Are you pregnant and wondering what you can expect during each trimester of pregnancy? Here’s a breakdown of the stages of pregnancy month by month.
You can expect a wide range of pregnancy symptoms as you go through the various stages of pregnancy month by month. Some you may just experience in the first trimester of pregnancy and others you may experience throughout.
This post includes a breakdown of the stages of pregnancy month by month so you know exactly what to expect in terms of pregnancy symptoms, prenatal appointment schedule, pregnancy to do list and even baby development!
And if you’re unsure of what week you are in pregnancy, you can click here to calculate your due date.
This post is all about the stages of pregnancy month by month.
Stages of Pregnancy Month By Month
First Trimester: Weeks 1-12 / Months 1-3
The first trimester of pregnancy lasts for twelve weeks – but you might not even know you are pregnant those first few weeks before your missed period.
During the first trimester, you will not look noticeably pregnant yet but you will probably feel it. Between the surge of pregnancy hormones prepping your body for baby and the nausea, sometimes pregnancy can start off a little frustrating.
But remember the discomforts are temporary and it is usually smoother sailing as you enter the second trimester of pregnancy.
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 crazy 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. Chances are you will probably experience several on the list below – especially bloating, exhaustion and food aversions.
Common First Trimester Symptoms:
- Nausea
- Exhaustion
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Bloating/Cramping
- Breast soreness
- Frequent urination
- Food aversions
- Heartburn
- Stuffy nose
- Vivid dreams
Prenatal Care
Prenatal Appointment Schedule
The first appointment and ultrasound are so exciting!
Your first appointment typically occurs at seven to eight weeks pregnant and allows you to meet with your doctor and discuss any concerns you may have including nausea, things to avoid during pregnancy, products you are currently using, your exercise routine. You may or may not have an exam during the appointment as well.
You will have a second appointment around 12 weeks of pregnancy At your second appointment, the doctor will do an exam, check your weight and blood pressure, and listen to the baby’s heartbeat using a doppler monitor. with your doctor typically includes an exam.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Schedule
6-8 Weeks: Early Pregnancy Ultrasound
The first ultrasound confirms your pregnancy and how many babies you are carrying, predicts your baby’s due date, and allows you to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time.
Given how small your baby is at this point in pregnancy, the ultrasound is usually done vaginally using a wand-like probe. The probe transmits high-frequency sound waves through your uterus which allows you to see and hear your baby. So cool!
10-13 Weeks: 2nd Pregnancy Ultrasound
The second ultrasound in your pregnancy ultrasound schedule usually occurs at the end of your first trimester. If you did not have an ultrasound at eight weeks, this may be the first time you’re hearing the baby’s heartbeat!
This ultrasound re-confirms your due date, measures your baby from head to bottom, and allows you to hear the fetal heart rate again.
Wondering what you should be doing during the first trimester? Here’s a first trimester to do list.
Second Trimester: Weeks 13-27 / Months 4-6
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.
The second trimester of pregnancy is glorious. You should have much more energy than in the first trimester and your belly will start to pop which is always so exciting to see and experience. If you haven’t already, you will start feeling tiny baby kicks too!
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:
- 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).
- Practices sucking and swallowing in preparation for life outside the womb.
- Eyes and ears are moving to the correct positions
- Developing senses so he can see, smell and hear.
- Baby’s brain controls his heartbeat and induces kicks
Common Second Trimester Symptoms:
- Heartburn. Pregnancy hormones relax the valve at the entrance to the stomach, which leads to acid stomach contents moving up into the esophagus. If you are experiencing this, I recommend talking to your doctor about what you can safely do to treat it and make yourself more comfortable.
- Constipation. You can blame pregnancy hormones for constipation experienced during the second trimester of pregnancy. Constipation goes hand in hand with the increase in progesterone levels. So usually by two to three months pregnant, you will start to notice constipation.
- Leg cramps. You are not alone if you are dealing with leg cramps. They are common in the second trimester of pregnancy due to a combination of pregnancy fatigue, compression of the blood vessels in the legs, pregnancy hormones and dehydration.
- Congestion. During pregnancy, you have more blood circulating, which can make the blood vessels in your nose swell and cause congestion. It can start as early as two months and get worse as you get further along in pregnancy.
- Weight gain. This is a very necessary and expected part of pregnancy. You might love your bump or hate it but seeing it grow is pretty miraculous when you think of all of your baby’s growth happening inside it.
- Round ligament pain. This is the sharp pain often felt in the lower belly area. These are also known as “growing pains” as a result of your expanding uterus and are often felt when changing positions in bed at night. They are definitely uncomfortable but a sign that your body is stretching to accommodate your uterus and baby.
- Sensitive gums. This one might come as a shock to you but it is a pretty common second trimester symptom. We can thank pregnancy hormones yet again for this one.
- Varicose veins. Varicose veins are another common part of pregnancy due to applied pressure from the uterus on the large vein that carries blood from your feet and legs to your heart. They are harmless but may become itchy, uncomfortable and painful.
- Hemorrhoids. Just like varicose veins, hemorrhoids can be itchy, uncomfortable and very painful. Your growing uterus and and increased blood flow to the pelvic area can cause the veins in the rectal wall to swell, which is one of the most uncomfortable things ever. Definitely talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these.
- Dizziness. You might experience dizziness during the second trimester due to your growing uterus putting pressure on blood vessels. For this reason, it is recommended that you lay on your side instead of flat on your back.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal Appointment Schedule
During the second trimester of pregnancy, you will see your doctor every four weeks. At each visit, your doctor will check your blood pressure and weight as well as listen to the baby’s heartbeat and measure the size of your uterus to track growth and development.
You will also provide a urine sample, which will be checked for bacteria, protein and sugar.
Your doctor will require blood work that tests for a variety of things including blood count, iron level and to determine if you have Rh negative blood. It is important to know if you are Rh negative blood as it requires a special shot during your prenatal care as well as after birth to protect you and your baby.
The final test during the second trimester of pregnancy is the glucose test. As part of the test, you will drink a sugary drink that is provided by your doctor and have your blood drawn one hour later. This tests for gestational diabetes. If you fail this test, your doctor will then send you for a three hour glucose test. Many women seem to dread this test but I personally did not think the sugary drink tasted bad, so try not to worry too much!
Pregnancy Ultrasound Schedule
14-20 Weeks: Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound
This ultrasound checks for Down syndrome, heart defects and other chromosomal abnormalities.
Look at the thickness of the back of the baby’s neck. A thicker neck can be an indicator of increased risk for birth defects such as Down Syndrome or Trisomy 18. A blood test is also done at this time to measure hormones and proteins.
18-20 Weeks: Anatomy Scan Ultrasound
This pregnancy ultrasound is a BIG one.
It’s one of the longer but more exciting pregnancy ultrasounds because you can usually find out the sex of your baby (if you choose).
It is typically a much more detailed and thorough scan and can last anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes or more.
The major things your doctor will be looking for include:
- Check baby’s heart rate
- Look for abnormalities in your baby’s heart, brain, kidneys and liver
- Count fingers and toes
- Check for birth defects
- Examine the placenta
- Measure your amniotic fluid
- Determine the sex of the baby (if you choose)
Here’s a complete second trimester to do list.
Third Trimester: Weeks 28-40 / Months 7-9
The third trimester of pregnancy occurs during months seven, eight and nine and it is your last phase of pregnancy.
During these three months, your baby will continue to grow and develop but will also start to change position to get ready for birth
You can expect this trimester to be and mentally challenging for a variety of factors.
It can be increasingly hard to get comfortable because of your baby’s size and position. This makes normal tasks like putting on shoes or picking something up can be difficult.
Plus, you might be tired of pregnancy altogether and are ready to move on to the next stage of having your baby in your arms instead of in your belly.
Try to remain as positive as you can and do whatever you need to feel comfortable and get through each day. And remember, it is normal to go past your due date so if it comes and goes uneventfully, it’s ok.
Baby Development Milestones:
- Grows fat under the skin
- Eyes wide open
- Starts to shed lanugo (fine hair grown in the second trimester)
- Brain is maturing and developing so baby can control things like temperature
- Turns head down around 34 weeks of pregnancy
- Full term by 39 weeks of pregnancy
Common Third Trimester Symptoms:
- Braxton Hicks contractions. These are “false contractions” that are preparing your body for labor. They may be mild at first but feel like a tightening in your abdomen and get more intense as you get closer to your due date. Typically, Braxton Hicks are irregular and go away on their own if you change positions. True labor contractions get more regular over time and do not go away on their own.
- Shortness of breath. As your uterus gets larger and grows higher into your abdomen, breathing can become more difficult. It’s important to take it easy, move more slowly and sit and stand as straight as you can to give your lungs room to expand.
- Swollen feet and ankles. Fluid retention, hormonal changes and weight gain are usually the cause of the swelling. The best advice is to elevate your feet as much as possible as well as soak them in cold water. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned so they can evaluate the extent of the swelling.
- Itchy skin. This may happen as your belly continues to grow and expand. The best advice is to apply a moisturizing lotion consistently and stay hydrated.
- Frequent urination. Unlike with pregnancy hormones in the first trimester, frequent urination is usually due to the baby moving further into your pelvis and/or pressing on your bladder. If you find that you leak a little when you cough, sneeze or laugh, you can wear a thin liner. But if you feel a gushing sensation, that could be your water breaking and is a reason to call your doctor.
- Rollercoaster of emotions. During this time, anticipation and anxiety usually grows as well as fear of childbirth. You might start wondering if it will hurt, how long it will last, when will you go into labor, etc. Try to stay calm and do as much preparation as possible but also recognize that some things are out of your control.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal Appointment Schedule
During the third trimester of pregnancy, you will start to see your doctor more frequently. Starting around 32 weeks, you will see your doctor every two weeks and by 36 weeks, you will most likely have weekly appointments.
Your doctor will continue to measure your weight and blood pressure as well as test your urine and measure your baby’s heartbeat and growth.
Your doctor will also ask about any signs or symptoms you are experiencing that may indicate labor is near. Your doctor will start checking for your baby’s position and ask about your baby’s movements.
If you did not have your glucose test during the second trimester, it will be done in the beginning of the third trimester along with a Group B strep test.
It is also recommended that you receive the Tdap vaccine during this trimester to help protect your baby from whooping cough before he or she can be vaccinated.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Schedule
27-40 Weeks: Third Trimester Ultrasound
This ultrasound isn’t always necessary but many doctors like to include this in your pregnancy ultrasound schedule, especially if you’re considered high risk.
A pregnant woman can be considered high risk due to high blood pressure, bleeding, low levels of amniotic fluid, preterm contractions or if she is over the age of 35 among other things.
Here’s a complete third trimester to do list.
This post was all about the stages of pregnancy month by month.