Your Pregnancy Month By Month
You are pregnant, congratulations! The amazing 40 week journey begins now. Your body will undergo an array of changes as your little one begins to grow. Pregnancy is categorised into three very distinct sections, they are namely: Trimester one, two and three.
Find out about what is happening to your baby and your body…
Symptoms of early pregnancy
You may be pregnant if you are experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms below. It is advised to take a pregnancy test to make 100% sure.
- Absence of your periods
- Changes in your breasts, are they tender or sore?
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Frequent urination
First Trimester
This is between 1 and 12 weeks pregnant. During this time almost every organ in your body will undergo a change due to hormonal fluctuations. You may experience tiredness, cravings or nauseated by certain foods or smells, headaches and morning sickness.
Consider making small changes in your lifestyle like getting into bed earlier and eating regular snacks in between meals. You will be happy to know that many women don’t suffer with a single symptom, if you do, do not worry they do go away over time.
What’s happening with the baby?
Month 1
- The placenta begins to grow.
- A face begins to form.
- The blood cells are beginning to form and circulation will start.
- At the end of the first month your baby will be the size of a grain of rice.
Month 2
- Facial features continue to develop and tiny limbs begin to form.
- The baby begins to move, though mom’s won’t be able to feel it just yet.
- Bone replaces cartilage.
- The neural system is well formed.
- The baby will now be roughly 3cm long and weigh about 10 grams.
- Digestive tract and sensory organs begin to grow.
Month 3
- By the end of the 3rd month your baby will be fully formed.
- Fingernails and toenails will begin to grow.
- The baby’s reproductive organs will begin to grow though it will still remain undetermined on the ultrasound.
- The urinary system works well and so does the circulatory system.
- The baby will now be roughly 8 to 10cm long and weigh about 28 grams.
Second Trimester
Lots of women find that the second trimester is a lot better than the first trimester. You might notice that a few symptoms like the nausea and tiredness are going away. However with the loss of those symptoms comes new ones like a growing tummy and you will also begin to feel the baby move.
What’s happening with the baby?
Month 4
- Toes and fingers are well defined.
- Your baby can yawn, suck toes and thumbs, stretch and make faces.
- Eyelids, lashes, eyebrows, hair and nails are all formed.
- Your health carer is now able to determine the sex of your baby.
- Your baby will roughly weigh 114 grams and be about 15 cm long.
Month 5
- The hair on their head is starting to grow.
- You should be able to feel all of the baby’s movements as he/she is now developing and exercising their muscles.
- Your baby will now be about 25 cm long and weigh roughly 500 grams.
Month 6
- The baby will be about 30 cm long and weigh about 1kg.
- Eyelids begin to part and their eyes will open.
- Your baby can respond to sounds and movements.
- You might also experience sudden jerking, this is the baby hiccuping.
- If your baby is born prematurely it has a chance of surviving after the 23rd week of pregnancy with intensive care.
Third Trimester
You will be putting on weight and you might feel a bit of pain under the ribs as your baby grows and begins to push on the rib cage. Moms mobility and balance might change a bit as your tummy gets bigger. Now is a good time to think about day care centres and work hours. It is also wise to consult with your doctor about your birthing plan and put any concerns that you might have aside.
What’s happening with the baby?
Month 7
- Baby’s hearing is fully developed.
- Your baby will also have patterns of sleeping and waking.
- Your baby can also cry now.
- Your baby will weigh roughly 1.2kg’s and measure 38 cm’s.
Month 8
- Your baby can make out the sound of your voice and recognise distinct sounds.
- Your baby’s will weigh roughly 1.8kg’s and and measure 45 cm’s.
- The baby will practise how to open their eyes and practise their breathing.
- Your baby will gain more than half it’s birth weight in the next few weeks.
- Baby will begin to move less as the space in your tummy becomes smaller.
- Your baby might be settling into the “head down” pose.
Month 9
- Your baby will be building fat deposits under their skin to help them stay warm once born.
- Your baby will now measure about 53 cm’s and weight about 2.9kg’s.
- 95% of babies are born within 2 weeks of their due date.
Source: MedicineNet .com,WebMd
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