Pregnancy Week by Week: One Week Pregnant
During the first week of your pregnancy, you are not actually pregnant. Conception usually occurs about two weeks after your period begins, which means that your period is counted as the first part of your pregnancy, even though you were not pregnant at the time. In other words, week one of your pregnancy begins on the first day of your period.
What many women consider their "first week of pregnancy" is actually considered week three of pregnancy by healthcare providers.
Week by Week of Pregnancy: Two Weeks Pregnant
When you are two weeks pregnant, you're still not considered pregnant, although your uterine lining is thickening and your body is preparing to release an egg for fertilization.
You are most likely to conceive during this time. However, if you don't become pregnant this month, don't worry -- most women have less than a 25 percent chance of getting pregnant each month.
If you have particular concerns, you may want to schedule a
preconception visit with your healthcare provider to determine risks of:
- Genetic diseases
- Environmental hazards
- Lifestyle changes necessary to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby.
In addition, make sure that you have started taking 400 milligrams of
folic acid a day, which has been shown to dramatically reduce the likelihood of neural tube defects, such as
spina bifida.
When you are three weeks pregnant, an egg has been fertilized by a sperm and has been implanted in your uterus. You are now officially pregnant!
During this third week of pregnancy, the fertilized egg divides into hundreds of cells and is now called a blastocyst. When it reaches your uterus, the blastocyst implants itself into the uterine wall (also called the endometrium). The endometrium will provide the developing embryo with nutrients and it will remove waste. Over time, this implantation site will develop into the placenta, which will nourish and protect your developing baby throughout the pregnancy.
By the time you are three weeks pregnant, you should be taking the following supplements to ensure the health and nourishment of your baby:
What to Expect When 4 Weeks Pregnant
Four weeks into your pregnancy, implantation has occurred. Once the fertilized egg has reached the uterus, it divides in half. One half sticks to the uterine wall and becomes the placenta, which is the life support system that brings nourishment to your baby and takes waste out. The other half will become the baby. By the time you are four weeks pregnant, you will have missed your period.
At this point in your pregnancy, you will likely experience symptoms such as:
- Sore breasts
- Expanding waistline
- Nausea
- Increased need to urinate
- Mood swings
- Fatigue.
Some women also notice a metallic taste in their mouth during this time.
The fourth week of pregnancy marks the beginning of the embryonic period, which is when the blastocyst begins to transform into an embryo. The embryonic period is when the baby's brain, spinal cord, heart, and other organs begin to form.
Your baby is now about 0.04 inches long.
The Fifth Week of Pregnancy
If you have not already done so, when you are five weeks pregnant, this is the time to confirm your pregnancy through a test. Provided you are pregnant, at this point, the embryo is developing as follows:
- The head and the tail folds become distinct
- The nervous system begins to develop
- Two heart tubes are fused in the midline and begin to contract
- The heart, brain, spinal cord, muscle, and bones begin to develop.
Your baby is now about 0.06 inches long (about the size of an apple seed). By the end of this week, it will have developed a beating heart of its own.
While symptoms vary from woman to woman, as well as from pregnancy to pregnancy, common symptoms that may develop at this point in your pregnancy include:
- Swollen or tender breasts
- Morning sickness
- Frequent need to urinate
- Fatigue
- Headaches due to the rise in hormones.
From this week on, you should only be consuming 300 additional calories per day; however, you may need more calories if you're carrying twins, triplets, or more.
You should avoid foods that may be prone to foodborne illnesses such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. These foods include:
- Soft cheeses, such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese
- Unpasteurized milk and juices
- Raw or undercooked meats, including hot dogs and deli meats
- Raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse and tiramisu
- Raw shellfish.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 6 Weeks Pregnant
When you are six weeks pregnant, your symptoms may become more severe due to the rapid growth of the embryo. These symptoms may include:
- Nausea and morning sickness
- Food cravings and food aversions
- Extreme fatigue
- Tender, tingling, aching breasts.
Your baby is now likely between 0.08 and 0.16 inches long. Changes that occur in your baby during this week may include the following:
- The head and tail are now easily recognizable
- Limb buds (arms and legs) are present
- Basic facial features will begin to appear (eyes, ears, nose, opening for mouth)
- The earliest form of the liver, pancreas, lungs, thyroid gland, and heart appear
It's important to continue to avoid substances like alcohol and tobacco. Also, be aware of the possible signs of miscarriage, such as:
- Bleeding
- Cramping and/or abdominal (stomach) pains
- Passing of grayish or pinkish tissue or blood clots.
When you are seven weeks pregnant, you are in your second month of pregnancy. Your baby is now about 0.2 to 0.52 inches long, or about the size of a marble. He or she weighs about 0.03 ounces.
While your pregnancy is likely not showing yet, you may still experience symptoms such as:
- Constipation
- Nausea and morning sickness
- Vaginal discharge
- Expanding waistline.
At this point, you will develop a
mucus plug, which forms in the opening of the cervical canal and seals off the uterus for protection.
Specific developments that occur during this week include the following:
- The heart becomes completely formed
- The limb buds are present; arms now resemble tiny paddles
- The eyes appear as dark spots, and the eyelid folds are forming
- The tongue begins to form
- Permanent kidneys begin to form.
If you have cats, dogs, or turtles, you may need to take certain precautions to prevent harmful infections that can seriously damage the fetus.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 8 Weeks Pregnant
When you are eight weeks pregnant, you will most likely have your first prenatal doctor's visit. At this time, the doctor can confirm your pregnancy and make sure there are no potential problems. Your
blood pressure, urine, and blood will also be tested.
Your baby is now approximately 0.56 to 0.8 inches long, from crown to rump. That is equivalent to the size of a pumpkin seed. He or she weighs about 0.1 ounces.
The following developments also typically occur during this week:
- The leg buds divide into thigh, leg, and foot units
- The arm buds divide into hand, arm, elbow, and shoulder units
- The arms and legs move
- Cartilage and bones begin to form.
You may experience the following symptoms:
- Acne
- Increase in hormones
- Tender, swollen breasts
- Tummy pooch
- Nausea
- Extreme fatigue.
At nine weeks pregnant, you will have missed your second period.
Your baby is now about 1 inch long and weighs about one-eighth of an ounce. The embryonic tail at the bottom of your baby's spinal cord is shrinking, and your baby's head is now nearly half the size of its entire body.
The following developments typically occur during this week:
- Nipple and hair follicles begin to form
- The abdomen and chest cavities become separate
- Eye muscles and upper lip develop
- First fetal movements can be detected using an ultrasound.
It's important to get plenty of calcium in your diet during this point in your pregnancy to ensure adequate development of your baby's teeth and bones. Good sources of calcium include:
- Cheese
- Sardines
- Broccoli.
If you are still experiencing morning sickness, real ginger (not artificial ginger) may help alleviate it. Real ginger can be found in:
- Ginger ale
- Ginger tea
- Gingersnaps
- Gingerroot capsules.
What to Expect When 10 Weeks Pregnant
When you are 10 weeks pregnant, your baby is now 1.25 to 1.68 inches long and weighs approximately 0.18 ounces (equal to the weight of a quarter).
Some specific developments that typically occur during this week include the following:
- The baby's eyelids are no longer transparent
- The outer ears start to assume their final form
- Tooth buds begin to form
- The testes will start producing the male hormone testosterone in males
- Your baby will have fully separated fingers and toes
- The embryonic tail will have disappeared completely.
Your blood volume will increase 40 to 50 percent during pregnancy, which may cause your veins to become more noticeable in your stomach, breasts, and legs. Other symptoms that you may experience include:
- Blotchy complexion
- Moodiness
- Weight gain.
Your healthcare provider can give you guidelines as to what is an acceptable weight gain during your pregnancy, as this is somewhat determined by your pre-pregnancy weight.
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby is no longer considered an embryo -- it is now a fetus. It will begin to grow rapidly for the next several months. At 11 weeks, you will most likely get to hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time. By the end of the week, your baby will be about 2 inches in length.
At 11 weeks pregnant, the following fetal developments typically occur:
- The eyelids have fused and will stay that way until week 24
- The external genitals move outside of the body
- The hair follicles of the skin are forming
- Teeth are beginning to form.
You will have another medical checkup at this point, during which your healthcare provider will check your weight, uterus size,
blood pressure, etc. again.
When you are 12 weeks pregnant, you may take on that "pregnancy glow." You may also notice other changes, such as:
- A decrease in morning sickness
- An increase in energy levels
- Headaches and lightheadedness (due to the increase in blood volume or lack of protein).
By this time, your baby is about 2.5 inches long and weighs approximately 0.3 to 0.5 ounces.
Some fetal developments that usually occur during week 12 of pregnancy include the following:
- The gallbladder secretes bile from the fetus
- The lungs are now completely formed
- The thyroid gland and pancreas are now complete
- The liver functions to make blood cells.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 13 Weeks
When you are 13 weeks pregnant, most of your early
pregnancy symptoms should subside. You may begin to experience abdominal pain (stomach pain) as your uterus stretches to accommodate the growing baby.
Your baby is now about 2.6 to 3.1 inches long, from crown to rump, and weighs in at about 0.5 to 0.7 ounces.
In addition to a healthy diet, make sure you are getting enough of the following vitamins and minerals:
These will likely come in the form of
prenatal vitamins, which your healthcare provider can give you a prescription for.
Examples of fetal development that occur when you are 13 weeks pregnant include the following:
- The appearance of fingernails
- The beginnings of fingerprints and footprints
- The appearance of tooth buds for all 20 baby teeth
- The start of vocal cord formation
- The development of the trachea, lungs, stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines into their final functioning form.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 14 Weeks Pregnant
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby is about 3.2 to 4.5 inches long and weighs about 1 ounce. While the sex of your baby was determined when the egg was fertilized by the sperm, by week 14 of pregnancy, your baby's sex organs have fully differentiated into male or female.
Other fetal developments include the following:
- The ears have moved from the neck onto the head
- The thyroid gland starts to produce hormones
- The baby begins to practice inhaling and exhaling
- The baby's chin no longer rests on his or her chest
- For boys, the prostate gland is developing
- For girls, the ovaries move from the abdomen into the pelvis
- The hands are becoming functional.
Your pregnancy hormones should be leveling off this week, which means that you should be experiencing less nausea, less frequent urination, and less exhaustion.
Changes occurring in your body during this week of pregnancy may include the following:
- The veins on your chest and breasts may become more dilated.
- The areolas (the darker, colored part around your nipple) of your breasts are darkening and growing larger in diameter.
- Your body is preparing for breastfeeding by growing new milk ducts. Your breasts may become larger, heavier, lumpy, and sore. Also, the nipple area may become more sensitive to touch.
Your 15th Week of Pregnancy
When you're 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is starting to become a lot more mobile and flexible. He or she can bend the elbows and wrists. Your baby is now about 3.7 to 4.1 inches long and weighs about 1.75 ounces.
By this time:
- Blood vessels can easily be seen through your baby's skin, which is thin and translucent
- The legs are longer than the arms
- Eyebrows and scalp hair may appear
- Hair follicles will begin to produce pigment
- The bone and marrow of the skeletal system continue to develop.
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Leaking breasts
- Nosebleeds
- Skin changes
- Hair changes.
Your Pregnancy Week by Week: 16 Weeks
As your baby continues to grow, it is probably getting a bit snugger inside your belly. By the time you are 16 weeks pregnant, your baby is between 4.3 and 4.6 inches long, and weighs about 3 ounces. The fetus can open its mouth, move its lips, and swallow. Additional developments include the following:
- The fetus may suck its thumb
- Facial muscles may lead to various expressions, such as squinting and frowning
- Fine lanugo hairs can be seen on the head
- The stomach is producing digestive juices
- The kidneys are producing urine.
At this point in your pregnancy, your doctor may recommend certain screening tests. Some examples of screening tests your healthcare provider may recommend include:
- A nuchal translucency scan (NT scan) and blood test
- A multiple marker screen, also called a triple screen or quadruple screen (quad screen), depending on how many blood markers are tested
- A cystic fibrosis screening test.
What to Expect When 17 Weeks Pregnant
You are 17 weeks pregnant -- you're into your fifth month! Your baby is now 4.4 to 4.8 inches long and weighs about 3.5 ounces.
Changes that are occurring in your baby around this time include the following:
- White fatty material, called myelin, begins to enclose the nerve fibers of the spinal cord.
- Lanugo (a soft, fine hair) covers your baby's shoulders, back, and temples.
- Your baby's lungs are beginning to "breathe" the amniotic fluid (although the placenta will still supply the necessary oxygen until he or she is born).
You may begin to feel your baby move at this point. Other common changes that you may notice by week 17 of pregnancy include:
- Obvious swelling in your lower abdomen
- A 5- to 10-pound increase in weight gain
- An increase in appetite.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 18 Weeks
When you are 18 weeks pregnant, your baby's growth is beginning to slow down. During this week of your pregnancy, your baby measures about 5 to 5.6 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 5.25 ounces. You may have an ultrasound between week 18 and week 22 of your pregnancy to assess your baby's fetal development. Your doctor may also use the ultrasound to verify your pregnancy due date.
At this point in your baby's development:
- The skeleton can be clearly outlined on x-rays of the fetus
- Ears stand out from the head
- Pads are forming on the fingertips and toes
- The eyes are looking forward rather than out the sides of the head
- Your baby's bones begin to ossify, or harden
- Your baby's taste buds are beginning to develop, allowing them to distinguish sweet from bitter.
You may want to begin your search for a pediatrician for your child at this point in your pregnancy.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 19 Weeks
When you're 19 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 5.2 to 6 inches long and weighs about 7 ounces (about the weight of an average orange). You will likely have a medical checkup during this week, at which time your healthcare provider will check things like your uterus size, blood, and urine again to make sure your pregnancy is progressing normally.
It's important to make sure you're getting enough iron in your diet during your pregnancy. Good sources of iron include:
- Whole grains
- Dried beans
- Dark green, leafy vegetables
- Spinach.
By the time you reach this point in your pregnancy, the following developments are occurring:
- Your baby is developing millions of motor neurons, which are nerves that connect the muscles to the brain
- Parts of the leg have now grown in proportion to the rest of the body
- You can feel the fetus kick, move its arms, and wiggle its fingers and toes
- Skin is developing and transparent, appearing red because blood vessels are visible through it.
During week 19 of your pregnancy, you may notice bothersome changes in your skin. These changes are hormone-related and, for the most part, will disappear after delivery. You may also experience:
The 20th Week of Pregnancy
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby measures about 5.6 to 6.4 inches and weighs about 9 ounces. By the time you are 20 weeks pregnant, your baby is starting to grow hair on his or her head! Additional fetal developments taking place include the following:
- A protective, waxy skin covering (called vernix caseosa) forms to protect the baby's skin from the amniotic fluid
- Eyebrows are forming
- Your baby's skin is thickening and developing layers, including the dermis, epidermis, and subcutaneous layer.
During week 20 of pregnancy, you may notice a darkening of the line between your belly button and pubic area (linea nigra). It will fade after delivery. You may also experience:
- Vaginal discharge
- Changes in complexion
- Changes in skin texture
- Changes in the appearance of your navel.
Congratulations! You are about halfway through your pregnancy. Your baby is now 7.2 inches long, and his or her tissues and organs continue to mature. Other developments taking place in your baby around week 21 of pregnancy include the following:
- The heart grows stronger, and the legs reach their relative proportions
- Vernix caseosa -- a protective skin covering -- is still being produced by your baby's oil glands
- Buds for permanent teeth are beginning to form.
During this week of your pregnancy:
- Your uterus is now about half an inch above your belly button
- You may have gained 10 to 15 pounds since your pre-pregnancy weight
- Your ankles and feet may be swelling.
Exercises such as swimming, walking, and yoga are a great way to stay in shape during pregnancy, and may help alleviate some of your symptoms. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.
When you are 22 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 7.6 inches long and weighs about 12.3 ounces. Your baby may now respond regularly to sound, rhythm, and melody. Additional fetal development taking place includes the following:
- The liver is starting to break down bilirubin, which is a substance found in red blood cells. Once broken down by the liver, bilirubin is removed from the body through the intestines.
- Taste buds have started to form on the tongue.
- Brain and nerve endings are formed enough so that the fetus can feel touch.
You may notice that your uterus starts practicing for delivery with irregular, painless
contractions. These are known as
Braxton Hicks contractions and are not dangerous or harmful. However, if the contractions become painful, or if you have more than four contractions in an hour, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
In week 22 of your pregnancy, you may experience low
back pain and cramping in the legs and feet. To reduce cramping, increase your intake of calcium and potassium. Good sources of calcium include:
You can find potassium in foods such as:
- Grapefruits
- Oranges
- Bananas.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 23 Weeks
When you're 23 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 8 inches long from crown to rump and weighs almost 1 pound. Fetal development during this time includes the following:
- Eyebrows and eyelashes are forming
- Lips are becoming more distinct
- Eyes are becoming more developed, but they still lack color
- The bones of the middle ear begin to harden
- Your baby's body is becoming more proportioned.
During week 23 of your pregnancy you may experience:
- Mood swings
- Vaginal discharge
- Itchy and dry skin
- Movement in your abdomen.
If you are carrying more than one baby, it's particularly important that you're aware of symptoms of possible pre-term (premature) labor, such as:
- Sense of pelvic fullness
- Recurrent contractions (four or more an hour)
- Yellow, watery, or bloody vaginal discharge
- Ruptured membranes.
The 24th Week of Pregnancy
You're moving into your seventh month of pregnancy. During week 24, your baby will be about 8.4 inches long and weigh about 1.4 pounds. When you are 24 weeks pregnant, your baby now has basic control of all of its senses -- vision, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. Other fetal developments include the following:
- Blood vessels in the lungs are developing
- Your baby has almost fully developed eyelashes
- Your baby is starting to produce white blood cells, which fight disease and infection
- Your baby's inner ear is now completely developed.
At this point in your pregnancy, you will likely have another prenatal checkup with your doctor. He or she will check your urine,
blood pressure, uterus size, and other usual areas again. You may also be given a glucose screening test to check for
gestational diabetes.
What to Expect in Your 25th Week
You're 25 weeks pregnant -- only two more weeks until you are in your
third trimester.
During this week of your pregnancy, your developing baby now measures about 8.8 inches and weighs about 1 pound, 8 ounces. The following changes have taken place in your baby:
- The structure of the spine begins to form
- The body is beginning to become plump
- Taste buds are forming
- The hands are fully developed
- The nostrils are beginning to open.
When you're 25 weeks pregnant, you may experience:
- Forceful movement inside your belly as your baby kicks, punches, and twists
- Increased sweating
- Dizziness
- Heartburn
- Vivid dreams while sleeping
- Forgetfulness.
Become familiar with the symptoms of potential pre-term labor, such as:
- Pelvic pressure (feels like the baby is pushing down)
- Abdominal cramping (with or without diarrhea)
- Increase or change in vaginal discharge
- Contractions.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
What to Expect in the 26th Week of Pregnancy
When you reach this point in your pregnancy, your baby will be about 9.2 inches long and will weigh around 2 pounds. Fetal developments taking place during week 26 of pregnancy include the following:
- Your baby begins to make breathing movements (although there is no air in the lungs)
- Your baby will respond to touch
- Your baby is replacing the amniotic fluid every hour.
You may begin to feel
Braxton Hicks contractions, which are normal. These contractions are painless, but feel similar to menstrual cramps, and happen at irregular intervals. Braxton Hicks contractions are your body's way of practicing for delivery and will help to tone your uterus for labor.
This is a good time to start thinking about where the baby will sleep in your home. If you plan on returning to work and have not yet thought about childcare options, you should start doing so now.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 27 Weeks
When you're 27 weeks pregnant, your baby measures about 9.6 inches, crown to rump, and weighs a little more than 2 pounds.
During this week, your baby's brain embarks on a period of rapid growth. The forebrain grows to cover the rest of the brain, resulting in some important brain development.
By the time you have reached week 27 in your pregnancy, the following changes have taken place in your baby:
- The network of nerves to the ear is completed
- Eyelids begin to open, and the retinas begin to form
- Your baby may be able to recognize your voice and your partner's voice.
When you're 27 weeks pregnant:
- Your balance and mobility may be changing as you grow larger
- Stretch marks may become visible as your uterus continues to expand
- You may find it difficult to take deep breaths.
Caring for a baby is a learned skill, so if you and your partner are first-time parents, you might want to take a childbirthing class, where you will learn about such things as:
- Options for pain relief during delivery
- What to expect after delivery
- Common newborn problems
- "Babyproofing"
- Infant CPR.
What to Expect When 28 Weeks Pregnant
During week 28 of pregnancy, your baby now weighs about 2 to 3 pounds and measures about 10 inches from crown to rump, or a total length of 15 inches from head to toe. Your baby is probably sleeping and waking at normal intervals.
Other fetal developments that are occurring around this time include the following:
- Brain tissue continues to develop
- The folds and grooves of your baby's brain continue to develop and expand
- The baby begins to dream
- The eyes open and close.
At this point in your pregnancy, you should have another prenatal checkup with your doctor. He or she will check the usual things (uterus size, blood, urine, etc.). In addition, your healthcare provider may also discuss your Rh factor with you.
At 28 weeks pregnant, you may experience:
- Leg cramps and mild swelling of ankles and feet
- Difficulty sleeping
- Shortness of breath
- Lower abdominal pain
- Varicose veins and itchiness
- Heartburn and indigestion.
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby should be moving vigorously -- at least 10 times an hour. Fetal developments taking place around week 29 of your pregnancy include the following:
- The baby may turn its head to find the source of a bright light
- The fat layers will continue to form
- The brain can control primitive breathing and body temperature
- The eyes can move in the sockets.
Once you are 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 10.5 inches in length, from crown to rump, and weighs about 2 pounds, 12 ounces.
You may notice that you are experiencing more heartburn. Other symptoms you may experience during this week include:
- Itchy skin
- Hemorrhoids
- Leg cramps
- Indigestion
- Achy muscles.
The 30th Week of Your Pregnancy
By the time you are 30 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs about 3 pounds and measures about 10.8 inches. In addition, during this week:
- The baby's head is getting larger
- The early lanugo is disappearing
- The eyelids open and close
- The toenails are growing.
The most common complaint women have during this time is
constipation, which can be alleviated by exercise and eating high-fiber foods. During this week of pregnancy, you may also experience:
- Stretch marks
- Swelling
- A darker line on the belly (linea nigra)
- Heartburn and indigestion.
All pregnant women -- especially those who are carrying more than one baby -- should be familiar with the
symptoms of preeclampsia, such as:
- Severe headache
- Seeing "spots" or "flashing lights" while at rest
- Sudden increase in swelling, especially in the face
- Nausea, vomiting, and feeling "sick."
When you're 31 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 11.2 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds, 8 ounces. At this point, your baby's growth will begin to slow and the brain will go through a period of rapid development. In addition:
- The lungs and digestive track are nearly mature
- The baby can see in the womb
- The eyebrows and eyelashes are complete.
You will have another prenatal checkup with your doctor during this week. He or she will check your urine, uterus size,
blood pressure, etc. again to make sure that everything is progressing normally. At this visit, you may want to talk to your doctor about the difference between
Braxton Hicks contractions,
false labor, and real labor
(see Signs of Labor).
During your 31st week of pregnancy, you and your partner may also want to make a decision as to whether you will breastfeed or bottle feed your baby. This is a personal decision; however, your doctor may be able to give you some advice.
During week 32 of pregnancy, your baby will be about 11.6 inches long, from crown to rump, and will weigh around 4 pounds. Fetal development that is occurring during this time includes the following:
- The layers of fat continue to be deposited beneath the skin
- The arms and legs are fully proportioned in relation to the size of the head
- The baby is passing water from his or her bladder
- The hair on the head continues to grow
- The lanugo (the hair that covers your baby's skin) continues to fall off.
Because there is less room in your womb now, your baby's movement will decrease slightly. However, if you count fewer than 10 movements in two hours, you should contact your healthcare provider right away.
Common symptoms you may experience when 32 weeks pregnant include:
You and your partner may want to discuss a birth plan during this week. A birth plan is a written list of your needs and preferences during your labor, delivery, and hospital stay.
What to Expect When 33 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby now measures about 12 inches, from crown to rump, and weighs about 4.4 pounds. Throughout the next few weeks, your baby will gain more than half of its birth weight. By the time you are 33 weeks pregnant, your baby has probably also moved into his or her birth position. In addition:
- Your baby is practicing breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid to exercise his or her lungs
- Your baby has a normal waking and sleeping pattern
- When your baby is sleeping (which is most of the time) he or she may experience the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, which is the dreaming period of sleep.
Symptoms of late pregnancy you may be experiencing during this week include:
- Excessive tiredness (make sure to discuss the possibility of anemia with your doctor)
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Pelvic aches (from the pressure of your baby).
When you are 33 weeks pregnant,
labor and delivery is only two months away. As a result, you may be wondering how you will cope with pain during childbirth. Commonly used techniques include:
- Breathing techniques, such as those taught in a Lamaze class
- Pain relief medications given through injection
- Epidurals (anesthetics administered by means of a soft, thin catheter placed in your lower back).
Your doctor can discuss each of these options with you and help you make a decision that's best for you and your baby.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 34 Weeks
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby weighs about 5 pounds. Fetal development taking place around week 34 of your pregnancy includes the following:
- The skeleton hardens, although the head remains pliable to maneuver through the birth canal
- The skin becomes less red and less wrinkled
- The toenails are present, and the fingernails have reached the tips of the fingers
- Your baby is developing immunities to fight mild infections.
Fatigue is a common complaint in women during this time. You may also experience:
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Pelvis aches, especially in the back
- A sore rib cage, because your uterus is pushing against your ribs
- A navel that is pushed out because your abdomen is being stretched.
Mothers who are expecting more than one baby should note that 50 percent of multiple deliveries occur between week 34 and week 37.
Continue to ensure that you are getting enough calcium in your diet. In addition, if you haven't already, it is time to start the selection process for a pediatrician or family practitioner for your baby.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 35 Weeks
By the time you are 35 weeks pregnant, your baby may weigh about 5½ pounds, and his or her head is likely resting on your pubic bone in preparation for labor. In addition, the lungs are almost fully developed.
Babies who are born during this week or after have a 99 percent chance of survival.
Around 35 weeks, you might be experiencing more discomfort from
hemorrhoids. You may also experience:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feelings of anxiety
- Moodiness
- Overall feeling of being physically uncomfortable.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 36 Weeks
When you're 36 weeks pregnant, your baby is now about 13 inches long, from crown to rump, and weighs about 6 pounds. During this week, the following developments are taking place in your baby:
- Fat is dimpling on his or her elbows and knees
- Gums are rigid
- Sucking muscles are fully developed.
At this point in your pregnancy, you may find yourself undertaking amazing projects -- this is called nesting.
Physical changes you may notice during week 36 of pregnancy include:
- Lightening (also known as engagement)
- Frequent urination
- Hemorrhoids.
From week 36 of pregnancy until delivery, you will most likely be having weekly checkups. Now is a good time to ask your doctor what his or her plan is if you miss your due date. Also, you may want to ask your doctor about the test for group B streptococcus (GBS). GBS is an infection that is carried in 10 percent to 35 percent of all adults. It is harmless, unless it is passed from the mother to the baby, where it can cause:
- Meningitis (an inflammation of the brain or spinal cord)
- Bacterial bloodstream infections
- Infant pneumonia
- Stillbirth.
By the time you reach week 37, you should have your hospital bags ready to go, with everything you will need at the hospital, such as nightgowns and your address book.
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby is about 14 inches, from crown to rump, and weighs almost 6½ pounds. When you're 37 weeks pregnant:
- Your baby continues to develop fat at the rate of half an ounce a day
- Your baby is getting rounder every day
- Your baby's skin is getting pinker and losing its wrinkly appearance.
After week 37 of pregnancy, your cervix may start to dilate in preparation for labor. This means that the mucus plug that seals off your uterus from infection and bacteria will discharge from your body. The plug can discharge from your body weeks, days, or hours before you go into labor.
Another change you may be noticing around this time is that your breasts are increasing in size and fullness.
If you're pregnant with twins, they are considered full-term when you're 37 weeks pregnant.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 38 Weeks
At 38 weeks pregnant, your baby is now full-term, which means that if your baby were born today, he or she would be considered a full-grown baby.
Your baby is now about 14 inches, from crown to rump. From head to toe, he or she can measure anywhere from 19 inches to 21 inches. Your baby weighs around 6 pounds, 13 ounces. However, at this point in pregnancy, baby length and weight can vary significantly.
Fetal development that is occurring around week 38 of pregnancy may include the following:
- Your baby will be growing about an ounce a day
- Your baby's intestines continue to accumulate meconium (baby's first bowel movement)
- The circumference of the head and the abdomen are about the same size
- The testicles have descended into the scrotum (for boys)
- The labia are completely developed (for girls).
Because your due date is fast approaching, there are three kinds of labor that you should be familiar with: pre-labor,
false labor, and real labor.
Pregnancy Week by Week: 39 Weeks
By the time you are
39 weeks pregnant, your baby is likely between 19.5 and 21.5 inches long, from head to toe (14.5 inches from crown to rump) and may weigh around 7 pounds. You should be watching for
signs of labor, such as false labor
contractions, real labor contractions, and the rupture of the amniotic sac.
Developments in your baby during week 39 of your pregnancy may include the following:
- Toenails and fingernails have grown to the tips of the toes and fingers
- The arm and leg muscles are strong
- Your baby is practicing lung movements
- Your baby sheds the fuzzy layer of lanugo hair.
By now, you are probably feeling quite large and uncomfortable. Your center of gravity has shifted, which means that you may be clumsier than ever toward the end of your pregnancy.
You may also experience:
You should be watching for signs of labor during week 39 of pregnancy. Labor can happen soon, or it may still be weeks away. False labor contractions, which may be as painful and as strong as labor contractions, may begin this week. False labor contractions can get better if you change positions.
If you think your water has broken, or if you are experiencing regular contractions, you should call your healthcare provider immediately.
The 40th Week of Pregnancy
At 40 weeks pregnant, you may have your baby; however, it is completely normal to deliver two weeks early or two weeks late. In fact, only 5 percent of babies are born exactly on their due date.
Your baby's reflexes are coordinated by this time, which means that your baby can:
- Blink
- Close its eyes
- Turn its head
- Grasp firmly
- Respond to sound, light, and touch.
If you are delivering your baby vaginally, there are three stages of labor:
- The first stage of labor works to thin and stretch your cervix by contracting your uterus at regular intervals
- The second stage of labor is when you push your baby into the vaginal canal and out of your body
- The third and final stage of labor involves delivering the placenta.
After your baby is born, the following will take place:
- Your healthcare provider will suction mucus out of your baby's mouth and nose
- The umbilical cord will be cut
- A series of quick screening tests will be performed to assess your baby's responsiveness and vital signs (the Apgar score)
- Your baby will be weighed and measured.
The average weight of a baby born at 40 weeks is 7 pounds, 8 ounces; the average baby measures 19 to 20 inches. However, boys tend to weigh a little more than girls.
After the birth of your baby, you may experience:
