What to expect when you're expecting (47 page)

Though this book is organized in chapters by month, corresponding weeks are also provided. Weeks 1 to 13 (approximately) make up the first trimester and include months 1 to 3; weeks 14 to 27 (approximately) comprise the second trimester and include months 4 to 6; and weeks 28 to 40 (approximately) are the third trimester and include months 7 to 9.

While it’s true that pregnancy has its share of wonderful moments and experiences to cherish, it also has a boatload (make that a bloatload) of less than fabulous symptoms. Some you’re probably expecting to have (like that queasy feeling that might already be settling in). Others you’d probably never expect (like drooling—who knew?). Many you’ll probably not discuss in public (and will try your best not to do in public, like passing gas), and many you’ll probably try to forget (which you might, by the way, since forgetfulness is another pregnancy symptom).

Symptoms? Starting Soon

Most early pregnancy symptoms begin making their appearance around week 6, but every woman—and every pregnancy—is different, so many may begin earlier or later for you (or not at all, if you’re lucky). If you’re experiencing something that’s not on this list or in this chapter, look ahead to the next chapters or check it out in the index.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind about these and other pregnancy symptoms. First, because every woman and every pregnancy is different, few pregnancy symptoms are universal. So while your sister or best friend might have sailed through her pregnancy without a single nauseous moment, you might be spending every morning (and afternoon and evening) hovering over the toilet. Second, the
symptoms that follow are a good sampling of what you might expect to experience (though you almost certainly, thankfully, won’t experience them all—at least not all at once), but there are plenty more where these came from. Chances are just about every weird and wacky sensation you feel during the next nine months (both the physical ones and the emotional ones) will be normal for pregnancy, and normal for you. But if a symptom ever leaves you with a nagging doubt (can this really be normal?), always check it out with your practitioner, just to be sure.

Though it’s unlikely that you’ll even know you’re expecting this month (at least not until the very end of the month), you might begin noticing something’s up—even this early on. Here’s what you might experience this month:

A Look Inside

There’s definitely no way to tell this book by its cover yet. Though you may recognize a few physical changes in yourself—your breasts may be a little fuller, your tummy a tad rounder (though that’s from bloat, not baby)—no one else is likely to have noticed. Make sure you take a good look at your waist: It may be the last time you’ll see it for many months to come.

Physically

Possible staining or spotting when the fertilized egg implants in your uterus, around five to ten days after conception (fewer than 30 percent of women experience such so-called implantation bleeding)

Breast changes (possibly more pronounced if you typically have breast changes before your period, and possibly somewhat less pronounced if you’ve had babies before): fullness, heaviness, tenderness, tingling, darkening of the areolas (the pigmented area around your nipples)

Bloating, flatulence

Fatigue, lack of energy, sleepiness

More frequent urination than usual

Beginnings of nausea, with or without vomiting (though most women don’t start feeling queasy until around six weeks of pregnancy), and/or excess saliva

Increased sensitivity to smells

Emotionally

Emotional ups and downs (like amped-up PMS), which may include mood swings, irritability, irrationality, inexplicable weepiness

Anxiousness while waiting for the right time to take a home pregnancy test

Your first prenatal visit probably will be the longest you’ll have during your pregnancy—and definitely will be the most comprehensive. Not only will there be more tests, procedures (including several that will be performed only at this visit), and data gathering (in the form of a complete medical history), but there will be more time spent on questions (questions you have for the practitioner, questions he or she will have for you) and answers. There will also be plenty of advice to take in—on everything from what you should be eating (and not eating) to what supplements you should be taking (and not taking) to whether (and how) you should be exercising. So be sure to come equipped with a list of the questions and concerns that have already come up, as well as with a pen and notebook (or
The What to Expect Pregnancy Journal and Organizer
).