The Three Trimesters of Pregnancy

Pregnancy consist of three trimesters. A normal pregnancy consists of about 280 days. This begins on the last day of a woman's menstrual cycle. A woman is pregnant for about 40 weeks, these weeks are then broken down into three trimesters. During these trimesters many changes begin taking place to the body. Some of the changes we don't notice and some become apparent as the pregnancy progresses. This article will take a look at the three trimesters of pregnancy.

The First Trimester

The first 13 weeks of pregnancy is called the first trimester. During this early stage little changes have begun to take place. For most of us who have been pregnant, a major sign is a missed period. Breast become very tender and get larger. Some of us begin to feel the awful feeling of morning sickness. Also, urination begins happening more often. During this first trimester the baby looks more like a peanut during an ultrasound. Also, the baby's heart begins to beat. During this trimester little buds begin to form for the arms and legs and facial features begin to develop. No fetal movement can be felt yet in this early trimester.

Second Trimester

The second trimester begins at week 14 and ends week 28. This trimester marks the middle of the pregnancy and many changes occur during this stage. For the mommy to be, she will notice that her belly has begun to grow a little. Her appetite will also increase. The areola around the nipples also begin to darken. Sometimes a woman may notice some swelling of the ankles during this trimester. She will also begin feeling her baby kick. The baby during this second trimester is moving. He or she can hear noises, swallow, and suck their thumbs or fingers. The baby's organs have developed and begin working. Eyelashes, fingernails, and brows have begun to form.

Third Trimester

This last and final trimester begins at week 29 and ends at week 40. A woman becomes very uncomfortable during this stage. The baby has grown quiet a bit, putting pressure on the bladder. This causes a woman to have to go to the bathroom more often. The breast will begin to leak as well. During this trimester pelvic pains are often felt as it widens to accommodate the birth of the baby. Often false contractions occur before the real contractions hit. The cervix begins to thin out and dilation begins. The baby is fully developed during this trimester and begins to put on weight. He or she will stop moving as much because lack of room inside the uterus. The baby also turns head down into the pelvic area. A woman will notice a drop in her belly as arrival of the baby gets closer. The baby during this trimester is about 18 to 20 inches long and weighs between 6 and 8 pounds.