Congratulations on your pregnancy! Now that you know you’re pregnant, you’ll definitely be interested in finding out what is happening to your body through these stages of pregnancy. You may even want to start a pregnancy journal to help keep track of all the changes that are going on now.
While every woman has heard about the three trimesters of pregnancy, not everyone knows exactly what occurs during those trimesters.
First Trimester
During the first trimester, you can expect a host of pregnancy symptoms including breast changes, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, frequent urination and many more. At the end of the first trimester, your uterus will have grown into the size of a grapefruit, while the baby inside is the size of a cherry. The baby will grow from being a mass of cells to having a heartbeat, reflexes and the ability to move it’s tiny limbs! Now is the time to start prenatal care and a nutritious, healthy diet. Regular exercise will keep you and your baby safe and ready for a healthier birth.
Second Trimester
Throughout the second trimester, you’ll grow more scatterbrained and your belly will start to show the baby growing inside you. You’ll experience pregnancy discomforts such as sleeping problems and notice Braxton Hicks contractions. During the second trimester, your baby will grow hair all over its body and the senses will begin to develop. At the end of the second trimester, your baby will measure about 10 inches (25 cm) and will frequently practice their kicking movements.
Third Trimester
The third trimester brings many changes to your body; you will need to urinate frequently and your belly looks like it’s ready to explode. Now is the time to start taking childbirth and breastfeeding classes. The finishing touches are being placed on your baby, and the two of you are looking forward to delivery day! Don’t forget to include your partner and prepare him for the hefty responsibility of fatherhood!
To figure out your baby’s birthday, visit our pregnancy due date calculator!
To take a more in-depth look at the stages of pregnancy, visit First Trimester, Second Trimester and Third Trimester.
