During the 39 weeks that your pregnancy will last, your body will be the seat of intense upheavals. From embryo to fetus, to the baby you will soon hold in your arms, your child will also evolve at breakneck speed. Discover our guide week by week.
From the first weeks of pregnancythe body begins its transformation to prepare for the arrival of the baby. The fetus will also grow very quickly to gradually become a little human being in miniature. If the first weeks, the changes in the body are almost imperceptible, it will soon be the beginning of the first symptoms of pregnancy which will occur long before your belly begins to round. Close-up on the transformations of your body, thebaby evolution and major medical appointments in the first trimester, second trimester and third trimester of pregnancy !
EVERY WEEK OF PREGNANCY
See also our pregnancy follow-up month by month
Early pregnancy: what to expect?
The first trimester of pregnancy extends from the first to the 13th week of pregnancy, i.e. from the third to the fifteenth week of amenorrhea. Difficult at the beginning to navigate in this mysterious jargon! The first week of amenorrhea begins on the first day of the last menstrual period, the first week of pregnancy corresponds to the supposed date of fertilization. It is for this reason that the first week of pregnancy will correspond to the third week of amenorrhea. These data are of course random and it is generally the ultrasound which will make it possible to date precisely the beginning of pregnancywith a margin of error of a few days.
Between the first and third week of pregnancy (from 3 to 5 weeks), it is likely that you will not yet feel any symptoms of your pregnancy, where then simply a slight tension in the chest. In the absence of visible signs, it is even possible that you do not know anything about your pregnancy at this stage, a delay in menstruation can indeed go completely unnoticed, especially if a pregnancy was not planned. The embryo is still tiny, but its size will double every day. At 5NT his heart is formed and begins to beat, although it’s still too early for you to hear it. For this, it will be necessary to wait until the 6th or 7th week of pregnancy. Between the 8th and 10th week of amenorrhea, the baby’s limbs are formed and from the 9th week of pregnancy, we will now speak of a fetus and no longer an embryo. Before the end of the first trimesteryou will need to do your first prenatal examination with a midwife or doctor. It is he who will deliver your declaration of pregnancyto be sent quickly to Social Security and your Health Insurance Fund.
On the symptom side, between the intense hormonal upheaval (progesterone, estrogen and prolactin) and this baby which is starting to take up more and more space, your pregnancy will become more concrete. Nausea, frequent urges to urinate, tight breasts, you finally feel well and truly pregnant. On the other hand, you still don’t feel the baby moving, just a little more patience. However, during your mandatory first pregnancy ultrasound, which will take place around 11 SA, you will see that your baby is already moving in all directions. This first appointment with the baby is crucial, not only will the doctor be able to precisely date the start of your pregnancy, but also to ensure that the baby is developing well! It is also during this meeting that will be carried out trisomy 21 screening.
From the 14th week to the 26th week of pregnancy
the second trimester of pregnancy, which begins at the 14th week of pregnancy and ends at the 26th week of pregnancy is often the one that moms prefer. Not only is the nausea generally no more than a bad memory, but the belly is becoming more and more round and above all, you will feel your baby move for the first time. At first, it’s just very subtle little movements, like outcroppings or little butterfly wings. Then, as baby gets bigger and fitter, his blows will become more precise, to the point of making you jump!
At the end of the 16th week of pregnancy, baby is 15 cm tall and weighs about 240 g. His facial features are taking shape and he is now bigger than the placenta. At the end of the second trimester, at the 26th week, it measures 33 cm and weighs 900 g. This is obviously only an average, don’t be alarmed if baby is slightly larger or smaller. Morphological ultrasound, which must take place between the 22nd week and the 24th week of amenorrhea, will precisely allow the doctor to ensure that the baby is growing harmoniously. It will allow you to examine the baby’s anatomy in detail, but also to assess the amount of amniotic fluid. You were certainly looking forward to this review, and for good reason, you will finally discover (if you wish!) the gender of your baby !
Around the 19th week of pregnancy, your uterus begins to push certain organs, such as the stomach, to the side. This move may cause some minor inconvenience, including stomach pains or circulatory problems. Take care of yourself and give yourself rest when you feel the need. During this second semester, baby will take up more and more space and its growth could well cause you some ligament pain. You might even feel contractions for the first time. We are talking about Braxton-Hicks contractionswhich are painless and have no effect on the cervix.
The last weeks of pregnancy
The meeting is coming! 3 more months, and your baby will be in your arms. During this third trimester, baby will grow and grow enormously. From the 27th week of pregnancy, her digestive system is fully operational. Certain organs, in particular the brain, will however continue their development and it is only at 37 SA, or 35 weeks of pregnancy., which will be considered as baby is full term. He can therefore be born at any time, without risk to his health. Of course, better keep it warm until the end of pregnancy.
On the side of the future mother, the belly is more and more prominent and this exponential growth can bring its share of small inconveniences: acid reflux, ligament pain, back pain, frequent urges to urinate. To all this is added the anxiety of childbirth which may begin to appear. Do not hesitate to discuss it with the midwife or the gynecologist who provides your pregnancy monitoring and ask him all the questions that run through your head. Perhaps you will have the opportunity to visit the maternity ward in which you are going to give birth and it can be a great way to calm down.
Around the 30th week of pregnancy you will also have your appointment with the anesthesiologist. Whether you decided togive birth under epidural or not, this appointment is mandatory. You will also spend the third (and final!) ultrasound of your pregnancy. This must take place between the 28th week and the 34th week of pregnancy: the doctor will ensure that the baby is growing well, observe his movements, his breathing as well as his position for childbirth. This is the very last encounter with baby before birth!