Week by week Pregnancy’s Phases: From Conception to Full-Term

First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)

Weeks 1-4:

• Conception occurs, and the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterus.
• The embryo begins to form, including the development of the brain, spinal cord, and heart.
• Morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings might start due to hormonal changes.

Weeks 5-8:

• Organs and body systems continue to form rapidly.
• Limb buds appear, and facial features start to form.
  • Morning sickness might intensify for some women, while others may start to feel better.PC-blogspot

Weeks 9-12:

• The fetus becomes more recognizable, with developing fingers, toes, and external genitalia.
• Morning sickness and fatigue might start to decrease for some women, while others might still experience these symptoms.
• The risk of miscarriage reduces after reaching the end of the first trimester.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13-28)

Weeks 13-16:

• The fetus grows rapidly, and the mother might begin to feel the baby’s movements (quickening).
• Organs continue to develop, and the fetus starts to produce urine and swallow amniotic fluid.
• Morning sickness usually subsides by this time for most women.

Weeks 17-20:

• The fetus’s movements become more pronounced and can be felt more regularly by the mother.
• The baby’s eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair start to appear.
• An ultrasound might reveal the baby’s gender, though it’s not always clearly visible.

Weeks 21-24:

• The fetus’s lungs are developing, and it may begin to hear sounds from the outside world.
• The baby’s skin becomes covered with a protective layer called vernix.
• The mother might experience leg cramps and backaches as the baby grows.

Weeks 25-28:

• The fetus’s brain continues to develop, and the eyes begin to open.
• The baby starts to put on more weight and might be more active.
• The mother might experience shortness of breath due to the growing uterus putting pressure on the diaphragm.
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Third Trimester (Weeks 29-40)

Weeks 29-32:

• The fetus’s bones fully develop, but they are still flexible.
• The baby might settle into a head-down position in preparation for birth.
• The mother might experience swelling in the feet and ankles due to increased fluid retention.

Weeks 33-36:

• The fetus’s lungs mature further, increasing its chances of survival if born prematurely.
• The baby drops lower into the pelvis in preparation for birth, which may relieve pressure on the mother’s diaphragm.
• The mother might experience frequent urination and trouble sleeping due to the baby’s size and pressure on internal organs.

Weeks 37-40 (Full Term):

• The baby’s organs are fully developed, and it’s ready for birth.
• The mother might start experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, which are sporadic and irregular contractions.
• The due date marks the completion of the pregnancy, although the baby might arrive a week or two earlier or later.

Please note that experiences can vary from person to person, and these milestones are general guides for a typical pregnancy.