Pregnancy can look magical and perfect from the outside and while it is the biggest blessing, it comes with plenty of not so great pregnancy symptoms like nausea and fatigue depending on where you are in the pregnancy. This pregnancy trimester breakdown will cover everything you can expect to experience throughout pregnancy.
It’s important to understand that there will be some really good days as well as some tougher days. It’s also completely normal to be totally over being pregnant by the end (no shame in admitting that). By the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, most moms are more than ready to meet their babies and be able to tie their own shoes again.
This post includes a complete pregnancy trimester breakdown so you know exactly what to expect in each trimester, the unique pregnancy symptoms you can expect and all the baby development in the womb that will be taking place.
This post is all about pregnancy trimester breakdown.
General Pregnancy Expectations
Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters:
- First Trimester of Pregnancy: Weeks 1 – 12
- Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Weeks 13 – 28
- Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Weeks 29 – 40
Each trimester comes with its unique symptoms, emotions and exciting milestones for mom and baby! If you take anything away from this post, it’s that you’re not going to feel like a 10 every day of pregnancy and that’s ok. But at the same time, the pregnancy symptoms won’t last forever either.
Now let’s take a closer look at the pregnancy trimester breakdown and see what you can really expect in each trimester of pregnancy.
First Trimester of Pregnancy
The first trimester of pregnancy is crucial for a baby’s development but it can often be the hardest trimester. You’re dealing with hormones, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, bloating, tender breasts and the need to pee all. the. time. It can be just plain uncomfortable.
But all of these changes are happening for a very important reason: to prepare your body to be 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 you can expect include:
- 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. Common first trimester symptoms include nausea, exhaustion, headaches, mood swings, bloating or cramping, breast soreness, frequent urination, food aversions, heartburn and stuffy nose.
Second Trimester of Pregnancy
The second trimester occurs during months four, five and six. You can expect to look and feel more pregnant but most of the uncomfortable first trimester symptoms like nausea, extreme fatigue and food aversions should be behind you.
Most moms love the second trimester of pregnancy because they feel like themselves again (except for the baby bump making its appearance) and actually have energy to do things for a change.
But even if it feels “easier”, don’t forget that your body is still doing a lot of growing and developing!
Baby Development Milestones you can expect include:
- 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.
- 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.
Common second trimester symptoms include heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, congestion, weight gain (this is totally necessary!), round ligament pain, sensitive gums, varicose veins and/or hemorrhoids and dizziness.
Third Trimester of Pregnancy
The third trimester of pregnancy occurs during months seven, eight and nine. Just when you thought your belly couldn’t get any bigger, it does!
This trimester comes with it’s own set of emotions ranging from tiredness to excitement about the baby to worry about delivery and so much more. The thought of having a baby in your arms to snuggle is magical… but the process to get the baby from your belly to your arms can freak moms out, especially first time moms.
But aside from those jitters, the third trimester of pregnancy is another very important part of your pregnancy journey.
Your baby will continue to grow and with each passing week your baby has a better chance if for some reason he/she is born early.
Baby Development Milestones you can expect include:
- 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.
Common third trimester symptoms include Braxton Hicks contractions (false labor), back and hip pain, shortness of breath, heartburn and feeling fuller faster, varicose veins and/or hemorrhoids, frequent urination, swelling, restless leg syndrome and insomnia.
Around 34 weeks pregnant, your baby’s body turns head down in preparation for birth. This is an exciting step as you get closer and closer to your due date.
But if your baby doesn’t turn and remains in a breech position (this happened with my son), your doctor will talk to you about options to flip him and/or schedule a c section. It’s usually still possible for the baby to flip after 34 weeks, but it doesn’t hurt to talk to your doctor about a potential c section and educate yourself on the c section procedure and c section recovery.
You can find a ton of c section resources here!
22 Things To Do Before Baby Is Born
- Pick a pediatrician
- Tour/choose a daycare.
- Pre-wash baby’s clothes.
- Prepare for breastfeeding (if you choose) – Invest in a nursing bra, check to see if your insurance covers a breast pump, buy milk storage bags.
- Prepare a few freezer meals.
- Attend a birth class.
- Install baby’s carseat.
- Purchase any remaining items from your baby registry.
- Look up/hire a newborn photographer.
- Think about big decisions – Will you stay at home with your baby or go back to work? If you’re having a boy, will he be circumcised? Etc.
- Set up a safe place for your baby to sleep.
- Read up on baby care and baby sleep.
- Stock up on household and personal items.
- Go on a hospital tour.
- Look out for any late pregnancy complications and signs of labor.
- Decide on a name for the baby.
- Slow down
- Sleep
- Go on some date nights
- Learn what the initial postpartum period will be like.
- Pack your hospital bag
- Don’t panic if you go past your due date.
This post is all about pregnancy trimester breakdown.
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