Pregnancy Calendar

First Trimester Pregnancy

Taking note of your pregnancy calendar will enable you to prepare for the process leading to the birth of your child. In the first month of your pregnancy, the size of the fetus is still relatively small. However, vital parts of the body such as mouth, head, and eyes are starting to form. As for the organs, the heart and lungs are also starting to develop. Within a month of pregnancy, the fetus is about half an inch in size.

During the second month of pregnancy, all organs of the baby are now present. This time, the fetus is an inch in size with a weight of about an ounce. It is also during this stage of the pregnancy wherein the woman starts to feel nausea, which is not necessarily experienced by all women. Others might also experience facial breakouts due to changes in the hormones to help the body cope with the pregnancy. When you reach this stage, it is important to see a doctor for your first prenatal visit.

On the third month, you can already hear the baby's heartbeat using a stethoscope. Fingers and toes, as well as soft nails, also begin to develop. The fetus is now

Second Trimester Pregnancy

As you reach the fourth month of your pregnancy, the baby inside your womb will start to move. For other women, the fetal movement starts on the 5th movement, but this is completely normal. Also called "quickening", there is a fluttering movement inside your womb. At this point, the baby is around 7 inches long, weighing around 5 ounces. For the mother, on the other hand, the feeling of nausea is gone and craving for certain foods begin.

If you undergo ultrasound during the fifth month, you will begin to notice movement in the baby' mouth. Also, the gender of the baby could also be determined at this point. As your baby reaches 10 inches long and now weighing a pound, you will revitalize your energy. Also, there is no longer the feeling of being exhausted although a bit of bloated feeling might still exist.

Upon the sixth month, the baby will noticeably be more active inside your womb. Also, the sucking of thumb becomes evident during this stage! The baby now reaches 12 inches in size and 1 and a half pounds! You need to take some rest around this time as back pain is quite common.

Third Trimester Pregnancy

The seventh month of your pregnancy also represents the start of the final stage of your pregnancy, the third trimester. During this last few months of your pregnancy, the fetus inside your womb undergoes a lot of development and growing. However, you will suffer from frequent cramps due to lack of calcium, so do not forget to take your vitamins regularly.

Once the fetus has reached eight months, it is possible for the baby to survive prematurely. Since the child is almost fully developed at this point, you might feel certain parts of the body hit your ribcage. On average, the fetus at this period of your pregnancy could reach up to 16 inches long and 4 pounds in weight. For the mother, this is a stressful time as the waiting for childbirth closes in.

The ninth and last month of pregnancy is the best time to save your energy for labor. At this point, the baby has reached up to 19 - 21 inches long and a couple of pounds. As the baby slowly moves down on your pelvic area, you will be frequenting the bathroom. As soon as you notice this, you could weeks, or days away from labor.

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Understanding Pregnancy Calendar Recommended Resources:

UCSF Medical Center - Women's Health

University of Michigan