Pregnancy
Normally, pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks, with three trimesters. The duration is calculated from the beginning of the last menstrual period, though the fetus develops only two weeks after the menstrual period. Pregnancy occurs when the female egg is fertilized by the male sperm during the ovulation stage (days 11 to 21 of the monthly cycle) in the woman. The monthly cycle ranges from the first day of menstruation to the first day of the next menstruation and averages 28 to 32 days. The word pregnant originates from Latin, where prae indicates 'before' and gnasci indicates 'to be born'.
First Trimester
The length of a pregnancy is normally divided into three trimesters:
First trimester 1 to 12 weeks
Second trimester 13 to 28 weeks
Third trimester 29 to 40 weeks
The colour of the hair, eyes, and the gender of the baby are determined at conception.
1st and 2nd Weeks of Pregnancy
No drastic changes in the body during menstruation and the week following menstruation.
Change in lifestyle: During conception, avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and medications. Those with medical conditions should discuss the necessary precautions to observe, with their family physician.
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th Week
Discharge from the vagina
Cramping, Acute exhaustion, Headache
Menstruation is halted
Morning sickness
Nausea
Loss or gain of weight
Heartburn
Outward projection of nipples, swollen breasts
Spotting of blood
Chances of a miscarriage, if excess bleeding occurs with major cramping
Issues with prenatal vitamins - constipation
A pregnancy test measures the hcG hormone levels and confirms pregnancy. Women should consume prenatal vitamins that contain between .8 to 1 mg folic acid and a high iron content, for the baby's and their health.
Fetal Changes during 3rd, 4th, 5th 6th Week
The fetus consists of cells (blastocyst) that is the size of a pin and ranges from 0.078 inches to 3/4th inch long.
Part of the blastocyst forms the placenta and releases the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
The heart, spinal cord, brain, skin, circulatory system, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, thyroid, pancreas, eyes, ears, skeleton, and the gastrointestinal tract begin to develop at this stage.
Heart beats steadily
Tadpole-shaped fetus
Development of brain
Webbed hands and legs
Lungs, nose, jaw bones form
7th, 8th, 9th, 10th Week
First major visit to the doctor (around 8-12 weeks). Medical history and tests, such as ultrasound, cervical cultures, pap smear are conducted.
Morning sickness
Consumption of frequent small meals
Frequent urination
Strong tastes and distastes
Increase in blood volume by 40% to 50%
Heartburn
Mood changes
Growing uterus but no visible signs
Fetal Changes during 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th Week
1 to 2 inches long
Eyelids, ears, hair, tongue, facial features, external genitalia begin to form
Elbows, toenails, fingernails, and toes are observed
Embryonic tail disappears
Body straightens out
Muscles contract
Maturation of lungs, kidneys, and heart
Swallows amniotic fluid
11th and 12th Week
End of first trimester
Increased hair and nail growth
Darkening of areola of the breasts
Dark patches in the skin (chloasma)
Second time pregnant women may require maternity clothes
Perform vaginal exercises - Kegel exercises
No visible signs of pregnancy
Weight gain - 1.3 to 1.8 kgs
Fetal Changes during 11th and 12th Week
2.5 - 3.15 inches long
Nearly completed external genitalia
Transparent skin
Bones begin to harden
Continued maturation of nervous system
Kidneys are able to secrete urine
Eyes and ears move closer
Second Trimester 13th and 14th Week
Morning sickness may subside
Heartburn
Tight fitting clothes are replaced with loose clothes or maternity clothes
Colostrum starts to form in the large nodular breast
Veins are visible below the breast skin
Stretch marks appear (Vitamin E, alpha hydroxy acids, exercise prevent the marks)
Fetal Changes during Second Trimester 13th and 14th Week
Head is 1/3rd of total body length
3.75 to 4 inches long; weighs < 0.05 kg
Soft, fine hair (lanugo) covers the body
Fully functional kidneys and urinary tract
Spleen produces red blood cells, liver produces bile
Arms lengthen and become proportional
Continued development of brain - facial expressions
15th and 16th Week
2.27 kgs weight gain
Uterus may be felt 5 to 6 inches below the belly button
Start sleeping on the side
Pregnancy glow - Increased blood circulation (50%), increased secretion of oily glands
Uterus weighs 1/4kg
Fetal Changes during 15th and 16th Week
4.75 to 5.31 inches long; 57 to 70 grams in weight
Eyes move closer towards the nose
Ears continue to develop
Babies may suck their thumb
Erect head
Circulatory system, urinary system functions normally
Heart pumps approximately 25 quarts of blood each day
17th, 18th, 19th Week
Enlarged abdomen, uterus pushes the intestines upwards and to the side of the abdomen
Women may develop sciatic nerve pain and sharp pain around the abdomen or hip region (round ligament pain)
Women may experience low blood pressure, dizziness, and should move slowly while standing up from a sitting position
Alpha fetoprotein test
Take short naps
Fetal Changes during 17th, 18th, 19th Week
5.75 to 7 inches long; weighs 110 to 200 grams
Improved hearing
Umbilical cord is longer and thicker
Formation of fat tissue and genitalia
Myelin covers the nerves
Hair starts to sprout on the scalp
Regions in the brain controlling senses are getting specialized
20th, 21st, 22nd Week
Each week there is a gain of 230 to 450 grams.
Comfortable period of pregnancy
Varicose veins may develop with weight gain
Frequent rests reduce swelling in feet
Uterus is 3/4 inch above the belly button
Fetal Changes during 20th, 21st, 22nd Week
7.75 to 10 inches long; weighs 260 to 400 grams
A white material called vernix caseosa covers the baby
Meconium (the first excretion) starts to be produced.
Baby starts to move and mother feels the movements
Eyes, eyelids, eyebrows completely form; nonpigmented iris
Continued development of pancreas
Wrinkled skin
Appears like a newborn baby but is much smaller
23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th Week
Approximate gain of 5.4 to 10 kgs
Uterus increases 1.5 to 2.5 inches above the belly button
Colourless and odorless amniotic fluid may be discharged - one must immediately consult a physician
Itchy skin due to stretching or dryness
Dryness of eyes - Moisten with artificial tears
Glucose screening test checks for gestational diabetes
Fetal Changes during 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th Week
11 to 14 inches long; weighs 450 to 900 grams
Body's soft hair (lanugo) darkens
Rapid development of brain, lungs, taste buds
Color and texture of hair develops
Significant development of ear nerves
Testicles begin descending into the scrotum in boys
27th, 28th, 29th Week - Third Trimester
Weight gain of 7.7 to 11.3 kgs
Acute sense of baby's movements
Constipation and abdomen pain
Cramps in legs
Hemorrhoids
Insomnia
Uterus is 3.5 to 4 inches above the belly button
Doctor's appointment is every 2 weeks until the 36th week
Essential nutrients at this stage - calcium, iron, protein, folic acid, and vitamin C
Fetal Changes during 27th, 28th, 29th Week - Third Trimester
13.75 to 14.5 inches long; weighs 1 to 1.2 kg
Opens and closes eyes in a regular sleep and wake cycle
Brain ventricles develop
Baby looks more rounded
Further development of eyebrows, eyelashes, and skin hair
30th, 31st , 32nd, 33rd Week
Insomnia
Exhaustion
Mood changes
Joints become loose
Shoe size changes
Uterus extends below the rib cage - 5 inches above the belly button
Potential small contractions (Braxton-Hick)
Small quantities of colostrum may leak
Hemorrhoids
Increased heartburn
Difficulty breathing
Weight gain - 10-12.7 kg
Potential breakage of water sac with release of amniotic fluid
Greenish discharge indicates infection
Fetal Changes during 30th, 31st , 32nd, 33rd Week
15.15-16.5 inches long; weighs 1.4-2.3 kg
Distinguishes between light and dark
Fat layer develops
Toenails and fingernails are complete
Fully formed delicate skeleton
Hardening of all skeletal bones except the skull.
34th, 35th , 36th Week
Amniotic fluid peaks between 34-36 weeks
Uterus is 5.5-6 inches above the belly button
Once a week appointments with the physician
Weight gain - 10.9-13.2 kg
Lightening - Baby drops down to settle in the pelvic area and pushes against the bladder
Frequent bathroom trips
Increased Braxton-Hick contractions
Fetal Changes during 34th, 35th , 36th Week
17.5-19 inches long; weighs 2.3-3.1 kg
Fat formation under the skin regulates temperature
Well developed lungs
Nervous system continues to develop
Baby's movements slow down
Baby swallows the lanugo and the vernix caseosa surrounding the baby's body.
Baby's head starts to point in the downwards direction.
37th, 38th, 39th, 40th week - Time for Delivery!
Weight gain: 11.3-15.9 kg
Decrease in amniotic fluid
Increased Braxton-Hick contractions
Mucus plug may be released in preparation for labor
Increased swelling in hands and feet (potential pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)/toxemia/preeclampsia)
Fetal Changes during 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th Week
18-21 inches long; weighs 2.7-4.5 kg
One should discuss the options of changing the baby's breech position with the doctor.
Formation of new skin cells
Soft skull bones to enable passage through the birth canal.
Head is cone shaped but the shape can be modified by gentle massaging.
2 soft spots (front and back) on the head.
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