Pregnancy : Week-By-Week

Sr. No

Period

                   Baby Growth

Mom to be Symptoms

                                                              1st Trimester

1.

Week 1 & week 2

It is difficult to know exactly when the conception occurred and the baby is just a sparkle in your eyes. Doctors calculate your due date from the beginning of your last menstrual cycle.

• At the initial stages of your period, about 20 eggs called ova occupy fluid filled sacs called follicles.

• One of these follicles release egg and it travels down the fallopian tube where it waits fertilization and when egg is fertilizes it moves to uterus.

2.

Week 3

Here egg and the sperms have joined successfully and although it is small – just about the size of head of the pin, it does not look like fetus or a baby. Outer layer will become placenta and the inner layer will become embryo.

           No change is noticed at this point.

3.

Week 4

Egg is fertilized, it burrows into lining of your uterus and this is called implantation.

• Some may also notice spotting as the embryo implants itself in the uterus.

• You may not feel any difference but changes are happening within and in this stage the amniotic cavity which will be filled with fluid and placenta, that will bring oxygen and nutrients to nourish your baby are forming in your uterus.

4.

Week 5

Your baby is still tiny, but its heart, brain, spinal cord, muscles and bones are beginning to develop. The placenta which nourishes the baby and the amniotic sac that provides warm and safe environment where your baby can move easily are still forming. The umbilical cord forms and connects your baby to your blood supply.

• Nauseous called morning sickness, it often happens any time during day or night. Soreness of breast or tingling sensation is another symptom.

• Nipples also get darkens. Woman has to urinate often and she feels more tired than usual.

5.

Week 6

Baby is tadpole shaped and is about the size of a BB pallet. It’s eyes and limbs

are forming. When ultrasound is done, your doctor will be able to hear its heart beat at this stage. This period between 17 and 56 weeks is more crucial time as your baby is most susceptible to anything that can affect normal growth.

• Gained few pounds but if you are having morning sickness you have lost weight and that is normal too.

• Some changes in the body is also noticed like clothes getting tighter around the waist and breast and legs appear fuller.

• Pelvic examination also indicates changes in the uterus.

6.

Week 7

Your little one is growing. Limb buds appear that will grow into hands and feet. Heart, lungs, intestines, appendix, brain, spinal cord, nostrils, mouth and eyes continue to develop

• Morning sickness may be still there and the breasts will feel have slight prickling sensation and will be tender.

7.

Week 8

Your baby is now about in sixth week of development and a big week for growth. There is formation of eyelid folds and ears, with little webbed fingers and toes. It can even swim around the womb.

• Your blood volume is increasing and heart is pumping 50% more blood per minute for your baby.

• Common symptoms are moodiness and feeling of nausea for certain food and smells.

8.

Week 9

Your baby is about size of peanut with head more erect and neck more developed. If ultrasound is done you can even see your baby moving even though there is no feeling or sensation of the moment.

• Uterus is growing and you may notice your waistline thickening.

• No much weight gain especially if you are having food aversions, cravings, heartburn, indigestion, nausea or bloating.

9.

Week 10

Still small but looks and acts like baby. Arms and legs longer and can bend at the elbow and knees.

• Uterus is now the size of grape fruit.

• Feel more comfortable in looser clothes

• Continue to feel tired and moody.

10

Week 11

Doctors use Doppler Stethoscope and can hear rapid swooshing noises of the heartbeat. Baby’s genitals are developing.

• Experience body changes because of pregnancy hormones.

• Your hair, fingernails and toe nails are growing faster but your skin becomes too oily and some may also have acne.

11

Week 12

All the parts of your baby are developing – tooth, buds of toe nails. Development process continues and your baby will develop till the rest of your pregnancy and the chances of miscarriage drops considerably. Bones begin to harden and changes triggered by hormones begin to make external sex organs appear – female or male. Kidney starts making urine and early sweat glands appear.

You will feel more energetic for next few weeks and the weight gain should be around 1.5 to 5 pounds.

                                                                2nd Trimester

12

Week 13 & 14

Hair begins to grow, prostate gland begins to develop, ovaries move down from the abdomen to the pelvic area in biologically female fetus and roof of mouth is formed.

• Nausea lessens but other digestive issues like heartburn, constipation many arise.

• Increase blood flow leads to unpleasant pregnancy issues like bleeding gums, nosebleeds or nasal stiffness.

• Feel dizziness due to change in blood vessels.

In case you have trouble in sleeping you can buy Farlin pregnancy pillow that supports the abdomen and back. It eases the discomfort of stress formed by fetus weight

Hundreds and thousands of eggs form in ovaries of biologically female fetus.

13

Week 15 & 16

Hundreds and thousands of eggs form in the ovaries of biologically female fetuses

• Nausea lessens

• Heart burn and constipation

• Changes in breasts – soreness, darkening of areola

• Shortness of breath

• Nasal stuffiness, bleeding of gums etc due to increase blood flow

• Feeling dizzy or faint

14

Week 17 & 18

• Feeling of fetal movement is sensed

• Heartburn

• Dizziness

• Enlarged breasts

15

Week 19 & 20

Uterus forms in biologically female fetus. Lanugo covers the body and the skin is covered with vernix

16

Week 21 & 22

Bone marrow starts making in blood cells and taste buds begin to form

• Breasts start producing tiny drops of milk

• Feel pain or squeezing of uterus or abdomen. Loose clothes like Maternity nighty make you feel comfortable during pregnancy days. It also has front zip making easy for nursing.

17

Week 23 & 24

Eyebrows and eye lashes usually develops

18

Week 25 & 26

Fetus develops more and more fat from now until end

• Uterus continues to expand

• Back pain may occur for some

• Dizziness may lessen.

One can make use of Farlin maternity belt to relieve back pain and provides additional support during pregnancy.

19

Week 27 & 28

       Eyelids are usually fused together

                                                3rd Trimester

20

Week 29 & 30

Fetus is about 11 inch long and lanugo begins to fall

• More tired and difficulty in breathing

• Stretch marks appear

• Urinate often

• Some may get varicose veins or hemorrhoids

21

Week 31 & 32

               Lanugo falls off

22

Week 33 & 34

Eyes have developed with pupils to constrict and dilate when exposed to light

• Trouble in sleeping and holding urine

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

23

Week 35 & 36

Fetus is considerable fatter and skin is no longer wrinkled

24

Week 37 & 38

           Fetus has firm grasp

• Birth can be anywhere this month

• Average newborn weighs 7-8 pounds and is 18 – 22 inches long with legs extended

• Even though lanugo disappears it is common for new born to have some, which disappears after. You may need to have Boots maternity pads that are specially designed for use in days following the birth. Also for easy and comfortable nursing make use of MEE MEE nursing pads that absorbs moisture and provides peace of mind while on the move