Pregnancy has always been an exciting experience for women. However, if this is the first time you are pregnant, you may have lots of questions on your mind. It is always better to be aware of the different stages of the nine months and know what to expect during these pregnancy stages. The complete term consists of 40-42 weeks, where every week brings different physical and emotional changes, caused mainly because of the dramatic changes in hormones. The entire term is usually categorized into three parts - first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester. Following is a brief rundown on what to anticipate over the next fort-two weeks.

First Trimester

The first stage of pregnancy is marked by the speedy development of your baby. The period consists of the initial one to twelve weeks. At the end of the twelfth week, the baby grows to about three inches. You will experience lots of physical and emotional changes in you while the baby is growing fast inside you. During the early months of pregnancy, the hormones start to go crazy. The increased production of hormones and the dramatic changes in them result in several physical changes in you, such as morning sickness, constipation, missed period, fatigue, cravings for certain foods, mood swings, and other such things. You don't have to worry about these changes, as they are perfectly normal during the first stage of pregnancy. You are recommended to consult your doctor at least every four weeks. Focus on a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.

Second Trimester

In order to accommodate the increased size of the growing baby, you belly will expand further. At the end of these three months, your baby will grow up to 14 inches in size and 2.5-3 pounds in weight. Sometimes, premature birth takes place just after the end of the second stage of pregnancy. Since the baby has already has fully developed organs, the survival rate is good for such babies provided they get appropriate medical care. However, if there are no complications, you will enter into the final stage of pregnancy that will last for another 2-3 months. The good news is that during the second trimester, the tendency of morning sickness starts subsiding.

Third Trimester

This is the last and the most difficult pregnancy stages, as you are getting closer to labor. That is the reason why this stage is sometimes also referred to as the beginning of the process of childbirth. The baby is still growing and by the end of the ninth month, the baby weights somewhere around 7 pounds and is 20 inches in length.

The position of the baby during the last stage determines the method of the delivery. For example, if it is in a breech position, there is a strong possibility for Caesarean section.