The first trimester is the most eventful — and the most anxious. Most of it is invisible: the big developmental work happens before you even look pregnant. Here's exactly what to do, eat, and watch for in weeks 1–12.
Start 400–800 mcg folic acid daily as early as possible — it cuts the risk of neural-tube defects, and the spine forms in the first few weeks. If you're not already on it, start today and tell your doctor.
Your booking blood work
At your first visit (the "booking" visit), expect this panel. It's a one-time snapshot that shapes the rest of your care:
Plus screening for hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis and rubella immunity — all routine, all worth doing early.
What to eat — and what to skip
- Cooked, well-washed vegetables and fruit
- Dal, eggs, well-cooked meat and fish (low-mercury)
- Dairy and paneer (pasteurised)
- Iron- and folate-rich foods: spinach, beans, citrus
- Raw or runny eggs and undercooked meat
- Unpasteurised milk and soft cheeses
- High-mercury fish (shark, king mackerel)
- Alcohol — none is known to be safe
- Limit caffeine to ~200 mg/day (about one coffee)
Week by week, roughly
- Weeks 4–6
A missed period and a positive test. Start folic acid if you haven't. Book your first appointment.
- Weeks 7–9
Nausea and fatigue usually peak. Your booking visit and first blood work typically happen here.
- Weeks 10–12
The dating scan confirms how far along you are. The first-trimester screening (NT scan ± blood test) is offered around now.
Normal vs. not
- Nausea, food aversions, fatigue
- Mild cramping as the uterus grows
- Tender breasts, frequent urination
- Light spotting once, briefly
- Heavy bleeding or passing clots
- Severe one-sided or persistent belly pain
- High fever, or burning urine
- Relentless vomiting — can't keep fluids down
Don't wait on heavy bleeding with cramping, severe abdominal pain, or shoulder-tip pain with dizziness — these can signal an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage and need same-day care.
I drank/ate something on the avoid list before I knew. Should I panic?
No. A one-off before you knew is very unlikely to cause harm. Stop now and mention it to your doctor for peace of mind.
My nausea is unbearable. Is that dangerous?
Severe, constant vomiting where you can't keep fluids down (hyperemesis) needs treatment — call your doctor. Ordinary morning sickness, while miserable, is not harmful to the baby.
Is it safe to exercise?
Usually yes — gentle activity like walking is encouraged in a low-risk pregnancy. Check with your doctor first if you have any complications.
Every pregnancy is different — this is a guide, not a substitute for your obstetrician's advice.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.