Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week
Pregnancy means creation. You are on the way to help a new human being to land into this world. If you understand pregnancy symptoms week by week then you will be able to take proper care of you and your child to be borne.
In most cases only basic precautions are required other than simply enjoying the pregnancy. Just stay healthy, take proper diet and supplements and have good prenatal care to ensure safe pregnancy and normal natural childbirth.
Before getting into monitoring symptoms of pregnancy week by week it is important to find out whether you are pregnant or not.
Early Signs of Pregnancy
The care begins from learning to recognize the first signs of pregnancy. Just because you missed the menstrual cycles doesn’t mean you are pregnant.
For a soon to be a mother the early pregnancy symptoms can be divided into three parts which range from guessing(Presumptive), probabilities to certainty(Positive).
Pregnancy symptoms like absence of menstrual cycle, frequent urination, breast tenderness, morning sickness, sensation of movement in the abdomen can all be presumes to be earliest signs of pregnancy but also can represent some other sickness.
These symptoms then need to be qualified to increase the probabilities of being pregnant. These include softening of cervix and bluish coloration of cervix, vagina and vulva, positive pregnancy test.
The absolute positive signs and symptoms of pregnancy will include, fetus movement felt by doctor, listening of the fetus heart sound and ultrasound showing fetus.
Now it is established that you are pregnant and you should be ready to monitor your pregnancy symptoms week by week.
There are critical stages of pregnancy depending on how many times you have given child birth. The first 13 weeks that are critically important. This is the time when eating, drinking and medicines should be carefully watched.
Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week
Avoid smoking and alcohol throughout the pregnancy. Each individual pregnancy is unique. Some of the most common symptoms are given under. They are by no means comprehensive yet describe the week by week pregnancy symptoms in simple layman’s terms.
A normal pregnancy period is total 40 weeks from the 1st day of your last period. These 40 weeks are divided into 3 stages of pregnancy called trimesters. Each trimester has its own relevance.
Trimesters of Pregnancy - First Trimester (Week 1- Week 12)
Pregnancy Week 1
Conception generally occurs within 6 to 12 days after the intercourse. Spotting may happen as the embryo implants itself in the blood rich thick uterine walls.
Pregnancy Week 2 to 4
No major changes during week 2 to week 4. There are no visible body changes or weight gains observed during these weeks. Keep healthy life style. Fetus is tiny and uterus is preparing for growing fetus and placenta.
Pregnancy Week 5 to 8
Real symptoms may begin to appear now. You may begin get affected by smells of certain foods. Morning sickness may be felt in the form of nausea and vomiting sensation.
You may feel breast tenderness and areola will darken.
Unusual food cravings, pimples or better skin will be felt. During the 8th week weight gain will be visible. Indigestion and heartburn may be felt in some cases. Keep healthy lifestyle
Pregnancy Week 9 to 12
Abdomen gradually becomes bigger. By week 11 Uterus rises above pelvic bones. Fatigue continues and it is better to reduce unimportant socializing to get small naps.
But for second timer since dizziness and other fleeing are gone, this period is considered as honeymoon period.
Weight gain continues. Stretch marks, lower back pain and ankle swelling etc. may appear in some cases.
Trimesters of Pregnancy - Second Trimester (Week 13- Week 28)
During the second trimester, there is 1-3 % probability of developing gestational diabetes. Other problems of heart and respiratory system may occur in some cases which may need attention.
Pregnancy Week 13 to 15
Weight gain becomes most evident now. Ankle swelling and water retention increases therefore eat fewer slats during this period. Passing out gas is common. The biggest discomfort comes from Insomnia. Body massage to relax is the answer.
Pregnancy Week 16
Little movements (Quickening) made by the baby are experienced during this week. Fetal heart rate is monitored.
Sexual desire increases as the progesterone and estrogen levels are increased.
Sugar levels are monitored during this period as they are likely to rise.
Pregnancy Week 17 to 20
Since baby is above the naval during this period it pushes the stomach up causing heartburn and indigestion. Make sure that you avoid lying down after eating food.
Baby’s height is measured during week 20.
Pregnancy Week 21 to 24
Forgetfulness creeps in during the week 21. It is called ‘Pregnancy Brain’. Also back pain keeps you uneasy. Massage yoga and wearing flat heel footwear are the answer to partially solve the discomforts.
Frequent thirst and urination may indicate rising sugar levels. During week 24 not just sugar but Gestational Diabetes test will be conducted to ensure that this temporary condition if present can be properly treated. This will safeguard you and your baby for any future complications.
Pregnancy Week 25 to 28
Fatigue increases as the second trimester is closing. Drink plenty of fluids and take rest.
Uterus stretches much upwards towards chest area causing shortness of breath and occasional rib
Trimesters of Pregnancy - Third Trimester (Week 29- Week 40)
In the third trimester as the fetus continues to grow, discomforts like hemorrhoids, varicose veins and swollen legs and hands will be experienced.
Pregnancy Week 29 to 32
In this third and last trimester of monitoring pregnancy symptoms week by week, insomnia reoccurs and weight gains are as much as 1 pound a week.
Breasts and nipples begin to become fuller. Falls alarms of child birth may occur as early which is actually a preparation your body for labor and delivery.
Premature child birth is very much possible in some cases. So if any excessive fluid discharge (bloody or otherwise), cramps, constant dull back ache and uterine tightening or regular contraction are felt then you should call your doctor.
Pregnancy Week 33 to 36
The feeling of shortness of breath and rib pain is gone by now as the baby moves in the pelvis. This stage is called lightning.
Weight gain is still the trend as the baby is also gaining the weight.
Also since the baby is pressing against the bladder, frequent urination may occur. Walking may be uncomfortable due to pelvic pain.
Pregnancy Week 37 and 38
Week 37 is the time when child birth can happen anytime. It is full term now. In the 38th week the contractions may be intense. Cervix may open a little bit to prepare for the child birth.
For second timers the cervix will dilate a centimeter or two before the actual labor pains begin.
Pregnancy Week 39
If the baby is still in then mother will feel mixed emotions due to anxiety fear and anticipation to meet the baby that was inside her for the 9months.
Take enough rest to prepare for the delivery. Most deliveries these days happen before the week 39.
Pregnancy Week 40
Waiting period is almost over by now. The delivery must happen during this week. There will be many false labor pains and you may go in and out of the labor room without delivery.
The above details of pregnancy symptoms week by week are useful to know in advance. There may be some simple or complex complications during these periods which should be dealt with proper care.
Learn more about pregnancy and some easy to manage complications during pregnancy in the following other related articles:
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