“I’m pregnant… Now what?”

First trimester physical and emotional rollercoaster ride

Whether this was a joyful surprise or a long-anticipated moment, a positive pregnancy test can unleash a tidal wave of emotions — excitement, fear, confusion, wonder.

And all of those feelings are valid.

The first trimester is between weeks 1 to 13 is a whirlwind of change — mostly happening silently and invisibly. Your body is working overtime to grow every cell of your baby. We'll walk through the physical symptoms, emotional upheaval, what to do next — and most importantly, how to be kind to yourself during this sensitive time of jubilation and uncertainty.

What’s happening?

Even before you start to “show,” there’s a lot happening under the surface. Here are the common first trimester symptoms you can experience:

• Fatigue – Feels like relentless jetlag and you simply cannot fight it. Progesterone and the demands of early growth are to blame.
• Nausea/Vomiting – Up to 80% of women experience this and despite its name, it doesn't just happen in the morning!)
• Tender breasts – Hormonal changes are preparing your body for milk production.
• Bloating and cramping – Often mistaken for a period.
• Mood swings – Hormonal fluctuations affect serotonin and dopamine.
• Food aversions – Or cravings! Either is totally normal.

Rising levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone are the main culprits behind most early pregnancy symptoms. A 2022 review in Frontiers in Endocrinology found that these hormonal surges contribute to both fatigue and gastrointestinal changes, particularly nausea and slowed digestion (Zhou et al., 2022).

Your blood volume begins to increase by nearly 50% during pregnancy, placing extra demand on the cardiovascular and renal systems — and explaining why many women feel exhausted in the first few weeks (Cunningham et al., 2021).

Remember that your body is creating the placenta, beginning neural tube development, and increasing blood volume — all by week six. It’s okay if your body feels like it’s doing something monumental… because it is.

The mental and emotional load

While physical symptoms are expected, it's the emotional changes that often catch people off guard — especially in a trimester when everything still feels so private. You may feel:

• Elated and hopeful
• Irritable, weepy, or anxious
• Disconnected from the pregnancy entirely
• Guilty for not feeling “grateful enough”

These feelings are not a reflection of your capability as a parent. They are normal responses to an enormous hormonal and neurological shift.

In fact, research shows that pregnancy induces significant changes to the amygdala (your emotional regulation centre) and prefrontal cortex (decision-making and planning), which can lead to increased sensitivity and reactivity in the first trimester (Hoekzema et al., 2017).

Psychologists refer to this identity transformation as matrescence — the complex psychological and emotional process of becoming a mother. It mirrors adolescence in both its intensity and long-term developmental impact (Raphael-Leff, 2005).

If you're wondering why you don’t feel like “yourself,” it’s because you're becoming someone new — and that’s okay.

You don’t need to wait until the baby’s born to ask for help. While mood changes are normal, if you feel persistently low, disconnected, or overwhelmed, it’s worth speaking to a GP or psychologist early. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is often used in pregnancy to assess mood.

Your First Trimester Checklist

1. Confirm the pregnancy

• Book an appointment to see your GP
• Get a blood test to confirm hCG levels
• Ask for a referral for an early dating scan (around 7–9 weeks)

2. Start or continue prenatal vitamins

• Folic acid (especially for neural tube development)
• Iodine and iron are also often recommended

3. Book your first major scan

Ask for a referral for the nuchal translucency scan (11–13 weeks) which assesses early development

4. Decide on your model of health care

• Public hospital care is fully covered in Australia via Medicare and includes access to midwives, GPs, and OBs.
• Private care offers continuity with one obstetrician but comes at a significant out-of-pocket cost.
• Midwifery group practices (MGPs) offer holistic, continuous care through a known midwife model — but spots are limited ( Homer et al., 2019).

The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines (2011) recommend discussing these options early, especially if you have a preference for continuity of care or birth setting.

5. To tell or not to tell?

You’ve probably heard of the “12-week rule” — the idea that you should wait until after the first trimester to share your pregnancy news. This guideline stems from the statistical drop in miscarriage risk after 12 weeks.

But this is a personal decision.

Many people choose to share early with trusted friends or family who could support them through any outcome. Emotional safety matters too. If secrecy is isolating you, it’s okay to let someone in.

Why you might not feel 'joyful' or just yourself 

If this was a wanted pregnancy, you might be wondering why you don’t feel happier. Hormones, fear of miscarriage, identity shifts, and sheer exhaustion can all cloud the moment.

You are not failing at pregnancy if you don’t feel glowing. You are surviving a seismic physical and emotional transformation — silently, invisibly, and often alone. That takes strength.

Gentle reminders

• You don’t need to eat kale if all you can stomach is toast.
• You don’t need to go to work if you’re so tired you can’t think.
• You don’t need to love pregnancy to love your baby.

This season isn’t about performance. It’s about rest and care — for your body, your heart, and your new beginning.

Remember, you’re not alone

The first trimester is a paradox: so much is happening… and yet so little is visible. That’s why it can feel lonely.

But you are not alone. Reach out to loved ones if you need to chat or support. 

🧘 Need help with navigating your pregnancy?

We believe in meeting you with empathy, honesty, and support — from the very first flutter of doubt or joy. 

Sometimes it's the little things that can make a difference to your experience. We have hand selected pregnancy specific products in our Pregnancy gift hampers to help you alleviate the physical discomfort and enjoy your experience, as best you can.

👜 Shop Pregnancy gift hampers →

 

Cited Research & References

1. Zhou, M. et al. (2022). The Hormonal and Neurobiological Landscape of Early Pregnancy. Frontiers in Endocrinology.
2. Cunningham, F.G. et al. (2021). Williams Obstetrics, 26e. McGraw-Hill Education.
3. Hoekzema, E. et al. (2017). Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. Nature Neuroscience.
4. Raphael-Leff, J. (2005). Psychological processes of pregnancy and the mother–baby relationship. Journal of Child Psychotherapy.
5. Australian Government Department of Health (2020). Pregnancy Care Guidelines – First Trimester Investigations. - Pregnancy Care Guidelines
6. Greenberg, J.A. et al. (2011). Folic acid supplementation and pregnancy outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology.
7. Homer, C.S.E. et al. (2019). Midwifery continuity of care: a practical guide. The Lancet.
8. Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines (2021 Update). www.health.gov.au
9. Lee, A.M. et al. (2007). Prevalence, course, and risk factors for antenatal anxiety and depression. Archives of Women’s Mental Health.