Week

Your Baby’s Development

Changes in Your Body

Normal Tests

High-Risk and/or Diabetic Pregnancy Tests

1

1^st Trimester Begins

Week of your last menstrual period.  This is considered the official first week of your pregnancy, although conception doesn’t actually happen until two weeks later.

2

The endometrium develops. This is a lining of tissue in the uterus.  Eggs ripen in one of the ovaries. 

3

About halfway through your cycle, fertilization occurs.  Sperm can live 1-5 days, so the actual “whoopie” could have occurred before ovulation.  The fertilized egg is no bigger than the periods on this page.  The egg starts dividing into a cluster of cells. 

4

The cluster of cells is now in the uterus.  Half becomes the placenta, and the other half becomes the fetus.  This is the week you would miss your period (although you may experience spotting or staining). 

5

The cluster of cells is now an embryo, and is about the size of a sunflower seed (without the shell).  The placenta and umbilical cord are functioning by providing the baby nourishment and oxygen.  Weeks 5 through 10 are critical to neural development. 

A home test may confirm pregnancy.  Schedule a visit to your doctor and ask about taking a folate supplement now.  Usually the first prenatal check-up occurs between 6-10 weeks.  It is standard to obtain a CBC, rubella titer, hepatitis B, blood type with Rh antibody screen, HIV, syphilis, pap smear, gonorrhea, and chlamydia cultures. 

In addition to regular testing, in the first trimester you should obtain HbA1C, BUN, creatinine, TSH, T4, and 24-hour urine. 

A sonogram should be performed for dating and viability.

You may be asked to obtain an ophthalmologic evaluation.  If indicated, you might get an EKG.  It might also be a good idea to ask your OB and dentists about your dental care.  You need to take care of your teeth, but you need to heed the suggested times for dental visits from your healthcare team. 

You should check blood glucose 4-7 times daily. 

6

The tiny heart has begun to beat (it is about the size of a poppy seed).  Major organs are developing.  The neural tube (connects the brain to the spinal cord) closes.  The embryo looks like a tadpole. 

You may experience nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, and more frequent urination.  You may gain 3-4 pounds during the first trimester.

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7

The embryo develops protruding buds that will become arms and legs.  Future eye, nostril, and ear locations can be discerned.  The embryo is about the size of a small grape.

8

The embryo develops slightly webbed fingers and toes and transparent skin.  Your uterus is about the size of a small orange. 

9

The embryo is now called a fetus.  The fetus is constantly on the move, but you won’t be able to feel it yet. 

You may need to look into buying a new bra!

10

The genitals are starting to form, but sex cannot be determined yet by sonogram.  The fetus is similar in size and shape to a medium-sized shrimp. 

Chorionic villi sampling (CVS) may be offered between now and 12 weeks. 

11

Your uterus is about the size of a grapefruit.  Vital organs are in place and continue to develop.  The fetus is about 2 inches and weighs less than half an ounce.  The little bugger is kicking and swallowing. 

The heartbeat can be heard with a special stethoscope. 

12

The fetus is between 2-3 inches long, and is fully formed (even tooth buds and toenails!).

Your morning sickness may get better now.  You also may feel less fatigued. 

The most critical development has been completed.  Your chances of being able to carry the baby to full term increase. 

13

Your little one will squirm if you gently press on the abdomen, although you still won’t be able to feel it. 

Amniocentesis may be performed between 13-18 weeks.  If you have Rh-negative blood, you will get an Rh-immunoglobulin shot with the test. 

14

Facial features and fingerprints are set. 

15

2^nd

Trimester

Begins

The fetus is covered with fuzzy down called lanugo.  Hair begins to grow. 

You may start to “show.” 

The triple screen or AFP can occur between now and 20 weeks. 

In the second trimester, the 24-hour urine might be repeated on moms who had irregular creatinine, 24-hour protein, or creatinine clearance.  Also, the HbA1C should be repeated.  If preeclampsia is suspected, you may also get BUN, creatinine, uric acid, and a CBC with platelets.  

A fetal echocardiogram should be performed if HbA1C was elevated in the first trimester.

16

You may need some maternity clothes now!  You also may notice you feel warmer than usual.  Most of your pregnancy weight gain is due to increased blood volume, fuller breasts, placenta, uterus, and amniotic fluid. 

17

Fetal lungs exhale amniotic fluid.  The circulatory system and urinary tract are operating. 

18

The fetus is about five inches long and weighs about five ounces. 

You may feel your baby move between now and 20 weeks, although you may not recognize it until 24 weeks (you might think it’s gas bubbles)! 

An ultrasound is usually done around 18-20 weeks.  A good guess might be able to be made about the sex. 

For diabetics or other high-risk pregnancies, the ultrasound in the second trimester should be a detailed anatomy sonogram. 

19

The little one continues growing. 

20

The baby weighs about nine ounces and is between 6-7 inches long. 

You are halfway there!

21

The fetus is now covered in vernix, which is white and waxy.  This covering protects the baby from the amniotic fluid. 

You might want to consider childbirth education classes at this time. 

22

You baby may now be accustomed to your bodily “music” such as your gurgling stomach, heartbeat, voice, etc.  Loud noises may cause the fetus to flail it limbs and it’s heart rate to rise. 

23

The fetus weighs about one pound now and looks more like a skinny newborn.  The survival rate for babies born now is about 20% - although the chances increase exponentially with each day. 

You continue to steadily gain weight.  You may gain 3-4 pounds in the fifth month and 3-4 pounds in the sixth month.    Your nipples may get wider and darker.  Wearing low-heeled shoes may help if you experience backache. 

24

3^rd Trimester Begins

The fetus is about the size of a box turtle. 

You may gain another 3-4 pounds in the seventh month and 3-5 pounds in the eighth month.  You might have some slight ankle swelling.  It may help to lie down or prop your feet up. 

You may be given a glucose screening for gestational diabetes between now and 30 weeks. 

You may receive a growth sonogram for fetal size every 4-6 weeks from 26-36 weeks if you have preexisting diabetes.

You may receive a sonogram for fetal size at least once at 36-37 weeks if you have gestational diabetes.  

25

Those teeny, tiny, regular, almost imperceptible little jerks may be the baby experiencing the hiccups. 

26

The fetus is now about 1-1/2 pounds and about 9 inches long.  The survival rate for babies born now is about 75%. 

27

Oh no!  Are those stretch marks?  You may have gained between 16-22 pounds. 

28

The fetus is now about 2 pounds and 11-14 inches long.  The survival rate for babies born now is pretty good. 

Rh-negative moms should get another Rh immunoglobulin shot. 

Do fetal kick counts daily.  Twice-weekly nonstress tests (NSTs), weekly contraction stress tests, and amniotic fluid checks may start at 28-34 weeks if you are insulin-dependent. 

29

The fetus is almost a foot long and weighs between 2-3 pounds.  It will double or triple in weight before birth. 

Your baby is filling up more of your tummy space and cannot be as acrobatic as before, although you may recognize some little arms and legs stretching out your belly.  

30

The fetus now has all eyelashes and hair.  Over 90% of babies born now survive and 60% of those will grow up without any apparent problems or disabilities. 

31

Through your skin, the fetus can see light and dark and even blink. 

Interview pediatricians, write your birth plan, and pre-register with the hospital.  Your birth plan can include your decisions regarding circumcision, pain medications, birthing positions, etc. 

32

Study childbirth class notes and practice breathing.

The doctor may order another glucose screen between now and 34 weeks. 

33

The fetus exercises its lungs by inhaling amniotic fluid and gains 50% of its birth weight between now and 40 weeks. 

You gain about a pound a week now – most goes to the fetus. 

34

The fetus may be in a head-down position now in preparation for delivery.  

Have your hospital bag packed and ready to go. 

35

Up to 99% of babies born now survive and most have no problems. 

Your doctor may check your cervix every week from now until delivery.  Group B streptococcus test is done between now and 37 weeks.  If positive, you may need antibiotics during delivery. 

You may be asked to consider an amniocentesis if delivery is planned before 39 weeks gestation. 

36

You uterus is now up to the base of your rib cage.  Yeah, I know, uncomfortable.  The baby may “drop” lower into the abdomen. 

You should be visiting your doctor every week until your baby is born. 

Twice-weekly NSTs, weekly contraction stress tests, and amniotic fluid checks may begin this week if you have diet-controlled gestational diabetes. 

37

The baby is now full term and could be born any day. 

Your weight gain may be over! 

38

Most of the soft down and waxy lanugo are gone.  The baby has swallowed it and it becomes the dark-green tarry meconium – your child’s first bowel movement. 

39

Most babies are 20 inches long and weigh around 7 pounds. 

If your body tells you to rest, listen to it. 

40

Only 5% of babies are born exactly at 40 weeks. 

41

Mom is probably getting impatient by now!

42

Your pregnancy is officially considered overdue.