Stages of Pregnancy
Content
Stages of Pregnancy
First trimester (week 1-week 12)
During the first trimester your body undergoes many changes. Hormonal changes affect almost every organ
system in your body. These changes can trigger symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your
period stopping is a clear sign that you are pregnant. Other changes may include:
-
Extreme tiredness
Tender, swollen breasts. Your nipples might also stick out.
Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness)
Cravings or distaste for certain foods
Mood swings
Constipation (trouble having bowel movements)
Need to pass urine more often
Headache
Heartburn
Weight gain or loss
As your body changes, you might need to make changes to your daily routine, such as going to bed earlier or
eating frequent, small meals. Fortunately, most of these discomforts will go away as your pregnancy
progresses. And some women might not feel any discomfort at all! If you have been pregnant before, you might
feel differently this time around. Just as each woman is different, so is each pregnancy
Second trimester (week 13-week 28)
Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first. But it is just as important to stay
informed about your pregnancy during these months.
You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable
changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. And
before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move!
As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have:
-
Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
Darkening of the skin around your nipples
A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline
Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Patches often match on both
sides of the face. This is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy.
Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome
Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite,
vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.)
Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of
weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)
Third trimester (week 29-week 40)
You're in the home stretch! Some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue. Plus,
many women find breathing difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. This is
because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don't worry, your baby is fine
and these problems will lessen once you give birth.
Some new body changes you might notice in the third trimester include:
-
Shortness of breath
Heartburn
Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of
weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)
Hemorrhoids
Tender breasts, which may leak a watery pre-milk called colostrum
Your belly button may stick out
Trouble sleeping
The baby "dropping", or moving lower in your abdomen
Contractions, which can be a sign of real or false labor
As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural
process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your doctor will check your
progress with a vaginal exam as you near your due date. Get excited — the final countdown has begun!
Food for the pregnant
Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Recommended daily servings include 6-11 servings
of breads and grains, two to four servings of fruit, four or more servings of vegetables, four servings of
dairy products, and three servings of protein sources (meat, poultry, fish, eggs or nuts). Use fats and
sweets sparingly.
Choose foods high in fiber that are enriched, such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta and rice, as well as
fruits and vegetables.
Make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet while pregnant. You should take
a prenatal vitamin supplement to make sure you are consistently getting enough vitamins and minerals
every day. Your doctor can recommend an over-the-counter brand or prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you.
Eat and drink at least four servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day to help ensure that you
are getting 1000-1300 mg of calcium in your daily diet during pregnancy.
Eat at least three servings of iron-rich foods, such as lean meats, spinach, beans, and breakfast cereals each
day to ensure you are getting 27 mg of iron daily.
Choose at least one good source of vitamin C every day, such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries,
honeydew, papaya, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, green peppers, tomatoes, and mustard greens.
Pregnant women need 70 mg of vitamin C a day.
Choose at least one good source of folic acid every day, like dark green leafy vegetables, veal, and legumes
(lima beans, black beans, black-eyed peas and chickpeas). Every pregnant woman needs at least 0.4 mg of
folic acid per day to help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Choose at least one source of vitamin A every other day. Sources of vitamin A include carrots, pumpkins,
sweet potatoes, spinach, water squash, turnip greens, beet greens, apricots, and cantaloupe.
Pregnancy Do’s
• See your doctor regularly. Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy and spot problems if they
occur.
• Continue taking folic acid throughout your pregnancy. All women capable of pregnancy should get 400 to 800
micrograms (400 to 800 mcg or 0.4 to 0.8 mg) of folic acid every day. Getting enough folic acid lowers the risk
of some birth defects. Taking a vitamin with folic acid will help you to be sure you are getting enough.
• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium-rich foods, lean meats, and a
variety of cooked seafood.
• Get all essential nutrients, including iron, every day. Getting enough iron prevents anemia, which is linked to
preterm birth and low-birth weight babies. Ask your doctor about taking a daily prenatal vitamin or iron
supplement.
• Drink extra fluids, especially water.
• Get moving! Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, physical activity is good for you and your baby.
• Gain a healthy amount of weight. Gaining more than the recommended amount during pregnancy increases a
woman’s risk for pregnancy complications. It also makes it harder to lose the extra pounds after childbirth.
Check with your doctor to find out how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.
• Wash hands, especially after handling raw meat or using the bathroom.
• Get enough sleep. Aim for 7 to 9 hours every night. Resting on your left side helps blood flow to you and your
baby and prevents swelling. Using pillows between your legs and under your belly will help you get
comfortable.
• Set limits. If you can, control the stress in your life and set limits. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to requests for
your time and energy. Ask for help from others.
• Make sure health problems are treated and kept under control. If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar
levels. If you have high blood pressure, monitor it closely.
• Ask your doctor before stopping any medicines you take or taking any new medicines. Prescription, over-thecounter, and herbal medicine all can harm your baby.
• Get a flu shot. Pregnant women can get very sick from the flu and may need hospital care. Ask your doctor
about the flu vaccine.
• Always wear a seatbelt. The lap strap should go under your belly, across your hips. The shoulder strap should
go between your breasts and to the side of your belly. Make sure it fits snuggly.
• Join childbirth or parenting class. Steer clear of these pregnancy no-nos to help keep you and your baby safe
and healthy.
Pregnancy Don’ts
• Don’t smoke tobacco. Quitting is hard, but you can do it! Ask your doctor for help. Smoking during pregnancy
passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to your baby. Smoking also keeps your baby from getting needed
nourishment and raises the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and infant death.
• Avoid exposure to toxic substances and chemicals, such as cleaning solvents, lead and mercury, some
insecticides, and paint. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to paint fumes.
• Protect yourself and your baby from food-borne illness, which can cause serious health problems and even
death. Handle, clean, cook, eat, and store food properly.
• Don’t drink alcohol. There is no known safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink while pregnant. Both
drinking every day and drinking a lot of alcohol once in a while during pregnancy can harm the baby.
• Don’t use illegal drugs. Tell your doctor if you are using drugs. Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, speed
(amphetamines), barbiturates, and LSD are very dangerous for you and your baby.
• Don’t clean or change a cat’s litter box. This could put you at risk for toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be
very harmful to the fetus.
• Don’t eat swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish, which are high in mercury.
• Avoid contact with rodents and with their urine, droppings, or nesting material. This includes household pests
and pet rodents, such as guinea pigs and hamsters. Rodents can carry a virus that can be harmful or even
deadly to your unborn baby.
• Don’t take very hot baths or use hot tubs or saunas. High temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or cause
you to faint.
• Don’t use scented feminine hygiene products. Pregnant women should avoid scented sprays, sanitary
napkins, and bubble bath. These products might irritate your vaginal area, and increase your risk of a urinary
tract infection or yeast infection.
• Don’t douche. Douching can irritate the vagina, force air into the birth canal and increase the risk of infection.
• Avoid x-rays. If you must have dental work or diagnostic tests, tell your dentist or physician that you are
pregnant so that extra care can be taken.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is a type of preventative care with the goal of providing regular check-ups that allow doctors or
midwives to treat and prevent potential health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy while
promoting healthy lifestyles that benefit both mother and child.[1][2] During check-ups, women will receive
medical information over maternal physiological changes in pregnancy, biological changes, and prenatal
nutrition including prenatal vitamins. Recommendations on management and healthy lifestyle changes are
also made during regular check-ups. The availability of routine prenatal care has played a part in reducing
maternal death rates and miscarriages as well as birth defects, low birth weight, and other preventable health
problems.
Prenatal care generally consists of:
monthly visits during the first two trimesters (from week 1–28)
fortnightly visits from 28th week to 36th week of pregnancy
weekly visits after 36th week until delivery (delivery at week 38–42)
Assessment of parental needs and family dynamic
First trimester (week 1-week 12)
During the first trimester your body undergoes many changes. Hormonal changes affect almost every organ
system in your body. These changes can trigger symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your
period stopping is a clear sign that you are pregnant. Other changes may include:
-
Extreme tiredness
Tender, swollen breasts. Your nipples might also stick out.
Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness)
Cravings or distaste for certain foods
Mood swings
Constipation (trouble having bowel movements)
Need to pass urine more often
Headache
Heartburn
Weight gain or loss
As your body changes, you might need to make changes to your daily routine, such as going to bed earlier or
eating frequent, small meals. Fortunately, most of these discomforts will go away as your pregnancy
progresses. And some women might not feel any discomfort at all! If you have been pregnant before, you might
feel differently this time around. Just as each woman is different, so is each pregnancy
Second trimester (week 13-week 28)
Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first. But it is just as important to stay
informed about your pregnancy during these months.
You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable
changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. And
before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move!
As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have:
-
Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
Darkening of the skin around your nipples
A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline
Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Patches often match on both
sides of the face. This is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy.
Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome
Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite,
vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.)
Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of
weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)
Third trimester (week 29-week 40)
You're in the home stretch! Some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue. Plus,
many women find breathing difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. This is
because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don't worry, your baby is fine
and these problems will lessen once you give birth.
Some new body changes you might notice in the third trimester include:
-
Shortness of breath
Heartburn
Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of
weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)
Hemorrhoids
Tender breasts, which may leak a watery pre-milk called colostrum
Your belly button may stick out
Trouble sleeping
The baby "dropping", or moving lower in your abdomen
Contractions, which can be a sign of real or false labor
As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural
process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your doctor will check your
progress with a vaginal exam as you near your due date. Get excited — the final countdown has begun!
Food for the pregnant
Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Recommended daily servings include 6-11 servings
of breads and grains, two to four servings of fruit, four or more servings of vegetables, four servings of
dairy products, and three servings of protein sources (meat, poultry, fish, eggs or nuts). Use fats and
sweets sparingly.
Choose foods high in fiber that are enriched, such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta and rice, as well as
fruits and vegetables.
Make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet while pregnant. You should take
a prenatal vitamin supplement to make sure you are consistently getting enough vitamins and minerals
every day. Your doctor can recommend an over-the-counter brand or prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you.
Eat and drink at least four servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day to help ensure that you
are getting 1000-1300 mg of calcium in your daily diet during pregnancy.
Eat at least three servings of iron-rich foods, such as lean meats, spinach, beans, and breakfast cereals each
day to ensure you are getting 27 mg of iron daily.
Choose at least one good source of vitamin C every day, such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries,
honeydew, papaya, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, green peppers, tomatoes, and mustard greens.
Pregnant women need 70 mg of vitamin C a day.
Choose at least one good source of folic acid every day, like dark green leafy vegetables, veal, and legumes
(lima beans, black beans, black-eyed peas and chickpeas). Every pregnant woman needs at least 0.4 mg of
folic acid per day to help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Choose at least one source of vitamin A every other day. Sources of vitamin A include carrots, pumpkins,
sweet potatoes, spinach, water squash, turnip greens, beet greens, apricots, and cantaloupe.
Pregnancy Do’s
• See your doctor regularly. Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy and spot problems if they
occur.
• Continue taking folic acid throughout your pregnancy. All women capable of pregnancy should get 400 to 800
micrograms (400 to 800 mcg or 0.4 to 0.8 mg) of folic acid every day. Getting enough folic acid lowers the risk
of some birth defects. Taking a vitamin with folic acid will help you to be sure you are getting enough.
• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium-rich foods, lean meats, and a
variety of cooked seafood.
• Get all essential nutrients, including iron, every day. Getting enough iron prevents anemia, which is linked to
preterm birth and low-birth weight babies. Ask your doctor about taking a daily prenatal vitamin or iron
supplement.
• Drink extra fluids, especially water.
• Get moving! Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, physical activity is good for you and your baby.
• Gain a healthy amount of weight. Gaining more than the recommended amount during pregnancy increases a
woman’s risk for pregnancy complications. It also makes it harder to lose the extra pounds after childbirth.
Check with your doctor to find out how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.
• Wash hands, especially after handling raw meat or using the bathroom.
• Get enough sleep. Aim for 7 to 9 hours every night. Resting on your left side helps blood flow to you and your
baby and prevents swelling. Using pillows between your legs and under your belly will help you get
comfortable.
• Set limits. If you can, control the stress in your life and set limits. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to requests for
your time and energy. Ask for help from others.
• Make sure health problems are treated and kept under control. If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar
levels. If you have high blood pressure, monitor it closely.
• Ask your doctor before stopping any medicines you take or taking any new medicines. Prescription, over-thecounter, and herbal medicine all can harm your baby.
• Get a flu shot. Pregnant women can get very sick from the flu and may need hospital care. Ask your doctor
about the flu vaccine.
• Always wear a seatbelt. The lap strap should go under your belly, across your hips. The shoulder strap should
go between your breasts and to the side of your belly. Make sure it fits snuggly.
• Join childbirth or parenting class. Steer clear of these pregnancy no-nos to help keep you and your baby safe
and healthy.
Pregnancy Don’ts
• Don’t smoke tobacco. Quitting is hard, but you can do it! Ask your doctor for help. Smoking during pregnancy
passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to your baby. Smoking also keeps your baby from getting needed
nourishment and raises the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and infant death.
• Avoid exposure to toxic substances and chemicals, such as cleaning solvents, lead and mercury, some
insecticides, and paint. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to paint fumes.
• Protect yourself and your baby from food-borne illness, which can cause serious health problems and even
death. Handle, clean, cook, eat, and store food properly.
• Don’t drink alcohol. There is no known safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink while pregnant. Both
drinking every day and drinking a lot of alcohol once in a while during pregnancy can harm the baby.
• Don’t use illegal drugs. Tell your doctor if you are using drugs. Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, speed
(amphetamines), barbiturates, and LSD are very dangerous for you and your baby.
• Don’t clean or change a cat’s litter box. This could put you at risk for toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be
very harmful to the fetus.
• Don’t eat swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish, which are high in mercury.
• Avoid contact with rodents and with their urine, droppings, or nesting material. This includes household pests
and pet rodents, such as guinea pigs and hamsters. Rodents can carry a virus that can be harmful or even
deadly to your unborn baby.
• Don’t take very hot baths or use hot tubs or saunas. High temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or cause
you to faint.
• Don’t use scented feminine hygiene products. Pregnant women should avoid scented sprays, sanitary
napkins, and bubble bath. These products might irritate your vaginal area, and increase your risk of a urinary
tract infection or yeast infection.
• Don’t douche. Douching can irritate the vagina, force air into the birth canal and increase the risk of infection.
• Avoid x-rays. If you must have dental work or diagnostic tests, tell your dentist or physician that you are
pregnant so that extra care can be taken.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is a type of preventative care with the goal of providing regular check-ups that allow doctors or
midwives to treat and prevent potential health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy while
promoting healthy lifestyles that benefit both mother and child.[1][2] During check-ups, women will receive
medical information over maternal physiological changes in pregnancy, biological changes, and prenatal
nutrition including prenatal vitamins. Recommendations on management and healthy lifestyle changes are
also made during regular check-ups. The availability of routine prenatal care has played a part in reducing
maternal death rates and miscarriages as well as birth defects, low birth weight, and other preventable health
problems.
Prenatal care generally consists of:
monthly visits during the first two trimesters (from week 1–28)
fortnightly visits from 28th week to 36th week of pregnancy
weekly visits after 36th week until delivery (delivery at week 38–42)
Assessment of parental needs and family dynamic
