First trimester (0-13 weeks) tips

If you're not feeling like yourself at the start of your pregnancy, don't worry – many women don’t feel 100%. As every pregnancy is different, you may feel great. Or even have ups and downs. In these first few weeks, your hormones are pretty busy – and this can affect how you feel.

If you’re feeling worried about your pregnancy, it’s important to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Make sure you chat to your midwife about any concerns, as she’ll be able to talk through any of your worries and reassure you.

It can be fun to take a picture of your bump once a week to keep a record of your growing baby. You might not see a lot of change during the first trimester, but as your bump grows, the bigger the changes in the photographs!

Take some time to form a bond with your growing baby. It's never too early for you and your partner to start talking to your bump and letting them hear music.

The best way to protect yourself and your baby from serious disease and illness is to get the recommended vaccines at the right time. NHS Scotland recommends that pregnant women should have the COVID-19, flu and whooping cough vaccines. You can get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines now, but you’ll need to wait until week 16 for your whooping cough vaccine. Ask you midwife for more information on how to get your vaccines.

You can find out more about the immunisations offered during pregnancy and why they’re so important on the NHS Inform website.

You might find that cooking smells make morning sickness worse – so if your partner is handy around the kitchen, this could be a good time to let them take charge at mealtimes.

There may be some foods you used to like but can't face right now. If they're strong smelling you could ask your family to avoid eating them when you're around. Hang on in there – the second trimester usually brings some welcome relief.

Whether you're a mum, dad, co-parent or caregiver, the Baby Buddy app from Best Beginnings can help you feel more confident. It's packed with advice and information to support you throughout pregnancy and the first year of your baby’s life. You can download the Baby Buddy app here.