Analysis of pregnancy week by week is mandatory as it checks the growth of the baby in the mother’s womb. This analysis gives the details about the different stages of childbirth. The entire process obviously takes a toll on the life of an expecting woman. Therefore, keeping track of the pregnancy stages keeps the mother alert about the physical changes and also prepares her better for these changes.

Pregnancy Stages

The First Trimester - A trimester consists of three months. In the first trimester, the body undergoes innumerable changes. This stage is known for the common problems like fatigue, nausea, stress, backaches, and mood swings. These symptoms are considered to be absolutely normal. But these unpleasant effects will subside after the first trimester. The major thing that one needs to remember in this early stage of pregnancy is to quit drinking and smoking in totality. These are harmful for the fetus that has just started to take form and shape.

In the first trimester you also need to visit your medical practitioner for the first prenatal visit. He would conduct elaborate checkups and will also take your entire medical history into consideration. Usually doctors explain the aspects of sexual, medical, family health, and the possible effects on the growing baby. An ultrasound is also conducted to test the viability of the pregnancy.

The Second Trimester - this trimester lasts from the third to the sixth month. During this trimester, there is a noticeable reduction of the pregnancy symptoms like uneasiness, nausea, and fatigue. Due to the various hormonal changes in the body, women feel better and their sizes increase. Wearing comfortable maternity clothing is one of the things that women often do during this stage.

Prenatal visits to the doctor increase as the baby is almost 7 months old. The baby grows to a great extent during this period – measuring about 8.5 inches with a weight of 1.2 pounds. The face and body of the baby develops further and with an ultrasound, sex of the baby can be determined. With the increase in weight, most women face the discomfort of backaches. It is a good idea to use pregnancy pillows as they support the entire body.

The Third Trimester - this trimester consists of the last three months in the gestation period. The baby continues to gain weight and grows rapidly during this time. The lungs and the respiratory system develop and therefore, this time is crucial. For few women, the discomforts of the first trimester return, but all pains seem to dissipate with the excitement of the newborn child entering your life.

Keeping track of pregnancy week by week is a wise thing to do. Close monitoring aids in delivering a healthy baby and keeping the mother safe.

A woman can make her pregnancy time even more beautiful and hassle-free if she knows the various pregnancy stages beforehand. The first early pregnancy symptoms are sometimes difficult to identify. Some women say that they had a single drop of blood after ovulation (implantation bleeding) and they just knew. Some felt strange sensations or fullness in their breasts. Some didn’t feel any different at all and just missed a period. So the symptoms are individualistic and differ from person to person. However, the following are a few common symptoms or signs of pregnancy spotting

• Darkening of areolas

• Implantation bleeding a few days after ovulation

• Constipation

• Frequent urination

• Frequent heartburn or indigestion

• Sleeplessness

• Full or tender breasts

• Needle-like sensation or tingling in areolas, like they’ve fallen asleep

• Skipped or very light period

• Fatigue - going to bed early too often

• Nausea

• Loss of appetite and fainting attacks

• Vaginal discharge

• Positive pregnancy test - the only sure Pregnancy Symptom

These pregnancy symptoms can be experienced as early as 11 days DPO to 14 days DPO (days post ovulation), around the time your period would normally occur. Due to nausea and vomiting, a pregnant woman’s appetite might decrease. She should make sure to take a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes carbohydrate- and protein-rich foods such as milk, curd, cottage cheese, eggs, lentils, pulses, vegetables, and sprouts. Folic acid supplementation is essential.

Pregnancy usually lasts 280 days or 40 weeks, counting from the first day of the last menstrual period. It is broken down into 3 stages of pregnancy, known as “trimesters.” The first trimester lasts from week 1 to week 13; the second trimester from week 14 to week 27; and the third trimester from week 28 to week 40 week, or until birth.

Each trimester has its own milestones. During the first trimester, it’s hearing the heartbeat; during the second, it’s the first time the baby moves; in the third, many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions, signifying that the body is getting ready for labor. Some tests such as chorionic villus sampling are done during the first trimester. Others such as amniocentesis (another diagnostic test) may be done during the second trimester. Rhesus incompatibility may also be diagnosed in the second trimester. Certain problems such as gestational diabetes, if develop, almost always arise during the last trimester.

A pregnant woman’s feelings will change during each pregnancy stage as well. In the beginning, she might be fraught with weepiness and fatigue due to hormonal changes. She may feel ambivalent if she has been experiencing morning sickness. She might also feel intense excitement at times.