Pregnancy week by week unfolds the mystery of physical and changes of a woman’s body in every day living. It is a weekly series that helps women to cope and understand the reasons of all these changes happening in your body. Plus, pregnancy week by week gives you reminders, tips and suggestions to make yourself ready in facing crucial part of pregnancy stages.
While you excitedly await your due date, don’t forget that there is a lot you can do to aid your growing baby development inside you. Let’s take a look at pregnancy week by week to give you an idea on what to expect on your baby’s development.
Pregnancy Week by Week 1
First of the pregnancy stages actually starts at the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Since
pregnancy calendar begins in gestational age, mothers must take note of their LMP.
It is when “zona reaction” takes place (also known cortical reaction). It occurs when a sperm cell unites with the egg's plasma membrane which locks out other sperm from entering.
Pregnancy Week by Week 3
The little bundle of growing cells called embryo now separates into three distinct layers. And your
baby development is very prone to major problems if exposed to any harmful substances. When the little embryo implants itself into the wall of uterus, a little bleeding is expected as one of the
pregnancy symptoms .
Pregnancy Week by Week 4
Implantation occurs and once the blastocyct (sprout pouch) gets to the uterus, it finds a spot to settle down and these cells start to divide into two groups- the one that forms the placenta and the one that forms the baby.
Pregnancy Week by Week 5
The entire four chamber of your baby's heart is continuing to develop. Other organs such as the ones on digestive tract and respiratory track are starting to grow.
Pregnancy Week by Week 6
Two common pregnancy symptoms are expected in this stage. It can be the softening of the lower part of your tummy which is called the Hegar's sign. Also your cervix is expected to have a bluish tinge and is called the Chadwick's sign.
Morning sickness is the common experience by most pregnant women at this stage.
Pregnancy Week by Week 7
Since uterus has now developed into a large hen’s egg, healthy diet must be followed. This is also such a crucial week for baby's development. Fatigue, morning sickness and big cravings are expected.
Pregnancy Week by Week 8
In pregnancy week by week 8, you will notice that you are thirstier since there is greater water loss. So make sure to drink 8 -10 glasses a day throughout your pregnancy. Baby’s brain waves are now visible and its nerve fibers are starting to travel.
Pregnancy Week by Week 9
In pregnancy week by week 9, it’s now distinguishable whether your baby is a male or female. Since your baby and uterus are growing together, you will notice a tiny bulge in your lower abdomen which is part of pregnancy symptoms as well.
Pregnancy Week by Week 10
Fingernails and toe nails are starting to appear in this stage. The baby now weighs about 4 grams and 3 – 5 centimetres long. Relief on some
symptoms of pregnancy such morning sickness is expected. Mothers or mothers-to-be experience growth of their uterus to accommodate the rapid growth of the baby.
Pregnancy Week by Week 11
Breathing movements which help the growth of the muscles in the baby’s chest can now be seen in ultrasound.
Pregnancy signs such as tingling sensation in their stomach and belly ache are expected.
Pregnancy Week by Week 12
You are already
12 weeks pregnant; the baby finally begins to look more human in appearance as changes are more visible. Skin changes are the common pregnancy symptoms expected to happen on pregnant women such as dark line from your navel down the pubic bone.
Pregnancy Week by Week 13
As your baby continuously develop, the vocal chords begin to form and the face is looking more humanly as the eyes start to move closer to each other. It’s now possible to determine the sex of your baby by looking at the genitals.
SECOND TRIMESTER
Pregnancy Week by Week 14
Your baby is now 3 ½ inches long and 1-2 ounces heavy. She/he now starts to practice breathing (inhaling and exhaling) and the eyes and the ears continue to move and develop. The neck also gets longer and the chin no longer rest on his/her chest.
Pregnancy Week by Week 15
The bones of your baby are getting harder now and during an ultrasound, you may see him/her sucking his/her thumb.The skin of your baby is still thin and transparent. A very fine hair called Lanugo is covering your baby’s body and will continue to grow until week 26.
Pregnancy Week by Week 16
You can now feel your baby’s movement because his/her bones are getting harder; his/her fingernails and toenails are growing too. Your baby is about a pound and a half heavy and his/her wrinkle skin starts to get smooth as he/she puts on baby fat.
Pregnancy Week by Week 17
Baby’s skin begins to thicken and you will experience tightening in your belly because your baby is starting to curl up into a large ball. Contractions are more common pregnancy symptoms to prepare your uterus for true birth.
Pregnancy Week by Week 18
Baby is now capable of moving and turning somersault in your tummy. The height increases for about 2 inches and the weight is about 7 oz. You may experience few
symptoms of pregnancy such as gas bubbles in your tummy.
Baby starts practicing her first breaths to prepare herself after she is born. Some pregnant women in this stage feel more aroused as the pelvic floor and vagina become vascular. Pregnancy symptoms involve dietary needs and some considered using birth or postpartum doula.
Pregnancy Week by Week 20
You could notice your baby’s breathing movement is now visible in your ultrasound. The mother experiences increase in pulse rate for about 10 -15 beats per minute and this will continue until the end of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Week by Week 21
Baby’s sense of taste is observed. Mother’s can already predict what baby’s doing inside her womb, like if she’s asleep or awake. Enlargement of breast and producing of colostrums are one of the common pregnancy symptoms at this stage.
Pregnancy Week by Week 22
Pregnancy week by week 22 is about the development of your baby’s eyelids and eyebrows. Pregnancy symptoms observed are, you get hungrier because the baby also needs to get nutrients from you to survive.
Pregnancy Week by Week 23
Baby’s sense of hearing begins to develop which makes it the best time to bond with her. Pregnancy symptoms like stretch marks in the breasts, abdomen and thighs are more visible at this stage for mothers.
Pregnancy Week by Week 24
Sweat glands now appear as part of your baby’s development. The mother will experience back pain as the baby continues to grow as one of pregnancy symptoms. While some mothers experience more headache that may be cause of hydration.
Pregnancy Week by Week 25
Baby’s sense of hearing is now fully developed giving her the ability to respond to sound. The first sign of the first baby’s stool
(meconium) starts to form in her intestine. Most of the mothers experience frequent gastrointestinal problems.
Baby’s eyes are fully developed but not yet opened. Mothers experience Braxton-Hicks contractions and become more noticeable at this stage of pregnancy.
THIRD TRIMESTER
Pregnancy Week by Week 28
By this time, the eyes of your baby are completely formed and the hair on his head already starts to grow. His/her lungs are already capable of breathing air but not if outside the woman’s body yet.
Pregnancy Week by Week 29
Your cute little baby continues to accumulate fat under his/her skin and the head is now proportion with the rest of the body. The eyes can now move in the sockets and the brain is capable of controlling primitive breathing and control body temperature.
Pregnancy Week by Week 30
Your baby now weighs three pounds and is growing like a weed. The lanugo also starts to disappear and the bone marrow now produces red blood cell.
Pregnancy Week by Week 31
Your baby’s brain is rapidly growing and the only organ yet to be developed is the lungs. If it’s a boy, the testes start to move down from the body cavity to the scrotum.
Pregnancy Week by Week 32
The baby when asleep can now dream, too! Digestive-related discomforts are expected to suffer by mothers as your pregnancy progresses. This is the best time to create a birth plan or perhaps think of unique baby names!
Pregnancy Week by Week 33
Baby’s brain development continues to develop. As part of pregnancy symptoms, mothers may experience more visible swelling in their ankles. Amniotic fluid begins to decrease. Make sure to have plenty of protein intakes to build block for cell growth and development of the baby.
Pregnancy Week by Week 34
Baby starts to get into position for labor. Mothers can already tell if the baby’s head is down and in your pelvis already. It’s one of pregnancy of the pregnancy stages wherein mothers are advice to add some toning exercise for the preparation of
giving birth.
Pregnancy Week by Week 35
Mothers are advised to have a balance
pregnancy diet that includes sufficient amounts of calcium, protein and iron to sustain baby’s needs. Your baby takes all the iron stores from you so make sure to eat enough iron-rich foods to avoid anemia.
Pregnancy Week by Week 36
Baby’s gastrointestinal system is completely developed. One of the symptoms of pregnancy at this stage is mothers get more swelling in these last few weeks of pregnancy. While some start to be concerned with their
pregnancy weight gain .
Baby’s making a lot of movement inside her mother’s womb. It’s the best time for mothers to begin packing their labor bag in the preparation of baby’s arrival. Greater amount of heartburn and indigestion is not uncommon at this stage.
Pregnancy Week by Week 38
Symptoms of pregnancy such losing few pounds even though the baby continues to grow is observed. Testicles and labia will be fully developed. More frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions are suffered by many mothers.
Pregnancy Week by Week 39
Baby development is closed to completion! Your cervix may be both dilated and effaced if the baby is lower in your pelvis. Keep in mind that early dilation the timing of when your labor will begin early pregnancy week by week 39.
Pregnancy Week by Week 40
Among the pregnancy stages and symptoms of pregnancy is when some mothers experience regular contractions while others lost their mucous plug. These are possible or definite signs of labor.
Pregnancy Week by week 41
Baby’s supply of amniotic fluid diminishes in the pregnancy week by week after due date. Many mothers suffer difficulty in passing their due dates emotionally. It is advisable for mothers to take non-stress test just to make sure that the baby’s doing well.
Take note that every pregnancy week by week is different. Baby’s development may be a little faster or slower than normal. A full term pregnancy can range between 38 and 41 weeks which can be a little before or after the date given to by the doctor.
If you are worried or have any doubts at any stage of your pregnancy week by week or questions about having a baby , consult your doctor immediately. Good luck and take care!
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