Pregnancy - What changes and events you will go through?

First Trimester -- 0 to 13 Weeks

The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development. During this period, your baby's body structure and organ systems develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period.

Your body also undergoes major changes during the first trimester. These changes often cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness and frequent urination. Although there are common symptoms of pregnancy, every woman has a different experience. For example, while some may experience an increased energy level during this period, others may feel very tired and emotional.

Second Trimester -- 13 to 26 Weeks

The second trimester of pregnancy is often called the "golden period" because many of the unpleasant effects of early pregnancy have ended. During the second trimester, you're likely to experience decreased nausea, better sleep patterns and an increased energy level. However, during this period you may experience a whole new set of symptoms and feelings, such as back pain, abdominal pain, leg cramps, constipation and heartburn.

You will probably hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time at around 12 weeks. An ultrasound is typically performed around 19 weeks. And, somewhere between 16 weeks and 20 weeks, you may feel your baby's first fluttering movements.

Third Trimester -- 26 to 40 Weeks

You have now reached your final stretch of pregnancy and are probably very excited and anxious for the birth of your baby. Some of the physical symptoms you may experience during this period include shortness of breath, hemorrhoids, urinary incontinence, varicose veins and sleeping problems. Many of these symptoms arise from the increase in the size of your uterus, which expands from approximately 2 ounces before pregnancy to 2.5 pounds at the time of birth.

First Trimester

The first stage of pregnancy, also referred to as the first trimester, is often a mixture of the best and worst feelings of pregnancy; The early symptoms as your body adjusts to the influx of hormones and other changes, as well as the joy of discovering that you are pregnant.

The first trimester often brings about the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, including the dreaded morning sickness. Rest assured that morning sickness will go away after the first few weeks.

The first of the pregnancy stages, or the first trimester is very important to both you and the baby which is growing and developing inside you, and will require many adjustments to your life style. This is a time when your baby does the most of its developing, and this is also the time where he/she stands the biggest chance of developing any omplications.

You will need to change

• Cut down your intake of caffeine and alcohol
• Begin to take prenatal vitamins
• Drink plenty of fluids during the day
• Ensure that you are eating a healthy nutritional diet
• Wear loose fitting clothes

How you will be affected

• You will miss your first period
• Your breasts will increase in size as the milk glands will begin to multiply
• You will experience the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy
• You will begin to show at the end of this trimester.

How your baby will develop

• Your baby will develop from just a few cells, the size of a pin head to about 8-9cm measured from crown to rump.
• Your baby will start to develop eyes, ears, teeth buds, fingers, toes, vital organs and even urine.
• Your baby will also form genitals, which should be recognizable by the end of this trimester.

The Second trimester

The second trimester is made of weeks 14 to 26, and one of the greatest milestones of the second trimester, is that you will begin to feel your baby move. The second trimester is usually the one which women enjoy the most, as morning sickness should have almost completely disappeared, and you will begin to look pregnant, without feeling as if you are going to explode.

During this stage of your pregnancy, your body will start to really change shape as your weight gain start to pick up as your baby grows inside of your uterus. During the course of this trimester you will begin to experience some of the other pregnancy symptoms such as back pain, headaches and dizziness, but these are normal, and you shouldn't be to concerned with these.

How will you and your baby be affected

You will need to change

• If you aren't already following an exercise program, then now is a good time to start one.
• Continue to follow a healthy diet, ensuring that you and your baby are getting all the correct nutrients
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Consult your health care provider before you take any medication.
• Get as much rest as possible.

How you will be affected

• You may find that moles and freckles will begin to get darker.
• Your breasts will continue to grow in size
• You may start to retain water resulting in swollen fingers, feet, ankles and legs
• You will continue to gain weight and will start to look pregnant.

How your baby will develop

• Your baby's bones will begin to get harder
• Ears will begin to look like ears
• lanugo, which is a fine hair will begin to cover his/her body
• Your baby will begin to form sleeping patterns
• Your baby will move about inside your uterus

Third Trimester

At the end of your third trimester you would have forgotten all the pain and discomfort of your pregnancy, as it would have been replaced by the joys of having successfully brought a child into this world. During this stage of your pregnancy, your baby's development and growth will be slowing down and coming to an end. Vital organs would have completed their creation, and he/she will begin to start to have fat deposits under the skin.

How will you and your baby be affected

You will need to change

• You will need to visit your health care provider every 2 weeks now.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects
• Get as much rest as you can
• Think about how you want to give birth
• Pack your hospital bag
• Start thinking of names for your baby

How you will be affected

• Your breasts may begin to leak colostrum.
• You belly may effect your balance, and lead you to have back ache
• You may be able to distinguish between an elbow and a knee as it pokes out the side of your stomach

How your baby will develop

• All vital organs will be completed, and in working condition
• Your baby will begin to get fatter as fat deposits are being made underneath your baby's skin.
• Your baby will get into position for birth.

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