Pregnancy is the happiest time of most women’s lives. Being pregnant does have its privileges and everybody will say that you are more beautiful than you have ever been. Pregnancy offers so many things to enjoy and be in awe of. However, pregnancy also brings challenges in every sense – emotionally and physically.
Pregnancy is measured in trimesters which begin from the first day of your last menstrual period and usually last about forty weeks from conception to the birth of the baby. This time is divided into three stages of pregnancy: the first, second and third trimester. During these pregnancy trimesters, you will experience many physical and emotional changes. In this article, you can learn more about pregnancy month by month and the most common symptoms that can accompany the trimester of pregnancy.
First Trimester
Even though pregnancy can be an exciting and joyous time, during the first trimester you will experience many hormonal changes that affect almost every organ system. Your pregnancy begins from the first day of your last period, which means that in the first two weeks, you aren’t actually pregnant. Not having a menstrual period is an obvious sign of pregnancy. However, there are many other symptoms associated with hormonal changes in the first trimester of pregnancy. Other signs and symptoms include sore breasts, bloating, morning sickness, frequent urination, sensitivity to smell, food cravings, spotting, and constipation.
Fetal development: The First Trimester
Tender breasts is often the first sign of pregnancy. Your breasts are swollen and sensitive to touch as a result of the increased blood flow caused by pregnancy hormones. This uncomfortable symptom can last your entire first trimester, so the best thing you can do about it is to get a supportive bra. Your areolas (the area around the nipples) can darken as early as two weeks after conception.
You can also notice that you are peeing a lot more than usual. Frequent urination is a common pregnancy symptom that can start about two to three weeks after conception. Once the embryo has implanted itself in the uterus, your body starts producing a hormone known as hCG which can make you feel like you have to pee every five minutes.
Spotting (light bleeding) can also occur five to ten days after you’ve conceived. This is completely normal and a sign that the embryo has implanted in the uterine wall and means that you’ve got a baby on the way.
Fatigue and morning sickness are another common symptoms that occur thanks to surging hormones. Your body works harder to make sure your baby has everything it needs to grow and develop for the next nine months. Nausea and vomiting can strike women very early in pregnancy, but for most the real fun begins in week six of pregnancy.
Fetal development: The First Trimester
The amniotic sac forms around the fertilized egg to help cushion the embryo throughout the entire pregnancy. The placenta, a flat, round organ that transfers essential nutrients from the mother to the baby, also develops in the first trimester.
Baby’s facial features start to develop and blood cells are taking shape. Circulation begins and fingers, toes, and eyes are forming. The neural tube is now very well formed and the sensory organs and digestive tract begin to develop. In the second month of pregnancy, the embryo begins to move, even though you can’t feel his/her movements yet.
By the end of the third month, the baby is fully formed and has arms, fingers, hands, feet, and toes. The reproductive organs begin to develop and the urinary and circulatory systems are working.
Second Trimester
The second trimester is the best of all pregnancy trimesters and it is often considered to be the most wonderful period of pregnancy. This is because many of the unpleasant symptoms of the first trimester will now disappear and you will experience a great relief and a feeling of well-being.
Many women feel more energized in the second trimester, even though they can still notice a few things that stand out. Your uterus starts to grow and the surrounding ligaments also start to stretch, which can cause you abdominal pain. Your belly is also growing, which can cause the appearance of stretch marks.
Fetal development: The Second Trimester
Pregnancy hormones are slowing the rate at which the digestive system moves food throughout your body and can cause numerous symptoms including heartburn, bloating and constipation. In order to avoid these uncomfortable symptoms, try to eat smaller meals more often.
In the second trimester, you can also notice a dark line on your stomach which is known as the linea negra. You may also begin to experience shortness of breath and you will gain weight.
An ultrasound will give you a chance to see your baby for the first time. The second trimester is also a great time to start shopping and preparing for the arrival of your new baby.
Fetal development: The Second Trimester
In the second trimester, you can finally find out your baby’s sex and you can feel its first movements which are known as quickening. Your baby is starting to produce urine and discharge the same into the amniotic fluid. The neck is more defined and red blood cells are forming in your child’s spleen. If you’re having a girl, ovarian follicles begin forming, but if you’re having a boy, the prostate appears.
Your baby’s skeleton is developing bones and baby can now make sucking and swallowing motions with his/her mouth. Baby’s movements are now coordinated and can be detected via ultrasound. Fat stores begin to develop under his/her skin to keep your baby warm after birth.
In week eighteen of pregnancy, baby’s ears begin to stand out on the side of his/her little head and your little one will begin to hear and recognize your voice. Baby is more active and is completely covered with fine hair known as lanugo. The skin is translucent and wrinkled. Fingerprints and footprints are forming and real hair is growing on his/her head.
Your baby’s lungs are beginning to produce surfactant, a substance that is very important because it allows the air sacs in the lungs to inflate.
Third Trimester
The third trimester is full of excitement and joy as well as numerous strange and uncomfortable symptoms.
Fetal Development: The Third Trimester
Thanks to pregnancy hormones, you can expect the appearance of
varicose veins which have a tendency to develop in the legs, thighs, and
calves. Varicose veins can also develop in the rectum, where they are
known as hemorrhoids. Your uterus is expanding and puts pressure on your
diaphragm below your lungs, which may cause shortness of breath. Your
breasts will continue to grow larger and you might notice colostrum
leaking from your nipples, which is a yellow discharge or also known as
the first milk. You may experience back pain and painfully swollen
hands, feet, and ankles.
In the third trimester, the baby is very active and is switching up
positions and turning his/her head down in preparation for delivery. The
new position of your baby could cause you to waddle like a duck in your
final pregnancy months.
Fetal Development: The Third Trimester
Your baby continues to grow and develop during the third trimester and is now able to open and close his/her eyes.
Your baby is slowly gaining weight and his/her skin is becoming smooth. The bones are fully developed and the central nervous system has matured. Your little one practices breathing and the layer of hair that has covered baby’s skin starts to fall off. The waxy white coating that protects your baby’s skin (vernix caseosa) will get thicker and your baby’s limbs are becoming chubby.
In week 37, your baby is considered early term and his/her organs are ready to function on their own. Your baby’s head might start descending into your pelvis in preparation for delivery.
At 40 weeks, your little one might be about 18 to 20 inches long and weigh around 6 1/2 pounds or more.
About 5% of babies come on their due date, so don’t be alarmed if your due date comes and goes and no sign of baby. It is not unusual for pregnancies to last longer than forty weeks and it’s completely normal to deliver a baby a few weeks earlier or later than your due date.