Stages of Pregnancy – 1st Trimester

Conception oh my goodness, deep down you hadn’t really believed that it could happen to you, well finding out that you are pregnant is an amazing feeling. Of course it happens everyday around the world, but at this moment it feels as thought you are the only one it has ever happened to.

What to expect for the months to come, I will break up the stages of pregnancy into three trimesters…example first trimester, second trimester and third trimester, So lets get started 😉

1st trimester

During the first trimester you will find that the following is taking place.

1st Month

Your Baby’s development

• The fetus / baby is approximately 1 cm long.
• Placenta started developing, which will form the baby’s life support system.
• His/her heart has already started to beat and can be seen on an ultrasound.
• This means his/her blood is pumping around their body, thanks to the pumping of the heart.
• Their digestive system, backbone and spine has also started to form.
• The fertilized egg is now 10000 times bigger than when it was on conception.

Facts about you

• Your heart rate is increasing probably by 10 beats per minute.
• Your breasts are getting bigger and will most likely be more sensitive.
• Your metabolic rate is also increasing by between 10 and 25 per cent.
• Your stomach feels bloated.
• You may have put on 900g – 1,4kg. Only a small percentage is the baby, the rest contributes to the growing of the uterus and the forming of the placenta.
• You will need to urinate frequently.
• You may also feel tired.

2nd Month

Your Baby’s development

• From week 8 your baby graduates from being an embryo to a fetus. This literally means “little one”
• The little tail has almost completely disappeared. So they don’t look like tadpoles any longer 😉
• Although your baby is still tiny, about 2.5cm, he/she is starting to get a recognizable face like a human.
• Your baby’s facial parts are forming – eyes, nose, ears, lips, tongue and teeth are forming.
• Your baby’s fingers and toes are beginning to develop, but will still be slightly webbed at eight weeks.
• Their heart has 4 chambers and beats up to 180 beats per minute, which is twice the speed of an adults heart.
• Initially the arms grows faster than their legs, just as the latter, after birth, your baby will develop hand and arm control faster than leg control.
• The baby can start moving, although the mother won’t feel this yet.
• 10 dental buds have formed in each jaw. They will become baby teeth at a later stage, usually 6 – 8 months after birth.

Facts about you

• You might not feel pregnant! You might not experience many physical symptoms, this is often a worry for most pregnant women, but you are not the only woman who has thought this.
• You might be asking yourself if you are putting on too much weight? Nausea can make you want to eat more than usual in the early weeks, and you might not want to pile on a few extra pounds, try to eat healthy snacks.
• Am I going to miscarry? Miscarriage is most common in the 1st trimester, but with each day that goes by your pregnancy is more established. If you have had any bleeding or concerns rather consult your doctor.

3rd Month

Your Baby’s development

• Your baby is moving around freely, although you can’t feel it, they are quite active, they kick and stretches within the uterus.
• Your baby’s immediate environment is the amniotic fluid, and your baby is already swallowing small amounts of it in preparation of swallowing milk when they are born.
• Your baby can also pass urine at this stage
• Their arms are quite well developed and can bend at the elbows.
• They have wrists ankles and their fingernails started to grow. The toes and fingers has separated and are distinct.
• Your baby’s head is still very large compared to the rest of the body.
• Eyelids have formed , but can not open yet.
• Most of baby’s organs and tissue has developed.

Facts about you

• By the end of this trimester you should starting to feel better.
• Your placenta has taken over production of hormones that are supporting your baby’s development. This as a result reduces the risk of miscarriage.
• You may develop a hormone related dark line, called the “linea nigra” on your abdomen – this will fade at birth.
• Your face might also get dark marks called “chloasma” or the “mask of pregnancy” – this will also fade after birth.
• Your uterus is now approximately the size of a grapefruit.

End of first trimester – congrats 🙂

Go to the 2nd Trimester

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