Having a Baby: Stages of Pregnancy

Have you just found out that you are pregnant? If so, congratulations. You are probably already dreaming about what life with the new baby is going to be like. You are likely nervous and at the same time excited while thinking about how to decorate the nursery, and at this point, you are only thinking of getting unisex baby clothes because it is too soon to know if you are carrying a boy or a girl. 

However, it is easy to get ahead of yourself when you make this exciting and life-changing discovery. Let’s now talk about what to expect during the 3 trimesters of pregnancy. And, any type of typical pregnancy lasts 40 weeks which starts from the day of your last menstrual period which is referred to as LMP to delivery. Let’s now go over the stages of pregnancy. 

Stages Of Pregnancy

The stages of pregnancy consists of 3 parts which include the first trimester which starts from conception to 12 weeks. Then the second trimester starts from 13 weeks to 27 weeks, and the third trimester goes from 28 weeks until birth. Expected weight gain is variable but on average the weight gain should be between 25 to 35 lbs depending on your pre-pregnancy weight. You gain the least in the first trimester, the most in the second trimester, and less in the third trimester. 

However, there are pointers that can indicate that a woman is pregnant, but the only way to confirm that there is an actual pregnancy is a positive pregnancy test confirmed by blood work even though home pregnancy tests are more or less accurate. Let’s now go over the first trimester and what happens during that time. 

The First Trimester

The first trimester is the first stage of pregnancy that goes from conception until 12 weeks. And it is said that the first trimester is the pregnancy stage when the most uncomfortable symptoms happen which is a result of the body working hard at accommodating the growing baby. 

The first sign that many women have that can be a clear indicator that they are pregnant is a missed period and that is because the embryo has implanted which means the uterine lining sticks. Whenever a pregnancy does not happen, the uterine lining sheds which are when menstruation occurs. But with pregnancy in place, there will not be a period. Sometimes light bleeding can happen instead which is implantation bleeding as it is a result of the irritation of the embryo implanting but it is old or very pink blood that is seen. 

However, this is the time when the notorious pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, frequent urination, mood swings, cravings or aversions, tender breasts, and constipation happen. Sometimes headaches also are known to happen. These symptoms are a result of the hormones rising and the body making room for the growing baby. 

During the first trimester, the embryo develops the main organs which include the genitals, though it cannot be seen. The baby grows from being microscopic to 3 inches at 12 weeks weighing almost an ounce. The eyelids that were just developed will close the eyes and the baby will not open its eyes again until the third trimester. And at 8 weeks is when the first ultrasound is set in order to detect a heartbeat and to estimate a due date. Now let’s go over the second trimester. 

The Second Trimester

The second trimester of the pregnancy is referred to as the honeymoon phase when it comes to typical and complication-free pregnancies. That is because of those unpleasant first trimester symptoms dying down due to the fact that the hormones are more even now. But there are other symptoms that can happen such as aches in the back, groin, abdomen, and the thigh due to the bump growing and the pressure from that. 

Due to the growing bump, there will be stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, breasts due to the mammary glands at work, and even on the buttocks. The areas around the nipple may be darkened as well, and this is when pregnant women are showing. The baby has formed in the first trimester, but the growth happens in the second and the third, and a 20-week ultrasound is done to monitor the baby’s growth and that is the time when the sex of the baby can be found out. Practice contractions start happening around this time and they are painless and erratic which are referred to as Braxton Hicks contractions. This is also a time to start going to Lamaze or birthing classes to become prepared. 

The baby begins to suck his or her thumbs at this time, and discovers the limbs as well, and starts to see light even with the eyes shut. The baby can also hear and the nervous system really develops at this time. Movement can be felt as the baby keeps growing. The baby grew from 3 inches and weighing less than one ounce in the early second trimester to weighing one and a half pounds and being 12 inches long. Now let’s go over the final stage of pregnancy, the third trimester. 

The Third Trimester

This is the time when baby showers start to happen in the early part and this is the time to start planning for the nursery and start stocking up on baby items. And you will want to go to a registry if you are having a shower to choose what you want as gifts such as some hipster baby clothes, furniture, or accessories. Planning time has to be in high gear now because the baby is just fattening up and finishing up with the growth during this last phase. 

However, this is also not a comfortable time for pregnancy. Many of the symptoms that were experienced in the first-trimester return due to the fact that the baby is growing and adding a lot of discomfort by pressing on the organs. This causes nausea, heartburn, back pain, frequent urination, and low energy from being weighted. Braxton-Hicks contractions also become more painful and stronger as the time is nearing delivery. 

During the third trimester is when walking is difficult because of carrying the baby which is disrupting the balance, and the labor bag should be packed by 36 weeks as labor can happen at any time. 

And once that baby finally arrives after carrying him or her for 9 months, moms and dads will fall in love and moms will see that going through the discomforts of pregnancy are so well worth it. 

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