Pregnancy And Baby Care Pregnancy Trimesters Pregnancy Trimester Stages

...You may experience early pregnancy symptoms like missing your next menstrual period, nausea, morning sickness, breast tenderness, food cravings or aversions, fatigue, dizziness, headaches and/or frequent urination. A healthy first trimester is a prerequisite for the normal growth and development of the fetus. Although the expectant mother does not display the telltale bump in the first trimester (especially if it’s her first pregnancy), major systems and body organs of the fetus are developing in this stage. During the first 8 weeks the fetus is known as an embryo which due to dramatic changes, by the end of the first trimester changes in to a fully formed fetus. A fetus weighs approximately ½ to 1 pound and measures about 3 to 4 inches in length at the end of first trimester.

Second Trimester of Pregnancy

This trimester is considered to be the golden period of pregnancy as some bothering symptoms like nausea, morning sickness, tiredness and fatigue tends to reduce for some women. Although other symptoms like breast enlargement, leg cramps and lower back pain may increase, in general a woman may feel more energetic and less uneasy during the second pregnancy trimester. This stage of pregnancy spans from week 13 to week 27 of your pregnancy. Although your baby has been making small movements for quite a while, it is generally during 18 to 21 weeks that the movements become noticeable (if this is your first pregnancy). If this is your second or third pregnancy, you may feel the movements much earlier.  By the end of the second trimester, your baby weighs approximately 1.5 pounds and measures about 10 inches in length.

Third Trimester of Pregnancy

This stage of pregnancy spans from 28 weeks up to birth. Although your due date is calculated according to 40 weeks, a full term delivery can happen anywhere from 37th week to 42nd week of pregnancy. During this pregnancy trimester, the body organs and size of the baby develops and enlarges. The woman may feel more uncomfortable as her size as well as the size of the baby increases. Trying to find a comfortable position while sleeping, especially towards the end of this stage, may be an issue. It is best to lie on your left side for good blood circulation to the baby. The baby usually settles in the uterus into a head down position at the end of third trimester.