Your Baby in the First Trimester
For pregnancy to occur, a male sperm cell must fertilize the female egg. The fertilized egg will rapidly multiply into a cluster of cells. After implantation in the uterine wall, these cells will develop into the embryo and the placenta. The placenta becomes your baby’s lifeline and provides a supply of nutrients and oxygen, among other things.
The heart and circulatory system are the first systems to begin functioning. The brain and spinal cord (or their rudiments) also form quickly. Nevertheless, the embryo initially resembles a tadpole. Shortly thereafter, however, its face begins to take on some contours, its limbs grow, and later even its fingers and toes develop.
After about 10 weeks, vital organs—such as the intestines, brain, and liver—begin to function. Bones and cartilage start to form. The sex organs are also already present. Thanks to tiny muscles, your baby is able to move more and more. By the end of the first trimester, all major organs and body systems are in place, so the baby’s foundation is complete. After the first three months, the fetus in your belly is 6.9 cm long and weighs 32.4 grams.
You During the First Trimester
You may have been actively trying to get pregnant, but your pregnancy may also have been a bit more unexpected. In the first case, there’s a good chance you already took a pregnancy test when you were one day late. Others only find out they’re pregnant when they can no longer explain their pregnancy symptoms in any other way.
During the first few weeks, morning sickness isn’t too bad, but that can change quickly. They often start around 6 weeks. After about 11 weeks, the symptoms peak, and then they become less severe (for the time being). The symptoms are caused by changes in your hormone levels. The severity of the symptoms varies from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy.
Are you wondering if certain symptoms are normal? Are you vomiting a lot? Are you feeling extremely nauseous? Feel free to call anytime with questions or for more information!
