Pregnancy is probably the most exciting thing in a woman's life. This is why, it is important for you to be aware of the wide array of changes that takes place during these special nine months. The average pregnancy term consists of 40-42 weeks. Following is a brief pregnancy week by week description on how the baby progresses and what types of changes take place in your body because of that.

Week 1- Week 4

During the first four weeks, you will start experiencing some early symptoms. For example, you may miss your period to start with. This is the earliest symptom that you may experience. This is the time when the egg meets the sperm and the process of fertilization and implantation takes place. Once the egg is implanted into the wall of the uterus, it means you are pregnant. Besides the missed period, other symptoms that you may experience include morning sickness, enlarged and tenderer breasts, frequent urination, fatigue, and darkening of the areola. You may experience any or all of these signs of pregnancy.

Week 5 - Week 8

Whether it is a surprise pregnancy or a planned one, the hormonal changes that are taking place in your body will give you shocks all your life. The increased production of hormones will bring in a lot of physical and emotional changes in you. For example, mood swings are very common at this stage. You may develop a new taste craving for certain food items. Your baby has now taken a shape - though its size is not larger than a grape. During pregnancy week by week you can notice some buds on it through ultrasound, which are actually the beginnings of toes, legs, fingers, and arms.

Week 9 - Week 12

The baby is now growing fast. The facial features have start appearing. By the end of the week 12, the baby will be the size of a large strawberry with all its major organs and structures fully formed. You may feel very tired during this stage because the hormones in your body are getting crazy. A nice way to relieve your fatigue is to avoid white, refined foods and include brown rice and whole wheat bread and pasta into your diet plan.

Week 13 - Week 16

The baby is now covered with fine hair (lanugo). She has also started inhaling, exhaling and using her facial muscles. It has been scientifically proven that by the end of the sixteenth week, the baby starts reacting to whatever she hears. So, be very careful about whatever you hear. For example, it may be a nice idea to play her your favorite song or you may also like her to sing to your own singing. However, because of the physical changes, you may feel breathless during this stage, as your heart is now working much harder to pump extra blood so that you baby grows comfortably during pregnancy week by week.

Week 17 - Week 21

By the end of the twenty-first week, the baby will be the size of a large banana. This is the time when you may experience those tiny fluttering kicks for the first time because the legs of the baby are getting longer. However, the growth in size will now slow down while her other organs will get into action. For example, her heart is getting stronger now and she can blink, swallow, and suck. Your appetite may increase during these weeks, but you are recommended not to take any extra calories until the third pregnancy trimester begins.

Week 22 - Week 26

Your baby is now perfectly formed and is roughly 22-23 centimeters in length. Her nostrils have now started opening but the lungs are still developing. With your breasts getting enlarged and tender, you are getting ready for breastfeeding. By the end of the twenty-sixth week, you may now notice that you are also leaking a thick yellow like substance - that's colostrums, your baby's first food. Among other changes, leg cramps are common, which actually happens because of lack of potassium. Therefore, it will be great to increase your potassium intake now. For example, snacking on bananas can be a good idea.

Week 27 - Week 30

Your bump has now grown much larger in size, which may make it difficult for you to sleep comfortably. Your doctor may suggest that you use a pregnancy wedge pillow. Your baby's senses are alert now. She can smell and react to sound. Her eyebrows and eyelashes are also formed and they are sensitive to light. This is also the time when you may experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which is actually the tightening of your bump. This is an indication that your body is getting ready for labor.

Week 31 - Week 34

You are strongly recommended during pregnancy week by week to take plenty of calcium at this stage because your baby's bones are still growing - not in size but they are getting harder. Increased calcium intake will help in strengthening those tiny bones. As long as your bump is concerned, in comparison to the pre-pregnancy size, your bump is now almost five hundred times bigger. You should be very careful at this stage. If you feel something is wrong, you should immediately consult your doctor.

Week 35 - Week 38

This is the time for you to pack your hospital bag, as the baby is now almost ready to arrive. Even if you have planned to give birth at home, you should still get some stuff ready, such as a nursing bra, breast pads, maternity, clothes for you and the baby, nappies, and toiletries. The lanugo has now disappeared and the baby has grown some hair - up to 5 cm long.

Week 39 - Week 42

It is time to give birth. You can go into labor any day. There are certain signs that you need to look out for, including contractions that increase in strength and frequency, water breaking and bloody or gel-like substance in your panties.

According to pregnancy week by week, the position of the baby during the last week is very important. In case the position is a breech, chances are that your doctor will suggest you go for a Caesarean delivery.