Pregnancy Trimester: Stages of Pregnancy for Mother and Fetus

Pregnancy trimesters are the three stages of the normal 40 weeks pregnancy divided into three months each. These stages of pregnancy are crucial both for the mother and for the child. The mother experiences many physical and emotional changes as she nurtures a new life inside her. Similarly the baby develops gradually in its first home-womb of the mother.

First Trimester Pregnancy

First pregnancy trimester is marked from conception to 12 or 14 weeks from the last normal menstrual cycle. During this stage a woman often experiences morning sickness (vomiting and nausea}, tiredness, tender breast and frequent urination. It is recommended to take small frequent meals to prevent nausea. You may have alternate periods of activity and rest. Walking is the best exercise at this stage.

Changes In Baby

The embryo’s eyes, ears, nose and digestive system begin to form in this stage of pregnancy. The heart starts beating. The embryo is about 2.5 cm long and weighs 2g.

Second Trimester Pregnancy

Beginning of the fourth month marks the second pregnancy trimester. At this stage of pregnancy, you may regain your lost energy as morning sickness disappears. You may notice increased vaginal discharge due to hormonal changes in body. Braxton Hicks contractions, which are contractions and relaxation of the uterus, which is often misunderstood as false labor contractions, are experienced. Low back pain and swelling of the feet and ankles may occur. Mild yogic exercises under the supervision of the trainer may help relieve the problem. Kegel exercise i.e. tightening the muscle around the vagina and anus should be done in this stage of pregnancy. This would tone and strengthen the pelvic muscles that take part during the labor contractions. Stretch marks-a great sign of worry for the-to-be moms may be visible. Avoid itching the abdominal area to reduce the chances of pregnancy stretch marks.

Changes In Baby

Moms can feel excited during this pregnancy trimester as the movements of the baby starts with the development of muscles. Fingernails and toenails appear and the heart is completely developed. A small amount of hair appears on the baby’s head, eyebrows and eyelashes emerge. Baby weighs about 300gm and is 10 inches long.

Third Trimester of Pregnancy

This is the last of the pregnancy trimesters that extends from 28 –40 weeks. The mothers may have sleepless nights thinking of the arrival of their newborn and of the pain they may undergo during child birth. Braxton Hicks contractions become intense in this stage of pregnancy. You may feel tired and short of breath due to increased growth of the fetus.

Changes In Baby

Baby attains its full size and weight at the end of this trimester, which is 16inches and 2100g for a healthy baby. The organs and systems are fully matured.

In the course of the three pregnancy trimesters, the baby grows from a fetus to a human with all its systems developed in miniature. This is the miracle of birth.

Don?t Miss Clicking Pictures of Stages of Pregnancy!

How about clicking pictures of stages of your pregnancy? Sounds wonderful! And it’s just not for making albums to cherish memories. It’s also to divert your attention from the nasty pregnancy symptoms. Whenever you feel nausea, grab your camera, call your hubby, and begin a photo shoot!

My Picture of Stages Of Pregnancy

This is what Catherine has to say about her pregnancy album – “It’s been a year since my baby was born. Yet, the memories of my pregnancy are fresh in my album picture of stages of pregnancy. Whenever I get the time, I take out the album from the closet and start flipping the pages. The first picture reminds me of that day when my doctor had confirmed my pregnancy. I broke the news to my hubby and he had gone crazy with happiness! He lifted me in my arms and this was when Sarah, my friend who was present at home at that moment, clicked a picture of us. This picture still sends me in raptures every time I see it!”

Look what Kate has to say about clicking picture of stages of pregnancy – “Clicking pictures has always been my hobby. So, when my hubby gifted me a digital camera on my birthday, I used my gift extensively during all the stages of my pregnancy! Guess what? I kept my pictures a secret, until I delivered my baby. And later, when I unveiled the album in front of my husband, he was dumbstruck with joy! We had a good time together seeing pictures of big belly; picture of my awkward face when I was suffering from morning sickness, picture of me trying to fit into clothes for which I was too big. It was fun!”

And here’s Angela. She is repenting for not having clicked any picture of stages of pregnancy. “It never struck me to click pictures! And now I am missing an album full of pregnancy memories. Well, I have learnt a lesson the hard way now! I will make it a point to click pictures during my next pregnancy!”

Flaunt Your Big Belly

There was a time when women used to hide themselves in oversized clothes to conceal their big bellies. Not any more! Today, it’s a trend to showoff that big belly for which you have worked so hard! And if you don’t want to, at least click a picture and include it in your album. Feel the delight that creeps into you when you see a picture of your pregnant days after many years. It’s an entirely different kind of joy that grips you. Would you want to miss this joy? Certainly not!

So, where’s your camera? Start clicking picture of stages of pregnancy. Stick them in colorful albums and keep them in a special place in your living room. You would want to share the joy and fun of your pregnancy days with your family and friends for many years to come.

Pregnancy Questions and Answers

19 weeks & strange lump on bottom of my foot?
So this is my first pregnancy. I’m 19 weeks and yesterday, I find a strange lump on the bottom of my foot. It’s more towards the heel, but not in/on the heel. It’s probably the size of a small grape. It feels hard inside. It’s not sore unless I walk around for a while or…

19 weeks 5 days and..?
Okay, I’m 19 weeks 5 days pregnant and I have been having some bleeding and brown discharge for days gone by 2-3 days. I have had bleeding and brown discharge before and they solitary last about 3-4 days. Their is not alot of blood at once and it only happen a couple times a day. The blood is lightish colored…

19 weeks pregnant and kid diagnosed beside right pyelectasis?
It’s a boy and the fluid in his left kidney measures 3 mm which is normal but the fluid surrounded by his right kidney measures 5 mm which is slightly enlarged for 19 weeks, I read all about the condition but it would be nice to hear from somebody with like experience and how did it…

19 weeks pregnant and spotting?
I am 19w5d pregnant, and I started bleeding a little after hubby fingered me. We didn’t have sex because it scared me. When I get a tissue and wiped myself it was just for a time red spotting. I have no cramping and it wasn’t a lot of blood just spotting. Is this majority or should…

19 weeks pregnant- fruitless gas cramps and mild diarrhea every morning.?
Has anyone experienced anything similar? The doctor just told me that I can take Imodium and be sure to drink a lot of marine to stay hydrated. But I don’t see how Imodium could help because it happens about 5 minutes after I bring back up each morning. It’s just annoying- any…

19 weeks pregnant. Baby moving?
Several times a day, only when I’m sitting upright (like on the sofa) and watching TV or on the computer (being stillness activities) I feel this light poking about 2 inches below my belly button. Could this be the babe-in-arms poking or is it probably something else like muscles stretching? It’s always in impossible to tell apart…

19, have a tot this fall down, and wanting to shift spinal column to college to find my RN?
Getting pregnant so young was a huge shock to me & my boyfriend – it was immensely unplanned. I have planned on going to college to get my RN for years and already went to tech conservatory to get my PCT (patient care technician) My boyfriend…

19weeks + and response sick again approaching nausea?
it started again yesterday and ive got it now is this normal cos ive not have morning sickness before im 19w3d and every now and then i grasp nausea again. i had it the first three months then it went away but i never in actual fact threw up. my doctor told me…

1cm 50 percent efface have contractions 37 weeks…?
I know that everyone is differant and that really no one can predict when and what is going to happen. However.. I keep recounting myself that It could be tonight or it could be first week of Sept. ( due date aug 24) My mother on the other hand is convinced that things are…

1cm and 50 percent efface as of two days ago , im still cramping and toddler have be moving wayyy smaller amount!?
now does anyone think imin early labor? I go to the hospital and thats what the dr suggested as well and my baby was not contained by the pelvis yet cause he has be breeched this whole time and oh yeah im 37…

1cm and 80% efface.how long?
So, I just got back from the docs organization and I was 1cm and 40% effaced last week. Now, I am 1cm and 80% efface now. How far away do you think labor is? I am well aware that she will come when she is equipped but I just want to hear your thoughts. Thanks ladies…

1st pregnancy, 37 weeks, False labor?
I’m having very frequent, light contractions. They are not getting stronger, but they are drastically persistent. I basically feel similar to I have a lot of pressure down stairs. Sometimes the pressure stays for up to a minute. I’m currently at work, and I cant say I’m contained by any kind of pain, becuase it just feel like throbbing…

1st response Pregnancy Test! Could I still be pregnan?
I last had a menstural cycle on the 4 of July. I had intercourse and have another small menstural cycle. It lasted for only about 3days and it wasn’t an huge amount. On the third of this month, I took a 1st response pregnancy test and it was negative! On the fourth when it be supposed…

1st time pregnancy sustain?
I want an epidural, but im scared. What did it feel like when you be getting yours? Did it hurt? yeah i got one end year.. they give u a needle to numb the area formerly they put in the epidural.. so just feels approaching ur getting a needle like a blood test so dont verbs I…

1st U/S tomorrow, im so concerned!!?
what should i expect tomorrow at my first U/S appt? im almost 22wks so im hoping they will tell me if its a boy or a girl. i just feel so restless! like im meeting my baby for the first time, even though he/she have been moving around in there. what be your experience? thanx! its AMAZING! i…

1st Ultrasound–Did my doc do it right?
I went in the morning for my 1st prenatal exam w/my OB. Mind you, I haven’t seen her since another doc contained by the practice took over my file…so I was already feeling similar to I probably had to repeat myself. My husband was standing in the room & I be sort of hoping someone would…

2 days behind time, pregnancy symptoms?
It sounds like you could be, skulk 2 days and take another test xx I am in the exact same boat as you. I am 2 days latew ith plentiful symptoms I tested this morning as well and got a bfn( negative) bummer. I’m going to retest only the 15th of August similar to I had planned my…

2 months pregnant, how do you get the impression,?
I was about 2 months when I found out I was pregnant. That be around the time the morning sickness started. I just felt tired and sick mostly. I didn’t feel anything contained by my stomach. I felt very ill , not sick once , but nauseas adjectives day and all night, backache similar…

2 Periods within One Month?
Well, had my period July 1-5. TTC on my most fertile day the 16th. 2 weeks laters, yesterday. my “period” come? A week early? Started out really heavy and unsual with extreme cramping? What could this be? I’ve hear that I could’ve miscarried any advice? go doctors It is possible that you have miscarried. But next to…

2 postives try-out go and get confirmed by a fp or ob/gyn?
Okay i just got two positive pregnancy tests but would close to to know if i should go straight to a OB/GYN or get it confirmed by my family doctor and afterwards go to the OB/GYN? Before picking a doctor to medically manage your pregnancy, you might consider educating yourself on the benefits…

2 pregnancy question assistance!!?
1.if you take a pregnancy test 2 week after sex will it be accurate no mistakes 2.When a girl is pregnant can the guy be the one throwing up no more than likleyu the test may be false negative you newly have to wait untill you miss your period or until you start have symtoms. Yes a man can…

2 question if you could answer within first trimester?
I have 2 questions: 1. In the first trimester did your boobs stop aching at one point 2. Do you perceive the stretching of your abdomen and see blue viens, but not the popping out kind. Thanks With my first two pregnancies, I remember my boobs hurting, but not as…

2 subdivision pregnancy examine?
I’d say that’s normal. I’d also like to right to be heard YOU LUCKY * you. lol I’m a little before 12 weeks and i’ve been sick almost every single friggin afternoon with my first son i didn’t get sick till i was 12 weeks and it last until I was 25-26 weeks . I wouldnt worry about nothin worryin…

20 week scan on tuesday and massively like a cat on hot bricks and excited is this the norm:?
hi my 20 week scan is on the 11th so next tuesday at 10.20 nd i am so excited because i want to find out what it is and make sure the baby is ok but im soooooo worried at alike time i hope this is…

20 week ultrasound coming up…Help?
I can’t help but get very anxious when I come up with about it. This will be the first u/s that DH will be present for (dang military lol) and also the one where we should (please cooperate, little one) find out the sex! I’m so very excited because we already own names picked out and I’m…

20 weeks and not showing on the other hand?
This is my second baby and I know that every pregnancy is different, but with my first son I was showing at 3 months. I haven’t even gain any weight. At each of my last 3 doctor appointments I be exactly 125 pounds. At my last appointment, everything was good and I enjoy been feeling movement…

20 weeks and still loosing freight?
is it normal?? doctor says im just looking after myself.. i skilled id put some on by now as i do have a big adequate bump. so i t must be all baby so? i am indistinguishable i have gained about 3 pounds since individual pregnant which aint much im the same bearing. ill losse some…

20 weeks- belly too big or too small? (pictures included)?
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww109? You look good, I think you have commonplace bump,not big and not small either. Have a good luck and a healthy pregnancy. you’re very slim so you look just fine for 20 weeks, I don`t know a little on the big side but again I think its because of the way…

20 weeks pregnant and no tot bump?
I will be 20 weeks pregnant tomorrow and this is my first pregnancy. I am alittle overweight in the tummy area but shouldn’t I be showing by now? I go for an ultrasound at 16 weeks and the baby is growing and is prefectly healthy. When will I start to get my tot bump? I didn’t show…

20 weeks pregnant and worried?
That is particularly normal however if it is bothers you a lot please see a doctor so you can feel pleased or just call the doctore or nurse People have different discharge symptoms. Especially end in your pregnant, I’m sure that discharge is normal. Your vag is a self cleaning organ. You may get weird symptoms from your pregnancy….

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Stages of Pregnancy – What Mums-To-Be Must Know

Congratulations if you have just come to know that you are pregnant. Everybody must be telling you so many things about the different stages of pregnancy now. Right! It is true that now you must know how you as well as your baby with grow with pregnancy week by week. You must keep adequately well-informed so that you do not panic at the drop of the hat any time during your pregnancy!

So, What Are These Stages of Pregnancy?

The stages of pregnancy are the three trimesters that have duration of three months each.

Stage 1

The first stage begins with morning sickness, though why it is called so, one wonders since this nausea can happen anytime throughout the day! Breast heaviness, general exhaustion and of course an upheaval of emotions are the other pregnancy symptoms of the first trimester.

The joy of imminent motherhood along with constant worries about labor, delivery, parenthood etc., will change your moods as if you were the clock pendulum during this stage! Keeping a close watch on your pregnancy diet and regular doctor-approved exercise is a must. Your baby, meanwhile, will have progressed from just a couple of cells to becoming a small living being in these first three months.

Stage 2

The second trimester is that stage of pregnancy by when you will become accustomed to some of the changes. With butterfly kicks fluttering inside you, you would actually feel the little one nesting in you. The sickness bit would have mostly ended and you will find that you are eager to discuss your pregnancy with others, so that views can be exchanged and new insights explored.

Physical changes would mean that your tummy will be slightly distended; the urge to urinate will be more and quite uncontrollable, your nipples will darken. On the brighter side, you will get your appetite back, as well as have a heightened sexual drive. This is the most enjoyable period in all of the three stages of pregnancy.

Last, But Not The Least Stage 3

Finally, you would enter at the last trimester – the beginning of the end to the stages of pregnancy. This period would seem to crawl on slowly, what with a big, swollen tummy and the anxiety to quickly get child birth over with. The fear of delivery pains, general all-day fatigue, combined with sleeping problems, swollen feet, frequent urination, will make days seem very slow and laborious.

Many women grow restless, as they develop what is called the Nesting urge. It is important now that you follow every part of your doctor advice, so that complications can be avoided. Your pregnancy is going to be over soon and you will be a momma, so take extreme care and caution.

Remember, a pregnancy is once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, try to have fun and enjoy your stages of pregnancy. Best of luck!