By week 5, you must have missed your period
During this period, you may experience mild physical discomfort
The symptoms may include slight nausea, fatigue, tender breasts
Frequent Urination: Do not cut back on your water uptake...
In the 6th week, the baby slowly develops lungs, liver, kidneys and heart beat. The face of the baby takes form with jaws, cheeks and chin. This week, your baby’s heart develops into a complex four chambered pumping organ and starts to beat at 160 beats per minute. The baby is covered by a thin see-through skin all over the body.
Although there is no change in the external appearance, the body undergoes various changes as hormones prepare your body for pregnancy. The pregnancy hormone hCG increases the blood flow to the pelvic region causing increased sexual pleasure. Your kidneys become more efficient in pushing the body waste out of the system. The growing uterus begins to push down the urinary bladder causing frequent urination in the first trimester.
This week, you may have to make frequent visits to the bathroom and experience nausea, vomiting and exhaustion which are normal. Along with these symptoms, you may also feel heart burn, ingestion, bloating and gas. In spite of all these pregnancy symptoms, you still have a reason to cheer: your little sweet pea’s heart starts to beat.
Pregnancy is a unique experience and varies from woman to woman. Here are some simple tips to tackle the discomforts during pregnancy
You might often experience heartburn and ingestion in the next few months. Try not to rush through your meals and avoid wearing tight clothes that will constrict your stomach.
This week, your baby is in the process of becoming a little genius with the brain developing at a speed of 100 brain cells per minute. Your baby measures about 1- 1.25 cm in size and slowly develops heart, arm & leg buds. The facial structure forms tiny spots which will develop into eyes, nostrils, mouth and early teeth buds. Your baby’s permanent set of kidneys start to develop this week.
Here comes the relief! There are no additional pregnancy symptoms on the 7th week of pregnancy except for the already existing ones. However, your body might undergo some physical changes such as gaining few extra pounds and swollen breasts. Blame your hormones but they are preparing your body for the process of breast feeding in about 33 weeks from now.
The pregnancy symptoms include frequent urination, vomiting, fatigue, breast tenderness, heart burn, indigestion, excessive saliva secretion, food aversions due to nausea. Most pregnant women have these symptoms till week 13 but few expectant mothers may not experience morning sickness at all. Thus, pregnancy symptoms vary from one pregnant woman to another. If you feel any irritation or pain, consult your gynecologist for better understanding.
The baby is growing fast with the formation of tiny eyelids, button nose, fingers and toes. This week, your baby’s embryonic tail disappears and the development leads to fetus form. Now your little buddy takes a human-like form and getting ready to charm you in approximately 32 weeks. All the organs, nerves & muscles begin to function; eyelids develop to cover the eyes and the webbed appearance of the feet slowly changes. Your little one develops taste buds this week.
This week, the ideal weight of the baby is approximately 1.1 grams (0.04 oz).
Although there is no visible bump, your uterus has increased twice its original size and presses down the urinary bladder to cause frequent urination. By now, your breasts may have increased in size and require a bigger bras to provide support. Morning sickness and fatigue might exhaust you so listen to your body and get enough rest to revive your body and mind.
This week, most pregnant women experience strong morning sickness, a condition that prevails all day and night. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache and fatigue which are more common in the eighth week. According to some scientists, morning sickness is a sign of baby’s good health and usually disappears at the end of first trimester (Week 13). Some women also experience increased vaginal discharge, heightened sense of smell, bloating, heartburn, indigestion and constipation.
If you experience severe morning sickness, it is necessary to consult your gynecologist.
This week, your baby has been promoted from embryo stage to fetus stage. The head becomes erect and develops with prominent ears along with the formation of spleen and gall bladder. The baby has started making early movements which is not detected externally. You can hear the heart beat of the baby through ultra sound. In some cases, you may hear the baby’s heart beat even after 11 weeks which is quite normal.
This week, the ideal weight of the baby is approximately 2 grams (0.07 ounces).
This week, you might find your breasts and waist increase in size leaving you uncomfortable wearing tight clothes. The increased blood flow may cause the veins to bulge and you may also encounter extreme tiredness. This week, do not forget to fix your appointment for antenatal screening tests.
You might experience the same symptoms from last week that includes morning sickness, breast soreness, heartburn, bloating and gas, weight gain etc. If you experience tiredness throughout the day and feel like sleeping all the time, then you might be undergoing extreme pregnancy fatigue. As pregnancy is hard work, it requires more energy and subsequently more rest. Listen to your body’s need and try to devote enough time to snooze.
In the 10th week, the facial features of the baby are recognizable and the teeth buds are forming under the gums. Various organs such as the heart, stomach and kidneys are functional in the soon-to-be baby. Your little champ is getting stronger every day with the development of bones and cartilages apart from the formation of ankles and knees.
The ideal weight of baby this week is approximately 4 grams (0.14 ounces)
Due to pregnancy, your body produces increased amount of progesterone and hCG which stimulates the oil glands and make your skin supple and smoother. This in turns gives the pregnancy glow. Now, your uterus has become the size of a grapefruit. In some expectant mothers, the pregnancy hormones causes anxiety and stress which results in pregnancy fear. Calm your mind and activate your tired muscles by following a fitness regime like prenatal yoga.
At week 10, some pregnant women may experience occasional headache and dizziness as additional symptoms. The fatigue, hunger, stress and nausea are the underlying reasons for headaches and dizziness which will eventually reduce after the first trimester. The other existing symptoms include breast tenderness, bloating, gas, constipation, food cravings, heartburn, food aversions, morning sickness etc. Some pregnant women may have food aversions due to severe morning sickness and some may have food craving as a first trimester pregnancy symptom.
At week 11, your baby’s head is equal in length to the rest of the body. Slightly, over 2 inches, your baby’s the size of a lime and develops more like a human being with a see-through skin. Hair follicles have formed and the ears are nearing the final stage of development. In this week, your baby will have fingers and toes fully separated along with the initial formation of finger nails and toe nails. Your sweet pea will start to grow bigger in size and begin movements like kicking and stretching from this week.
The ideal weight of baby at week 11 is approximately 7 grams (0.25 ounces)
From this week, your belly will start to protrude slowly but if your abdomen looks flat, worry not; every woman’s body reacts differently to pregnancy symptoms and it might take a few more weeks to show up. A dark vertical line called Linea nigra may appear on the abdomen of pregnant women which is quite normal.
Here comes the good news: In the 11th week of pregnancy, the symptoms of morning sickness may slowly subside in pregnant women which will make you a bit hungry. This means, your appetite is gearing up to nourish the fetus. You may still experience nausea, excessive saliva, bloating, gas, dizziness, frequent urination, heartburn etc.
This week, the baby has achieved a milestone of moving from the formation phase to maintenance phase. All the vital organs and body systems were formed which will mature in the next 28 weeks. The basic brain structure is complete with the beginning of pituitary gland and the bone marrow has started producing white blood cells. The baby’s eyes have moved to their final position and they will remain fused till week 27.
At present, the baby’s skeleton is made up of cartilage but it will soon harden up and become bones. By end of this week, the kidneys will begin to excrete urine into the urinary bladder.
The ideal weight of baby by the end of week 12 is approximately 14 grams (0.49 ounces)
The surging pregnancy hormones can make you emotional throughout pregnancy. You can also try buying maternity clothes to fit your growing body. You may have a strong sense of smell and your morning cup of coffee might make you nauseated. It is a good practice to avoid caffeinated drinks when you are pregnant.
At the cusp of your second trimester, most of the irritating symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, frequent urination etc., would be gone or diminished. You may experience a new discomfort, dizziness and progesterone is the one to blame. When progesterone takes increased blood flow to the fetus, the return flow is slowed down which causes lowered blood pressure. This in turn causes dizziness. Apart from these, some pregnant women in their 12th week may experience dark brown patches on their face.
At this time of pregnancy, your little junior is the size of an egg. Unique finger prints are formed in your baby’s palms and actively learning to kick, swallow, yawn and turning the head. The eyelids are still fused and the vocal cords develop. The big sized head takes up a proportional size to balance the body and now it measures one-third of the total size. In the skeletal structure, the femur and clavicle bones develop first while the organs like stomach and intestines takes shape from this week.
At the completion of first trimester, the ideal weight of the baby is approximately 23 grams (0.89 ounces)
By this week, the placenta takes over the production of hormones related to pregnancy which will give some relief from nausea. You may see some visible veins running across your body, mainly in the abdomen and breast regions. As the growing baby requires more nutrients, there is an increased supply of blood through the blood vessels which results in visible veins. However, they will not be visible after child birth.
The end of first trimester is such a relief for pregnant women as most of the symptoms would have gone by now. Although, some expectant mothers may still have nausea, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, bloating and gas, as the body respond differently to each pregnant woman. You might have sensed an increased vaginal discharge this week which has nothing to worry. The vaginal discharge protects the birth canal and vagina from infection. Sex drive is also a part of pregnancy symptoms; most women experience increased sexual drive while others may have less interest as every pregnancy is a unique experience.
Now, your little champ is about three and a half inches long and his body is growing faster than the head. He can respond to external stimuli although you may not be able to sense it. For instance, if your abdomen is poked, the baby wiggles. The eyes and ears will shift to correct positions and the baby can make facial expressions such as smile, frown, squint etc. This week, your baby’s thin skin will be covered by ultra fine soft hair called lanugo which will disappear before birth.
The ideal weight of the baby is estimated to be approximately 43 grams (1.52 ounces)
It’s time you can start wearing your pregnancy clothes as the waist line tend to expand and you may gain more weight. Your body might experience more energy so it is time to get involved in any prenatal workout routine like yoga, cardio, walking or aerobics. Your uterus is slightly raised out of the pelvic bone and in to the lower abdomen showing a little bump.
Morning sickness has no more effect on your body in the second trimester so you may feel hungrier with your appetite back on track. If you have extreme mood swings, just relax and blame the hormones. There might be a drop in your immune level and your body may become susceptible to infection. The usual pregnancy symptoms include constipation, bloating, gas, stuffy nose and visible veins..
The end of 4th month marks the beginning of your emotional connection with the baby. The ear bones grow harder and help the baby to hear properly which includes your voice, heartbeat, breath etc. This way, your baby can hear you and feel your presence. The fine thin hair, Lanugo protects the baby and provides warmth till the subcutaneous fat layer forms under the skin. As your little charmer starts growing, he/she constantly kicks and curls with the little legs and arms but you can’t sense it yet, as the baby is still small, at the size of an orange.
By this week, the baby’s ideal weight will be approximately 70 grams (2.47 ounces).
By now, you may start to show up with your tummy growing bigger. Second trimester is the weight gain period of pregnancy, so try to gain weight in a slow and steady fashion. Consult your physician and aim for a healthy weight gain on a weekly basis. Consuming nutrient rich diet and keeping track of your weight can help you avoid gestational diabetes.
You may feel back ache and swollen legs as a part of your pregnancy progression. Some expectant mothers might face swollen gums which are sore and prone to bleeding along with stuffy nose. Pregnancy brain or forgetfulness is another fuzzy symptom that accompanies you throughout pregnancy. These symptoms are harmless and disappear after child birth.
This week your baby is the size of an avocado and the head is more erect than previous weeks. At the end of 4th month, the baby shows rapid eyesight development along with facial muscles which will help to detect external light source. Your junior’s circulating system and urinary system are fully functional. He’s inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid through his lungs. The backbone and tiny muscles are getting stronger every day.
The ideal weight of the baby is estimated to be 100 grams (3.53 ounces)
You may feel pain on the sides if you try to move suddenly; this is due to fact that the ligaments of the sides of the uterus and pelvic walls are stretching as the baby grows bigger. If the pain becomes worse, consult your gynecologist. You may begin to put on some few extra pounds as the pregnancy progresses while some may lose weight; both are part of normal pregnancy routine. Embrace your weight gain and keep up with regular exercise and diet for a healthy child birth.
Even at week 16, the expectant mothers may experience constipation, increased vaginal discharge, increased breast size and dental problems such as gingivitis. You may also have back pain, leg cramps and varicose vein which are common pregnancy symptoms of second trimester.
Your baby has become unique with the formation of fingerprints in his/her tiny fingers. Adipose tissue that contributes to the body fat develops this week which will regulate the baby’s temperature. Now your baby can yawn, stretch, make facial expressions and listen to loud noises which may even startle your little sweet pea.
This week, the ideal weight of the baby can be approximately 140 grams (close to 5 ounces).
Sailing through the fifth month can be quite smooth as the week 17 symptoms are less upsetting. This week, your pregnant belly grows and pushes the intestine and other internal organs up and outwards to provide space for the uterus and the baby. You may feel a bit more energetic in the second trimester and experience an increased appetite.
You may feel hot even if the room temperature is normal due to the extra blood supply in the body. At this stage, you may experience increased appetite which is a healthy sign that your baby needs nutrition. Some women may develop snoring habit as a symptom of second trimester or have brittle and weak nails. You may also tend to feel dizzy and lightheaded so take extra care during fitness sessions. Some women experience sciatic nerve pain in the legs, increased vaginal discharge, nasal congestion and sweating.
This week, your baby is the size of bell pepper (capsicum); big enough for you to feel his/her movements. The brain and nervous system are rapidly maturing in the baby along with good sensory development. The protective covering of nerves, myelin is forming this week to help in the development and proper functioning of the nervous system after birth. The fetal movements of the baby can be traced by ultrasound scan, so this time you can see your little one yawning, frowning or rolling. Your baby’s genitals will be formed by this week and if it is a girl, then the eggs will already be developing inside her body.
The ideal weight of the baby at the beginning of 5th month is approximately 190 grams (6.70 ounces)
This week, you can feel your little sweet pea moving inside your tummy.
You can sense your baby rolling, kicking, twisting etc., as slight flutters and finally you can feel that your pregnancy is real. As the baby’s first movements are usually felt between week 18 and week 22, some women may not have experienced it yet, so do not panic; wait for a week or two and then consult your gynecologist. You might not have a continuous good night rest due to uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms; relax your body through prenatal massages, yoga or aerobics during day time to sleep properly in the night.
You may still experience back pain, heart burn, leg cramps, Edema (swelling in the legs and ankles), bleeding gums and stretch marks. You may also feel other pregnancy symptoms like dizzy head, bloating and gas during week 18.
At week 19, your baby is the size of a mango. The baby is maturing fast with the arms and legs in right proportion. Your tiny pod has better limb coordination with the brain and the kidneys are also developing. The skin loses its translucency and starts to develop pigments which will determine the baby’s skin tone. Your baby’s skin is covered by the formation of Vernix Caseosa, a thin greasy protective layer that safeguards the baby from amniotic fluid. Hair starts to develop on the baby’s scalp at this stage. However, the level of hair in the newborns varies based on hereditary and individual development.
This week, the baby’s ideal weight is approximately 240 grams (8.47 ounces).
Some expectant mothers might feel the baby’s movement for the first time during the 19th week. If you were pregnant before, you may feel the movements earlier in this pregnancy. The top of the uterus reaches the belly button this week and continue to grow about one centimeter every week. As your belly starts to grow, it is best to sleep on the side as the uterus presses the blood vessels and causes dizziness.
You may feel cramps on your leg all night during the second and third trimester; however, you may also experience the cramps during day. It is natural for pregnant women to experience dizziness, heart burn, breathlessness and increased appetite. At this period, you are prone to infection so be careful to avoid any urinary tract infection.
The baby weighs around one pound and measures about 16.5 cms from crown to rump. You can experience a lot of baby movements which are mild and do not cause discomforts. The baby can hear pretty well as both the external and internal ears will be completely functional. Your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid which is a practice for her digestive system. The water in the amniotic fluid will be absorbed by the body while the rest moves to the bowel system. From this week, your baby will grow bigger and stronger.
The ideal weight of the baby at week 20 is approximately 300 grams (10.58 ounces)
You have crossed half way and it is only 20 more weeks to see your charming prince/princess. You may feel your nails and hair to be growing stronger, thanks to those pregnancy hormones. This week, your belly button may protrude outside as the uterus pushes the abdomen. The growing belly may interfere with your sleeping positions and cause disturbed sleep. Make sure, you get iron rich food as the baby needs to prepare red blood cells.
Many pregnant women may still experience backache, increased appetite, nausea, heart burn, headaches, edema etc. Pregnancy symptoms like occasional headaches, dizziness and vaginal discharge are also experienced by some expectant mothers.
This week, the baby is about the size of a banana, measuring around 7 inches. Although your little peanut is getting taller, there is still enough space to roll, twist and move in the womb. The digestive system, spleen and intestines are maturing fast for digestion. Baby’s taste buds can sense different tastes depending on the mother’s food intake. Those tiny eyelids and eyebrows were formed and it is possible for the baby to blink.
By this week, the ideal weight of the baby is approximately 360 grams (12.7 ounces).
Stretch marks, the proud badge of pregnancy appears on the belly, hips, thigh and breasts in most pregnant women. You may find it difficult to sleep on your tummy and experience disturbed sleep; think of it as the nature’s way of preparing you to take care of the baby after birth. Do not stress over your body image; you are nurturing a life inside and that makes you automatically beautiful.
Apart from the other symptoms from last few weeks, you may feel pregnancy craving for strange foods. You may also experience symptoms like backache, leg cramp, bleeding gums, fast growing nails etc.
This week, your little junior measures 27cms from head to toe and looks like the size of a fig. Your baby’s senses mature fast with the development of sight, sound, touch etc. The baby begins to touch his/her face and neck, suck thumb, hold the umbilical cord and practice grasp reflexes. The little muscles of your champ are finely formed along with the development of reproductive organs. Other organs of the body are also developing at a fast pace due to the action of essential hormones. The placenta continues to grow throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy to provide nourishment for the baby.
The ideal weight of the baby is estimated to be 430 grams (15.17 ounces).
This week, your waistline may expand in size with gradual weight gain and you will look more pregnant that being fat. This week, you may be able to sense your baby’s movements; your little champ may respond to your voice and other loud external noises pretty well. For some expectant mothers, it may take a while to feel the movements; remember that every pregnancy is unique and the experiences vary for every mother.
It is not just your tummy that is growing; you will also be experiencing swollen legs. You may still have pregnancy symptoms like constipation, heart burn, indigestion, vaginal discharge, leg cramps, stretch marks etc. Involve in physical fitness activities which can keep your muscles strong and prepare you for labour.
In the next few weeks, the baby will grow and gain weight, almost double of his/her body weight. Do not worry as the fat will deposit all over, to fit the normal body frame. The baby’s face is fully formed and the fat will get deposited under the skin in the coming weeks. Aren’t you excited to see those chubby cheeks and dimple chin? From this week, you can also hear the heart beat of your sweetie pie with a stethoscope.
The ideal weight of the baby is approximately 500 grams (1.10 pound)
Along with the baby, you will also gain weight for good. As the belly enlarges, your centre of gravity shifts and may leave you feel clumsy. As pregnancy progresses, your belly button may stick out which will revert to the former state after child birth.
This week, there are some little challenges coming your way in the form of pregnancy symptoms: fuzzy brain, swollen feet, leg cramps, hyperpigmentation on the face (disappears post pregnancy), insomnia, aches and tingling feel on the hands. It is not a rule that all pregnant women experience the above symptoms; as pregnancy is a unique experience, it differs for every woman.
This week, your baby’s WBCs develop to fight off the infections after childbirth. The baby also shows good brain activities such as thought, conscious and memory equal to that of a newborn. The baby’s weight increases, contributing to the development of growing organs, muscles, bones and body fat. Your little sweet pea’s translucent skin is becoming more opaque and gets a pink glow due to the small capillaries that were formed this week.
This week, the ideal weight of the baby is approximately 600 grams (1.32 pounds).
If your belly button is still inside, this week you may expect it to protrude out which is normal in pregnant women. Your spouse can hear the baby’s heart beat by placing his ears on your abdomen. As the belly grows your centre of gravity shifts, so it is important to take care while you get up from the bed and walk. Avoid sudden movements; instead slowly get up and stand.
This week, you may experience symptoms such as stretch marks, excess saliva, occasional headaches, constipation, back pain, increased appetite, swelling in the legs, feet and hands etc. You will gain more weight as a part of pregnancy progression, so relax and take a bite on some healthy snacks.
This week, your baby is so busy, preparing the organs required for breathing. This 9 inch cutie has small blood vessels formed in the lungs and all over the body; all these contributes to the breathing process. The lungs require maturity which will develop in the coming months. By this week, your sweetie pie has developed a sleep-play routine; playing for a while by performing somersaults and wriggling followed by a nap to recover.
The ideal weight of the baby is estimated to be approximately 660 grams (1.46 pounds).
You are entering the 7th month of pregnancy where you might be busy with the baby shower dates and invites. This week, the tummy might look more like a foot ball for most women and it will grow little more in the coming months.
Expectant mothers may experience haemorrhoids, a form of varicose vein that can be painful and may cause bleeding. This symptom is caused by various pregnancy symptoms such as constipation, pressure exerted by uterus, increased blood flow and heart burn.
This week, your baby is reaching a step closer to the real world. The baby’s eyes that remained closed all these months will open from 26th week of pregnancy. As the brain wave activity of the baby increases this week, your young one can respond to the external stimuli like noise and bright light through increased pulse rate or any other movement. From this week, your baby’s immune system begins to develop so that he/she can survive outside the womb after child birth.
The ideal weight of the baby is approximately 760 grams (1.68 pounds).
By now, you may feel your baby’s movements inside the tummy because your womb is getting a little crowded; not to worry, your baby still have enough space to move freely. If you have not felt strong kicks yet, wait for few more weeks. Every pregnancy is a unique experience so it is normal if you do not feel the kicks or movements yet. As the bump grows, you may feel hot and your skin may become dry & itchy.
The good news – this week, you don’t have any new symptom joining the long list of pregnancy discomforts. The existing symptoms include pregnancy brain, constipation, bloating and gas, migraines, blurred vision, increased vaginal discharge etc. Some pregnant women experience a drop in blood pressure while trying to get up suddenly from the bed. Always be careful and get up slowly to avoid dizziness.
This week, your baby grows tall and gain more weight as a part of its healthy development. At the end of Week 27, your little one is more likely to grow an entire inch long and measure around 14 inches. The light sensitive region of the eye, retina and the taste buds develop inside the baby. Now your baby knows how to suck his/her thumb and might have experienced hiccups already. Unlike us, the baby doesn’t make noise as he/she is breathing amniotic fluid instead of air but you can feel a little jump when he/she experience hiccups. The brain has fully developed and this week, the fine tuning happens at a fast pace.
The ideal weight of the baby is estimated to be approximately 875 grams (1.93 pounds).
Your body might undergo various changes like weight gain, enlarged belly and increased size of breasts. You may experience increased appetite as the body requires more energy to support the development of the baby. Practice breathing techniques and yoga poses to strengthen your muscles and prepare for the big day (delivery day).
Most pregnant women suffer from Edema (swollen ankles, feet and hands) which is caused by the fluid built up in the body and it will become normal after child birth. If the symptom worsens, consult your gynecologist. The other existing symptoms include dizziness, itchy belly, stretch marks, stuffy nose, bleeding gums etc.
During the third trimester, most babies shift their body position with the head facing downwards, suitable for delivery. If your baby hasn’t changed the position yet, give it some time as the babies change their position around week 36. This week, your baby will start to blink, dream and prepare for life outside the womb. Your little junior’s heartbeat is so strong that your spouse can hear it if he places his ears near your bump.
The ideal weight of baby in the beginning of third trimester is approximately 1 kg (2.22 pounds)
You might find it difficult to bend down, squat or carry a toddler; do not overdo as it may affect the baby inside your womb. Thinking about your baby and childbirth leads to dreams about labour. It is normal to experience fear and worry about child birth; taking antenatal classes, prenatal yoga and meditation can help you ease the fear and prepare you physically and mentally for childbirth.
The third and last trimester of pregnancy brings new changes and may take away some of the symptoms from second trimester. At this week, you may see stretch marks on the enlarging abdomen and breasts secreting colostrum (an early form of breast milk). You may have pregnancy dreams and fuzzy brain as a part of pregnancy symptoms.