All About the First Trimester

For most women, the first 12 or so weeks of pregnancy are the most consuming because everything is all so new, so exciting, even overwhelming. To satisfy the little voice inside your head that keeps asking questions, here's a primer. Keep it handy.

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Diary Of A First Trimester

Week 4 My husband and I stand hand in hand, in crumpled pajamas, staring, waiting. And there it is, plain as a pink plus sign. I’m pregnant! Two-year-old Nicholas will be a brother! Break news to family.

Week 5 Have three vivid dreams that it’s a girl. Giddy with excitement, I buy two adorable little girl outfits.

Week 6 I could swear I’m showing. Proud as a mama peacock, I tell close friends.

Week 7 Suddenly seized with morning, afternoon and evening sickness. Can’t stand the smell of our house, toast, toothpaste, water, air.

Week 9 Mouth tastes like rusty pennies, camouflaged by watermelon, spicy olives and chocolate milk. Last pregnancy, crackers did the trick.

Week 10 Nicholas swallows his chicken-fingers lunch as I swallow my nausea and remind myself that this is a healthy sign and that my OB says it will end by week 14, tops. Last pregnancy: 10 days of nausea.

Week 12 I lie on the couch feeling green. Nicholas approaches and plays a jig on his harmonica. “Now you feel much better, Mommy!” he declares. And for the first time in weeks, I do. — Lu Hanessian

 

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