Third Trimester Of Pregnancy Week By Week

The third trimester of your pregnancy is one of the most tiresome, yet joyous times of your life as a woman. You’ll begin to really feel that the baby is about to become part of your life. This is also generally the time that your partner and other children, if present, will also build more of a bond with the baby.

Your baby is pretty much fully developed by this point, and is only gaining size and weight to become strong and healthy. The brain does more development during this stage, and the lungs also begin to practice for taking that first breath. As the baby runs out of room, movement will be felt more strongly, but less frequently. Often, you’ll feel little or no movement for the last week as the baby prepares for its birth.

As the baby grows, you’ll feel more pressure on your bladder, and later on your legs and pelvis as well. You may also have more back pain as your baby and abdomen grow, until the baby drops and the weight shifts to your pelvis and legs. This discomfort can become tiresome, and many women start to wish that the baby would come already. Just do your best to get plenty of rest and don’t stay on your feet for long periods of time. Concentrate on having a healthy baby and the joys you’ll soon experience as a mother. Pregnancy will be over soon enough!
Around this time, you should stop lifting other children, if possible, and take it easy. There’s relatively little you could do to injure the baby at this point, but you yourself are in a delicate state. With the strain put on your body by carrying the baby as it becomes larger, you’ll need to be extra careful that you don’t injure .

Most women have their baby shower during the third trimester. By this time, you’ll know exactly what you have and what you need. Based on sonograms, you’ll probably also know the sex of your baby, as well as its approximate birth weight and length as estimated by your doctor.

If you already have everything you need, ask for diapers – you can never have enough diapers!

If you haven’t done so already, you need to begin making plans and alternate plans for getting to the hospital when the time comes. Make sure you have more than one route to the hospital planned, and that every possible driver knows these routes well. Do a couple of practice runs and keep a bag ready at all times by the door. You never know when labor will begin.

Overall, your final trimester is a great time in your pregnancy. You’ve made it through the worst trials of the first and second trimesters and all your preparations have been made. You know that your baby is growing strong and healthy, and can feel him move often as he runs out of space. Now, you can simply sit back and await the final moment when you’ll become a mother.

Third Third Trimester of Pregnancy – Week by Week

You’ve finally made it through the nausea and fatigue of the first trimester and the busy nesting of the second trimester. Now it’s time to sit back and relax and await the coming of your baby. But as this last trimester of your pregnancy passes, you may have many questions about what pain and discomfort is normal and what may present a problem that you need to discuss with your doctor.

Throughout the first two trimesters, you likely saw your doctor once per month or every four weeks. This is true of most pregnancies, unless there are complications or risk factors present. During the third trimester of pregnancy, you’ll likely see your doctor once every two weeks until four weeks before your due date, when visits will be scheduled once each week. The increased visits are to ensure that the baby is developing normally and that you’re staying healthy. It also gives the doctor a chance to monitor how things are coming along, and if there’s any chance of a premature birth.

Week twenty-seven and twenty-eight will bring more development for the brain and lungs for your baby. You’ll also experience some breathlessness as the baby grows and your abdomen pushes toward your lungs. By the end of this time, your baby will have developed enough to be able to hear sounds from within the womb.

By week thirty-one, your baby can easily survive a premature birth. Most of its internal development is complete, and it will now only be gaining weight and size and becoming stronger and healthier. The baby will shed its first layer of hair, start blinking and begin preparations for entering the world at this time.

The rest of your trimester will be a trial. The baby will continue to grow in size and weight, putting pressure on your abdomen, your back and possibly your lungs. You’ll have to urinate much more frequently and you’ll begin to feel very tired and cranky.

In week thirty-six, if not sooner, your baby will drop into position to enter the birth canal. This will give you some relief in your lungs and chest, but will make things much worse for you in the pelvic region. You may also start to experience some cramping in your legs as the baby pushes down on your lower regions. Try to stay off of your feet as much as possible at this time.

In week thirty-eight, your doctor may perform one last sonogram to ensure that the baby is the proper position in the birth canal. There are many measures that can be taken if your baby is in the breech position. The baby’s position may be changed by pushing and prodding the outside the womb through your abdomen. If this isn’t possible, arrangements can be made for a caesarean birth. This is much easier to handle if it’s known before you go into labor.

By week thirty-nine, your baby should be at least seven pounds, give or take. Some babies will be larger and others smaller. Your baby could come at any time, so be prepared! Head for the hospital if your water breaks, you have a sudden, constant leak of fluid as if your water is broken or if you have contractions no more than five minutes apart consistently for one hour or more. Any one of these clues could be present to let you know that you’re in labor and it’s time for the baby to be born.

Second Trimester Of Pregnancy,Week By Week

The second trimester of pregnancy is a busy time for both you and your baby. Your baby will be growing very rapidly over the next several weeks, and you’ll feel much more energetic than normal. This burst of energy typically leads to what is called nesting.

Nesting is basically the process of getting ready for your baby. Some women take it further than others – it’s really just a matter of hormone levels, as well as your natural tendencies to clean, organize and plan. This is generally the time that most mothers set up their nursery, begin buying items for the baby and clean their house to a surgical cleanliness in preparation for the upcoming delivery.

Many women feel like super heroes during this time. After three months of sickness and fatigue, they finally have energy and feel like themselves again. It’s important that you remain aware of your limitations during this time. When setting up the nursery or going on a cleaning binge, make sure you don’t overdo it. Don’t do any heavy lifting and try to avoid climbing on things to clean in high-reaching areas. You don’t want to inadvertently injure yourself or your baby.

The second trimester is also the time that your cravings will kick into high gear. While it’s great to indulge your cravings to a certain extent, keep in mind that you need to maintain a healthy diet for you and your baby. Also, remember that baby weight is easier to lose if you eat healthier during your pregnancy, rather than trying to diet after having the baby.

You should also be aware of nausea, dizziness or shakiness after eating, especially if you’re craving a lot of sugar. Gestational diabetes is common in pregnancy, and usually begins presenting itself and showing symptoms during the second trimester. It’s common practice for a glucose test to be administered some time during your second trimester of pregnancy, but if you have symptoms of high blood sugar, you should definitely discuss them with your doctor. Unchecked, gestational diabetes can cause health problems for you, and cause your baby to be overly large, which causes complications during delivery.

Your baby in the second trimester is growing at a rapid rate. As the baby grows in size, you’ll show your baby bump more and more. People will notice that you’re pregnant and share in your joy, but it also means you’ll probably have to buy maternity clothes. And, as the baby begins to grow hair,

you may experience some heartburn, especially after eating spicy foods.

While keeping active and getting exercise is important, be aware of the swelling that may occur in your legs and feet. If you start noticing your feet starting to swell, sit down and rest with your feet propped up. The position you sleep in can also affect your comfort during the day as well, by increasing pressure on your back and causing further swelling. Try to sleep on your side, and if you have a tendency to roll onto your back or stomach, prop yourself with pillows so you can get a better night’s sleep.

Second Trimester of Pregnancy – Week by Week

There are many wonderful things happening during your second trimester. The second trimester, which is considered to last from the fourteenth to twenty-sixth week, is one of excitement and rapid growth for you and your baby. Your body will change rapidly as your baby grows, and some changes may be scary if you aren’t aware of their normal course. Understanding the week by week growth of your baby and the changes you can expect is helpful in keeping you worry-free and healthy.

Week fourteen is one of great excitement for all in the family as you begin to feel the baby move. You may have felt some flutters before now, but the baby is now large enough that others will be able to feel it too. This is a good time to explain to younger children that they’ll soon have a brother or sister coming. It’s easier for them to grasp when they can feel something inside mommy’s tummy. As you enter the second trimester, constipation and heartburn can be a bit of an issue, so make sure your diet is full of fiber and acid free foods.

In week fifteen, your baby will begin to grow hair that it will keep, as well as a fine layer of hair all of its body that will be shed later. According to old wives tales, this is what causes heartburn. The truth is that this event coincides with the time that heartburn usually sets in or worsens, so be careful with spicy foods.

This is also the time that your doctor will be able to measure the fundus, also known as fundal height, which is the height between your uterus and pelvic bone. This tells the doctor if your baby is growing at a reasonable pace. You’ll probably have to start getting maternity clothes at this time as well, if you haven’t done so already.

Weeks sixteen through twenty are a time of rapid growth for your baby. You’ll gain weight rapidly as your baby grows, and you’ll feel movement almost constantly. Have some fun with your partner by placing an object on your tummy and watch as it “dances” from your baby’s movement!

As your uterus stretches to make room for the baby, you may experience some cramping and tightness in the abdomen. This is perfectly normal. However, if cramping with spotting or cramping that’s severe enough to restrict movement occurs, you need to contact your doctor immediately.

Weeks twenty one through twenty six are a time when the baby slows down on development. By the end of this time, the baby’s vital systems, bones, organs and spinal cord have all developed. It’s during this time that your doctor will likely test for gestational diabetes through a glucose test. Finally, by the end of the twenty-sixth week, you’ll begin to slow down and your energy will decrease as your body gives more of its nutrients to the baby to facilitate the rapid growth that will soon occur in the third trimester.

First Trimester of pregnancy,Week By Week

– What to Expect

There are many wonderful joys to be had when you first find out that you’re pregnant. First, there’s the feeling of expectation and excitement as you begin to notice the signs – your period is late, your breasts are swelling and you’re more tired than usual. Maybe you even have a bit of morning sickness, but you don’t mind because you start to believe that you may be pregnant.
When you finally take that plunge and buy a pregnancy test, you know that you’re pregnant and the excitement takes over fully. The fact that you have to pee every five minutes or that you can’t keep any food down at all doesn’t dampen your mood one bit – at least most of the time! Many women will experience mood swings during this stage, so you might begin to have some downs, as well as ups.

All in all, the first trimester of pregnancy can be the most exciting and the most draining, although it isn’t always. Every pregnancy and every woman is different. You may experience one or all of the symptoms mentioned here, and possibly some that aren’t mentioned at all. The most important thing to remember is that if anything seems unusual, you can always contact your doctor to make sure all is well.

What to Expect

When you first discover you’re pregnant, you need to contact your doctor for an appointment. Your doctor will give you a general exam to make sure you’re healthy and ready for pregnancy. Your doctor will also determine your due date, which is typically based off of the date of your last period. If you don’t know this date or if you have irregular periods, a sonogram may be scheduled to determine the age of the fetus.

Your doctor will also provide you with prenatal vitamins. Some women complain that these vitamins add to symptoms of nausea and dizziness. However, it’s important that you get these nutrients, so if the prenatal vitamins simply won’t work for you, talk to your doctor to find out what foods and beverages can help you get these nutrients naturally. Your doctor may also be able to suggest some home remedies for nausea or prescribe medication to help with severe morning sickness.

Nausea, often called morning sickness, is common in the first trimester, although it may not always occur in the morning. You’ll likely feel very tired as well, and you could have some dizzy spells. As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll notice some tenderness in your breasts and possibly some swelling as well. Dizziness and frequent urination is also normal during your first trimester.
And while most weight gain occurs in the second and third trimesters, you’ll notice your abdomen begin to distend a bit, although it probably won’t be noticeable enough to cause you to change clothing sizes until your fourth month. This is the best time, however, to develop a diet and exercise plan that you can carry with you throughout your pregnancy. Just be sure to clear these with your doctor before starting in on them to be sure your plan is appropriate for you and your level of health and fitness.

First Trimester of Pregnancy – Week by Week

Every pregnancy is different, and not all women experience the same symptoms. However, it’s very important for you to understand what may or may not occur during your first trimester of pregnancy. This will help keep your stress levels low as normal symptoms occur and will help you to know which symptoms require a discussion with your doctor.

The First Six Weeks

The first six weeks of pregnancy are generally mild in the way of symptoms. You may not even realize that you’re pregnant until sometime between the fourth and sixth weeks, as this is generally the time that most women notice their missed period. It’s also around this time that you may begin to experience some nausea and fatigue.
The Rest of Your First Trimester

Week seven marks the true beginning of your baby’s development. He will begin developing eyes, ears, nose, heart and other organs, and by week eight, the heart will be well enough developed to be heard through an ultrasound. You should also have your first doctor’s appointment by this week, where you’ll likely get to hear your baby’s heart beat for the first time.

In week nine, your baby will begin to develop bones, and arms and legs will start to form. Webbed hands and feet will also become present. By the end of week ten, your baby will be fully developed, even though it’s still really tiny! Around this time, if you have had nausea, it may increase. Heartburn usually starts presenting itself around this time as well, although not everyone will have it.

In weeks twelve and thirteen, your baby is growing exponentially in size. You’ll likely find yourself very tired and you may need lots of rest and additional nutrition as your baby takes from you to help in its growth. It’s usually around this time that the first sonogram will be done and you’ll get to see your baby for the first time. You’ll also be able to find out what sex the baby will be by this time – if you choose to find out ahead of time.

The good news is, as this trimester ends, most nausea, dizziness, and fatigue end with it. You’ll feel a renewed sense of well begin and a burst of energy. Some mothers will have some lingering nausea, and if you have had heartburn during this stage, it will likely continue throughout your pregnancy.

By the end of this time, your baby bump will start to show to others, and you’ll be able to get everyone else as excited about the coming baby as you are. This is the time to start shopping for maternity clothes and time to clean house. As you head into your second trimester, you’ll likely start nesting, which means lots of extra cleaning and preparations for your coming baby.

Stages Of Pregnancy

Know Your Stages Of Pregnancy Better

Congratulations; you are pregnant!

You need to be well-informed regarding the stages of pregnancy. However, with it starts your journey towards creating a new life. So, let's take a look at how a new life develops inside you.

The First Trimester

During this stage, you will have to endure one or more of the following symptoms: tenderness of breasts, tiredness, morning sickness (which can happen any time of the day), headaches, frequent urination, and others. As the first trimester ends, the size of your uterus resembles that of a grapefruit and your baby inside becomes the size of a cherry. Now, you baby has heartbeats, reflexes, and can move its tiny limbs. At this trimester, you have to be very particular about prenatal care and your nutrition. In addition to this, you should exercise regularly keeping the safety of your baby in mind. Remember; a healthy mother gives birth to a healthy baby.

The Second Trimester

During the second trimester, your belly will become large enough to let the world know you are pregnant. There will be certain pregnancy discomforts like sleeping problems. You will also experience Braxton Hicks contractions. During this stage of pregnancy, there will be growth of hair all over your baby's body in order to regulate her body temperature after birth. This is one of the exciting stages of pregnancy, as your baby starts developing her senses. She will feel light as well as darkness and be able to hear various sounds from the world outside. As second trimester ends, your baby will be about 10 inches (25 cm) long and start her kicking movements.

The Third Trimester

The third trimester is one of the stages of pregnancy where you are almost ready to give birth. Your body undergoes a whole lot of changes, you have a frequent urge to urinate, and your tummy looks real big! This is the time to start taking classes on childbirth and breastfeeding. The better informed you are, the less scary the whole thing looks. All the organs of your baby are developed, except the lungs, which continue to develop until the end of this trimester. Now, you and your baby are waiting for the due date to arrive!
Most of the babies are born within one or two weeks after the due date. If it's your second or third pregnancy, you may give birth a week or two earlier than the due date. Keep in regular touch with your doctor.

Out of the three stages of pregnancy, the last stage is full of excitement and extra care. Involve your partner in this exciting journey of nine months and prepare him for fatherhood! Good luck!

Pregnancy symptoms-Early Signs of pregnancy

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy;however, one of the most significant pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed menstrual cycle. Understanding the signs and symptoms of pregnancy is important because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy. Some women experience signs or symptoms of pregnancy within a week of conception. For other women, pregnancy symptoms may develop over a few weeks or may not be present at all. Below is a listing of some of the most common pregnancy signs symptoms. If you have been sexually active and experiencing any of the following symptoms it is important to take a pregnancy test.


Implantation Bleeding:

Implantation bleeding can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping.

Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.

Delay/Difference in Menstruation:

A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.

Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.

Swollen/Tender Breasts:

Swollen or tender breasts is a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to the touch, sore, or swollen.

Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.

Fatigue/Tiredness:

Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.

Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.

Nausea/Morning Sickness:

This well-known pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all, while others will feel nauseous throughout most of their pregnancy.

Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.

Backaches:

Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy.

Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.

Headaches:

The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy.

Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.

Frequent Urination:

Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom.

Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.

Darkening of Areolas:

If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker.

Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.

Food Cravings:

While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy.

Other Explanations: Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation.