Pregnancy Trimesters: Everything You Need To Know

While 40 weeks is considered the normal, full-term time frame of pregnancy, your baby can arrive anywhere between 37-42 weeks. Additionally, your entire course of pregnancy is divided into three trimesters—first, second, and third, with each of them lasting between 12-14 weeks or about three months.

The interesting part here is that each trimester comes with its own set of hormonal and physical changes. While some changes like fuller hair and glowing skin can boost your confidence, and uplift your mood during this time, other changes like nausea, sleep deprivation, and dizziness can interrupt your daily routine, and make you feel tired all the time.

One way to tackle these changes is by preparing yourself beforehand and being aware of the symptoms that you will be experiencing during the three pregnancy trimesters. Keep reading to know more about what happens during each pregnancy trimester, and also an overview of your baby’s development during the different stages.

First Trimester (1-13 weeks)

While this stage of pregnancy spans three months, it’s considered the shortest trimester. The reason? Many women don’t realise they are pregnant during the first month. Also, home pregnancy tests do not generally register a positive result until the 4th week, and that might make it all the more confusing for expecting mums who still don’t know if they are pregnant or not.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms That You Will Experience

Your baby bump won’t be visible until the second trimester, but you will experience certain early signs of pregnancy during this stage like swollen breasts and skin changes.

Some of the other symptoms experienced during the first trimester include:

• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Bloating
• Gas
• Fatigue

These symptoms are usually experienced due to excess production of oestrogen and p[rogesterone in your body, but don’t worry, as they tend to wane off during your second trimester.

Your Baby’s Development During The First Trimester

By week six, which is almost through your first trimester, your baby’s tiny face, brain, and skull start to form. Their hands and feet also start to develop in their tiny body around this stage. By the end of the first trimester, your baby will be about 7.62 cm long and have arms, legs, eyes, a beating heart, and more.

Other developmental milestones during the first trimester include:

• A fully-functional urinary and circulatory system
• Bone marrow produces white blood cells
• Maturing of the vocal cords.

Helpful Tips For Mums During The First Trimester

• Start looking for a doctor: If you haven’t already, use this time to look for a doctor, and ask your friends and family for recommendations if needed. Once you settle on a healthcare provider, you can book your first appointment with them.
• Don’t schedule your first ultrasound just yet: While you might be excited to see your baby up and close for the first time, an ultrasound at this stage is not considered necessary, unless your doctor recommends otherwise.

Second Trimester (14-27 weeks)

For most expecting mums, the second trimester is considered easier than the other two. This is because most of the uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness and nausea subside during this time and an increase in the [progesterone hormone boost your hair and skin health. 

Pregnancy Symptoms That You Will Experience

The boost in the production of progesterone in your body decreases dizziness and nausea and helps you enjoy an uptick of appetite and energy during this time. 

While your second trimester will have you feeling better than the first, you might still experience certain uncomfortable symptoms throughout the course of the trimester. For instance, you might experience uterine contractions, called the Braxton Hicks contractions as your trimester nears its end. Other noticeable pregnancy symptoms that you will experience during the second trimester of pregnancy include:

• Weight gain
• Aches in your back and legs
• Constipation
• Increase in the frequency of urination
• Mood swings
• Round ligament pain

During this stage, you may also notice mole growth in your body, and stretch marks near your belly, breasts, and thighs.

Your Baby’s Development During The Second Trimester

Your baby has tremendous growth and development during this trimester. You will also start to hear your baby’s heartbeat during an ultrasound scan, and see them move and squirm slightly. In fact, between weeks 18-20, you may also begin to feel your baby’s first kicks in the form of a swishing movement in your belly. At week 20, you will also have an anatomy scan, which will give you a detailed overview of your baby’s organs and features, and help detect if they are having healthy growth.

The baby bump that you have been anticipating for all this time will also appear about halfway through your second trimester, making it the perfect time for you to schedule adorable maternity photoshoots. 

Helpful Tips For Mums During The Second Trimester

• Share the happy news: This is the right time to share the exciting news with your family and friends. Also, you can consider planning your baby shower during this time, as in the next trimester you will be busy preparing for your little one’s arrival in full swing. 
• Start planning ahead: Though 40 weeks still seems far, now is the right time to enroll in a childbirth class, and start considering other aspects of childcare, such as how their nursery would be, making a list of to-do’s, and essential items that you will need to purchase. 

Third Trimester (28-40 weeks)

The last leg of your pregnancy is considered the most physically and emotionally challenging one. Besides experiencing body aches during the expanding uterus, you will also have major mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations.

It will also be difficult for you to move flexibly during this time, and you will be advised to rest as much as possible to avoid straining yourself. You may also feel anxious about labour and delivery during this time, but remember, you need to focus on staying calm, as that will keep you and your baby healthy and happy.

Pregnancy Symptoms That You Will Experience

By the third trimester, you would have gained a substantial amount of weight to support your growing baby. While unpleasant symptoms like nausea and morning sickness subside by now, you will experience aches in different parts of your body, which make strenuous movements difficult for you. 

During this time, your uterus also exerts pressure on your diaphragm, which causes uncomfortable conditions like heartburn and shortness of breath. To overcome these symptoms, make sure you indulge in breathing exercises regularly, and perform light stretches as recommended by your doctor.

Your Baby’s Development

All of your baby’s organs completely develop by the third trimester and become fully functional. Your baby’s bones and muscles will also be fully formed, and you will notice an increase in their movements and klicks inside your belly. 

Helpful Tips For Mums During The Third Trimester

• Take adequate rest: Make sure to rest properly, and even though sleep might not come easy to you, try to take frequent naps throughout the day. 
• Perform light exercises: Do not indulge in any kind of high-intensity workouts and stick to performing light stretches to keep your body flexible and soothe back aches and leg cramps.

As your due date approaches closer, make sure that you have everything prepared for your little one’s arrival and adhere to all the rules that your doctor has recommended. Also, if you face any discomfort during the third trimester, contact your doctor right away.

Conclusion

The three pregnancy trimesters are surely going to be a rollercoaster ride for you. But preparing yourself beforehand for the journey can make things a tad bit easier! If you need more guidance or tips about what to expect during your pregnancy trimesters, make sure to contact your gynaecologist, and create a list of questions before visiting them. 

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