Your Pregnancy Week By Week

Here is some pointer of Pregnancy Week By Week. During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through some serious changes. The gestation period lasts about 40 weeks and is grouped into three trimesters. One of the most common questions asked by pregnant women is, “What happens to my body during pregnancy?”

Pregnancy Week By Week

First Trimester (Week 1 – Week 12)

The hormonal changes taking place during the first trimester affect almost every organ system in your body. These changes will cause symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your period stopping is the first sign of pregnancy, but others will follow rather quickly behind: extreme tiredness, tender and swollen breasts, upset stomach and/or morning sickness, frequent urination, mood swings, food cravings, constipation during pregnancy, weight gain/loss, heartburn and headaches are the most common symptoms during the first trimester.

You may need to adjust your schedule to suit your changing body during these first few weeks. Going to bed earlier or eating small meals more frequently can help you cope with the symptoms. The good news, is that most of these initial discomforts usually pass as the pregnancy progresses.

Second Trimester (Week 13-Week 28)

You may begin to notice your nausea and fatigue starting to wane as you enter your second trimester. But now, other new and more noticeable changes will start to take place. Your belly will get bigger, and before this trimester is over you should begin to feel the baby move!

The most common symptoms and discomforts during these few weeks are: body aches, stretch marks on the abdomen, breasts, thighs and buttocks, darker nipples, dark line running from bellybutton to pubic bone, patches of dark skin on the face, tingling/numb hands, and swelling of hands, face and ankles. As with any phase during your pregnancy, call your doctor if your symptoms change suddenly or get worse. But for the most part, your body is just making a few slight (and often uncomfortable) changes to accommodate your baby.

Third Trimester (Week 29-Week 40)

The third trimester can sometimes be the most uncomfortable. Breathing may become difficult and frequent urination comes back with a vengeance. This is because the baby is getting bigger and putting pressure on your organs. This is perfectly normal and your discomfort will ease once you’ve given birth.

Some of the new bodily changes you may notice during your final trimester are: shortness of breath, heartburn, protruding belly button, swollen ankles, hemorrhoids, tender breasts, difficulty sleeping, the baby ‘dropping’ into your lower abdomen in preparation for birth, and contractions (which can be a sign of real or false birth).

As you reach your due date, the cervix gets thinner and softer – known as effacing – and is a normal and natural process to help the birth canal open during birth. Your doctor will check your progress with vaginal exams, as you get closer to the big day. Now is the time to get excited for the finale!

Pregnancy is a beautiful, natural process that your body is made for. Some changes will be disconcerting – especially if this is your first pregnancy – but it’s important to remember that most symptoms are normal. Your body needs to change to accommodate the precious being within. Although you may be uncomfortable, knowing you have the most important thing in your life growing inside you will get you through those 40 weeks – no problem.

Here are more in depth pregnancy month to month pointers you should check on.