37 to 42 weeks is a typical length of time for a typical pregnancy. It’s broken up into three distinct periods: the first, second, and third trimesters. Three months are spent in each trimester (around 12 to 13 weeks). Pregnancy is a time when your body undergoes several changes in order to accommodate the developing baby and prepare for delivery.
Getting pregnant
In order to get pregnant, one of your eggs must be fertilised by a sperm from your male partner. Conception is another name for this stage.
An egg is released from one of your ovaries every month. Ovulation is the medical term for this process. Most women experience it between 10 and 16 days after the start of their previous cycle. The egg in your fallopian tube may be fertilised by your partner’s sperm if you’ve had intercourse. Your fallopian tube then transports the fertilised egg to your uterus (uterus). Eventually, it forms a ball of cells after rapidly multiplying and dividing.
The ball of cells burrows into the lining of your womb as soon as it arrives. Implantation is the term for this procedure. Six days after conception is the average time frame for this to occur. When your kid is still in the womb, it is known as an embryo. Menstruation is caused by the womb’s lining being lost once a month. 14 days following ovulation, you’ll experience this. Because your uterus isn’t shedding its lining when you’re pregnant, you won’t have periods. The first symptom of pregnancy is usually the absence of a menstrual cycle.
Pregnancy tests
In every drugstore or supermarket, you can purchase pregnancy tests. In certain cases, you may be able to acquire a free one from a charity, a sexual health clinic, or your primary care physician.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a pregnancy hormone that pregnancy tests look for. After your missing period, most pregnancy tests can determine whether or not you’re expecting a child. However, certain tests are more sensitive and might give you a response even sooner.
In most cases, prenatal diagnostics are quite accurate. However, doing the test too early might result in a bad outcome in certain cases. If the test comes back negative, but you’re certain you’re pregnant, you should take it again in a few days. HCG levels rise rapidly in the first several weeks after conception. The accuracy of a pregnancy test may be confirmed if your menstruation is at least one week late.
How many weeks pregnant am I?
The first day of your last menstruation is the official start of your pregnancy. You’re considered four weeks pregnant on the day your next period would have been due if you have a 28-day menstrual cycle. A week after your last period, you’ll be five weeks along.
If you haven’t had a period in over a month, your doctor or midwife can figure out when you’re due. 40 weeks from now, you’ll be ready to give birth. If you give birth three weeks before or two weeks beyond your due date, you’re not out of the woods.
First trimester (one to 12 weeks)
Effects of pregnancy on you
- In the first trimester of pregnancy, your body undergoes a slew of changes.
- The first indicator that you’re pregnant is usually the absence of your period.
- You may notice that your breasts are more swollen and sensitive. It’s possible that your areola (the region surrounding your nipples) may darken.
- As your womb grows and presses on your bladder, you may find yourself having to urinate more often.
- You may be exhausted and drowsy at this point.
- As your womb expands and the ligaments surrounding it stretch, you may feel a tugging sensation on the sides of your stomach.
- Feeling ill or being sick is possible. The term “morning sickness” is widely used, however it may occur at any time of day or night. Early in the course of a pregnancy, this is a relatively frequent occurrence. If you eat less often and stick to blander meals, you may get relief from your problems. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a serious condition that necessitates hospitalisation if symptoms are severe.
- Constipation may occur as a result of the slower transit time of food through your digestive tract. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat a diet high in fibre.
As your pregnancy progresses, many of these symptoms will subside. But some things – for example, constipation – may carry on or get worse. If you’re experiencing any difficulties throughout your pregnancy, you should see your doctor or midwife.
Pregnant women should do all they can to be healthy. It’s possible that you’ll have to adjust your way of living. Among the potential modifications are the following:
- if you are a smoker, stopping smoking
- putting an end to one’s drinking
- following a strict dietary regimen
- supplements for vitamin D and folic acid
How your baby develops
As a clump of cells, your child develops rapidly during infancy. Cells in your uterus divide to produce a baby’s embryo and placenta, which serves as a lifeline for both you and your unborn child. The umbilical chord connects the placenta to your womb and your baby. Blood from the mother and the placenta and umbilical cord nourish and oxygenate the unborn child. You can flush your baby’s waste products out of your system since they return to your bloodstream.
All of your baby’s vital organs and body components begin to develop throughout these first few weeks. Your baby’s heart’s cells begin to beat as soon as he or she is born. At the sixth week of pregnancy, an ultrasound may generally identify the heartbeat of your baby.
Once a newborn is eight weeks old, they begin to create the tubes that will allow them to breathe. Their eyes, nose, and mouth muscles are growing, and their fingers and toes begin to protrude from their hands and feet. Your baby’s fingernails will be little by the 12th week. During this time, their kidneys begin producing urine and their pancreas begins producing insulin, which regulates blood sugar.
Second trimester (13 to 27 weeks)
Effects of pregnancy on you
As your baby’s organs develop and expand in the second trimester, your body changes as well.
- After the 20th week of pregnancy, most people will be able to tell that you’re pregnant. The second trimester is also a time of many additional changes. As your baby develops, you’ll start to gain weight. While every pregnancy is unique, you may expect to gain 10–12.5 kg (22–27.5 pounds) or more throughout yours. You’ll gain weight due to your developing kid, the placenta, uterine fluid, breast tissue, and other fat and fluid reserves in your body.
- Stretch marks may appear on your skin as your belly and breasts develop. After the birth of your child, these symptoms are generally gone. Stretch marks may be prevented by using a variety of moisturising and lotions, but there is no conclusive proof that any of them works.
- 16 weeks pregnant is when most women begin to experience less morning sickness.
- As your ligaments and tendons relax during pregnancy, your joints become more flexible. As a result, your back may pain. The additional weight you’re carrying may also be a factor here. You may get discomfort in your pelvis and difficulty walking as a result. Some physiotherapy may be provided in order to assist you deal with this issue.
- Around 18 to 20 weeks into your pregnancy, you may begin to feel the movement of your unborn child. If this isn’t your first pregnancy, you may go into labour a few weeks sooner. During your baby’s growth and development, you’ll notice more and more of their movements. Observe your baby’s motions and familiarise yourself with their regular routine. If you notice any changes, contact your midwife or the prenatal ward (reduced movement).
How your baby develops
Your baby’s bones begin to stiffen around 16 weeks, and its digestive system begins to function at 20 weeks. From 16 to 20 weeks, your midwife may use a stethoscope to hear your baby’s heartbeat. By 16 weeks, your baby’s ears have developed and he or she can hear certain noises.
Lanugo is a slimy material and fine hair that covers your baby’s skin. They’ll sleep and wake up often, and they’ll begin to wiggle and squirm while they do so. Because of this, while they are young, they may even sucking on their thumb. By the time they’re six months old, their eyes will be able to open. An ultrasound scan may generally reveal the gender of your unborn child by the 14th week of pregnancy.
If your kid is delivered prematurely before 24 weeks, they have a better chance of surviving. However, if they were born so early, they would need extensive medical attention for an extended period of time. Every week that they spend in your womb increases their likelihood of survival.
Third trimester (28 to 40 weeks)
Effects of pregnancy on you
During the third trimester, your baby continues to develop as your body prepares for delivery.
- As your baby develops, you may find yourself exhausted and breathless because of the increased weight you’re carrying. Iron deficiency anaemia is one possible reason. A blood test for iron levels should be administered to pregnant women at their first prenatal checkup and again at 28 weeks gestational age.
- You may be having trouble sleeping. Having trouble falling asleep might be due to a variety of factors, including frequent nighttime urination or an inability to find a suitable sleeping posture.
- Pregnant women might start experiencing Braxton–Hicks contractions at about 30 weeks. But they aren’t going to damage you.
- Heartburn is possible. Try to consume a little amount of food often and stick to bland options. Avoid eating at night. To check if it helps, you may take an antacid medication.
- Swelling, particularly in the ankles, feet, legs, and hands, may appear later in pregnancy. Get in touch with your midwife right once if you notice a significant change in your symptoms. Pre-eclampsia may be a symptom (high blood pressure during your pregnancy).
- As the blood flow in your legs decreases, you may develop varicose veins.
- Colostrum is a milky fluid that may begin to flow from your breasts.
- As your baby enters your pelvis, you may find yourself needing to urinate more often. When you cough or sneeze, you may produce a little amount of pee. Stress incontinence is the medical term for this. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor might assist.
How your baby develops
It’s normal for your baby to gain weight fast in the third trimester and to store fat there. They begin to shed their delicate layer of hair as their skin becomes more supple. Gradually, the proportions of their physique improve. There is no way for their lungs to function until they are born.
You’ll notice a lot of stretching, kicking, and gripping motions from your kid. And they’ll be startled by loud noises and shifts in the light. By week 36, most pregnancies are in a head-down position, ready for delivery. They tend to sink deeper into your pelvis in the final few weeks.
People also serach
Which stage of pregnancy happens first?
One of the early indicators of pregnancy may be light spotting. After conception, the fertilised egg adheres to the mucous membrane of the uterus and begins to leak. Menstruation cycles coincide with the onset of implantation haemorrhage.
What happens in first month of pregnancy?
For many women, the first symptom of pregnancy is the absence of a monthly cycle. By the time you’ve missed your period, the majority of pregnancy tests will be positive. Pregnancy fatigue, bloating, urinating more than normal, mood changes, nausea, and sensitive or enlarged breasts are among early pregnancy symptoms.
What trimester is the hardest?
The first three months of pregnancy are generally the most difficult for many women. Our bodies go through enormous transformations at this time and need time for them to adapt.
