Pregnancy Trimester Guide: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
Pregnancy is an incredible journey filled with changes, milestones, and excitement. Each trimester brings new developments for both you and your growing baby. Understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared and confident every step of the way.
First Trimester (Weeks 1-12): The Beginning of New Life
Your pregnancy journey starts the moment your body begins nurturing new life. During the first trimester, your baby is growing rapidly, and your body is adjusting to major hormonal shifts.
What to Expect:
- Morning sickness, nausea, and food aversions
- Increased fatigue and heightened sense of smell
- Hormonal mood swings and tender breasts
- Baby’s heartbeat can be detected around week 6
Self-Care Tips:
- Focus on nutrient-dense foods, even if cravings or aversions kick in
- Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest
- Start taking prenatal vitamins if you haven’t already
- Listen to your body—small, frequent meals can help with nausea
Second Trimester (Weeks 13-27): The Sweet Spot
Many moms-to-be consider this the most enjoyable phase of pregnancy! Energy levels often improve, morning sickness fades, and baby’s first movements can be felt.
What to Expect:
- A noticeable baby bump starts forming
- Reduced nausea and increased appetite
- Feeling the baby kick (usually around 18-22 weeks)
- Pregnancy glow—thanks to increased blood flow and hormones
Self-Care Tips:
- Incorporate light exercise like prenatal yoga or walking
- Keep up with hydration and balanced meals
- Moisturize to help with skin changes and prevent stretch marks
- Start researching birthing plans and nursery essentials
Third Trimester (Weeks 28-40+): Preparing for Baby’s Arrival
The final stretch! As baby continues to grow, your body will experience more physical changes, and labor preparation becomes a priority.
What to Expect:
- Increased back pain, swelling, and fatigue
- Braxton Hicks contractions (practice contractions)
- More frequent bathroom trips as baby presses on your bladder
- Baby “drops” lower into the pelvis as labor approaches
Self-Care Tips:
- Eat dates daily (70-76 grams) in your third trimester—studies suggest they may support cervical ripening and help prepare for labor¹
- Stay active with gentle movement to ease discomfort
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
- Pack your hospital bag and finalize postpartum plans
Make Nutrition Easier with Due Date Prep!
No matter what trimester you’re in, taking care of yourself is key. Due Date Prep snack bars are designed to make nutrition easy and convenient, especially in the third trimester when preparing for labor is top of mind.
Packed with science-backed ingredients like dates, cranberries, and coconut, our snack bars help pregnant moms fuel their bodies without the hassle of meal prep. They are non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and free of artificial additives—so you can feel good about every bite!