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10 things to expect during the early stages of pregnancy

Newly pregnant? Here’s what to expect

pregnant-woman-eating-peanut-butter Payment (Parents Magazine)

The first trimester is a roller-coaster of emotional, physical and hormonal changes as your body begins to give the vital nourishments needed to grow a healthy baby. Good thing is, even if the pregnancy journey is not always the same for all women, the first trimester goes by very quickly and before you even know it, the nausea and morning sickness will be less, your bump growing by day and you will be enjoying that gorgeous pregnancy glow. If you’re on your very first pregnancy and have no idea what to expect during the first trimester, fret not; we got you. Here are ten things to expect.

1. Food aversion.

This is very common for most women in the first trimester. Foods that were once your favorite may make you feel sick to your stomach. You may look at them, smell them and[ get so turned off to a point of feeling nauseated. At the same time, you may experience some bizarre cravings and that's totally normal.

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2. Morning sickness.

Nausea is one of the biggest early warning signs of pregnancy, but unfortunately, it may continue throughout the first trimester. Taking pre-natal pregnancy vitamins may soothe morning sickness.

3. Tender breasts.

Unusually sore and tender breasts are another thing to expect. One breast may also become swollen and enlarged and leak a little bit if you press the nipple.

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4. Frequent urination.

As the placenta and uterus grows, you will constantly feel dehydrated as there’s more demand for water and so you will hydrate a lot and this will lead to frequent urination.

5. Mood swings.

With the increased levels of hormones surging through your system, you may experience mood swings during the first trimester. One minute you’re crying, the next you’re happy, and the next you’re sad or angry. It’s all totally normal.

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6. Mild cramps.

Your uterine muscles are preparing to support your fetus and because of this, you may experience mild cramps. If you experience severe cramps, you should seek medical advice from your doctor.

7. Bloating and farting.

Increased pressure on your stomach and digestive system may cause indigestion, gas, bloating and constipation. So, if you’re experiencing that, it’s totally normal, albeit, a lot of constipation can lead to build up of toxins in your system so don’t ignore it - eat a lot of roughages, hydrate a lot and if the constipation persists, go to a doctor.

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8. Fatigue.

Your energy levels will go down and you will feel very exhausted. Your body is working extra hard to create a new life and that’s the main reason for the constant tiredness. But don’t worry, it won’t last forever. Take it easy and get as much rest as possible.

9. Dizziness.

You might end up fainting or even feeling super dizzy every now and then in your early stages of pregnancy. With the surge of hormones in your blood stream, dizziness and headaches are common in the first trimester.

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10. A tiny baby bump.

You may notice a very tiny bump begin to develop and this is from your swollen uterus. Sometimes, the bump may not even begin to grow, till the second trimester so don’t worry if you don’t see a bump begin to develop so soon, it’s all part of the process. 

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