Every Symptom of the First Trimester - and Why It Happens

The first trimester throws a lot at you at once, and almost none of it comes with an explanation. Here's the full list of what showed up for me, and why each one happens.

The ones everyone warns you about

• Nausea, fatigue, exhaustion, sleepiness. Baby development takes everything it needs and leaves you the remainder - rest as much as you actually need, without guilt.
• Dizziness and shortness of breath. No sudden movements, and take stairs slowly and carefully.
• Stronger sense of smell. This one arrived early and made the fridge feel hostile - it's also a big driver of the nausea, not a separate problem.

The blood volume ones

Your blood volume increases by roughly 150% during the first trimester, and it shows up in a few specific ways: a heated, flushed feeling in the stomach from all that extra blood flow, and a real appetite shift toward iron-rich food - beetroot and pomegranate were the two that actually helped.

Boob changes

Tenderness, a heavier feeling, the areola darkening, both the breast and areola increasing in size, and veins becoming more visible on the tummy and chest. Worth checking for lumps while you're at it - I did this while massaging in the bath, moisturizer already on hand.

Round ligament pain

As the belly grows, you might feel occasional short-lived pain in the abdomen - nothing to worry about. Keep the belly moisturized so at least the itching isn't part of the problem; stretch marks themselves are hereditary, not something any cream prevents. Still worth moisturizing and drinking plenty of fluid to keep skin hydrated regardless.

Gum and tooth sensitivity

An unexpected one - a dental cleaning and varnish helped with the sensitivity. Chiropractic care and massage also helped with the general aches that came along with everything else.