Your body will change a lot over your nine month pregnancy, but the most magical transformation will come from your little one inside your womb. It takes about 40 weeks to create new life and this is broken up into three, 12-week trimesters. Each trimester comes with new changes and developments in your baby, which you will want to keep track of as your due date nears.
First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks)
This first trimester sees changes in both you and your baby. This is one of the most important times for your baby, as they will start to develop body structure and organ systems. The changes to your body might cause a few unwanted symptoms such as frequent urination, breast tenderness, nausea and fatigue. These are usual pregnancy symptoms, but every woman has a different experience. While some may feel an increase in energy levels during this period, others may feel very tired and emotional.
Your baby starts to develop:
- Facial features
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nasal passage
- Arms
- Legs
- Hair follicles
- Mouth
- Taste buds
The second trimester (14 to 26 Weeks)
This is also known as the “golden period” because those unpleasant effects of early pregnancy disappear. Bring on better sleep patterns and increased energy levels! Okay, it’s not all smooth sailing. You may experience some back and abdominal pain, leg cramp, heartburn and constipation. But it’s all worth it when somewhere between 16 and 20 weeks you may feel your baby’s first fluttering movements. At the end of 24 weeks your baby is about 25 centimeters long and weighs about half a kilogram. Your baby is regularly sleeping and waking, they might be awakened by noises or your movements.
