Key Takeaways

• There won’t be many visible changes during your first trimester, but inside, there’s a lot going on.
• Scheduling a prenatal visit is one of the most important things you can do during early pregnancy.
• It’s possible to learn your baby’s sex in the first trimester—as early as 6 weeks—using an at-home DNA test.

How long is the first trimester?

The first trimester of pregnancy is around 14 weeks long. It starts on the first day of your pregnancy, which is measured from the first day of your last period.

Let’s break that down:

Imagine you get your period on September 1st. Around two weeks later, on September 14th, you’re ovulating, and you conceive your baby. Another two weeks later, on September 28th, if your expected period has not arrived, you take a test and find out you’re pregnant.

That’s three different dates, each one an important part of your pregnancy journey. Which is the start of your pregnancy?

Technically, the answer is September 1st, because it’s the first day of your last period.

What happens during the first trimester?

In your first trimester, your body is laying the foundation for a healthy pregnancy. You may not notice all the physical and mental changes at this stage, but they’re definitely happening.

Every week, there’s something new going on with you and your baby. Here’s a week-by-week rundown:

• Weeks 1 to 4 – In the first two weeks, there’s no baby yet. First, your ovaries have to release an egg for fertilization, and if sperm reaches the egg, conception occurs. Soon after, the fertilized egg implants itself in your uterine wall, where it will remain throughout the pregnancy.
• Weeks 5 to 8 – The middle section of your first trimester is all about early organ development. The baby’s brain, heart, and spinal cord begin to form, as do the eyes, ears, and lungs. An ultrasound may be able to detect a faint rhythm at this point—that’s the beginning of a heartbeat!
• Weeks 9 to 13 – Now, the baby starts to grow more quickly. Facial features become more distinct, fingers and toes can be seen, and the head reaches about half of its final size.

At the end of week 13, you enter the second trimester of your pregnancy, where even more exciting milestones happen. But before you get there, you’ll encounter some changes to your brain and body.

Common First Trimester Symptoms

Your first trimester is a time of significant change. After all, your body is transitioning from not being pregnant to growing a baby.

So, some of the most noticeable symptoms of pregnancy happen in these first few months. For some expectant parents, the symptoms are relatively mild. For others, they can be more distracting.

Either way, pregnancy symptoms are a normal part of the journey. Common first-trimester symptoms include:

• Larger, more tender breasts
• Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Minor weight loss or gain
• Mood swings

It’s also worth noting that you may not experience all of these symptoms. Everyone’s pregnancy is unique, so symptoms can vary widely.

Although some discomfort is natural, you know your body best. If something doesn’t feel right, contact your healthcare provider.

What to Do During the First Trimester

If it’s your first pregnancy (or even if it’s not), you may be looking for a first-trimester to-do list.

You’re in luck. Below, you’ll find a few tasks for you (and your partner) to work through during early pregnancy.

Schedule Your First Prenatal Appointment

Try to see a healthcare professional as soon as you find out you’re pregnant—or even before a planned pregnancy, if possible.

Seeking professional advice early is worthwhile, as a doctor can help you:

• Understand what to expect throughout the first trimester
• Figure out which medications are safe
• Discuss a balanced meal plan
• Create a pregnancy-safe exercise routine
• Develop a birth plan (your preferences for labor and delivery)

If you can, try to visit the same healthcare provider throughout your entire pregnancy so that they can develop a deep understanding of your health and history.

Start Prenatal Vitamins

A balanced diet can help you consume all the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy, but eating isn’t always easy in the first trimester, especially if you’re dealing with morning sickness.

Prenatal vitamins help fill the gaps in your diet, ensuring you get all the nutrients you need to support a healthy pregnancy. And the sooner you start taking prenatal vitamins, the better. Healthcare experts recommend starting prenatal vitamins one month before pregnancy and continuing throughout your journey.

In particular, look for first-trimester vitamins that are high in folic acid (vitamin B9). This essential nutrient supports the baby’s brain and spine development.

Focus on Rest and Hydration

Even though your baby bump may not be showing yet, the first trimester can be exhausting. Your body is building a life support system, and that takes a lot of energy.

This means it’s important to rest when you need to. If you can’t sleep the recommended 7 to 9 hours a night, find other ways to prioritize your rest. You may be able to refresh your mind and body by:

• Napping
• Meditating
• Stretching
• Reading
• Taking a short walk outside

Additionally, remember to stay hydrated. Water helps with digestion and contributes to the protective barrier that builds around your fetus.

The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you drink 8 to 12 cups of water every day of your pregnancy.

What to Avoid In the First Trimester

Along with the physical and mental changes your body is experiencing, there are also some lifestyle adjustments to make.

During your first trimester (and beyond), you’ll likely be advised to avoid:

• Alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs – Studies have shown that there is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, so experts advise against drinking. The same goes for smoking and vaping; your doctor will likely advise you and your partner to quit. Recreational drugs are also not recommended, as usage may harm your developing baby.
• High-risk activities – It’s smart to avoid any sport or activity that increases your likelihood of injury. Healthcare professionals advise against activities like skiing, gymnastics, hot yoga, and all contact sports.
• Unsafe foods – Some foods can be riskier to eat during pregnancy. The latest research suggests that pregnant people should avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables, unpasteurized milk and juice, soft cheeses, and raw or undercooked meat and seafood.

Keep in mind that these are simple precautions, not strict rules. Healthcare providers recommend them, but they also understand that life happens. Eating an unwashed apple or walking past someone smoking a cigarette does not make you a bad parent.

What’s important is following these guidelines to the best of your abilities.

Early Testing: What You Can Learn In the First Trimester

While the first trimester may be full of changes and challenges, it’s somewhat light on milestones. Most of the exciting moments—such as the anatomy scan ultrasound that gives you a picture to put on your fridge—happen later.

But that doesn’t have to be the case with every milestone. Modern DNA technology has made it possible to learn your baby’s predicted sex earlier in pregnancy. In fact, with the SneakPeek® Early Gender Test, you can find out whether you’re having a boy or a girl as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy and with over 99% accuracy.

When you know the sex of your baby-to-be, your future comes a bit clearer. Everything feels more real. You can start choosing names, picking out baby clothes, and bonding with your bundle of joy even sooner.

The First Trimester Lays the Foundation

Your first trimester marks the first few months of your pregnancy journey. It’s when you find out you’re expecting and learn what to expect. Major developments happen every day as your baby grows inside of you.

Feeling overwhelmed during this time is natural. It’s not every day you create a human from scratch.

The trick is to stay informed. The more you know early on, the more confident you can feel moving forward, and the more prepared you’ll be.

Get to know your baby sooner and prepare even earlier with the SneakPeek Early Gender Test, the #1 OBGYN-recommended* at-home sex test on the market today.

*The SneakPeek test recommended six to one among 100 OBGYNs surveyed