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Your Pregnancy Week by Week |
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Want to know what's happening to you and your bump while it's growing inside you? Check its progress with this week-by-week pregnancy guide... Weeks 1-4 You:
Blissfully unaware of what's about to happen, you get your
period. Midway through your cycle, you release an egg and it starts
its journey down the fallopian tube. Your
bump: Egg meets sperm, egg gets fertilised, and boom! The
sex of your baby is already determined. The fertilised egg carries
on towards the womb, its cells dividing all the time. Once it implants
itself in the wall of your uterus, you've done it - you're pregnant!
Top tip: If you're not doing so already, start taking a daily pregnancy vitamin and mineral supplement with folic acid - there's a selection of brands at all good chemists. Weeks 5-8 You:
Around now you'll probably pee on a stick and get the shock of your
life! Whether you've been trying for ages or your pregnancy is a
complete surprise, suddenly it's real and that can be a lot to take
in. You might be feeling pretty sick right now, too, as all those
hormones are going crazy, so try to take it easy. Your
bump: By week 8, your baby will be the size of a grape,
with buds appearing that show the beginnings of arms, fingers, legs
and toes. Top tip: Contact your community midwife (ask at your GP's surgery) and book in your first antenatal appointment. Weeks 9-12 You:
You might be trying to keep your pregnancy under wraps until you
hit the 12-week mark. It can be really difficult to keep such big
news a secret, but if that's your decision enjoy the excitement
and this special time along with your partner. Your
bump: Your baby's bones are forming, her facial features
will appear and she's growing really fast. By 12 weeks, all her
major organs and structures will be fully formed, and she's around
the size of a large strawberry already! Top tip: Feeling tired? Switch from white, refined foods to wholewheat bread and pasta, and brown rice, as these help to balance blood-sugar levels, which should help to relieve your fatigue. Weeks 13-16 You:
It's time to bask in the excitement of others when you tell them
you're expecting (and the fact the sickness should start to ease
off). Your heart is working harder to pump extra blood round your
body, and you may feel breathless. But most women find the second
trimester is the best bit. Your
bump: Your baby will be practising inhaling and exhaling
and using her facial muscles. She's covered in a fine hair called
lanugo. Top tip: Studies suggest your baby can react to what she hears by around week 16. Try playing her your favourite songs. Weeks 17-21 You:
Your foetal anomaly scan will check your babies development and
you may find out what sex it is if you choose to. Your skin may
change at this time, so if it's usually dry it becomes oily, and
vice versa. Your
bump: Her legs are getting longer and you may well feel
those tiny fluttering kicks for the first time - a magical moment
that's often mistaken for wind! She can suck, swallow and blink,
and as her heart gets stronger her growth starts to slow. She's
the size of a large banana. Top tip: Your appetite might be increasing but remember, you don't need extra calories until the third trimester. Weeks 22-26 You:
Your breasts might start to leak colostrum - your baby's first food.
It's quite normal, so don't worry. You might find that your hair
is especially thick and glossy - bonus time! Your
bump: By the end of this month, your baby will be roughly
23cm long and perfectly formed (if a little scrawny). The lanugo
thickens and darkens, her lungs are developing and her nostrils
start to open. Top tip: Snack on bananas to up potassium intake - leg cramps are common now and may be caused by a lack of potassium. Weeks 27-30 You:
You might notice that your bump tightens around now - these
are Braxton Hicks contractions, which tone your uterus for labour.
As your ever-expanding uterus presses against your stomach, you
may experience heartburn, so eating little but often, and sleeping
propped up with pillows, will help. Your
bump: Her eyes are open and she can suck her thumb. She
has eyebrows, eyelashes and is sensitive to light, sound and smell.
Top tip: Finding it hard to sleep with your growing bump? Invest in a pregnancy wedge pillow. Weeks 31-34 You:
Your uterus is around 500 times bigger than its pre-pregnancy
size! Braxton Hicks contractions intensify and can take your breath
away. If you suddenly develop a severe headache or feel very sick,
call your midwife. You're at risk of pre-eclampsia now, so be sure
to attend all antenatal appointments. Your
bump: Fat deposits under her skin conceal the blood vessels
that were visible until now. Loose skin on her face fills out, so
no more wrinkles! Her fingernails are at the end of her fingers
and growing, so may need cutting soon after birth. Top tip: As your baby's bones continue to harden, make sure you get plenty of calcium. Weeks 35-38 You:
Have you written your birth plan? If not, do it now! But remember,
things often don't go to plan, so although it's great to convey
the kind of birth you want, don't be too disappointed if it doesn't
happen the way you want it to. Your
bump: Your baby will start to move into your pelvis around
now, and is almost ready to go. She's getting a good supply of antibodies
from you via the placenta, and most of the lanugo has disappeared.
But hair on her head might be up to 5cm long. Top tip: Pack your hospital bag. Include toiletries, nappies, clothes for you and the baby, maternity and breast pads and a nursing bra. Even if you plan to give birth at home, it's a good idea to have this stuff prepared in case you have to transfer. Weeks 39-42 You:
On your marks... get set... give birth! Many babies are
overdue by up to two weeks. Still, you'll go into labour any day
now. Signs to look out for are a 'show' (a bloody, gel-like substance
in your knickers), waters breaking or contractions that increase
in strength and frequency. Your
bump: The position your baby is lying in now is important,
because she'll probably stay like this right through to birth, as
space is too tight for somersaulting! If she's breech, you may be
advised to consider a Caesarean. Top tip: Try to relax and rest as much as possible in the days leading up to the birth - you're going to need your strength!
Article Author: Paul Centric Good to Know features lots of health advice including an ovulation calculator and information on conception, signs of pregnancy and much, much more.
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©2008
prs Information on BabyOopsBaby.com is not intended as a substitute for qualified medical advice and therefore should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. If you have any questions regarding your health, please consult a healthcare professional. |
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