Being pregnant is an exciting time. You’ll experience a lot of different physical and mental changes, so feeling overwhelmed or unprepared is entirely natural. To help ready you for your pregnancy, the obstetrics specialists at Alaska Women’s Health PC have shared what to expect in each of the three trimesters of your pregnancy.

An Obstetrics Guide to Pregnancy

First Trimester

The first trimester lasts through your 13^th week of pregnancy. Your body will go through some internal changes, though you won’t yet see a difference in your outward appearance. The first few weeks you’ll experience some significant hormonal changes. These are the early symptoms that most women recognize: morning sickness, constipation, tender breasts, fatigue, and constipation. This is also when the risk of miscarriage is highest, so schedule your first appointment at the women’s health clinic for six to eight weeks into the pregnancy.

Second Trimester

The second trimester, through week 27, is when you’ll regain comfort as your hormones balance out and your symptoms ease. This is when the “bump” usually becomes noticeable, and you may need to shop for pregnancy clothing. You may experience weight gain, increased appetite, heartburn, backaches, and leg cramps. By week 20, you’ll likely feel your baby move around for the first time, as they can hear and even recognize your voice. Your OBGYN will do some screening tests and, if you so choose, you can find out the gender of your baby.

Third Trimester

The third trimester starts from the 28^th week through the end of your pregnancy. You’ll see your doctor regularly for a range of testing and ultrasound appointments to regularly check up on your and your baby’s health. You’ll have some travel restrictions, so it’s best to stay home and close to your doctor in case you go into labor.

If you’ve just learned you’re pregnant, the experienced and caring staff at Alaska Women’s Health PC can guide you through your journey. They’ve been providing comprehensive obstetrics care to patients for over 30 years. To schedule an appointment today, call (907) 563-7228 or contact them online.