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Week by week, pregnancy
What's next?
While there will always be surprises as your body makes a baby, this weekly pregnancy planner can help you know what to expect.
First trimester
Weeks 1 & 2: There is technically no baby in your tummy during the first week of pregnancy. But, it will. Doctors count 40 weeks (or 228 days) starting from the date of your last menstrual cycle to calculate due dates.
Week 3: Congratulations--you're pregnant! You don't even know it yet, because you haven’t missed a period. Your wee one is only a small cluster of cells, about the size of a pinhead. But she's growing quickly. While you won't know if your bun is a girl or a boy until later, baby's sex can be determined once the egg has been fertilized.
Week 4: Your monthly menstrual date has arrived. The first sign that something is wrong is a lack of bleeding. Your amniotic sac, placenta, and placenta are beginning to form. But you're not the only one who is changing. Already, your baby's nervous system (which includes her brain & spinal cord) is developing.
Tip: Call your OB/GYN immediately after you discover you are pregnant to schedule your first appointment. This should take place between 6 and 10 week. Stenson advises that if you have had miscarriages or other abnormal pregnancies it is important to inform your doctor immediately.
Week 5: We are making a tiny heart. You might be able see the heart beating as early as week 5. You'll have to be more mindful of what you eat when you have a baby. Stenson suggests that half of the food we eat should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables. The rest should consist of lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. It's okay to indulge in your favorite treats, such as dark chocolate and ice cream.
Prenatal vitamins are a great way to fill nutritional gaps in your diet. For brain development, look for a prenatal vitamin that contains DHA and iodine.
Week 6: Many moms-to be will feel nausea, which despite its name is a constant affliction. To prevent morning sickness, keep hydrated and graze instead of eating. You should feel better by the 13th week.
It's okay if you don't find being a mom-to-be as fun as you expected. Stenson says that while pregnancy is an enjoyable and natural part of life, it can also be taxing. Some women feel like they are carrying an earth goddess while others feel like they're carrying a parasite. Both of these feelings are normal and do not affect the bonding between the baby and the mother.
Week 7: You might notice a difference in the way your clothes fit with swollen breasts and an expanding abdomen. You might find it harder to resist the urge to snooze, and are making more frequent trips to the ladies' room.
Your budding sprout will be half an inch in size by the end of the week. She is growing her legs, arms, and lungs, as well as having kidneys. Every minute, she generates around 100 new brain cells.
Week 8: Your care provider will be performing your first of many prenatal checks. It will take a lot of time, and you should plan ahead. You'll see the doctor every four weeks from now until D-day.
Week 9: Your 1-inch bambino looks more like a baby. You don't need to worry about the webbing that runs between her fingers, and toes. It will soon disappear. You won't feel the shimmies or shakes yet as she builds muscle.
Moving is key for moms-to be to manage weight and prevent constipation. Discuss with your doctor if your prebaby exercise program should be adjusted.
Week 10: Your first ultrasound provides a glimpse into your womb. You can hear baby's heartbeat and it is the most beautiful sound you have ever heard.
Although seeing your peanut for the first-time might be a trigger, it is not the only thing that can cause you to get emotional. It doesn't matter if you cry during a commercial for diapers or get hotheaded when the grocery shop runs out of kiwis. This is normal. Mood swings usually occur between weeks 6-10 and last for the entire duration.
Week 11: Your appetite may return, along with unusual cravings. Feeling famished? This is your body's way to increase energy for your baby and you. But don't order twice as many lunches. Only 300 calories are needed to increase your daily intake, which is equivalent to a healthy snack.
Tip: You'll need to have two tests between weeks 11 and 15, a nuchal translucency screening test (NTS), and a blood test in order to determine if your baby is at risk for Down syndrome or other chromosomal conditions.
Week 12: Your adorable little one is growing new body parts at a rapid pace. Her liver, kidneys and other organs are all working well. She is only half her height, so there's still a lot to grow.
Week 13: Now you're just a third of the journey to your mini! The sweet spot is the next stage of pregnancy. You'll feel less tired and suffer from morning sickness. You can make the most of this time and tackle nursery projects or celebrate the good news. You can now spread the word, even though miscarriage is no longer a threat.
Second trimester
Week 14: Your uterus has begun to rise into your lower abdomen, rather than settling in your pelvis. You are now (finally!) You can now show off your fertile body!
Week 15: Baby's hair is growing, and not just on her head. The lanugo is a soft, thin fuzz that looks like a peach and keeps her warm.
Week 16: Your peanut will be able to hear your mama's voice starting this week. Studies have shown that babies can recognize songs from their mothers when they are singing to them.
Week 17: Your baby is gaining weight. She'll be weighing in at around 3-5 pounds. Your baby is growing faster, so you should too. You'll start to notice an increase in your baby's weight during the second trimester. It is important to remember that steady weight gains are the best. Try to gain approximately 1 pound each week.
Week 18: You'll have an anatomy ultrasound sometime between weeks 18-20. Even though baby is only 5 inches tall, you'll notice that she looks more human. You might also be able to determine if your baby is a boy or girl if your child cooperates.
Week 19: Your baby will be coated with vernix right about now. This is a greasy, white substance that will protect her skin as she takes a warm amniotic bath.
Week 20: You have reached the halfway point. Perhaps that's why your stomach feels full of butterflies. Or is it gas? The fluttering could be your baby moving within you. While some moms feel movement as early as week 16, others may not notice the kicks until around week 25.
Week 21: Baby has developed tiny taste buds. Chances are that your baby will try the items on the menu this week. Research has shown that babies love to eat the foods they were introduced to during pregnancy. Give your little girl a head start if you want her to love vegetables.
Week 22: Your protruding belly now pushes your center of gravity forward. It's also pulling your lower back along with it. Relaxin, a pregnancy hormone, isn't helping. It relaxes your ligaments. This is good for labor but not for back pain.
Week 23: The pipsqueak in you has now reached 1 pound. She can hold onto everything, even her umbilical cord. Even though her eyebrows and eyelashes are bright white, she also has them. (Forget about Benjamin Button's thoughts. The final color will come later.
Week 24: Your skin can stretch, and the tissue beneath it can tear. This is what moms-to be know as stretch marks. While genetics are a big factor in your chances of earning a few Tiger stripes, it's worth using moisturizer.
Week 25: Experts recommend pregnant women sleep on the left side. However, with your bump taking up more space in bed, it can make it difficult to feel comfortable. Support your belly by placing a pillow under it.
Week 26: Leg cramps are another sleep thief. These annoying, and painful, spasms which shoot up and down your calves can keep pregnant women awake at night. Stretch your calf muscles before you hit the hay.
Week 27: Not only are baby and belly growing, but so is your body. Your feet may be growing larger. Some moms to be go full size.
Third trimester
Week 28: Drink a glass of orange sugary liquid until the next trimester! Between weeks 24 and 28, you'll be taking the glucose challenge screening test. Cheers!
Tip: Be prepared for more frequent visits with your doctor. Between weeks 28 and 36, plan to visit your doctor every two weeks. Then, come back weekly until the baby arrives.
Week 29: Although your due date is still months away now is the perfect time to register for a childbirth class or create your birth plan. Your little one is gaining 3 pounds. It will be difficult to miss the elbow jabs now that she is bigger. She won't see a significant increase in length, but her body will be more focused on increasing weight.
Week 30: The old friends from the first trimester (fatigue and the constant need for pee), They're back and they won't be going anywhere.
Week 31: Baby is developing at a rapid pace. She can blink and her nose can sense scents as soon as she's not submerged. This means that your scent will be the first she detects. Her bone marrow is making red blood cells, which is a critical step towards her being able to live on her own.
Week 32: If you have severe acid reflux, GERD or other symptoms, the end of pregnancy can be very difficult to swallow. Your uterus may need more space, so you might have difficulty catching your breath. This can cause your lungs to feel crowded.
Week 33: In the last weeks of bumphood, you will likely feel the need to clean out the house, organize your closets, and stock your freezer and pantry. You are now in the nesting phase.
Week 34: Varicose veins spreading across your legs may make an unsolicited appearance south of the border. They're not affectionately called hemorhoids.
Tip: Now is a great time to pack your hospital bag. For a list of what you'll need, visit pnmag.com/packinglist.
Week 35: Braxton-Hicks contractions are your body's way to practice for delivery. They will be consistent, increase in intensity, frequency and won't stop or slow down when you change your position.
Week 36: Baby's bones strengthen, so make sure to eat calcium-rich foods. You could also benefit from the support for your aching bones.
Week 37: Your weekly visits will include a check by your doctor for signs of labor, including dilation and thinning.
Week 38: Your baby is now full term. To get ready for the big day, she will be dropping down into your pelvis. This means that you will feel like you can breathe again. You're ready to waddle your path to the finish!
Week 39: The vaginal discharge will be increasing its flow. The mucous plug is a sign of labor imminent.
Week 40: It's the moment you have been waiting for... and your baby will soon be there, too.
You can do it at your own pace
Do not be discouraged if your milestones are different from what this guide recommends. Amy L. Stenson MD, MPH assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, says that each pregnancy is unique. There are many ways to have happy, healthy pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns. She can help you get on the right track or reassure you.
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