The first three months of pregnancy are referred to as the first trimester. One has just conceived and the fetus began developing. During this period, the pregnancy is barely visible as there is little physical change on the woman’s body. However, a lot of hormonal changes are happening inside the body that may greatly affect the comfort and behavior of the pregnant woman. These changes occur as the body prepares to handle the pregnancy and for the nourishment of the growing fetus.
A woman in the first trimester of pregnancy will exhibit a number of symptoms. One such symptom is nausea (what is commonly referred to as morning sickness). The increase in the amount of estrogen and progesterone is thought to be the cause as it reduces the stomach motion. Eating frequent portions of foods and drinking a lot of fluids may be of great help in this. Another common experience during first trimester is dizziness which is caused by reduced blood pressure. The woman may also experience fatigue which may result from the high level of progesterone. During this period the woman may also experience a craving for certain types of foods and/or a dislike for others. This is also as a result of the hormonal changes in the body. Due to the reduced stomach movements, one may also experience heartburns and constipation. It is therefore advisable to avoid acidic foods.
But perhaps the most significant change is the emotional one. The hormonal changes within the body may result in mood swing which may make one weepy and easy to get angry. The mood changes may be caused by the anxiety that accompanies pregnancy such as the worry about the baby’s condition and the fear of the approaching motherhood. It helps for one to know all these are normal and also to have an understanding companion.
