The Three Trimesters

This was originally written on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Here is a list of what most pregnant women can expect during the three trimesters.

Your first month:

You may have some "morning sickness" or nausea.

Your second month:

During this month the fetus has arms with tiny hands and fingers. Legs, the beginnings of knees, ankles, and toes are all starting to form. Organs such as the stomach and liver, a simple brain, spine, and central nervous system have also begun to develop. Pits have formed which will become the baby's eyes and ears. You may tire more easily and need to urinate more frequently. You may also, still be experiencing some nausea.

Your third month:

By the end of this trimester, your baby will weigh approximately 1 ounce, and be about 3 inches in length and signs of the baby's sex are beginning to appear. Finger and toe nails are developing. The facial features are becoming well defined, with an obvious chin, nose, and forehead. Eyes are fully formed and eyelids are developing. The baby is now starting to move the hands, legs, and head. At this point you will not feel the baby's movement. You should have gained some weight.

A few symptoms you may experience during the first trimester:
Fatigue
Breast tenderness
Passing water
Morning sickness
Backache

Pregnancy: Second Trimester
Your fourth month:

Your baby, now weighing about 6 ounces, is growing very fast and is about 8 to 10 inches long by the end of this month. The umbilical cord continues to grow and thicken in order to carry enough blood and nourishment. Morning sickness, fatigue, and many other things that might have bothered you during the first 3 months might disappear as your body adapts to the growing baby.

The majority of your weight gain will be during these next three months. The recognized average total gain throughout pregnancy is approximately 30 pounds, although you may gain slightly more or less. Maternity clothes and a maternity bra may now be more comfortable.

You may start to feel the baby's movement now. Don't worry if you can't, but if there is still no movement by the beginning of your fifth month see your doctor.

Your fifth month:

By the end of this month, your baby will weigh about 1 pound and be about 12 inches long. Eyes, eyelids, and ears are now fully developed. A fine hair, known as lanugo covers your baby's body.

Your baby will be able to hear your heart beating. Sounds from outside the uterus will also be audible, although they will be muffled. Your baby will respond to music and speech.

Your sixth month:

You are now carrying a fully formed miniature baby except that the skin is wrinkled and red and there is practically no fat under the skin. The baby still needs to grow, being now only about 14 inches long and weighing only about 1 1/2 pounds. By the end of this trimester, your baby may be sucking his/her thumb and can cry. Subcutaneous fat is building up under his skin, and eyelids have opened, allowing the fetus to develop focus. Brain tissue is also increasing at this time. If your baby has hair on his head, it may be growing as well.

By the end of the fifth month or the beginning of this month, you will have an ultrasound scan also known as a sonogram. This is a test that uses sound waves to draw a picture of your baby inside your uterus. From this test you will be able to see your baby's movement and see his or her heart beating and evaluate the size and development of your baby. Your doctor may also be able to determine your baby's sex at this time.

A few symptoms you may experience during the second trimester:
Swelling of the hands and feet
Backache
Nosebleeds
High blood pressure

Pregnancy: Third Trimester
Your seventh month:

Your baby is now about 15 inches long and weighs about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds. The baby exercises by kicking and stretching, and changing position from side to side. You might even be able to see the movement.

You will continue to put on weight at the rate of around a pound a week until your last month, where your weight gain will be limited to only a pound or two on average. A slight amount of swelling to your feet is normal. You may feel better if you lie down or prop your feet up during the day.

Your eighth month:

Your baby has grown to about 16 inches long and weighs about 4 pounds. Your baby changes position in the uterus and this position is maintained until the baby is born. Continue your daily activities, with rest periods, but stop doing any heavy lifting or work that causes strain.

Your breasts will become significantly larger, as they prepare to produce milk, sometimes becoming rather uncomfortable. A good bra is the key at this time. They may also become tender to touch and feel sore.

By week 32, your baby's face is smooth, and closely resembles that of a newborn. He/she continues to put on fat, and it is becoming a tight fit inside the uterus by now. If your baby were born now, he/she has a good chance of survival.

It might be a good idea to prepare your hospital bag and finish last preparations for your baby's arrival.

Your ninth month:

At 36 weeks your baby is about 19 inches long and weighs about 6 pounds. The baby's weight gain is about 1/2 pound per week. At 40 weeks, the baby is full-term and weighs from 6 to 9 pounds. Your baby settles further down into your pelvis. You may feel more comfortable and your breathing will be easier, although you may need to urinate more frequently. You will be visiting your doctor every week until your baby is born. Your baby is still growing and moving, but now it has less room. You might not feel the kicks and movements as much as you did in the 2nd trimester.

By the end of this trimester, your baby's head will most likely be engaged in the pelvis. His immune system is not yet mature, and he continues to receive antibodies from you through the placenta. His/her body is covered with vernix caseosa, a cheesy substance that protects his/her skin from the amniotic fluid.

During this final stage of your pregnancy, your baby is continuing to grow. About 7 1/2 pounds of your weight should be the baby. Even before your baby is born it will be able to open and close its eyes and might even suck its thumb.

Braxton-Hicks Contractions are a common natural occurrence. Your uterus is simply preparing for the real thing. These contractions are usually very irregular, and do not fall into any set pattern, as do real contractions. If your contractions begin to form a regular pattern of 4 or more an hour, be sure to contact your doctor immediately. You're ready to give birth! :-)

P.S. The website I enjoyed going to the most during each week of my pregnancy (to see REAL pictures of what the baby looked like), was Pregnancy.org