Perhaps you've been trying to conceive and news of your positive pregnancy status has you elated. Or perhaps you are concerned about a tough financial or marital situation and finding out you are pregnant has you worried and apprehensive. Or perhaps you feel ambivalent and don't really know what to feel! I had a dear friend tell me she felt guilty for not feeling anything at all when she felt she should be.

The truth is that all of these emotional feelings and changes are normal during early pregnancy, although not every mother will have every feeling. You might also feel tired, scared, upset, moody, doubtful, or confident. It is totally normal to feel any, or even all of these feelings in turn. When I got pregnant I was so excited and happy. Two days later I cried thinking about all the things that motherhood meant giving up or changing. But of course, I wouldn't trade being a mother for the world.

Physical Changes of the First Trimester

The first trimester can be an especially challenging time for a new mother because, while you experience many symptoms, you don't yet look pregnant so may not always get the sympathy and understanding you should.

It is common for the first signs of pregnancy to be nausea and extreme fatigue. More than one woman has gone to the doctor's office for "the flu" and come out with more news than she bargained for. If you find yourself nodding off during meetings, or barely dragging out of bed in the mornings, please know you are not alone. Try to get plenty of rest as your body adjusts to being pregnant, which means naps, early bed times or sometimes just kicking your feet up.

Morning sickness is often more common during the first trimester so be sure to eat small meals at regular intervals so your stomach never has a chance to fully empty. Nausea is not the only intestinal upset to plague pregnant women the first trimester as the changing hormones in your body can also cause heartburn, constipation or loose bowels.

Other physical changes of the first trimester include swelling or sore breasts, frequent urination, increased thirst, vivid dreams, and - as the weeks progress - a growing waistline which may only be obvious to you.

Stop by the forums and talk to us about what you've been experiencing physically and emotionally through your pregnancy journey!

Additional Pregnancy Development Resources: The Pregnancy Book by Dr. Sears
See more "week-by-week" pregnancy information with the Mayo Clinic Pregnancy Guide. I prefer this book over the typical "What to Expect" series.