What to Expect Each Trimester of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting and overwhelming time for you and your growing baby, and you will go through a lot of changes. Not only will your body change, but the baby will go through rapid series of changes as they go from a collection of cells to a tiny human.

The average pregnancy is about 40 weeks, and your pregnancy is broken up into three trimesters.

The first trimester of pregnancy is from week one to week 12, and many women do not know that they are pregnant until well into this trimester. Some common symptoms people experience in their first trimester include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, heartburn, weight gain or loss, and the need to urinate more often. Nausea is the most common issue in the first trimester, and pregnant people are encouraged to eat small meals and drink plenty of water.

The second trimester is from week 13 the week 27, and this is the trimester where women start to feel a bit better. The nausea and fatigue usually end or are not as severe as in the first trimester, but the second trimester brings more physical changes. In the second trimester, you will experience an increase in your breast size, weight gain or a growing belly, vaginal discharge, Braxton Hicks contractions, leg cramps, and kidney and bladder infections.

The last trimester is from week 28 to week 40, and your baby’s arrival is imminent. At this stage, you may experience backaches, difficulty sleeping, more Braxton Hicks contractions, frequent urination, bleeding, heartburn, shortness of breath, And swelling of feet. If you do see bleeding, do not panic. Instead, call your physician to see if it’s anything to be concerned about.

Pregnancy is a rewarding experience, but it is nine months of lots of changes. Your body will go through many changes as you grow a little person inside of you, and it is better to know what to expect than to be in the dark about the whole process.