Pregnancy Stages
First Trimester
The first stage of pregnancy, also referred to as the first trimester, is often a mixture of the best and worst feelings of pregnancy. The early pregnancy symptoms as your body adjusts to the influx of hormones and other changes, as well as the joy of discovering that you are pregnant can all be quite overwhelming. The first trimester often brings about the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, including the dreaded morning sickness but rest assured that morning sickness will often go away after the first few weeks. The first of the pregnancy stages, or the first trimester is very important to both you and the baby which is growing and developing inside you, and will require many adjustments to your lifestyle. This is a time when your baby does the most of it's developing, and is also the time where he/she stands the biggest chance of developing any complications.
You will need to change:
How your baby will develop
Second Trimester
The second trimester is made of weeks 13 to 25 and one of the greatest milestones of the second trimester is that you will begin to feel your baby move. The second trimester is usually the one which women enjoy the most, as morning sickness should have almost completely disappeared and you will begin to look and feel pregnant, without feeling like you have just loaded on a few extra kilograms. During this stage of your pregnancy, your body will start to really change shape as your pregnancy weight gain starts to pick up as your baby grows inside of your uterus. During the course of this trimester you will begin to experience some of the other pregnancy symptoms such as back pain, headaches and dizziness, but these are normal, and you can read more about these in the pregnancy complications section.
You will need to change
How you will be affected
How your baby will develop
Third Trimester - The Final Hurdle
By the end of the third trimester you would have already gained between 10-15 kg and your emotions may be tested in this trimester as you may feel nervous and wondering if you will be capable of raising a child. You may also feel some strange symptoms this trimester, such as feeling as though your baby is going to "fall out" and numbness in the pelvic region. At the end of your third trimester you would have forgotten all the pain and discomfort of your pregnancy, as it would have been replaced by the joys of having successfully brought a child into this world. During this stage of your pregnancy, your baby's development and growth will be slowing down rapidly and coming to an end and vital organs would have completed their creation and he/she will begin forming fat deposits under the skin.
You will need to change
How you will be affected
How your baby will develop
The first stage of pregnancy, also referred to as the first trimester, is often a mixture of the best and worst feelings of pregnancy. The early pregnancy symptoms as your body adjusts to the influx of hormones and other changes, as well as the joy of discovering that you are pregnant can all be quite overwhelming. The first trimester often brings about the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, including the dreaded morning sickness but rest assured that morning sickness will often go away after the first few weeks. The first of the pregnancy stages, or the first trimester is very important to both you and the baby which is growing and developing inside you, and will require many adjustments to your lifestyle. This is a time when your baby does the most of it's developing, and is also the time where he/she stands the biggest chance of developing any complications.
You will need to change:
- Cut down your intake of caffeine and alcohol
- Begin to take prenatal vitamins
- Drink plenty of fluids during the day
- Ensure that you are eating a healthy nutritional diet
- Wear loose fitting clothes
- How you will be affected
- You will miss your first period
- Your breasts will increase in size as the milk glands will begin to multiply
- You will experience the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy
- You will begin to show at the end of this trimester
How your baby will develop
- Your baby will develop from just a few cells, the size of a pin head to about 8-9cm measured from crown to rump.
- Your baby will start to develop eyes, ears, teeth buds, fingers, toes, vital organs and even urine.
- Your baby will also form genitals, which should be recognizable by the end of this trimester
Second Trimester
The second trimester is made of weeks 13 to 25 and one of the greatest milestones of the second trimester is that you will begin to feel your baby move. The second trimester is usually the one which women enjoy the most, as morning sickness should have almost completely disappeared and you will begin to look and feel pregnant, without feeling like you have just loaded on a few extra kilograms. During this stage of your pregnancy, your body will start to really change shape as your pregnancy weight gain starts to pick up as your baby grows inside of your uterus. During the course of this trimester you will begin to experience some of the other pregnancy symptoms such as back pain, headaches and dizziness, but these are normal, and you can read more about these in the pregnancy complications section.
You will need to change
- If you aren't already following an exercise program, then now is a good time to start one.
- Continue to follow a healthy diet, ensuring that you and your baby are getting all the correct nutrients. Drink plenty of fluids, water being the most important.
- Consult your healthcare provider before you take any medication.
- Get as much rest as possible.
How you will be affected
- You may find that moles and freckles will begin to get darker.
- Your breasts will continue to grow in size.
- You may start to retain water resulting in swollen fingers, feet, ankles and legs.
- Your belly will begin getting rounder as you continue to gain weight and will start to look pregnant.
How your baby will develop
- Your baby's bones will begin to get harder.
- Ears will begin to look like real ears.
- Lanugo, which is a fine hair will begin to cover his/her body.
- Your baby will begin to form sleeping patterns.
- Your baby will move about inside your uterus
Third Trimester - The Final Hurdle
By the end of the third trimester you would have already gained between 10-15 kg and your emotions may be tested in this trimester as you may feel nervous and wondering if you will be capable of raising a child. You may also feel some strange symptoms this trimester, such as feeling as though your baby is going to "fall out" and numbness in the pelvic region. At the end of your third trimester you would have forgotten all the pain and discomfort of your pregnancy, as it would have been replaced by the joys of having successfully brought a child into this world. During this stage of your pregnancy, your baby's development and growth will be slowing down rapidly and coming to an end and vital organs would have completed their creation and he/she will begin forming fat deposits under the skin.
You will need to change
- You will need to visit your healthcare provider every 2 weeks now.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Get as much rest as you can.
- Think about how you want to give birth and possibly have a birthplan already set out.
- Pack your hospital bag.
- Start thinking of names for your baby.
How you will be affected
- Your breasts may begin to leak colostrum.
- Your belly may effect your balance and lead you to have back ache.
- You may be able to distinguish between an elbow and a knee as it pokes out the side of your stomach.
How your baby will develop
- All vital organs will be completed and in working condition.
- Your baby will begin to get fatter as fat deposits are being made underneath your baby's skin.
- Your baby will get into position for birth
