How your body changes through pregnancy

Pregnancy asks a great deal of your body, and it answers in dozens of small ways. From the very early weeks, hormones like progesterone and oestrogen rise sharply, your blood volume begins to climb, and your heart starts pumping more with every beat. Most of what you'll feel is your body adapting beautifully to grow your baby, not a sign that anything is wrong.

In the first trimester you may notice tender, fuller breasts, more trips to the loo, tiredness that arrives out of nowhere, and a heightened sense of smell. Many people feel queasy, especially in the mornings, though it can strike at any time of day. These early signs often settle as you move into the second trimester.

The middle months are, for many, the most comfortable. Your bump becomes visible, you may feel the first flutters of movement (often described like bubbles or butterflies), and your energy tends to return. You might see changes in your skin and hair, and feel your centre of gravity shifting as your bump grows.

In the third trimester your body is busy making room. You may feel breathless as your baby presses upward, notice swelling in your feet and ankles, and find sleep harder to come by. Braxton Hicks (practice tightenings) are common and usually painless. Backache and pelvic pressure tend to build as your baby settles lower in readiness for birth.

Every body and every pregnancy is different, so try not to compare yours to anyone else's. There is no 'right' way to look or feel. What matters is that the changes feel manageable for you.

Always speak to your midwife or maternity team if something worries you, sudden or severe swelling, a bad headache with visual changes, reduced baby movements, or any bleeding should be checked the same day. You know your body best, and you are never being a nuisance by asking.