The Stages of Pregnancy.

A Quick Guide To The Stages Of Pregnancy

Preparing for pregnancy effectively consists of many things if you want to be prepared when the time comes. Finding out all you can about it and reading plenty of material might scare you half to death but it will certainly help to prepare you for what’s to come. A key part of that is finding about the stages of pregnancy so you know exactly what to expect and when whilst pregnant!

You can divide any pregnancy into three sections, which are also known as trimesters because each one lasts three months. The development of the baby and of the pregnancy is nice and easy to follow as a result because each trimester is exactly the same in length. However, the developments that take place in each of the stages of pregnancy are very different. To get you started, there is a little in depth information below that outlines what will happen during each one

First Trimester

The first trimester starts the very day of conception and will continue until you are three months pregnant. This is often known as the most dangerous time during a pregnancy because the vast majority of miscarriages occur during this period. As such, you’re not allowed to fly but you can get on with life pretty much as normal if you can get past the morning sickness!

Obviously, this is the stage at which the egg is fertilized and implantation into the endometrial lining of the uterus. During this process, very few women notice anything different about themselves. They may feel a little different and notice slight spotting when they head to the toilet. The other symptoms come later, especially the morning sickness in the vast majority of cases!

It’s during this first stage of pregnancy that your due date will be worked out by looking at the last day of your last period and the progress of the baby. Many women then choose not to tell anyone about the baby until the three-month period is over and they head into the second trimester.

Second Trimester

This is the stage of pregnancy that the majority of women begin to show, meaning that the pregnancy becomes evident in the form of a little baby bump, which will continue to grow from then until the birth. Along with the bodily changes that occur, morning sickness will usually fade away at this point and thus leaving you to enjoy your pregnancy. Many women feel full of beans, as does the baby because he or she will begin to move. This is when you will feel the baby kick for the first time.

The baby’s development also speeds up because the foetus will be fully functioning by this point. It will have teeth under the gums, developed reproductive organs and will also start to look like a human. It is at this stage that you can find out the gender of your baby if you choose.

Third Trimester

When you hit the third trimester, your baby will begin to move a lot more than it did previously. It will also gain weight rapidly, develop enhanced brain functions and also begin to develop muscle tone as the birth looms on the horizon. If you baby is born during this trimester without going full term then the odds are on his or her side. Premature babies often survive these days because medical care is so advanced but there is obviously a danger if he or she doesn’t go full term.

You will begin to feel more lethargic, have to go to the toilet more as the baby puts pressure on your bladder and feel generally uncomfortable a lot of the time. You’ll also be on the countdown so you can start preparing for the birth and parenthood!