First trimester: weeks 1 to 12

You're pregnant: congratulations! The first weeks of your pregnancy are a vital time as your body gets busy building a baby. How exciting!

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Weeks 1-12 infographic

First trimester: key stages

The first trimester begins on the first day of your last period and lasts until the end of week 12. This means that by the time you know for sure you're pregnant, you might already be five or six weeks pregnant!

A lot happens during these first three months. The fertilised egg rapidly divides into layers of cells and implants in the wall of your womb where it carries on growing. These layers of cells become an embryo, which is what the baby is called at this stage.

During this trimester, your baby grows faster than at any other time. By six weeks, a heartbeat can usually be heard and by the end of week 12, your baby's bones, muscles and all the organs of the body have formed. At this point, your baby looks like a tiny human being and is now called a fetus. He or she will even be practising swallowing!

When am I due?

Find out your due date using our due date calculator!

When will I see a midwife?

Your first midwife appointment (also known as antenatal appointment) is the 'booking' appointment. This usually happens between week 8 and 10 of your pregnancy. Find out how to register with a midwife and when your appointments will be here.

Keeping your baby safe

There are some things that you can do during pregnancy that have an effect on your baby. Find out about them by clicking the link below.

Find the complete list of pregnancy dos and don'ts (and reasons why) here

Not sure whether you are pregnant?

Find out about the symptoms that mean you may be pregnant here.

Your physical and mental health in pregnancy

We also have lots of useful tips for coping with everyday pregnancy niggles. It’s common for women to experience symptoms such as morning sickness, cramp and indigestion during the first trimester. 

Don't forget that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. It's normal to feel some anxiety and stress but it shouldn't be ongoing. If what you’re feeling isn’t normal for you, talk to your GP or midwife about it. They are there to help. 

Exercise, such as yoga, has been shown to reduce anxiety and is a great way to stay active during your pregnancy, too.

Read more about mental wellbeing in pregnancy

Read more about diabetes and pregnancy

Read more about pregnancy with a high BMI

Read more about exercise and pregnancy

Read about the symptoms to look out for in pregnancy

Track your baby's development

Sign up to a free pregnancy email from our midwives to track your baby's development and give you reminders of all you need to know through the nine months of pregnancy. Click here to sign up.

 

Find out more about the first trimester

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Sources

NHS Choices. Your pregnancy week by week http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pregnancy-week-by-week.aspx#close (Page last reviewed: 28/02/2017 Next review due: 28/02/2020)

Macdonald S, Magill-Cuerden J (2012) Mayes’ Midwifery, 14th edition, London, Ballière Tindall

NICE (2008) Antenatal care for uncomplicated pregnancies, NICE Clinical Guidelines 62. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence http://publications.nice.org.uk/antenatal-care-cg62

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ℹLast reviewed on June 28th, 2018. Next review date June 28th, 2021.

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Comments

Please note that these comments are monitored but not answered by Tommy’s. Please call your GP or maternity unit if you have concerns about your health or your baby’s health.

  • By Lungile (not verified) on 9 Aug 2019 - 03:41

    Hi I'm a woman of 34 my questions is yesterday I went to the local clinic for check up.I'm so confused and stressed at the same time course my due date is 12 of August so they said to me I must go to the hospital to get the abortion pill to make me deliver the baby so first how dangerous it is course I never done that in my in tiyer life I'm so scared.please help me.

  • By Mom of 2 (not verified) on 15 Aug 2019 - 03:25

    I would not recommend getting the abortion pill to make the baby deliver. Your baby knows when it needs to be born. The due date is just an estimate to make you aware that baby will be coming around that time. I would wait a little while longer (if you have not already had baby).

  • By Anonymous (not verified) on 6 Aug 2019 - 20:43

    Hi,
    I did not receive my next contraceptive injection when it was due,my husband and i decided to try for a second child, my injection was due 10 june,since then weve been trying maybe every second night, ive started feeling tired and started getting heartburn as well, there is some nuasia but not much,is it to soon to take a pregnancy test,i must add while on the injection those last weeks before the next one i was on antibiotics aswell

  • By Stephanie (not verified) on 30 Jul 2019 - 12:33

    I got my period last month but this month i only bled for 2 days straight which is unusual and light since then I've had sore breasts, heartburn and very strong backpains could I be pregnant

  • By Tom (not verified) on 6 Aug 2019 - 11:23

    What you experienced most probably is called implantation bleeding. the signs are of it. Do a home pregnancy test

  • By Lizzy (not verified) on 29 Jul 2019 - 11:52

    I took my last period on the 20th of June so with calculations midwifes think Iam 5 weeks but my stomach is massive Iook about 12 weeks what could this be

  • By Anonymous (not verified) on 28 Jul 2019 - 20:25

    I am pregnant,

  • By Nadia (not verified) on 16 Jun 2019 - 11:23

    My last period were on 6th may got a positive result i have a bad pain on my left always feel like there is something on my left side

  • By Sarah Barnes (not verified) on 10 Jun 2019 - 21:49

    Is it too soon to have sex after having a 10week old baby?

  • By Mallory (not verified) on 27 Jun 2019 - 02:54

    I believe usually healthcare providers advise to wait 4-6 weeks after delivery but you should probably double check with your own dr to verify all is well down there

  • By chantel (not verified) on 9 Jun 2019 - 00:28

    l last saw my period mid feb 2019 and had unprotected sex late feb to early march.Since february l havent had my period yet .my belly is slightly bigger and breasts without any other signs of being pregnant.l have not taken any test.can l be pregnant considering that my cycle is not stable at one time l went for 4 months without my period but l was not pregnant.

  • By Tracy (not verified) on 6 Jun 2019 - 07:05

    Hey im 18 years old . My last period was on may 4th , I was supposed to get my period on june 1st instead i have brown discharge for 6 days i took a pregancy test today and it came out negative but now im having pain around my ovaries can someone help mee

  • By Anonymous (not verified) on 7 Jun 2019 - 11:10

    I would contact an OB for hcg levels if you are pregnant. I mean you should regardless especially if you have pain. But typical Implantation bleeding only last a day or so

  • By Denis mugagga S... (not verified) on 15 Jun 2019 - 20:18

    Sorry about that dear u need to see a gynaecologist coz u could be having STIs

  • By Jc (not verified) on 18 Jun 2019 - 08:58

    Hey the exact same thing happened to me and I’m still waiting for my period, how did you turn out??

  • By Marcia (not verified) on 21 Jun 2019 - 14:31

    The brown Discharge you mentioned could be implantation bleeding. Since you posted this well over a week ago, you should take another pregnancy test if you haven't had your period yet. The pregnancy hormone often isn't detectible until after your missed period- so it would be wise to check again.

  • By Victoria (not verified) on 4 Jun 2019 - 23:05

    Hi. I had my 1st sex ever(un-protected) on the 6th of may(the week am suppose to have my period) so i did'nt see my period untill 24th of may. A week after i'd been feeling dizzy,having severe headache and sleepy every morning. But it only lasted a week. Have done a home test but it's not giving results. Could i be pregnant? Cause my Guy did'nt realease on me.

  • By Anonymous (not verified) on 7 Jun 2019 - 11:14

    If you got your period the 24th of May there’s really not a way you went through your mensural cycle, Ovulated, conceived and then implanted in that short of a time. Can’t do much if the tests are coming back negative too and that he didn’t inside of you.

  • By Orrelia (not verified) on 4 Jun 2019 - 08:43

    Hi
    I have the worst morning sickness ever cannot keep fluids down for the past two to three days i have not been drinking any fluids and i have stomach cramps,headeaches and dizziness, i feel tired and i dont want to eat although i feel hungry because i vomit. I peeone or twice a day if i am lucky is this normal or should i be worried.

  • By Marie101 (not verified) on 3 Jun 2019 - 18:34

    Am I supposed to have pelvic pain first trimester?

  • By dennisonbritany... (not verified) on 27 May 2019 - 02:08

    I have heavy irregular periods issues and on birth control implant and missed 2 birth control pills from three weeks ago and missed 2 birth control pills two weeks ago and had sex last May 16 2019 few hours after stopped period then after had sex went in bathroom and wiped my private area and found just very tiny drop bleed then an hour stopped and don't have period anymore after that since, I took home pregnant test last week on May 19 2019 and came out negative, I still feel tiredness, have those headaches, weakness, cramps for two days, yesterday and today. And my private area is smell odd because it smell different, have morning sick every night, have nauseaous. And have been moody swing. one min grouchy, then laughing, then annoyed by others. And haven't have any period yet. So, am I possible pregnant? And my birth control implant is bended. Because it have been pains in my right upper arm where my birth control implant in.

  • By Gaga (not verified) on 25 May 2019 - 11:07

    I am 7 weeks pregnant. But, from 2 today, i have discharge with mixed blood when i wipe with toilet paper. I am very much worried

  • By Sarah (not verified) on 23 May 2019 - 11:53

    I am just over 4 weeks pregnant I have had some bleeding and cramping last night but this morning there isn't blood it's just a brown colour with some cramping, what does this mean

  • By Kerri (not verified) on 17 May 2019 - 08:45

    I missed my period for 7 days. I did a urine test and it said that I am 2-3 weeks pregnant. I then did a blood test which confirmed that I am pregnant with a HCG count of 169. The day after my blood test, I started my period. The doctor advised I must do blood tests again in 4 days time to check if my HCG count has increased. 4 days are still so long and its making me anxious. Am I having my last period because its early days or have I had an early miscarriage?

  • By Anonymous (not verified) on 30 May 2019 - 21:52

    I'm having same situation. 7days late and 2 positive pregnancy test . Am I pregnant or should I wait more for my periods to come back?

  • By Anonymous (not verified) on 7 Jun 2019 - 11:06

    If the pregnancy test came back positive they knew most definitely pregnant

  • By Baby (not verified) on 14 May 2019 - 17:59

    hi.... I had some signs of pregnancy during the 2nd week of April.... so I went for a pregnancy test via blood test nd it came out positive.... but on the same day I I got the test for a positive pregnancy result test my mestratution started that lasted for 4days... confused tho.... I started monitoring myself,after the menstrual period... so I found out I sleep too much, feel week very often, eat too much, have sore breast .... now the date of that the last period was 12-15... now in may the am having cramps, light spotting of blood.. am confused... please help

  • By Jas (not verified) on 4 May 2019 - 03:44

    I went to the hospital and they gave me a urine test it showed I was pregnant they then drew blood it was called a titer they checked for my HCG levels and my baby blood type well I was told it's very little fetus growth and my HCG levels was only 100 but they didn't tell me how far along I was and they want me to come back in three days to repeat the titer well I went to the hope center and they told me I was four weeks pregnant but they went off my lmp I had a miscarriage before does that mean that's what this is reason why my levels are only 100 and why the ER couldn't tell me how far along I am only styoms I have is sore breast peeing alot eating alot sleepy and cramps but today only had peeing alot eating alot and little sleepy no cramps

  • By Megan (not verified) on 3 May 2019 - 19:06

    I had started my period april the 4th it lasted 4 Days then i started again on april 29th it only lasted 3 days
    Could i be pregnant i have taken several pregnancy test and they keep showing faint positive lines? I havent been feeling like myself lately

  • By Megan (not verified) on 3 May 2019 - 19:03

    I had started my period april the 4th it lasted 4 Days then i started again on april 29th it only lasted 3 days
    Could i be pregnant i have taken several pregnancy test and they keep showing faint positive lines? I havent been feeling like myself lately

  • By Anxious Mum (not verified) on 1 May 2019 - 23:29

    Hello, I am 40 year old, have had three ( nearly four) failed pregnancies. Had two miscarriages and an ectopic ( with a tube removed). I am 6 weeks 5 days pregnant now, my hcg levels were slow rising with 2900 and 3300 in 48 hours. Scan revealed gestational sac but no yolk sac or embryo, also sac marked as irregular at 7 * 4 * 7, scan was hard and painful as they state visibility was poor due to its position, not sure what that means.
    Can you please advise?

  • By Scared (not verified) on 29 Mar 2019 - 00:03

    I’m having what feels like a period and they look at the baby today and it was fine. Have you heard of this before at 12 weeks?

  • By bria (not verified) on 12 Mar 2019 - 04:34

    this is every helpful. I will keep using this link.

  • By Jessy (not verified) on 10 Mar 2019 - 09:45

    Me and my partner had sex one month back. 1 week after that, I started feeling cramps,giddy and tired,back cramps.i went to doctor and took some test..my prolactin level was 55..Now I got my periods which was not heavy like regular periods, that to for only 2days with out any severe cramps..it was light bleeding than usual..am I pregnant?

  • By Blessing (not verified) on 10 May 2019 - 16:41

    I am not sure but think you are. Women who are pregnant have the prolactin levels btw 34 to 386 ng/mL. You might want to confirm from your doctor.

  • By Maria (not verified) on 18 Feb 2019 - 09:43

    My breast has been hard since the last week of December. My normal mensuration came on the 20/11/2018 but in December and January it as been very light and only two days or less than. I have been having several pregnancy signs could I be pregnant cause I have done home test but it comes out negative

  • By Midwife @Tommys on 21 Feb 2019 - 12:43

    Hi Maria, Thank you for your comment.

    As it has been a couple of months since your last period, it would be advisable for you to see the GP. You are getting negative pregnancy tests but you are still not having periods only spotting. The GP will be able to take some bloods to check your hormone levels and if you need a referral then he can do this. Take Care, Tommy's Midwives x

  • By Lizzy (not verified) on 14 Feb 2019 - 21:43

    I'm four months pregnant but my Tommy is not coming out pls what can I do

  • By Nicola (not verified) on 10 Feb 2019 - 02:09

    Hi I took a clear blue test on Thursday afternoon and it came up pregnant 3+ how far would i be and my boobs were getting really sore in the past week now and my lower back is sore aswell.

  • By Midwife @Tommys on 13 Feb 2019 - 13:12

    Hi Nicola - you can visit our page here to work out roughly how many weeks pregnant you are and when your due date might be - https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/use-our-pregnancy-calculator-find-out-your-due-date
    All the best, Tommy's Midwife

  • By Casendra (not verified) on 1 Feb 2019 - 16:15

    Hi, my first day of the last period was on 8.12.18 & Jan I haven't got my period... me and my hubby have regular intercouse. I have noticed spotting last week one day and even this week on Friday . I have used the pad but nothing much just a few drops .. Is this due to pregnancy... pls advise

  • By Midwife @Tommys on 13 Feb 2019 - 13:09

    Hi Casendra - you will need to do a pregnancy test if you have not seen your period since 8th Dec until now. If you are not pregnant, then you need to book to see your GP to review why your menstrual cycle has hanged suddenly. All the best, Tommy's Midwife

  • By Ayesha (not verified) on 30 Jan 2019 - 14:47

    Hi, it is common to have a 1 week late for a baby growth? If calculated on my last period, i’m now in 8 weeks pregnancy. But after i did a scan, it shows im 6 week pregnant. Another thing is i dont have any symptoms like nausea or what. But my breast is sore last week.

  • By Midwife @Tommys on 31 Jan 2019 - 11:08

    Hi - thank you for your message. There can be some variation by a few days on how pregnant you are and what it shows up on the scan as. This maybe due to a longer than average cycle or your dates varying a little.

  • By Adelina (not verified) on 22 Jan 2019 - 16:15

    Hello. I did a pregnancy test last night and is show my I am pregnant in 2-3 weeks but after I read more carefully the instructions and they was saying to with the first urine but I didn’t do with the first.
    And my boobs it’s hurting me from more than one week and I feel them bigger!
    The pregnancy test is good?

  • By Midwife @Tommys on 23 Jan 2019 - 16:38

    HI Adelina
    Yes, you are pregnant. the best time to take a pregnancy test for the most accurate result, is with the first wee of the day. But if you took the test later in the day, and it still shows pregnant, then this is right
    Congratulations, all the best! Tommy's Midwife

  • By Rebecca (not verified) on 21 Jan 2019 - 12:03

    Hi
    I’m taking a pregnancy supplement but before my positive result I was aso taking vit b6 100g to extend luteal phase . Should I keep taking it ? Or cut down slowly . It has been helping with nausea

    Please help- also do I need a b complex
    Thanks

  • By Midwife @Tommys on 25 Jan 2019 - 15:59

    Hi Recbecca,
    Are you able to drop us an email with a little more background information to [email protected] and we will advise you there.
    Thanks
    Tommy's midwife

  • By Nadeesha (not verified) on 11 Jan 2019 - 09:10

    I had two drops of blood today.my pregnancy is 9 weeks and I feel some pains in my lower back is this normal?

  • By Midwife @Tommys on 11 Jan 2019 - 12:35

    Hi Nadeesha,
    I would suggest to put on a pad and monitor for any further blood loss. If this continues or your pain is worsening then do see your GP for a review.
    Best wishes
    Tommy's midwife

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