What’s going on inside of you: Your body is working overtime. The fertilized egg develops from a mass of cells to a tiny embryo, with its basic life support system beginning to develop. What you’re feeling physically: Aside from the absence of menstruation, you may experience any or all of the pregnancy symptoms—nausea, vomiting (also known as morning sickness, though it doesn’t always happen in the morning), frequent urination, fatigue and sleepiness. Your stomach and digestive system may not be doing so well either. Indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, and bloating are part of pregnancy, as is having food aversions and cravings (oftentimes the unusual kind). You may also feel breast changes, which include fullness, tenderness, heaviness, tingling, and darkening of the areola.
What you’re feeling emotionally: It’s quite common to feel emotionally unstable around this time and throughout the first trimester. You may have mood swings, sudden outbursts of emotion, irrationality and unexplained weepiness. It doesn’t help that you’re constantly too tired to stay as composed as you’d like to be. You may also feel anxious, fearful, and happy—all at the same time—at the prospect of having a child.
Your prenatal visit: Your first visit to the doctor (or other healthcare worker/practitioner whom you’ll be consulting with regularly) is usually the most comprehensive. You’ll find out your estimated delivery date (you need to know your last menstrual period for this). You’ll also be doing a complete physical exam so you have a basis on which to compare your progress later, as well as a battery of tests to determine possible genetic diseases, infections, and more. It’s also good to be open to your doctor and let her know your lifestyle and medical history, which is why it’s best to choose a doctor with whom you’re comfortable.
When things don’t seem right: “Watch out for dysmenorrhea-like pains and vaginal spotting or bleeding,” says obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Ma. Lourdes Poblete-Chan, professor at the College of Medicine at the Cebu Institute of Medicine and Cebu Doctors' University. “This could be a sign of problems with the placenta or with implantation, which we call threatened abortion.” See your doctor immediately, who may order you to go on bed rest.
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