Finding out you’re going to welcome a new baby into the world is an exciting time. To help you better understand what to expect and keep your anxieties at bay, the obstetrics team at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group offer these insights into the pregnancy timeline.
Your pregnancy will evolve throughout three trimesters. During each trimester, your baby will develop in different ways. By week 40, your pregnancy will be considered full-term. If you deliver your baby before the end of week 37, your baby will be considered premature and may need additional medical attention soon after birth to ensure they have what they need to thrive.
The first trimester of pregnancy ranges from 0-13 weeks. During this time, your baby’s physical body structure will begin to form. Their organs, including the heart and brain, will also start developing. Toward the end of week 12, your baby’s muscles and nerves will begin working together and increase your child’s ability to move.
For you as an expectant mom, you can expect to experience major changes in your only body through the first 13 weeks. While every woman has a unique pregnancy experience, many deal with frequent or persistent nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, and chronic fatigue.
You may also notice changes in your emotional health and feel unexpectedly sad or start crying for no specific reason.
During your pregnancy’s second trimester, you may begin to feel relief of persistent nausea and experience an increase in your energy levels. Many women enjoy a better quality of sleep once they begin feeling better.
You’ll also become more aware of your baby’s growth and development. Typically, in weeks 16-20, you’ll begin to feel your baby’s movements. At this stage, their muscles, bone, and skin will begin forming, and they’ll start making sucking movements with their mouth.
As your baby grows, you may experience discomfort or pain in your back and abdomen. Leg cramps, heartburn, and constipation are also common issues women face during their second trimester.
Weeks 27-40 encompass the third trimester of pregnancy. This trimester often includes physical symptoms for the mother, such as shortness of breath, interrupted sleep, urinary incontinence, and varicose veins. These symptoms relate to your baby and your uterus growing larger as you near your delivery day. An increase in anxiety is also common during the third trimester as you get closer to labor and delivery.
Your baby’s bones will be fully formed at this stage, but they’ll be soft. However, your baby will be able to kick and move around with some force. As their lungs continue to form, your baby will begin making breathing movements and continue to gain weight quickly.
Throughout your entire pregnancy — and especially as you near your due date — the providers at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group will provide the highest standard of prenatal care every step of the way. They’ll continually monitor your baby’s growth and development as well as your own health as you prepare for labor and delivery. Then they’ll assist you during all aspects of your child’s birth.
In the event that you have preexisting health conditions or other factors that may make your pregnancy high-risk, the skilled physicians will provide you with customized care to protect your health and the health of your baby.
You can also benefit from working with the certified midwifery team in addition to your physician. Starting at your first trimester, your midwife can provide you with consistent support and resources to ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy and a safe, natural childbirth.
If you’re looking for a reliable obstetrics team to assist you with your pregnancy, book an appointment online or over the phone with The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group today.
