Stages of Pregnancy

Stages of Pregnancy

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Anticipating Pregnancy-Related Changes

What does the course of pregnancy look like? This article explains pregnancy milestones and describes its general stages.

Early Pregnancy: The Initial Weeks

Conception, marking the commencement of pregnancy, is the first significant milestone – closely followed by a second major event: Realizing you are expecting.

  • Conception: Pregnancy begins at fertilization, followed by the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus. For more information, go to How Does Pregnancy Happen?
  • Early Symptoms: About two weeks later, changes will become palpable, signaling the onset of pregnancy. Read more about Pregnancy Symptoms, or take the Symptoms Test.
  • Pregnancy Test: Verification is usually sought through a pregnancy test or a pregnancy confirmation appointment.
  • Correct Positioning? Using ultrasound, your gynecologist can determine whether the pregnancy is intrauterine or ectopic.

Note: Since the weeks of pregnancy start counting from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), you are already considered two weeks pregnant at conception and four weeks pregnant by the time your next period becomes overdue.

Pregnancy Stages - An Overview

The nine months – or 40 weeks – of pregnancy are divided into trimesters of approx. three months each. The first trimester lasts from week 1 to 12, the second trimester ends at week 27, and the third trimester spans the remainder of the pregnancy.

Physical Changes in the Mother

Fetal Development

First Trimester

1st - 12th Week

Experiences during this trimester may vary greatly:

  • Some women encounter intense pregnancy symptoms (pulling and stretching of ligaments, breast tenderness, nausea, cravings, fatigue, increased urinary frequency)

  • Other women have very few complaints.

This is truly amazing:

Two cells unite, forming a new human being with its own DNA. Its development from within happens at a fast pace: After only five weeks, a heartbeat can be detected. All essential organs have begun to form by the end of the first trimester.

Second Trimester

13th - 24th Week

Most women enjoy this trimester. The bump is not uncomfortably large, and the increased level of hormones allows her to experience the “pregnancy glow.” She feels and looks great! 😉

Organs continue to develop. By the end of the second trimester all organs relating to the baby’s senses are functional and are already being used. The baby moves around a lot as it learns and explores.

Third Trimester

25th Week to Birth

The baby-bump continues to grow. Your uterus will expand 100-fold its original size, making room for the growing baby, as well as the amniotic fluid and the placenta.

Even though this stage may be more exhausting, most women get a second wind as their nesting-instinct kicks in. This helps them get ready for the baby.

While most of the main developments are completed, this trimester is marked by major weight gain. Deposits of fat develop under the skin, gearing the baby up for birth.

Ideally the baby’s head will start descending into the pelvis, ready for delivery.

Your Pregnancy Health Record / Antenatal Record

In many regions, a booklet or card is distributed to expectant mothers where all pregnancy-related medical information is stored (e.g., prenatal visits, ultrasound results, maternal weight gain, etc.). The pregnant mother is encouraged to always keep this maternity record with her. This assures consistent care, even when seeing several medical providers. Often hospital staff request to see the card when checking you into the labor ward for delivery.

This is what it is called in your area:

Hormones - Transitions - Uncertainty

As you read about the pregnancy milestones which are often celebrated, you may be experiencing little or no joy.

Perhaps the pregnancy was unintended – or your anticipation morphed into anxiety.

Hormonal Change

You are not alone! Many expectant mothers, whether their pregnancy was planned or not, are overcome with doubts and fears during early pregnancy. The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are marked by drastic changes in hormone levels which trigger the physical changes necessary to create a nurturing environment for the developing baby.

You may feel out of control, wondering, “What is happening with my body?” or “Is this what I signed up for?”

Additionally, shifts in hormone levels are commonly accompanied by emotional upheaval. Feeling more emotional or even depressed during the initial months of pregnancy is normal.

Almost There!

The good news is that chaos of emotions is usually a natural part of early pregnancy, which should subside with the completion of the first trimester.

Even if it feels like this will never end, you have almost made it! Many women feel the negative emotions subside by the end of the first trimester, making room for anticipation or even joy.

When you feel alone...

Amid this turmoil of emotions, an overwhelming number of thoughts may be flooding your mind. We realize that making decisions while experiencing brain fog can seem almost impossible. That is why we have created unbiased resources to walk you through your decision-making process. Why not give our free digital coaching resources a try?

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Disclaimer: While profemina aims to provide you with the most up-to-date information, pregnancy recording policies and procedures frequently change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of all the details in this article.

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