Pregnancy is split up into thirds - called "trimesters". Trimester simply means a three-month and comes from the same root word as menstruation.
The First Trimester
Nothing much happens at first then the pregnancy hormones go into overdrive soon after the egg burrows into the lining of the uterus to make itself a little nest for the next few months. Some women know within days that they have conceived - especially if it is not their first pregnancy. For many, the first outward sign after the missed period is breast tenderness which can be followed quickly by enlargement.
They may also find that their sense of taste changes. A strange metallic taste in the mouth is often reported and can last throughout the pregnancy and can lead tea-drinkers to only be able to drink coffee or vice versa.
Some women find that their bladders are more irritable early on, making them need to urinate more often. Others do not get this problem until the uterus grows big enough to exert pressure downwards onto the bladder.
Most women suffer from varying degrees of nausea, the so-called 'morning sickness'. Eating little and often can be helpful, especially for those people who get it during every waking hour, as it can be worse when the stomach is empty. Fatigue may also start to become a problem, partly because the mother's body is preoccupied with growing a new human being, and partly due to hormones.
The waistline will be starting to thicken by the end of the first three months and tight clothing may be a no-no due to discomfort. If the woman normally wears hi-leg briefs, she may need to think about changing to bikini-height pants or look at maternity briefs. Maternity bras may not be necessary yet but she may well need to move up a cup size already or start to think about a sleep bra.
Jeannie Conley is a freelance writer, photographer and blogger. Learn more about pregnancy at Maternity Lingerie.
