What Happens to Your Body During Each Stage: First Trimester
Pregnancy is a period characterized by constant physical and emotional shifts. It is typically divided into three trimesters – each bringing its own unique changes. In this article we will outline the medical procedures, essential tests and ways in which to maintain a healthy lifestyle for both you and your fetus during the first trimester (weeks 1 to 12).
It is important to point out that throughout your pregnancy you should attend regular prenatal check-ups with your OB-GYN. In addition to these visits, a medical team is available to address your questions, including prenatal care nurses, Tipat Halav, nurses and midwives. We recommend checking with your HMO regarding the services available to you.
Prenatal medical follow-ups
If you did not visit your physician before becoming pregnant, do not be concerned. The first visit, between week 6 to 12, covers the majority of tests and questions related to the beginning of pregnancy. If you already had a preconception visit, the first prenatal appointment will be shorter and will complement the previous one. Here is what to expect during this visit:
Please note
Please note
If you did not discuss all of these topics with your physician, you may consult a prenatal care nurse or a Tipat Halav nurse to receive the information you need.
Physical changes
At an early pregnancy stage, the uterus and the placenta – the organ designed to transfer oxygen and resources to the fetus – begin to develop. The placenta secretes a hormone called BHCG, and as it grows, the hormone levels rise. This increase causes suspension of your menstrual cycle and typically marks the stage in which women discover they are pregnant, either through a home test or a laboratory blood test that checks the hormone levels in the blood.
High hormone levels also cause fatigue, nausea, and mood shifts. In most women, these symptoms improve after several weeks, while in others they can last longer throughout the pregnancy.
The breasts also begin to change: they become fuller and more sensitive, the skin around the nipples becomes darker, and the body enters a hormonal adjustment process that is felt sometimes even before the pregnancy is officially identified.
Common pregnancy symptoms
Nausea
Nausea is very common at this stage. There are home remedies that can sometimes provide relief, such as natural almonds, ginger, low-fat crackers, or toast.
If you suffer from severe nausea, this is the time to consult your OB-GYN, as there are dietary supplements and medications that may ease your symptoms. Please note: Most anti-nausea medications are prohibited during pregnancy, and it is essential to consult your physician before taking any medication.
Heartburn
The hormonal changes and the pressure of the uterus on the stomach cause many women to suffer from heartburn at various stages of pregnancy.
There are several ways to provide relief:
- Eating small, frequent, and diverse meals, and chewing food thoroughly.
- Separating fluid intake from solid foods.
- Avoiding carbonated beverages and fatty foods.
- Safe physical activity and strengthening the pelvic floor can help reduce heartburn.
Please note
Please note
If these solutions do not provide relief and you are suffering significantly, you should contact your physician. In any case, do not take any medications without consulting a medical professional authorized to confirm they are safe for use during pregnancy.
Adapting your diet for pregnancy
From the moment you discover you are pregnant, you will have to adapt your diet and particularly, to provide your body with sufficient calories and protein. From now until childbirth, you will have to refrain from several types of foods, including unpasteurized dairy products and aged cheeses, raw fish, raw meat, foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and alcohol in any quantity.
Additionally, it is advisable to minimize consumption of snacks, sweets and artificial sweeteners, salt, coffee and caffeine.
Recommended range for weight gain
During your first prenatal follow-up visit, your height and weight will be measured to calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index) and tailor a recommended range for weight gain during your pregnancy. In your subsequent visits, you will be weighed to monitor your progress, and ensure it is a healthy gain.
It is important to know that weight gain is a natural and necessary process. Healthy weight gain can help both you and your baby prevent complications, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, pre-term delivery, or the need for a C-section. If the weight gain exceeds the expected range, you may be referred to a dietitian.
During the first trimester, if your BMI is within the normal range, the recommendation for a single-fetus pregnancy is to gain between 0.5 to 2 kilograms during the first trimester. Recommended weight gain chart (single fetus) based on BMI at the start of pregnancy:
| Total recommended weight gain | BMI status |
BMI category at the start of pregnancy |
| BMI < 18.5 | Underweight | 12.5-18kg |
| 18.5 ≤ BMI < 24.9 | Normal weight |
11-16kg |
| 25 ≤ BMI < 29.9 | Overweight |
7-11.5kg |
| 30 ≤ BMI | Obese | 5-9kg |
Recommended vitamins and dietary supplements during pregnancy
Several vitamins and dietary supplements are recommended during pregnancy:
- Folic acid: Recommended throughout the childbearing years. If you did not take it prior to pregnancy, now is the time to start.
- Iodine: Recommended during the entire pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
- Calcium: Recommended during the entire pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
- Vitamin D: Recommended during the entire pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
- Omega-3: As a supplement or by consuming fatty fish, such as salmon and trout, rich in Omega-3.
- It is recommended to include iron in your list of supplements from the end of the third month.
It is advisable to read more about each supplement in detail.
Important to note: If this list seems overwhelming, most of these supplements can be taken together in a single, combined pill known as prenatal multivitamin, containing the recommended doses of the required dietary supplements: iron, folic acid, calcium, and iodine.
Vaccinations during pregnancy
Even before coming with your baby to Tipat Halav, it is recommended that you get vaccinated yourself during your pregnancy. During the winter, it is recommended to get vaccinated against the flu, and it is best to get vaccinated now. It is possible to do it during any week of pregnancy. The vaccine will reduce the chances of you getting the flu, which is a disease that can lead to complications in pregnant women, and will also protect your baby. If you are in a risk group – a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended. Later in your pregnancy, you will be asked to get additional vaccines.
Medical check-ups
The following tests, recommended by the Ministry of Health, can be performed within the specific weeks listed below:
- Genetic screening tests: If you have not done so prior to pregnancy, it is recommended to undergo genetic screening tests for severe hereditary diseases.
- Weeks 6-12 of pregnancy: An ultrasound to determine gestational age, pregnancy viability, and the number of fetuses.
- Weeks 11-13 of pregnancy: Nuchal Translucency (NT) by ultrasound scan to assess the risks of Down Syndrome and fetal anomalies.
- Weeks 11-13 of pregnancy: CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling): To examine fetal chromosomes and diagnose genetic disorders.
- Weeks 11-22 of pregnancy: Amniocentesis: To examine the fetal chromosomal profile and diagnose genetic disorders.
- Weeks 11-13 of pregnancy: First-trimester screening: Including blood tests for PAPP-A and free beta-hCG, combined with a nuchal translucency (NT) scan.
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) can also be performed during these weeks. - First trimester blood tests: A complete blood count (CBC), fasting glucose, thalassemia, blood type and Rh antibody screen, syphilis, urine, HIV, Hepatitis B, and antibody screen for Rh-negative women.
- Checking rubella vaccination status and guidance on postpartum vaccination.
When to seek immediate medical attention
The following conditions require immediate medical evaluation at a medical center (during the morning), or at an Emergency Room (at night):
- Bleeding heavier than a normal period.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Persistent vomiting.
- Loss of consciousness or fainting.
Please note: You can also consult your HMO's Nurse Advice Line if you are unsure where to go.
Emotional changes
The beginning of pregnancy is often characterized by a mix of emotions, including excitement, curiosity, occasional fear, confusion or doubts about the future and one's parental capabilities.
Hormonal shifts can cause sharp mood swings, and some women report a sense of detachment or a gap between the image of the 'magical pregnancy' ideal and their actual experience.
Emotional support from your spouse, friends, or family, combined with some rest, regular meals, and moderate physical activity, can help regulate both physical symptoms and the emotional toll.
Information overload can also increase anxiety; therefore, it is recommended to choose a few trusted professional sources and consult your prenatal care team (physician or nurse) with any questions you may have.
For further information on emotional changes during pregnancy
Please note: If these feelings persist for more than two weeks, cause you considerable distress, or make it difficult to function, do not face this alone; Contact your OB-GYN or your primary care physician, a nurse, a psychologist or a social worker to receive the support and tools that will help you feel better.
Seeking help early can prevent further difficulties, strengthen your resilience, and protect both you and your baby.