Stages of Pregnancy: What to expect?

photo credit: jessica bender

Carrying a life in your womb is a blessing. It is even a miracle when you imagine that life growing little by little in you for nine months. Even if science has the right picture and explanation to us on how almost everything works, there are still instances when you just simply settle down for a heavenly answer.

As I look back with my two pregnancies, I would say that it has been an uncomfortable yet wonderful experience. From testing on pregnancy kits, crazy cravings, mood swings, back aches and to body changes. Then you get excited if it's a boy or a girl and you go shopping for cute baby stuff. And here comes the big day. Oh yes, it's the championship. And trust me, the pain you go through during labor stage  is one heck of a death defying pain. You'd eventually fall asleep while enduring the pain. But hey mommies, it is all worth it once you hear your baby's first cry.


Pregnancy is measured in trimesters which starts from the day of your last menstrual period until birth. Each trimester lasts between 12-14 weeks. The first trimester is about 3 months or week 1- week 12, second trimester is week 13- week 27 and the third trimester is from week 28 to birth.

First Trimester (week 1- week 12)

This pregnancy stage is considered to be the most crucial time as the fetus will develop all of its organ by the end of the third month.You may not have that baby bump yet but by this time you can already feel significant changes in your body accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, morning sickness, headaches and other early signs of pregnancy. These symptoms are caused by significant hormonal changes. And since this is a crucial stage, mommies should support their growing fetus by eating healthy food and cutting out the bad ones. Taking in folic acid is vital at this stage to avoid neural tube defects on your baby.

Must do: take folic acid, cut out on greasy food, start drinking milk for pregnant moms to support daily dose of vitamins needed for your baby, healthy diet

Second Trimester  (week 13- week 27)

By this stage, you would now have that baby bump as your uterus will grow rapidly in size. Increase in appetite would often start at this phase as the fetus is building up body fat. Early symptoms of pregnancy would most likely be less experienced but new discomfort would come up like leg cramps and heart burns. You will now feel fetal movements but not that often. It's like  a little water wave movement in your tummy. Screening tests are also conducted to ensure you and your baby's health. By the end of the second trimester, your fetus is about 10 inches long and around 1.5 pound in weight.

Must-do: visit regularly your OB, intake of doctor recommended vitamins,healthy diet,invest on maternity wear.

Third Trimester (week 28- birth)

Full-term pregnancy is between week 37-42. Your due date is marked at the end of your 40th week. The baby inside you grows larger and the body organs mature too. Frequent movement of the fetus will be felt and this stage is more discomforting compared to the second trimester. But after week 32, the fetus will seem to move less as it is too big to move around easily. At the end of the third trimester, the fetus would usually settle head-down. Frequent scheduled check up with your doctor is a must.

Must do: do walking and less strenuous exercises as advised by your doctor, attend birth classes, prepare all stuff needed for the big day