The first twelve weeks — gentle support

Medically, the first trimester is one of the most decisive phases of a pregnancy — and at the same time one in which many women feel unsure of themselves. We try to make these weeks a time in which you feel seen and supported.

The first appointment takes place around week six to eight. We confirm the pregnancy by ultrasound, look for the embryo’s heartbeat and set up your Mutterpass — the small maternity booklet that will accompany you through the entire pregnancy and in which every examination is documented.

The beginning also includes a set of laboratory tests foreseen in the maternity record: blood group and rhesus factor, an antibody screening, a check of your rubella immunity and tests for certain infections. It sounds like a lot — in practice it is a single blood draw, and we go through the results together at your next visit.

Between weeks nine and twelve, we discuss the first optional examinations, such as NIPT or first-trimester screening. What you want to have done — and what you don’t — is a decision you make in your own time. There is no “right” or “wrong” here, only the path that feels sound to you.

NIPT in particular raises many questions. This blood test examines fragments of the child’s DNA in the mother’s blood for the most common chromosomal variations. Since 2022, statutory insurers in Germany have covered the cost in justified individual cases after medical counseling — otherwise it remains a self-pay service. To us, though, the conversation beforehand matters more than the question of cost: what the test can tell you, what it cannot, and what an abnormal result would mean for you.

And then there is everyday life: nausea, leaden fatigue, tender breasts, mood swings. All of this is common in the first weeks and usually reflects the hormonal changes — unpleasant, but in most cases no cause for concern. Do get in touch if you experience heavier bleeding, persistent lower abdominal pain or fever. When in doubt: one call too many is better than one too few.

There are a few things you can do yourself. Folic acid — ideally started before pregnancy — supports your child’s early development. Please avoid alcohol and nicotine entirely, and be cautious with raw meat, raw fish and raw-milk products. Much else can stay just as it is: exercise, work and travel are expressly fine in an uncomplicated pregnancy.

Many women haven’t told anyone about the pregnancy at this stage — and so they carry their questions and worries alone. That is exactly what we are here for. No concern is too small for a phone call, and you don’t need an “official” reason to reach out.

With week twelve, the first trimester ends, and for most women a calmer phase begins: the risk of miscarriage drops considerably, the nausea usually eases, and your checkups settle into their regular rhythm — every four weeks at first. Until then, we accompany you at your pace, with as many appointments and conversations as you need.