First Pregnancy
Early Pregnancy
The First Days and Weeks After You Test
By Teri Brown
Questions, questions, questions. Once the big question, "Am I pregnant?" is answered positively, the little questions
in early pregnancy take over. Like, "When does morning sickness kick in?" "How long will I be able to work?" "Is the
baby healthy?" A first-time mom in early pregnancy will be overwhelmed with questions.
For Katie-Anne Gustafsson, mother of two from Sweden, the health of the baby was the first thought that came to
mind after learning she was pregnant. "Having miscarried once before getting pregnant with my first child, and then
twice more before becoming pregnant with my second, my first question on all pregnancies following the first
miscarriage was, will I lose this baby?" says Gustafsson.
Elizabeth Ferree, mother of four from Kansas City, Mo., had many questions,
as well. "With my first child the one question I worried about was if I would
make a good mother or not," says Ferree. "After the first child you wonder if you
can love equally. You find out you can, but it is such a worry during the
Pregnancy
exhaustion takes
most new moms by
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pregnancy."
A newly pregnant woman has more questions than a homeland security interrogator. Some of the most common are
answered here.
When will morning sickness kick in?
According to Dr. Melissa Dugan-Kim, an OB/GYN with the Northwestern Specialists for Women in Chicago, morning
sickness typically corresponds with the rising levels of the pregnancy hormone B-HCG. "This hormone is first
detectable in a woman's blood approximately eight days after conception and levels rise rapidly for the first weeks of
pregnancy," says Dr. Dugan-Kim. "As a result of this hormone, by 6 weeks gestational age (two weeks after a missed
period) many women will begin to feel at least some nausea. The nausea can occur at any time throughout the day or
night even! Symptoms tend to persist, and can even worsen, until about 10 to 12 weeks gestation when the
pregnancy hormone levels peak. By the beginning of the second trimester most women will feel much better."
When does a mom-to-be start feeling tired all the time?
Pregnancy exhaustion takes most new moms by surprise. Dr. Dugan-Kim says this is normal. "Increased fatigue can
be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, affecting some women even before their pregnancy test is positive," says
Dr. Dugan-Kim. "This is often attributed to another rising hormone, progesterone. Like nausea, fatigue tends to
improve by the end of the first trimester."
Do you feel hungrier in early pregnancy?
Though a woman's caloric needs do not change during the first few weeks of pregnancy, many women will
experience a change in appetite. "For many, particularly those with pregnancy nausea, appetite will actually
decrease," says Dr. Dugan-Kim. "Others may find that the best way to avoid pregnancy nausea is to always keep
something in their stomach. In general, smaller, more frequent meals are encouraged, as well as avoidance of very
greasy or spicy foods."
What's happening to my uterus during early pregnancy?
Dr. Pamela Berens, associate professor of obstetrics at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas,
says the new mom's uterus is increasing in size. "During the first trimester it grows in size from about the size of your
fist to actually fill your pelvis so that you can feel it just above your pubic bone in most cases by 12 weeks," says Dr.
Berens. "There is also a dramatic increase in the blood flow that goes to the uterus. Additionally, there are dramatic
increases in various hormones and the amount of blood in your body. Also as the uterus grows, even in early
pregnancy, there is some change in your posture that often occurs with your pelvis tending to tilt forward slightly."
What is happening with the baby during the first couple of months?
Moms are always curious as to what is going on with their baby during those early weeks. According to Dr. Berens, a
lot is happening. "During the first few months of pregnancy the baby is forming most of its body parts," says Dr.
Berens. "The development of the organs primarily has occurred during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is the
time where the baby appears to be most susceptible to problems that can be caused by exposure to harmful
substances. It is also the time that folic acid appears to be important in preventing spine defects."
Other Common Questions in Early Pregnancy
Dr. Dugan-Kim answers more of the most common questions women ask during those first few months after learning
they are pregnant:
When should I start a prenatal vitamin?
Right away! Ideally any woman even considering pregnancy should be taking a daily prenatal vitamin, which includes
at least 800 mcg of folic acid.
What if I am taking medications?
Talk to your doctor immediately about the safety of your medications in pregnancy. It is important never to abruptly
stop a medicine without talking to your doctor first.
Is exercise OK?
As long as you were active before pregnancy, continuation of an exercise program during pregnancy not only is OK
but is encouraged!
Is sex OK?
Sex is absolutely OK, although many women will experience a decrease in desire during the first part of pregnancy.
Some women will experience light spotting or cramping after intercourse, and it is important to remember not to panic
if this occurs.
What foods should I avoid?
For the entire pregnancy basic foods to avoid are undercooked meats or uncooked shellfish;
unpasteurized dairy products (rarely found in the United States except in some soft cheeses – read
labels!); and fish with high mercury levels like king mackerel, tilefish, swordfish and shark. Salmon, cod
and flounder are OK, as well as canned tuna as long as it is limited to once per week. Some doctors also
recommend avoidance of deli meat or lunchmeat unless it is well heated or guaranteed fresh.