Getting on with it

Pregnancy - getting on with it

How will your body change?

What about emotional changes?

What healthcare will you need?

How do you know if something is wrong?

Staying healthy during pregnancy

Antenatal classes

Getting ready at home

Going to the hospital

What happens during labour and birth?

Home

Site map

Glossary

How will your body change?

Over the nine months of your pregnancy you’ll experience many physical changes – some are not much fun!  This section describes what you can expect and where to go for advice.

• First trimester

• Second trimester

• Third trimester

The first trimester (conception up to 12 weeks) is a time when your body will change a lot, though you will not have much of a “bump” until the second trimester.  Each person will experience these changes in different ways and at different times, but here is what you might experience:

• Tiredness and nausea (feeling sick): You will probably feel extremely tired and emotional.  Unless you are really lucky you may also experience nausea and occasional vomiting.  This is often called 'morning sickness' although it can happen at any time of the day. 

• Cravings: You may have strong food cravings and/or food dislikes.  Suddenly food you have always loved makes you feel sick and you can have cravings for things you've never enjoyed in the past or you may crave bizarre combinations. 

• Breast changes: Another change you may notice in the first trimester is increased breast fullness and sensitivity.  This is due to the increasing levels of oestrogen and progesterone (hormones) which stimulate the milk producing glands in the breasts.  The areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) may also enlarge and darken.  Some women also notice small bumps on the areola.  These bumps are normal; they are actually glands that help lubricate the areola and nipple during breastfeeding. 

Top

The second trimester (from 13th week to 27th week) is usually an easier time for most pregnant women.

You may, however, experience some of the following:

• Mild aches and pains: for example, backache 

• Skin changes: dark line on your belly, more freckles 

• Constipation

In the beginning of this trimester, you will be able to feel your uterus extending above the pubic bone.  By 20 weeks you will probably have felt your baby move for the first time.  This is an exciting time but it is also important information to remember and to tell your doctor or midwife to help determine the age of the foetus as accurately as possible.

The third trimester begins at the 28th week of pregnancy and lasts until birth. This is usually a time when you may experience some discomfort as your baby grows and takes up more and more space! 

You may experience:

• Heartburn 

• Gas 

• Constipation 

• Sleeping problems 

• Incontinence see a physiotherapist or continence nurse for an individual assessment and exercise plan

• Light-headedness 

• Haemorrhoids 

• Increased vaginal discharge: bleeding should be reported 

• Nasal stuffiness 

• Occasional shortness of breath 

Your doctor or midwife will be able to offer suggestions for how to cope with these changes.  If you are concerned about these or any other effects, contact your doctor or midwife.  It is particularly important to report any bleeding (see Warning signs).

Top

Get Help

Your Pregnancy Care Provider

Yarra Valley Community Health Service
1300 130 381

Ranges Community Health Service
9739 4577
9754 8963

BabyCentre
www.babycenter.com.au/
pregnancy  
(internet connection required)

Illustration from The Puberty Book 
by Wendy Darvill & Kelsey Powell, 
published by Hodder Headline Australia. 
Reproduced with permission.