Trimester Overview
As you may know a pregnancy is usually defined into three separate trimesters. Each trimester begins the start of the new phase the baby will be going through.
First Trimester
image from Healthline.com
For most women, the first trimester is usually the hardest. Most women will be experiencing morning sickness, (don't be fooled by the name - sickness can happen at any time of day) fatigue, dizziness, and food cravings and aversions.
First Month (Week 1-4)
This month will go quicker than you think because you won't know you are pregnant until you are about 4 weeks along. You start your pregnancy with the first day of your last period. You then usually conceive the baby at about 2 weeks into your pregnancy. You won't really know that you're pregnant until you are about 4 weeks.
Second Month (Week 5-8)
The second month is usually when you will see your doctor to confirm your pregnancy (what to expect on your first dr visit). Your symptoms for the second month will be the same as the first, except your morning sickness may increase. At the second month your baby weighs about 1/2 an ounce and is the size of a raspberry. You may have your first ultrasound in the second month though some doctors may wait till you are 9 weeks.
Third Month (Week 9-13)
By the end of this month your baby is fully formed. The baby will have hands and feet with fingers and toes. You may start to show a little and you will continue to feel fatigue and emotional. This tends to be the last month most women have sickness, however this could last into your second trimester. Towards the end of this month is when most people will start telling friends and family about them expecting. However, there are some that will wait until the halfway point to announce.
First Month (Week 1-4)
This month will go quicker than you think because you won't know you are pregnant until you are about 4 weeks along. You start your pregnancy with the first day of your last period. You then usually conceive the baby at about 2 weeks into your pregnancy. You won't really know that you're pregnant until you are about 4 weeks.
Second Month (Week 5-8)
The second month is usually when you will see your doctor to confirm your pregnancy (what to expect on your first dr visit). Your symptoms for the second month will be the same as the first, except your morning sickness may increase. At the second month your baby weighs about 1/2 an ounce and is the size of a raspberry. You may have your first ultrasound in the second month though some doctors may wait till you are 9 weeks.
Third Month (Week 9-13)
By the end of this month your baby is fully formed. The baby will have hands and feet with fingers and toes. You may start to show a little and you will continue to feel fatigue and emotional. This tends to be the last month most women have sickness, however this could last into your second trimester. Towards the end of this month is when most people will start telling friends and family about them expecting. However, there are some that will wait until the halfway point to announce.
Second Trimester
image from parentinghealthybabies.com
Fourth Month (Week 14-17)
During your fourth month your baby is starting to use his/her nervous system, his/her reproductive organs are fully developed and now you will be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a doppler. You may see a decrease in your morning sickness and fatigue. Towards 17 weeks you may start to feel the baby move.
Fifth Month (Week 18- 21)
Around 20 weeks you will have another ultrasound. In this ultrasound they may be able to determine the gender of the baby. You will also be able to see your baby moving and doctors will check for any abnormalities. During this month you may also see that you have a lot more energy than you had before. By the end of the month your baby should be weighing about a pound.
Six Month (Week 22-26)
Almost the end of your second trimester. You should be feeling your baby moving regularly now. At this point your baby is the size of a grapefruit. You may start to feel aches in your lower abdomen along the sides due to your ligaments stretching. Some women tend to also experience trouble sleeping which is usually due to the baby moving more at night than during the day.
During your fourth month your baby is starting to use his/her nervous system, his/her reproductive organs are fully developed and now you will be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a doppler. You may see a decrease in your morning sickness and fatigue. Towards 17 weeks you may start to feel the baby move.
Fifth Month (Week 18- 21)
Around 20 weeks you will have another ultrasound. In this ultrasound they may be able to determine the gender of the baby. You will also be able to see your baby moving and doctors will check for any abnormalities. During this month you may also see that you have a lot more energy than you had before. By the end of the month your baby should be weighing about a pound.
Six Month (Week 22-26)
Almost the end of your second trimester. You should be feeling your baby moving regularly now. At this point your baby is the size of a grapefruit. You may start to feel aches in your lower abdomen along the sides due to your ligaments stretching. Some women tend to also experience trouble sleeping which is usually due to the baby moving more at night than during the day.
Third Trimester
You're almost at the end and you're ready to meet your little bundle of joy! At this point your baby should be moving regularly and you will be able to see your belly dancing.
Seventh Month (Week 27-30)
At this point your baby is about the size of a cauliflower. At this point if you haven't yet started taking any classes you may want to take some classes to prepare for delivery and parenting. I would highly recommend taking an infant/toddler CPR class. Also, if you're planning on delivering at a hospital it would be wise to take a tour of the hospital so you are prepared for the actual day. At this point your body is going to be more achy. You may also start experiencing shortness of breath while walking and you will also start to see an increase in vaginal discharge.
Eighth Month (Week 31-35)
You may feel like your baby is having a dance party in your belly at this point. As your baby is growing and running out of space to move around, his/her movement is going to be more profound than before. Also, you are more likely to get hemorrhoids because of the pressure your uterus is putting on your organs. By week 35 your baby's height may slow down, however your baby will still gain weight until he/she is born.
Ninth Month(Week 36-40)
The final month!!! At this point you will start to see your doctor weekly. A full term baby is about 37 weeks old or older. At this point your baby is fully developed and is putting on weight until he/she is due. Some women start to experience Braxton Hicks (fake contractions) but the key is to keep timing the contractions - if they last more than two hours you may be in labor and you should call your doctor. This month will feel like it is the longest month because you are going to be tired and ready to meet your little one. Make sure you have everything ready for your baby because he/she could arrive at any moment.
In some cases women will go past their due date. Most doctors will allow women to go 2 weeks past their due date before they induce. Going past 42 weeks will put both mom and baby at risk of health issues and complications during delivery.
Seventh Month (Week 27-30)
At this point your baby is about the size of a cauliflower. At this point if you haven't yet started taking any classes you may want to take some classes to prepare for delivery and parenting. I would highly recommend taking an infant/toddler CPR class. Also, if you're planning on delivering at a hospital it would be wise to take a tour of the hospital so you are prepared for the actual day. At this point your body is going to be more achy. You may also start experiencing shortness of breath while walking and you will also start to see an increase in vaginal discharge.
Eighth Month (Week 31-35)
You may feel like your baby is having a dance party in your belly at this point. As your baby is growing and running out of space to move around, his/her movement is going to be more profound than before. Also, you are more likely to get hemorrhoids because of the pressure your uterus is putting on your organs. By week 35 your baby's height may slow down, however your baby will still gain weight until he/she is born.
Ninth Month(Week 36-40)
The final month!!! At this point you will start to see your doctor weekly. A full term baby is about 37 weeks old or older. At this point your baby is fully developed and is putting on weight until he/she is due. Some women start to experience Braxton Hicks (fake contractions) but the key is to keep timing the contractions - if they last more than two hours you may be in labor and you should call your doctor. This month will feel like it is the longest month because you are going to be tired and ready to meet your little one. Make sure you have everything ready for your baby because he/she could arrive at any moment.
In some cases women will go past their due date. Most doctors will allow women to go 2 weeks past their due date before they induce. Going past 42 weeks will put both mom and baby at risk of health issues and complications during delivery.