Pregnancy Health Month by Month

From the very beginning you are producing a flood of hormones, such as estrogen to make the womb lining receptive to the tiny embryo, together with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and progesterone to keep the embryo embedded into the womb lining. Progesterone also thickens the cervical mucus, which forms a protective mucus plug that seals off the uterus from ascending infections during the pregnancy. Already your metabolic rate has increased along with a doubling of the blood flow to your uterus.

Many women "feel pregnant" even before their pregnancy test is positive. Tingling and tenderness in the breasts is a common early sign even before they start increasing in size. So too is urinary frequency, since more urine is being produced as the kidneys filter the extra blood and also because the enlarging uterus presses on the bladder during the first trimester. Tiredness and feeling over-emotional are also common symptoms along with a heightened sense of smell and the development of food likes and dislikes.

Get 7 tips to help survive the first trimester.

Next: Pregnancy Health Month by Month Mom's Pregnancy Health: Month 2

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