The changes that occur to a woman's body in the first trimester are seemingly endless. There's morning sickness, appetite changes, discomfort, and fatigue just to name a few common experiences. Alongside the usual symptoms, however, there are first trimester symptoms you shouldn't assume are normal. Or even symptoms that may be normal, but are happening in excess.
For example, symptoms like change in mood or spotting happen to a lot of moms during their first trimester, but that doesn't mean you want to ignore them or assume they're normal for yourself. It's always a safe idea to share your symptoms with your doctor, especially if you think they're happening more often than they should.
With all the changes occurring, it may be easy to brush off a symptom or lump it in with everything else going on, thinking it's normal when it's not. And many times moms don't have anything to worry about, but it's still important to know what to watch for and when to contact your doctor. Regardless of whether a symptom is considered normal or not, it's always OK (and encouraged) to reach out to your doctor if you're concerned. If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, however, don't assume they're normal. Talk with your doctor and see if more serious measures need to be taken.
1
A Fever
Your body is growing a baby. As a result you may feel warmer than usual or experience hot flashes, which aren't a big deal. But if you're experiencing a consistent fever or a fever greater than 101 degrees, it could be a sign of infection according to Web MD. Especially if you experience a rash or joint pain in connection with a fever, it could mean an infection like cytomegalovirus (CMV), which isn't extremely uncommon.
2
Abdominal Pain
According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), occasional cramping throughout the first trimester happens to a lot of women, but if cramps are severe or constant, it could be more serious. Things like miscarriage or preeclampsia can cause painful cramping or intense upper abdomen pain.
3
Excessive Vomiting
Morning sickness is probably the number one symptom people associate with the first trimester. And if you've been through a pregnancy before, you may know morning sickness doesn't always mean sickness in the morning. According to Parents, however, if you're experiencing constant nausea or can't keep food down, it's important to reach out to your doctor.
4
Bleeding
There are plenty of women who experience occasional spotting throughout their pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. That still doesn't mean it's considered normal. According to the aforementioned Mayo Clinic article, it's very important to share any vaginal bleeding with your doctor. And if you're unsure how quickly you should reach out to your doctor when spotting, it can vary depending on how much and how long you're spotting.
5
Signs Of Depression
There are a lot of potential signs of depression that are hard to decipher or seem very similar to other pregnancy symptoms. So if you're experiencing some common symptoms, like loss of interest, feeling upset or agitated, extremely anxious or fatigued, etc., it could easily be attributed to pregnancy. But according to Baby Center, if you experience signs of depression for two weeks or more, you need to talk with your doctor.
6
Excessive Thirst Or Hunger
According to Healthline, the most common symptoms of gestational diabetes are extreme thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Although your appetite and level of exhaustion are going to change, share these symptoms with your doctor if they're constant or you feel they're getting totally out of control.
7
Sharp Pain In Your Side
Although stomach discomfort and pain isn't uncommon for the first trimester, severe stabbing pain in your side isn't something you should ignore, according to the APA. It's often a sign of an ectopic pregnancy or even miscarriage. Reach out to your doctor if this is occurring.
8
Chronic Condition Flare-Ups
According to the aforementioned Web MD article, it's important to note any changes in a preexisting condition during your pregnancy. So if you're living with a condition like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure, don't brush off flare-ups in the first trimester.
9
Discharge
According to the aforementioned Parents article, excessive, foul-smelling, or discolored discharged isn't normal. It's important to call your doctor and consider check for infection if this occurs. It is normal, however, for a small amount of clear or white discharge in early pregnancy.
