The first trimester is a time of rapid change for both you and your developing baby. You may notice new symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, bloating, or frequent urination, although every pregnancy feels different. During these early weeks, we'll confirm your pregnancy and due date, review your health history and medications, complete routine prenatal testing, and discuss options for genetic screening.
The first trimester can bring a variety of new symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headaches, heartburn, constipation, breast tenderness, and mild pelvic cramping are all common during early pregnancy. Light spotting or bleeding can also occur, although bleeding during pregnancy is something we want you to let us know about.
Nausea and bleeding are two of the most common reasons patients have questions during early pregnancy. The resources below explain what to expect, what you can do at home, and when to contact our office.
There are steps you can take during early pregnancy to help reduce the risk of certain pregnancy complications. Low-dose aspirin is recommended for some patients to help lower the risk of developing preeclampsia and is typically started around 12 weeks. Other preventive measures, including taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, can help support healthy fetal development. We will review your individual risk factors and let you know if any additional recommendations apply to you.
Most first-trimester symptoms are common and can be managed at home. However, please contact our office if you experience vaginal bleeding, significant or worsening pelvic or abdominal pain, fever, persistent vomiting or difficulty keeping fluids down, or any other symptoms that feel severe or concerning.
If you're unsure whether something you're experiencing is normal, please don't hesitate to reach out. For severe or urgent symptoms, please seek prompt medical evaluation rather than waiting for a MyChart response.
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