Symptoms of Each Trimester of Pregnancy

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Pregnancy is sometimes called a beautiful journey, but it definitely involves many changes for your body. There are symptoms throughout each trimester of pregnancy; some are expected and some are unexpected. That indicates how your body reacts to feeding your growing baby. Being aware of what to expect makes you feel more prepared, reassured, and empowered as you go through each stage.

First Trimester (Weeks 1 to 12)

The first trimester represents a time of BIG hormonal changes. High levels of hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone help maintain the pregnancy but are also responsible for the majority of early symptoms.

The most common symptom you will experience is morning sickness or nausea (although it can happen at any time of the day). Based on research, it is estimated that as many as 70% of pregnant women have some degree of nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. Fatigue is also extremely common as your body works overtime to sustain your baby’s growth.

Other symptoms include tender or swollen breasts, mood swings, food cravings or aversions, bloating, and frequent urination. Some women notice light spotting or mild cramping as the uterus begins to expand. While these are usually harmless, it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor if you’re concerned.

It is also the trimester when most mums go to their first prenatal appointment, where scans and tests confirm the pregnancy and look at baby’s early development.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13 to 27)

The second trimester is also known as the “honeymoon period” of pregnancy. Nausea usually disappears, energy is higher, and most mums prefer this trimester. It’s also when you feel your baby stirring for the first time in light flutters called quickening, which happens between 18 and 20 weeks.

Physical symptoms become more pronounced as your bump grows. Backache, leg cramps, and slight puffiness of the ankles or hands can happen as your body gets heavier. Skin symptoms are also to be expected—stretch marks, melasma (dark patches), or the linea nigra (a dark stripe along your abdomen) may appear. 

More blood flow and hormonal changes can even cause some mums to get the so-called “pregnancy glow”. Heartburn and indigestion may occur as your growing uterus presses on your stomach. 

Important scans and tests are also performed during this trimester, such as the detailed anomaly scan around 20 weeks, which monitors your baby’s growth and development.

Third Trimester (Weeks 28 to 40)

The third trimester may be the most physically demanding time. As your baby continues to grow, you find yourself more uncomfortable. You experience shortness of breath because the uterus rises onto the lungs, and needing to pee every minute returns because the baby puts pressure on the bladder.

Backache, pelvic pain, and swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet are also prevalent. Most mums in this trimester have difficulty sleeping due to pain, vivid dreams, or having to pee too frequently. You could also be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, which are “practice” contractions that prepare the uterus for labour.

When you experience those aches, it is best to seek some solution (and with the green light from your doctor, OF COURSE). One of the best things to do is to seek a prenatal massage.

Some women notice their breasts ooze colostrum, the nutrient-dense first milk that nourishes newborn babies in the early days. Baby movements tighten and grow stronger—sometimes so forceful that they make you stutter in your stride.

It is also the time when your body is preparing for labour. You must be on the lookout for warning signs. Sudden swelling, headache, vision change, or reduced foetal movement could be signs of complications such as preeclampsia, which, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), occurs in an estimated 2–8% of all pregnancies globally.

When to Seek Medical Help

Although most pregnancy symptoms are reassuring, some must be taken very seriously. Call your health provider immediately if you experience:

• Heavy bleeding or severe tummy pain
  
• Severe swelling of your face, hands, or feet
  
• Severe headaches or poor vision
  
• A very noticeable slowing down of your baby’s movements

It’s always better to have reassurance than to wait and worry.

Taking Care of Yourself After Pregnancy

Pregnancy does not end at birth; the postpartum period is also a significant part of the equation. Most moms complain of body aches, water retention, fatigue, and even breastfeeding complications after having a child. Taking care of yourself now is as important as caring for your new child.

This is where PNSG comes in. Our home prenatal massage is trusted by thousands of mothers in Singapore for its efficiency in relieving pregnancy aches. Plus, we have postnatal massage, too!

While there are plenty of prenatal massage benefits to be had, we do have to disclose at this point that if you are wondering when to get prenatal massage sessions, we recommend them sometime AFTER the 28-week mark and no more than 2 weeks before your EDD.

So, are you ready to claim the benefits of massage during pregnancy and be pampered in your relaxing prenatal massage session? Just reach out to us at PNSG to find out more. We have a team of skilled and certified massage therapists who can tackle your problems once and for all!