Week By Week Pregnancy In First Trimester | NextMamas Week-By-Week Guide For Your 9 Months Of Pregnancy Journey | NextMamas.
Weeks 1 and 2:
It’s difficult to know when conception occurred so doctors calculate the due date from the beginning of the last period. So for calculation purposes, you are pregnant even before you conceived. You may notice sticky vaginal discharge.
Tip for the Week: Make sure you've scheduled a preconception visit with your OB-GYN to determine the risks of genetic diseases and environmental hazards as well as learn about necessary lifestyle changes to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. Most importantly, make sure you've started taking 0.4 milligrams, or 400 micrograms, of folic acid a day. Folic acid taken a few months before conception has been shown to dramatically reduce such neural tube defects as spina bifida.
Week 3 and 4:
Congratulations! If your egg and your partner's sperm have joined successfully, your embryo is really there, although it's very small -- about the size of the head of a pin. It doesn't look like a fetus or baby; it's just a group of about 100 cells multiplying and growing rapidly. Now that your egg is fertilized, it burrows into the lining of your uterus. This is called implantation. You won't notice any changes in your body at this point. Remember, you haven't even missed your period yet. You're probably expecting your period this week, and if it doesn't occur, it might be one of the first signs that you're pregnant. Your breasts might feel tender and swollen, or you might not feel any different yet. By the end of this week, a home pregnancy test may be positive.
Tip of the week: Can't wait to find out? Take a home pregnancy test. They're about as reliable as a urine test or blood test done in the doctor's office -- and you get results immediately. Try to eat healthfully, which means choosing a variety of foods from recommended food groups and drinking at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. But you don't really need to "eat for two"; you only need an extra 300 calories per day while you're pregnant. And don't worry if your food intake drops in the beginning because of morning sickness. If you've been eating right already, your baby will get what it needs.
Week 5,6,7 and 8:
Your baby is still tiny, but its heart, brain, spinal cord, muscle, and bones are beginning to develop.
You might suspect by now that you're pregnant. You may also notice some early symptoms of pregnancy:
- Feeling nauseated (called morning sickness although it can happen at any time of day or night)
- Tingling or soreness in your breasts and darkening of your nipples.
- Needing to pee more often.
- Needing to pee more often.
- Blood volume increasing.
- Common symptoms of moodiness and mood swings.
During an ultrasound, your doctor may be able to hear a heartbeat, and they can now set a due date.
Tip of the Week: You'll want to schedule a visit to your OB-GYN as soon as you suspect you're pregnant. Starting prenatal care early and keeping up with your appointments is a large step toward having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Follow good prenatal habits each day. Exercises to keep your chest muscles toned can be useful, too.
Weeks 9,10,11 and 12:
Your baby is about the size of a peanut: 0.70 inches. The head is more erect, and the neck is more developed. Your baby's skeleton is forming, but the bones are still soft. During an ultrasound, you might see how your baby moves, even though you can't feel it yet. Your baby's genitals are developing, but the sex can't be determined yet by ultrasound. All parts of your baby are developing, from tooth buds to toenails There’s now a recognizable profile, with a clear nose and chin. Your baby will keep developing and getting larger and stronger for the rest of your pregnancy. By the end of this week, the chance of miscarriage drops considerably. You may feel bloating and constipation due to pregnancy hormones. You may also notice oily skin and acne. Any nausea or vomiting should get better soon. You'll feel more energetic for the next few weeks. The typical weight gain by now is from 1.5 to 5 pounds.
Tip of the Week: Eat plenty of foods that contain calcium such as cheeses, sardines, and broccoli. Your baby needs it, and so do you. Brush and floss daily, and take your prenatal vitamin for calcium to keep your teeth strong. Your gums may bleed more. Try not to fret about stretch marks. They won't go away but fade after pregnancy.
Author: Dr. Iram Gill
Dr. Iram Gill is an MBBS doctor by profession and a Content Writer by passion. She is a mother as well and has observed the health-related challenges faced by mothers and babies. She wants to play her part in increasing access and support for breastfeeding and maternal health problems.
