Pregnancy comes with all the emotions – am I right?! It can be exciting, nerve wracking, scary, new and downright amazing when you think of everything your body is doing. So what do you need to know about pregnancy stages and symptoms?
This post is going to go into details specifically about everything having to do with the various pregnancy stages and symptoms you will be experiencing in the first trimester of pregnancy, second trimester of pregnancy and third trimester of pregnancy.
By the end, you will be in complete awe of what your body is going through and know exactly which pregnancy symptoms accompany the various pregnancy stages.
This post is all about pregnancy stages and symptoms.
Pregnancy Symptoms
There are a few tell tale pregnancy symptoms that you can look out for:
1. Missed period
This is usually the most obvious pregnancy symptom and what prompts you to take a pregnancy test.
2. Nausea
This can present itself in the morning, at night or throughout the day. Every person is different and every pregnancy is different.
3. Bloating
This is very common (and the reason I started wearing maternity pants in the first trimester of pregnancy).
4. Breast soreness
This is another common but uncomfortable symptom of pregnancy.
5. Food aversions
The first trimester is well known for women’s food aversions, especially if you are experiencing nausea. Just the smell of certain foods like meat can make you feel sick so carbs are usually your best friend during this time.
Pregnancy Stages and Symptoms
First Trimester of Pregnancy: Weeks 1-12
Time to really get into it!
During the first trimester of pregnancy, your body goes through so many changes as it does what it needs to make the perfect home for your growing baby. It’s wild when you really think about it.
In the first twelve weeks, your body literally makes a home for your baby by growing the amniotic sac, placenta and umbilical cord as well as the start of other vital organs such as the heart, brain, liver, stomach and kidneys.
By about week 8 of pregnancy you can actually hear the heartbeat on an ultrasound and by week 10 of pregnancy your baby is now a fetus and no longer an embryo.
Baby Development Milestones:
- Arms, fingers, feed, toes, eyes and flaps which will eventually become ears
- Brain, spinal cord and other neural tissues of the central nervous system
- Sensory organs and bones in replacement of cartilage
- Fingernails, toenails, and teeth
- Reproductive organs – although it is still hard to determine the gender on an ultrasound at this stage of pregnancy.
With all that growth comes a lottt of first trimester body changes, some of which can be pretty uncomfortable.
First Trimester Body Changes:
- Nausea
- Exhaustion
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Bloating/Cramping
- Breast soreness
- Frequent urination
- Food aversions
- Heartburn
- Stuffy nose
- Vivid dreams
First Trimester To Do List:
- Start taking a prenatal vitamin
- Choose your OBGYN and book an appointment.
- Cut back on caffeine.
- Start researching daycares.
- Make a budget.
- Start thinking about baby names.
- Buy maternity clothes.
- Announce your pregnancy.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About First Trimester Growth During Pregnancy
Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Weeks 13-27
During the second trimester of pregnancy, you will start to see a baby bump, feel your baby move and most likely get some much needed relief from first trimester morning sickness.
Usually you have much more energy in the second trimester of pregnancy – so take advantage of it!
Even if it feels “easier”, your body is still doing a lot of growing and developing.
Baby Development Milestones:
Hair, skin and nails
Tiny hairs begin to sprout, eyelashes and eyebrows are growing, and the baby’s skin is covered in lanugo (to keep him warm until he builds up more fat in the third trimester of pregnancy).
Digestive system
A baby’s digestive system was fully formed by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy so now he can practice sucking and swallowing in preparation for life outside the womb.
Research shows that babies can actually taste the foods you eat via your amniotic fluid and although they get nutrition from the placenta, all of the swallowings leads to a lot of peeing too.
Senses
Baby’s eyes and ears are moving to the correct positions and he is developing senses so he can see, smell and hear. A baby’s eyes actually start to open by week 22 of pregnancy – so wild!
Heart
By 17 weeks of pregnancy, a baby’s brain is actually controlling his heartbeat and by week 25 of pregnancy, capillaries form to carry the oxygenated blood through his body.
Brain
Your baby’s brain will control his heartbeat, induces kicks and by 26 weeks of pregnancy will begin blinking his little eyelids.
Second Trimester Body Changes:
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Leg cramps
- Congestion
- Weight gain (this is a necessary part of pregnancy)
- Round ligament pain/cramping
- Sensitive gums
- Varicose veins and/or hemorrhoids
- Dizziness
Related: How To Deal With Second Trimester Cramping
Second Trimester To Do List
- Sleep on your side.
- Decide if you will find out the gender or not.
- 20 week ultrasound along with routine monitoring.
- Glucose test.
- Prioritize prenatal workouts.
- Think about a babymoon.
- Create a baby registry.
- Plan a baby shower.
- Keep thinking about baby names.
- Look into childbirth classes.
- Think about the nursery.
Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Weeks 28-40
The third trimester of pregnancy is exciting because it means you are getting so close to meeting your little one – buttt there is still so much growing to do!
During these last 12 weeks of pregnancy, you might be wondering how the heck your belly can get any bigger and yet it does. Let’s get into the pregnancy stages and symptoms associated with months 7 to 9 to really understand what’s going on.
Baby Development Milestones:
Bones
Your baby will transform from cartilage to bone and will be getting all of his calcium from you so it’s extra important to be eating calcium rich foods during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Hair, Skin and Nails
Your baby’s see through skin will turn opaque during the third trimester of pregnancy. He will also shed his vernix (the waxy substance that protects his skin from the amniotic fluid) and lanugo (the hairy coat that keeps him warm) and fat will begin to accumulate.
Digestive System
Meconium, your baby’s first poop, will build up in your baby’s intestines in the last few weeks of pregnancy. It is composed mostly of blood cells, vernix and lanugo.
Five Senses
By 31 weeks pregnant, your baby will be able to get signals from all five senses. He will be able to perceive light, taste what you eat and listen to the sound of your voice.
Brain
Your baby’s brain is on overdrive and growing rapidly during the third trimester of pregnancy. Some new skills include blinking, dreaming and regulating his own temperature.
Position
By about 34 weeks pregnant, your baby’s body turns head down in preparation for birth. If your baby doesn’t turn and remains in a breech position, your doctor will talk to you about options to flip him and/or schedule a c section.
You can find a ton of c section resources here! https://lexiconatyco.com/category/c-section/
Third Trimester Body Changes:
- Round ligament pain
- Fatigue
- Heartburn
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Stretch marks
- Backache
- Crazy dreams
- Clumsiness
- Lack of bladder control
- Leaky breasts
You might experience false labor or Braxton Hicks as your approach your due date but important signs of labor that should look out for include lightening feeling as the baby drops, in your pelvis, bloody show, labor contractions that intensify as you move around and your water breaking (although this might not happen until you’re in the hospital).
Keep in mind that some women go into labor a few weeks before their due date and some a week after so it really depends on the baby and the pregnancy.
Third Trimester To Do List
- Keep track of fetal movement and start counting baby’s kicks regularly throughout the day.
- Keep moving and stay active with your doctor’s ok.
- Schedule your third trimester appointments.
- Choose your baby’s pediatrician.
- Have your baby shower.
- Buy any baby gear you didn’t receive at your shower.
- Attend a childbirth class and learn about the stages of labor (especially if this is your first baby).
- Take a baby sleep class. My favorites are Taking Cara Babies and Little Z’s Sleep.
- Get educated on newborn feeding, whether you choose breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Related: Bottle Feeding Tips for New Moms
This post is all about pregnancy stages and symptoms.