Stages of Pregnancy

Stages of Pregnancy

The whole term is split into three parts - called trimesters. Let's have a closer look.

The First Trimester

Month One (1-4 Weeks)

You should know by now how a baby is conceived, so I'm going to start from just after then. This is the first month of pregnancy.

It does actually start from conception. For this example, we will use the names James and Lily. James and Lily have just had unprotected sex at peak time of ovulation to have maximum chance of pregnancy. This is usually 12-14 days after a period.

The chance paid off, as Lily is now pregnant. This is the first month, remember, so forming inside her is nothing more than two cells - the sperm and egg that have fused together.

Month Two (5-8 Weeks)

As early as 4-5 weeks, in month two, the baby's brain forms, and the heart starts beating. Inside the uterus, also known as the womb, the walls are continually being strengthened to hold the baby and help nurture it.

As for Lily, well she will be starting to feel fatigue, frequenting the toilet more often, possible morning sickness (I will just say, this isn't always true, as my wife did not have any sickness with our child, and also it can be in the evening instead of the morning) and changes to hormonal functions. At this time, the baby is called an embryo, and is still not a formed human.

Month Three (9-12 Weeks)

Eight to twelve weeks, and we can officially say that Lily is carrying a baby. It is called a foetus, and is as big as a plum. So, not very big at all. Find a plum, put it in your hand, see how big or small it is. Very fragile.

Morning sickness for Lily will now reduce, and hormones will calm down a little bit as well.

At 12 weeks, Lily can go and have a first scan of the baby.

Interesting fact: the oldest known woman to be pregnant and give birth was a Spanish lady called Carmela Bousada. She was 66 years old, and gave birth to twins via C-section. She died three years later from cancer.

The Second Trimester

Month Four (13-16 Weeks)

This is the start of the second trimester. James and Lily's baby is now the size of an orange. It will weigh around 5 ounces.

The bones in the foetus will now start to harden and they can be seen using x-rays.

Here is a YouTube video from Bupa Health UK on the stages of pregnancy:

Month Five (17-20 Weeks)

By month five, Lily can safely say she's having a baby. It is no longer a foetus, and is about the size of a small melon (Galia or Cantaloupe).

In this month, the baby will start to develop hearing, and should start to kick. Lily will have some common discomforts this month: backaches, indigestion, heartburn, headaches, water retention, dizziness and constipation. Any of them, maybe not all of them. Possibly none of them (lucky you!)

At 2o weeks, you will have your second scan for the baby, and you get the option to find out the sex of the baby, as it should be visible.

Month Six (21-24 Weeks)

It's now halfway through Lily's pregnancy, and she will be pleased to know that her baby is almost fully formed. But she still has three months left to go.

Babies have been born at 24 weeks, and survived. Especially with today's modern technology. A baby will be very premature, and will most likely be incubated until necessary to make a full development possible.

Month Seven (25-28 Weeks)

At around seven months, Lily will begin to experience Braxton Hicks, or false contractions.

As for the baby (let's have a boy), he will be around 13 inches long now, and he will also be able to process sights and sounds within the womb, so will be able to react to voices.

Month Eight (29-32 Weeks)

Almost on the home straight now. Lily has put up with a lot as her body has changed significantly to house a small human being.

The boy is doing well, and is now almost fully formed, putting on weight. He will also be completing development of his lungs. A baby can be safely born at this point with no real complications.

Month Nine (33-36 Weeks)

By now, Lily is getting fed up having the boy inside, and will experience Braxton Hicks again, as well as trouble sleeping. There will also be pressure on the pelvic muscles, due to the boy's weight.

At 36 weeks (or up to two weeks either side), the baby will be born. If all goes well, the mother should give birth naturally. This means the vagina will dilate. By this, I mean it will become very wet, and stretch to 10cm (100mm) in order to push the baby out.

And now, James and Lily have their baby, Harry.

And yes, I did quote names from Harry Potter as an example. You're welcome.