Pregnancy is surrounded by joy and is a wonderful phase for women. Expecting a baby, carrying and nurturing them in your womb can truly become an adventure! But what should you expect during the weeks of pregnancy? What does each trimester have in store for the future mom? And the dad? How can he get more involved throughout the weeks of pregnancy? The first weeks of pregnancy can bring many changes! Let’s dive in!

First Trimester – A Time of Discoveries

The first trimester of pregnancy should be approached with care by the expectant mother. Although the first 12 weeks are clouded by vulnerability and should be managed with special attention to any bleeding or excessive pain, this is also a wonderful stage for the future mom. In the first two weeks of pregnancy, women often don’t even know they’re pregnant, but may experience some symptoms such as:

  • Abdominal pain (cramps and twinges)
  • Bloating
  • Headaches
  • Excess salivation
  • Lack or increase in appetite
  • Nausea

Fertilization may occur around the 14th day before the expected period, but it’s usually when menstruation is late that a woman may suspect she’s pregnant. The changes at the beginning of pregnancy are subtle and happen slowly, so until you get the positive test, symptoms may just resemble very strong PMS.

From the discovery of pregnancy, which usually happens around the 5th or 6th week, the woman’s body starts changing more quickly. Bloating that makes the belly seem further along may become noticeable due to significant hormonal increases in this initial stage. This bloating is a good sign, as it means the body is producing enough hormones to sustain the pregnancy1.

Around the 7th week, the first ultrasound can be done. If the due date is calculated correctly in line with conception, the sonographer may be able to see and hear the baby’s heartbeat as it grows healthy inside the mother’s womb. In the 8th week of pregnancy, moms may feel unwell and very sleepy.

A huge craving for certain foods or feeling averse to others may pop up out of nowhere. Meanwhile, hormones are in full force! The uterus starts growing within the abdominal cavity, and some discomfort may appear. Some women feel this discomfort from the very beginning, but some notice more intense pain at this stage, since now the uterus begins its more significant expansion. It’s 100% important to take vitamins essential for healthy formation of the baby’s neural tube during this time. Everything starts here, in the first trimester. If you’re not yet taking them, now is the time!

You may not look pregnant yet, but pregnancy may show elsewhere. Hair, nails, and even your eyes can appear more vibrant. Don’t forget to start taking care of your skin even at this early stage. Creams, moisturizers, and almond oil are great choices to maintain your skin’s elasticity. At 12 weeks3, there are more significant changes, and some women start to show a little belly and even feel some fluttering sensations.

From here, nausea and sleepiness may disappear as if by magic, since the second trimester is starting. Changes in the color of certain body parts are also common. The groin, armpits, and the linea nigra start to show. All of this, of course, is driven by pregnancy hormones.

For the dad: The first weeks of pregnancy for dads require plenty of patience towards mom. Hormones can turn her into a completely different person! She might be crying one moment and ecstatic the next. It’s truly an emotional rollercoaster because of increased hormone levels.

Important: All changes, especially weight gain and belly growth, should be monitored by the obstetrician and recorded in the prenatal booklet.

Second Trimester – Pregnancy Weeks Bring Intense Changes!

The changes of the second trimester are considered the most significant throughout pregnancy! The belly grows obviously, and the difference in its size from one week to the next is impressive! At 12 weeks of pregnancy, the baby should get an ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency. Of course, the anxiety of checking if everything is okay — and to find out the baby’s sex — may cause excitement for the family and parents. Sometimes you can have a clue about the sex if the fetal tubercle is visible.

In the second trimester, you may feel the baby’s movement for the first time, more reliably between 16 and 20 weeks. The baby’s movements become more noticeable to the mom then. From 12 to 26 weeks, changes become more prominent due to the uterus’s growth and the repositioning of internal organs. Everything moves around, including the stomach, heart, and the spine, which all undergo significant changes at this stage.

Main Body Changes in Pregnancy

Moms may start walking like a “duckling” because the extra weight makes it harder to get around and even sleep. From around the 20th week, feeling heavy is very common, not just because of the baby, but a combination of everything.

Mood swings may continue, but are usually milder than in the first trimester. Hair, skin, it’s all glowing — but watch the weight… Be very careful with your diet. Cravings are common and moderation is key. Eat healthy food to send the maximum nutrients possible to your baby and keep yourself fit without gaining too much weight. It’s essential to take care of yourself in this phase. Braxton Hicks contractions may also appear around the 22nd week and are perfectly normal.

For the dad: If possible, accompany your wife at all prenatal appointments and ultrasounds. Seeing what’s happening to mom can reassure you, and it’s gratifying to watch an ultrasound where baby is sucking her thumb, hiccuping, or turning somersaults.

Third Trimester – The Final Stretch!

Tired, short of breath, and sleepless nights… but with complete certainty that every discomfort is worth it. With each baby movement, mom feels even more sure! The last weeks of pregnancy can bring anxiety and anticipation, but there’s nothing better than passing the time preparing the layette and nursery. The body feels heavier by the day, and you’re moving more slowly — that’s a fact.

Getting up can be quite an adventure near the end of pregnancy. Pelvic pain becomes a daily companion, since the baby is now growing rapidly. They usually gain about 40 to 60 grams per day until birth. Cramps — these are the villains for many women, often appearing in the last trimester or final weeks, just like some conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Remember: any discomfort should be reported to the doctor following your pregnancy. Good prenatal care means a healthy, uneventful pregnancy.

Ideally, women should gain about 1 kg per month during pregnancy; eating too much can make you gain up to three times as much, and losing it later becomes a challenge. Preparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy weeks is essential! Preparing your nipples is a good idea! A natural sponge can do the job: just gently rub your nipples during your shower with just enough pressure not to hurt yourself. This creates a protective thickening that will help a lot in the first weeks of breastfeeding.

Lower abdominal pain will certainly appear — it’s up to the expectant mother to decide if it’s time to visit the doctor and check for a urinary tract infection, which is common in the last weeks of pregnancy3. If you experience significant discomfort when urinating or walking, speak to your doctor. Accidental urination is another marvel of pregnancy! Many women complain of constantly damp underwear in the home stretch, and it’s perfectly normal. Only worry if the amount of fluid increases or has the smell of bleach.

Near delivery, you may notice the mucus plug, a secretion that helps block bacteria from entering the womb4. If this discharge comes with regular pains and fluid loss, consult your doctor immediately.

For the dad: Feel your baby’s movements as much as you can! Interacting with your child can create amazing memories after birth. Babies can hear, especially deep voices like their parents’. Give mom lots of support, especially as she’ll feel very tired at the end and may not want to be intimate as often as in the second trimester. Patience and love are the two keywords for these final weeks of pregnancy.

Mom, enjoy every minute of pregnancy! Despite the discomfort, it’s all so worth it! Pregnancy is a magical stage in a woman’s life — live it intensely!

See also: Pregnancy calculator and Uterine Height – What it Means in Pregnancy