Body Changes During Pregnancy Week by Week
Undoubtedly, pregnancy is the most exciting and beautiful event of a woman’s life. When you become pregnant, you think about your baby all the time. You wait anxiously to feel your baby’s first kick. Probably the wait is so long and tiring that it is eating you up. Therefore, you are wondering when will that magical time come.
No worries, we will give you the full account of pregnancy week by week in this article. Sit tight, have a snack and read carefully because it is a delightful journey of your fetus, beginning from a single-celled zygote and ending with a beautiful child.
Months of pregnancy are divided into three phases known as trimesters, as mentioned below:
- First Trimester (1-12 weeks): Your body goes through certain changes to accommodate the baby, and fetal development starts.
- Second trimester (13-27 weeks): This phase is comfortable compared to the first one. Your belly grows, and you look pregnant. During this stage, you can feel your baby’s first kick.
- Third trimester (28-40 weeks): Time to prepare for the delivery. The baby’s development is complete, and all the organ systems become functional.
Let’s discuss all the trimesters week by week.
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First Trimester
Week 1 and 2
It is not easy to measure the exact day you conceived. Therefore, according to doctors, your pregnancy begins on the first day of your last period. So, you can say that during the first week, you are not pregnant, although your body is preparing itself for the big event.
During the second week, ovulation begins. The one egg that dominates the others stimulates the release of a specific hormone known as estrogen. Estrogen, in turn, begins the thickening process of your uterus. There is no baby development yet, but your body is ready for the procedure.
Week 3 and 4
In the third week, the baby has almost arrived in your belly as a single-celled zygote after fertilization. Congrats! You are officially pregnant. The zygote grows rapidly, and your sense of smell increases due to a surge in estrogen. Development of some organs also begins during this week.
Your first month of pregnancy is about to end. Most probably, by now, you can tell that you are pregnant. This week’s theme is implantation, meaning your baby is starting to make a home in your womb. The placenta and amniotic sac are formed.
Week 5 and 6
Week five! You have missed your periods and wondering if you are pregnant? Your baby grows faster, and many of the structures are taking shape. You are also feeling changes in your body due to hormonal imbalance.
By the 6th week, there are chances that you are aware of your condition. Although the baby is still minute has but started to develop its face. You may feel some symptoms such as headaches and fatigue.
Week 7 and 8
Week seven is the time of crown-rump, meaning that your baby is about 1 cm long. The baby has a big head, and its ears and eyes are also developing rapidly. You may have to cope with vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain.
Week eight, the second month, is about to end; prepare for your first visit to the doctor. This week is a little uncomfortable for you. But it is nothing compared with what is coming ahead, your charming baby.
Week 9 and 10
During the 9th week of pregnancy, your baby that was an embryo till now has become a fetus. Your baby is now 3g, the tail has gone, and the fetus is developing human features.
By the 10th week, you are carrying a little human in your belly as your baby has already completed the development of all the vital organs.
Week 11 and 12
Your baby has gained the length of fig by the start of the 11th week. Its size is about 4 cm from top to bottom. The separation of digits has started.
Congratulations! You have completed the first trimester successfully. You are carrying an 18g little human being inside your body that has almost developed major organ systems like urinary, reproductive and circulatory systems.
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Second Trimester
Week 13 and 14
The second trimester starts at the beginning of the 13th week. The baby can suck their thumb now. What a beautiful scene to imagine! The eyes are taking their place, and your baby’s body will be in proportion in no time. The frequent urination will reduce now as the uterus moves up.
14th week marks the roundedness of the baby’s head, which is about the size of a kiwi fruit. The baby has already started kicking, but you will have to wait to feel it yet, but you can feel your baby bump. Morning sickness is gone, and so is nausea.
Week 15 and 16
Your baby started moving and is getting stronger. 15th week; you may feel slightly uncomfortable due to sensitive teeth and bleeding gums. The skin around the nipples gets darker, and the womb expands, causing mild pain.
By the start of week six, your baby does not look like a tadpole anymore. Although the baby’s eyelids are shut, they can move away from light. The beautiful little human inside you can also yawn now as you are not the only tired person.
Week 17 and 18
Week 17 of pregnancy, your normal appetite is back. The little one inside you has started to develop layers of fats to keep itself warm. It is almost as long as a potato. It is also growing hair now.
It’s week 18 of your pregnancy, and you can feel “butterflies” inside your belly, your little boy or girl moving in your womb. Baby’s reflexes like sucking and swallowing are developing. Therefore, be careful while getting up as you can feel dizzy.
Week 19 and 20
Week 19 accounts for the swelling of your feet and abdominal aches due to a growing belly. We have good news for you; you can now determine the gender of your baby if you want to. Your baby is about the size of a mango now.
Your baby is still jumping and doing somersaults by the start of the 19th week. You can play songs for your baby as they can respond to music now. Due to a growing uterus, you may have to cope with constipation and indigestion.
Week 21 and 22
The second half of your pregnancy is started. It’s time for your baby to start preparing for the outer world by developing important skills. You can now clearly feel their movements.
During the 22nd week, your Baby’s response to external stimuli becomes more obvious. They are about 28cm long now. The baby’s liver is now producing enzymes to break down bilirubin. You can now talk to your baby.
Week 23 and 24
Be prepared to feel the first kick of your child, as, by the start of week 23, your Baby’s coordination is improving with the development of muscles. The big time you have been waiting for is about to come.
By the start of the 24th week of pregnancy, your baby is as long as an eggplant. The development of several organ systems is almost complete except for the central nervous and respiratory systems. You may feel false labor pain as well.
Week 25 and 26
Ever wondered about the smooth skin of a baby? It is a fact that your baby develops during week 25 of the pregnancy. Due to enhanced blood flow under the skin, they look pink now. This week may become harder for you due to your body’s enormous changes.
The second trimester is about to end by the start of week 26. Your baby can blink eyes, although they cannot yet see. The baby’s head is facing down to make a position for the delivery.
Week 27 and 28
Greetings! You have completed the second trimester. You may have to cope with insomnia because your baby is highly active now. Want to know an interesting fact? According to some experts, it’s time when your baby starts dreaming.
28th week marks the start of the third and the last trimester. The third trimester may feel as uncomfortable as the first one. Baby has almost developed all the systems required for survival in the outer world.
- Week 29 and 30
The 29th week of the pregnancy accounts for the more kicking. Remember that it is a sign of a healthy baby. Your baby weighs about almost 1.3 kg.
Week 30 of the pregnancy brings difficulties as your baby is growing and occupying more space. You can also feel your baby moving in response to louder sounds.
Week 31 and 32
The last phase of your pregnancy starts with the start of week 31. The baby’s brain is developing faster and is in a vertical position now.
By the start of the 32nd week, your baby will become chubby by depositing more fat to maintain the temperature. Walking becomes harder due to a full-blown belly.
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Week 33 and 34
The time you are anxiously waiting for is near. Your baby is about 38-44 cm long. Its immune system is developing faster. You may feel out of breath due to pressure on the lungs and diaphragm.
By the start of the 34th week of pregnancy, your baby weighs about 2.1 kg. He is now swallowing about 1-litre amniotic fluid daily. Your baby moves down to the pelvis so that breathlessness may ease.
Week 35 and 36
You can begin your maternity leave at the start of the 35th week. Your breasts may look bigger because of the milk production.
Thirty-six weeks pregnant; you have entered the last month now. There is not much left to grow for your baby. They are almost ready to meet the outer world. You may have to urinate frequently, though.
Week 37 and 38
It’s the 37th week now, and you are body going through all the changes required for labour and delivery. Your baby is almost 38.7 cm long and ready to see the world. It is not just kicking but punching as well. Perhaps impatient to see what’s out there.
The final weeks of pregnancy begin with the start of the 38th week. The lungs, brain and liver are still growing. That is why it is necessary to complete the full term.
Week 39 and 40
You are almost there. By the start of the 39th week, your baby is almost fully developed and is looking for the right moment to come out. However, its brain is yet growing and will continue to develop even after delivery.
Bravo! You are a brave woman who fought well with all the changes pregnancy brought. The wait is over now; last week has begun. You can see your baby anytime now.
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