Your first trimester: a gentle week-by-week primer

The first trimester covers roughly the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, counted from the first day of your last period. A great deal is happening in a short time, both for your baby and for your body, so it is normal to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. This gentle primer walks you through what to expect.

In these early weeks, you may not feel pregnant at all. Many people first realise when a period is missed. A home test can confirm it, and this is a good time to start a daily folic acid supplement if you have not already — it supports your baby's early development.

This is when symptoms often appear. You might notice:

• Nausea or "morning sickness" (which can strike at any time of day)
• Tiredness that feels deeper than usual
• Tender or fuller breasts
• Needing to pass urine more often
• Going off certain foods or smells

These are all common and usually a sign things are progressing. Eating small, frequent meals and staying hydrated can ease nausea.

By the end of the first trimester, many people find nausea and tiredness start to ease, though everyone is different. This is also typically when the first antenatal check-up and scan take place, which can be a reassuring milestone.

• Eat well. Aim for balanced meals with iron, calcium, and protein; your appetite may guide you.
• Stay hydrated and rest. Listen to your body — tiredness is real, not weakness.
• Begin antenatal care. Early check-ups help keep you and your baby well.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and unprescribed medicines, and check with your doctor before taking anything new.

Reach out promptly if you have heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, a high fever, or vomiting so severe you cannot keep fluids down. These are worth checking without delay. Otherwise, gentle care and your routine antenatal visits will carry you through.

Explore more women's-health topics in our condition library, including pregnancy-related conditions like gestational diabetes.