Stages of Development: What’s Happening Inside my Pregnant Body?
So, you’re pregnant. You might have just gotten used to that fact or are still processing this new reality. Your brain is probably bursting with questions as your baby bump starts to show. What is going on in that pregnant body of yours?
How long am I pregnant?
Typically, we think of a pregnancy lasting 9 months. However, that’s not always the case. A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. Depending on when you deliver, you could be pregnant somewhere in-between 9-10 months, which is entirely normal and healthy. These 40 weeks are broken up into 3 trimesters of pregnancy. 1
First Trimester: conception - 12 weeks
What’s happening with my body?
During this time, your body may be experiencing early pregnancy symptoms such as:
- Morning sickness
- Increased urination
- Swollen breasts
- Fatigue
What’s happening with the baby?
In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, embryo cells continue to multiply and form the body. The placenta also develops at this point, which is vital since this organ will carry nutrients, oxygen, and water to the baby.
Physical developments at this point include:
- Facial features
- Eyes
- Ears
- Arms & legs
- Hair follicles
- Mouth
- Taste buds 2
Second Trimester: 13 - 28 weeks
What’s happening with my body?
The good news, the second trimester is typically a turning point for you! If you were sick and miserable during the first 12 weeks, you might begin to feel better at this point.
You may experience some of these changes in your body during this time:
- Appetite may increase.
- May feel baby movements for the first time around 20 weeks.
- Your uterus has grown to the height of the belly button around 20 weeks, usually making your pregnancy visible.
- The need to urinate may decrease as the uterus grows out of the pelvic cavity, which helps relieve pressure on the bladder. 3
What’s happening with the baby?
By the beginning of your second trimester, the baby is about 3 inches long and weighs around 1 ounce. The baby’s weight will multiply more than seven times over the next few months. That’s a lot of growing!
A few developments during this time include:
- Baby’s body and facial movements include kicking, turning side to side, and smiling.
- Reflexes such as swallowing and sucking develop.
- Fingers and toes now have fingernails, and their prints have formed.
- Eyelids begin to open.
- Major organs, such as the liver and pancreas, become stronger.
Third Trimester: 29 - 40 weeks
What’s happening with my body?
During the last trimester, your body is starting to prepare for delivery. As a result, you may feel uncomfortable as you continue to gain weight and possibly have pre-labor contractions (called Braxton-Hicks).
You may experience some of these changes in your body during this time:
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, and have may happen as you continue to retain fluids.
- Backaches may start or increase as your torso pushes out with the baby’s growth.
- Increased urination will return as pressure from the baby is placed on the bladder.
- Stretch marks may appear on the stomach, breasts, thighs, and buttocks. 4
What’s happening with the baby?
The baby is also in preparation mode, ready for delivery. The baby’s position changes typically during this time to start facing itself head down. By the end of the third trimester, the baby will be around 19-21 inches long and weigh 6-10 pounds.
A few developments during this time include:
- The baby can see, hear, suck on its thumb, and cry.
- The organs fully develop; the lungs completely mature at 38-40 weeks.
- Bones of the skull remain soft for easier passage through the birth canal.
- A creamy protective coating called vernix caseosa covers the baby’s skin.
A lot happens in your body during these 40 weeks! It’s important to remember that every journey looks a little different. Some may experience challenging changes, while others seem unaffected. Pregnancy can bring out an inner strength you didn't know was possible. We believe in you and are here for you whenever you need us.
