First Trimester

Although you may not look or feel pregnant yet, there is still plenty to do to plan for your new arrival. Learn more about your health, what St. Francis has to offer, sign up for classes (they fill quickly!), read pregnancy books, get tips for relieving early pregnancy signs and symptoms like morning sickness, and more! St. Francis provides patients in Greenville, Spartanburg, Clemson, and throughout the Upstate, SC area with convenient, comprehensive maternity care and services.

Your Health in the First Trimester

Weeks 1-12

After you have a positive pregnancy test, you will want to call your OB/GYN to schedule an appointment. Many physician offices schedule your first prenatal appointment around the 8th week of pregnancy. (Start with the first date of your last menstrual period and count the weeks since then to determine which week you are in.)

You may be experiencing common early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and constipation during the first trimester. At your first doctor's visit, let the doctor or nurse know what kinds of symptoms you are experiencing so they can offer advice for relief. Most doctors recommend that you try to manage morning sickness and other early pregnancy signs without medications when possible.

Your doctor may decide to perform a transvaginal ultrasound during one of your first visits to help date the pregnancy, especially if your menstrual cycle is irregular.

If you are at risk for delivering a baby with genetic abnormalities, your doctor may recommend a prenatal test called chorionic villus sampling to determine your baby's genetic makeup. This test usually is performed at 10-12 weeks of pregnancy.


 

Your Growing Baby

While no one may even know that you are pregnant yet, your new baby is undergoing amazing changes during the first trimester. During the first trimester, nearly all of the fetus' internal organs form. By the end of the first trimester your baby is about the size of a fist and can even begin to move a little.

First trimester of pregnancy

Learn more about your growing baby with the following animations and illustrations:

 

 

Mom's To-Do List

For more information on early pregnancy, including signs and symptoms, patients in Greenville, Spartanburg, Clemson, and throughout the Upstate, SC area can use our physician search tool to find a local OB/GYN who can provide care and support throughout your pregnancy. You can also review these additional resources to keep you informed during your first trimester.