Pregnancy Stages and Changes in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pregnancy brings major changes to your body and emotions. While every woman’s experience is unique, understanding the typical stages of pregnancy can help you know what to expect and when to seek care from a Grand Rapids healthcare provider.

In West Michigan, pregnancy can also feel different depending on the season. Cold, icy winters, hot humid summers, and changing daylight can all affect your energy, mood, and comfort. Having a local care team in Grand Rapids can make a big difference.

Early Signs of Pregnancy

You may first suspect you’re pregnant when you miss a period. That’s a good time to take a home pregnancy test and schedule an appointment with a provider in Grand Rapids, such as:

  • A family doctor or OB-GYN at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • A certified nurse midwife in a local clinic
  • A provider through the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health services

Common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy include:

  • Missed period
  • Larger, tender or sore breasts
  • Nausea or vomiting (“morning sickness”)
  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Aches and pains, especially in the lower abdomen or joints
  • Constipation
  • Food cravings or food aversions
  • Heartburn and indigestion
  • Needing to urinate more often
  • Back pain
  • Vaginal thrush (yeast infections)
  • Skin changes, itching, or small skin tags
  • Hemorrhoids (piles)
  • Leg cramps or restless legs, especially at night
  • Varicose veins
  • Swelling in ankles, feet, or hands (common in warmer, humid Michigan summers)
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Nasal stuffiness or shortness of breath

If any symptom feels severe or unusual, contact your Grand Rapids doctor, midwife, or obstetrician.

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness can happen at any time of day, not just in the morning. It is often caused by changing pregnancy hormones.

  • Usually starts around week 6
  • Often improves by week 14

Tips to Ease Morning Sickness

Try:

  • Drinking small amounts of fluid often
    • Flat lemonade, diluted fruit juice, weak tea, clear broth, sports drinks
    • Sucking on ice chips or ice-blocks if you can’t keep other fluids down
  • Eating small, frequent meals so your stomach is not empty
  • Eating a plain dry cracker or biscuit before getting out of bed
  • Trying ginger: ginger tea, ginger tablets (if approved by your doctor), or dry ginger ale
  • Choosing salty snacks like plain potato chips or salty crackers if they help
  • Avoiding fatty, rich, or very spicy foods
  • Avoiding strong food smells and hot cooking odors

In cold Grand Rapids winters, indoor cooking smells can be strong in closed-up homes—using exhaust fans, opening a window briefly, or asking someone else to cook can sometimes help.

When to See a Doctor

A small percentage of women develop severe and prolonged vomiting called hyperemesis gravidarum. This can lead to dehydration and weight loss.

Contact your doctor or go to an emergency department (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) if you:

  • Cannot keep fluids down
  • Have very dark urine or are barely urinating
  • Feel weak, dizzy, or faint
  • Lose weight instead of gaining

You may need IV (intravenous) fluids in the hospital to rehydrate.

The Three Trimesters of Pregnancy

Healthcare providers in Grand Rapids typically divide pregnancy into three stages, or trimesters:

  1. First trimester: weeks 1–12
  2. Second trimester: weeks 13–27
  3. Third trimester: weeks 28–birth

Some physical and emotional changes are more common in each trimester.

First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)

Common Physical Changes

  • Tiredness and low energy
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Slight weight gain (about 1–2 kg), or even weight loss if morning sickness is strong
  • Faster heartbeat and breathing rate
  • Tender, larger, and heavier breasts
  • Frequent urination as your growing uterus presses on your bladder
  • Constipation and bloating
  • Mild cramping or aches

In winter months in Grand Rapids, darker days and cold weather can worsen fatigue. Light exercise indoors, such as walking at a mall or using a home treadmill, can sometimes help.

Emotional Changes in the First Trimester

You may feel:

  • Excited, joyful, or relieved—especially if you’ve been trying to conceive
  • Unsure or conflicted about being pregnant
  • Moody or emotionally “up and down”
  • More tearful or sensitive than usual

Hormonal shifts can cause mood swings. You may feel thrilled one moment and anxious or overwhelmed the next. This is common, but if you feel persistently low, talk to your provider.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13–27)

Many women in Grand Rapids find the second trimester to be the “easiest” stage.

Common Physical Changes

  • Less nausea and less extreme fatigue
  • More stable mood
  • Weight gain of about 6 kg (varies by person)
  • “Pregnancy glow” – some women notice thicker hair and stronger fingernails
    • Others may find their nails softer or easier to break
  • A growing belly as your baby and uterus grow
  • First baby movements (“quickening”) usually between 16–22 weeks
  • Changes in appetite, including cravings for sweet, spicy, or fatty foods
  • Dislike of certain smells or tastes

This is also when many routine tests and ultrasounds are done at local hospitals and clinics (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health). These tests check your baby’s growth and screen for certain conditions.

Mental and Emotional Changes

You may notice:

  • Feeling more focused on the baby and planning for birth
  • Some “pregnancy brain” – forgetfulness or trouble focusing at work or home
  • Anxiety about upcoming tests or ultrasound results

If test results raise concerns, your provider will guide you to appropriate specialists in Grand Rapids or the wider West Michigan region.

Third Trimester (Weeks 28–Birth)

As your due date approaches, your body and emotions continue to change.

Common Physical Changes

  • Tiredness and physical discomfort
  • Difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position
  • Back pain or pelvic pressure
  • Shortness of breath as the baby presses on your lungs
  • Heartburn and indigestion
  • Frequent urination
  • Swelling in the ankles, feet, and hands (especially in hot, humid Michigan summers)
  • Braxton Hicks contractions (tightening of the uterus)

About Braxton Hicks Contractions

  • Usually irregular and not very painful
  • Often stop with rest or hydration
  • Do not usually mean labor is starting

However, contact your provider or go to a Grand Rapids hospital if you have:

  • Regular, painful contractions that get stronger and closer together
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Leaking or a gush of fluid from the vagina
  • Severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling (possible signs of preeclampsia)

Emotional Changes in the Third Trimester

You may:

  • Feel more forgetful or distracted
  • Be annoyed or frustrated by physical discomfort
  • Worry about labor and birth
  • Worry about how your baby will change your family life, finances, or work

These feelings are common. Talking with your partner, a trusted friend, a childbirth educator, or your Grand Rapids midwife or doctor can help.

Your Feelings and Emotions During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an emotional time, and hormone changes can intensify your feelings. You may swing between emotions quickly.

You might experience:

  • Happiness – especially if you’ve been trying to have a baby
  • Surprise – if the pregnancy was unexpected
  • Fear for your baby’s health – especially if you know someone with a pregnancy complication
  • Anger or irritability – from hormonal changes, feeling vulnerable, or dealing with uncomfortable symptoms
  • Grief – after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or pregnancy loss
  • Sadness or disappointment – if you have complications, or if your birth plan needs to change
  • General sadness about the world – finding it hard to hear sad news about children or families
  • Worry about:
    • Being a good mother
    • How your other children will adjust
    • Your finances or job
    • Your relationship with your partner
    • Your body image and weight changes

These feelings can be stronger during long, dark Michigan winters, when seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is more common. If your sadness or anxiety lasts or worsens, seek help.

Depression During Pregnancy

About 15% of women experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy. Many do not seek help because they feel embarrassed or guilty for feeling bad at a time when they “should” feel happy.

Depression is a medical condition, not a personal failure. Untreated depression can affect both you and your baby, so getting help is important.

Signs of Depression in Pregnancy

You may have depression if you notice several of these symptoms most days, for more than two weeks:

  • Feeling depressed, miserable, or empty most of the day
  • Feeling annoyed, angry, or anxious a lot of the time
  • Crying a lot, sometimes without a clear reason
  • Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Eating much less or much more than usual
  • Feeling tired most of the time
  • Trouble concentrating or making decisions
  • Constant worry that something will go wrong with your pregnancy, your baby, or your partner
  • Feeling you have not bonded with your baby, or that you have no maternal feelings
  • Feeling guilty, ashamed, or like you are failing as a mother
  • Thoughts of harming yourself
  • Thoughts that it would be better if you or your baby were not alive
  • Thoughts of suicide

Plenty of safe and effective treatments are available during pregnancy and breastfeeding, including counseling, therapy, and certain medications. Your Grand Rapids provider can help you choose what is safest for you and your baby.

When to Get Help Immediately

If you are thinking about harming yourself or your baby, seek urgent help:

  • Call 911
  • Go to the nearest emergency department (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health)
  • Call a crisis line (see local resources below)

Anxiety During Pregnancy

Many pregnant women feel some worry or anxiety. But some develop an anxiety disorder that needs treatment.

Signs of an Anxiety Disorder

  • Constant worry, stress, or nervousness
  • Racing thoughts that are hard to control
  • Muscle tension or jaw clenching
  • Never feeling calm or able to relax
  • Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Panic attacks (sudden episodes of intense fear with racing heart, sweating, or shortness of breath)

Talk to your Grand Rapids doctor, midwife, or a mental health professional if anxiety is affecting your daily life or relationships. Early treatment can improve your well-being and your baby’s health.

Other Serious Mental Health Conditions in Pregnancy

Some women develop or already have mental health conditions that need specialist care during pregnancy, such as:

  • Bipolar disorder (with episodes of high energy and depression)
  • Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
  • Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

These conditions can affect your nutrition, increase the risk of miscarriage, and lead to anemia or other complications.

If you have a current or past mental health diagnosis, tell your Grand Rapids provider early in pregnancy. You may need a coordinated care plan involving:

  • Your OB-GYN or midwife
  • A psychiatrist or perinatal mental health specialist
  • Your primary care doctor
  • Local support services

Herbal and Complementary Treatments

Some herbal remedies, such as St. John’s wort, may not be safe in pregnancy or may interact with medications.

  • Do not start herbal or over-the-counter supplements without talking to your doctor, midwife, or pharmacist.

Your Grand Rapids healthcare team can recommend safe options for mood, sleep, and nausea.

When to Talk to a Healthcare Provider

Contact a Grand Rapids healthcare provider if:

  • Any pregnancy symptom becomes hard to manage
  • Morning sickness, aches, dizziness, or breathing problems make daily life difficult
  • You notice sudden swelling, severe headaches, or vision changes
  • You feel persistently sad, anxious, or overwhelmed
  • You have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Early treatment is usually more effective and can prevent complications.

Local Pregnancy and Mental Health Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are pregnant in Grand Rapids and need support, consider:

  • Your GP, OB-GYN, or midwife
    • At Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health clinics and hospitals
  • Kent County Health Department – prenatal care, WIC, and public health programs
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – support for prenatal and mental health care
  • Local mental health providers – psychologists, social workers, counselors experienced in perinatal care

In a crisis or emergency:

  • Call 911
  • Go to the nearest emergency department

Key Points

  • In early pregnancy, you may experience symptoms such as larger, tender breasts, nausea, fatigue, and frequent urination—or you may have very few symptoms.
  • Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, and certain physical and emotional changes are more common at each stage.
  • If morning sickness, pain, dizziness, or breathing problems interfere with your daily life, talk to your Grand Rapids doctor or midwife.
  • Sleep problems and discomfort are common in the third trimester, but severe pain, bleeding, or regular contractions need urgent medical attention.
  • Hormone changes can cause mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
  • If you feel persistently sad, anxious, or overwhelmed, or have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help right away—effective and safe treatments are available in Grand Rapids, Michigan.