Your Pregnancy Week By Week

First Trimester	Second Trimester	Third Trimester
Embryonic Stage Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12	Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 18 Week 19 Week 20 Week 21 Week 22 Week 23 Week 24 Week 25 Week 26	Week 27 Week 28 Week 29 Week 30 Week 31 Week 32 Week 33 Week 34 Week 35 Week 36 Week 37 Week 38 Week 39 Week 40

Pregnancy Photos - The First Trimester

Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Early Pregnancy Weeks 1-4 Your First Trimester

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A full term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks (280 days), broken down into 13-week trimesters, starting from the first day of your last menstrual period. That's right, you haven't even conceived in what physicians consider to be the first two weeks of pregnancy. You might as well get used to this idea now: Your first day of pregnancy is the first day of your last menstrual period. Ovulation usually occurs two weeks after that, and most women conceive during that time. So if thinking of a growing human being inside of you isn't strange enough, you are already two weeks pregnant on the day you conceive!
Home Pregnancy Tests are now able to tell if you are pregnant about 10 days after conception - a week before your next period is even due, or your 24th day of pregnancy.
If you think you may be pregnant you should schedule an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as possible for a blood test and your first prenatal appointment (hint: take a list of questions with you). Plan on seeing your obstetrician about once a month through your first and second trimesters. Good health care is necessary for the development of your baby. You should avoid drugs (even many over the counter medicines!), alcohol, excess sugar, caffeine, and cigarettes - even second hand smoke can affect your unborn child (See Pregnancy No Nos for more information).

Your Baby

By the end of your fourth week your baby is an embryo. This group of embryonic cells is growing at a very rapid pace, each cell dividing daily. By the fourth week of pregnancy your developing baby is about 1mm in length and looks like a tiny tadpole, safely attached to your uterine wall and sending hormones to your body. The placenta is beginning to form and many wonderful and exciting changes are about to take place.

Your Body

Your "next" period is due around the end of your fourth week of pregnancy. This occurrence, or lack thereof, is many times the first symptom of pregnancy. Some women may experience slight cramping or implantation bleedingwhen the blastocyst attaches itself to the uterine lining, but most of the changes taking place in your body are barely noticeable in these first few weeks.
You should start adding calories to your diet. Depending on how much you weigh when you conceive, you should gain anywhere from 15 - 40 pounds during your pregnancy. To achieve this, a woman of average weight at the time of conception should eat around 2200 calories each day for the first 20 weeks, and then 2500 calories a day after that. Remember, you're supposed to gain weight, but be sure to make your calories count! You should eat healthy foods and get the right kind of exercise. You should also be sure to include folic acid into your daily diet, and ask your physician which prenatal vitamin is best for you.

Photo submitted by 4 weeks pregnant Babies Online Member Brittanie Ferris of Fairfield/Maine/USA - "The doctor had just confirmed I was Pregnant!"

Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The First Month

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Brought to you by Nine Months To Birth The embryonic disk has become thicker and oval in shape, coiled up because the outermost layer, the ectoderm, has developed faster than the endoderm. One end of it has swollen to form the brain, and the other corresponds to the coccyx. Between the two, the neural groove will form the central nervous system. The branchial arches, the heart and the vitelline sac are located below the cephalic region. The vertebrae held together by connective tissue are visible. And of course the heart is beating. The entire structure has the shape of a comma and measures 5mm in length.

Pregnancy Video: Weeks 1-4 (First Month)

Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The Second Month

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Brought to you by Nine Months To Birth The arm buds and then the leg buds quickly develop into limb segments and two weeks later the hands and spatula-shaped feet arise at the limb extremities. Later on, i.e. during the second half of this month, the fingers separate and acquire a tapered aspect while the limbs continue to grow longer. The knee, ankle, elbow and wrist joints also form. The head, which is more prominent than the body at the beginning of the Second Month, continues to grow. The large protruding forehead takes up half of the face. The outline of the chin and neck form and separate from the trunk. The rounded protrusion of the eyes appears as a pigmented black spot, without eyelids, and connected to the brain by the optic stalk which later becomes the optic nerve. The buds for the deciduous or milk teeth form.

Pregnancy: Weeks 5-8 (Second Month)

Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The Third Month

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Brought to you by Nine Months To Birth In the brain, cells are multiplying and will continue to multiply until the 16th week of pregnancy, (about 3 and a half months) when several billion neurons will be produced, and at certain times, almost 250,000 per minute. To reach the cerebral cortex, the site where they are intended to be, neurons follow an entire pathway from the deeper layer where they proliferate to the surface, guided along the way by fibers from glial cells.

Pregnancy: Weeks 9-12 (3rd Month)

Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 5 Your First Trimester

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Fetal Development

You won't believe the changes your baby has already gone through in such a short time. Your baby's heart is 3/4 of the way formed and will begin beating this week! Also developing are the brain, cardiovascular and nervous systems and the reproductive and other major systems. Early this week your baby becomes pear-shaped. The rounded end will become the head while the pointed end will become your baby's spine. Your baby is now known as an embryo and is about 1.5 - 2.5 mm or 0.05 - 0.09 inches in length.

This time next year your baby will be 17 Weeks Old!

Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more.

Your Body - 5 Weeks Pregnant

This week may have you feeling even more tired now. As far as the other symptoms, they are very similar to last week - sore breasts, fatigue, backaches, heartburn, morning sickness, and mood swings. You may start to get headaches as your hormone levels rise as well. You can try sleeping in a supportive bra (such as a jogging bra) to help with the breast soreness. Also, eating smaller, more frequent meals can sometimes help with both the morning sickness and heartburn.
There are some women who simply sail through their first few weeks (and often their first trimester) of pregnancy without any symptoms at all. This is perfectly normal and no cause for concern or panic. However, if you have a sudden loss of your pregnancy symptoms, see your healthcare provider as soon as you can.

Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 6 Your First Trimester

Your Baby - 6 Weeks Pregnant This is another busy week for your baby. Your baby now has a head and trunk. A groove (known as the laryngotracheal groove) forms and will become the larynx or voice box while the beginnings of the mouth and digestive system are evident as well. The inner ear and blood circulation are also apparent and your baby is beginning to ... develop facial features as indentations form that will become the eyes, ears and mouth. Your baby's brain is developing and activity can actually be monitored on an electroencephalogram (EEG). Also developing are the limb buds that will develop into the arms and legs. Your baby's heartbeat is visible on ultrasound as the heart is bulging from the body. The length of your baby is about 4 - 6 mm or 0.15 - 0.24 inches. This time next year your baby will be 18 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 6 Weeks Pregnant Sorry to tell you this, but as you rise, you may see your nausea, vomiting and headaches get worse this week. While it is called morning sickness, you may experience it at night or even in the middle of the day. You might try some of thesemorning sickness remedies to make these uncomfortable feelings more bearable. There will be many changes in your body, but this week the changes are most apparent in your breasts. These breast changes may include increased breast tenderness, a tingling sensation, a darkening of the areola (the dark nipple part of your breast) and they may feel heavier than normal. Today's pregnancy tests can technically detect elevated hormone levels almost immediately after fertilization. The levels of pregnancy hormone are high enough by week 6 that urine tests that measure hCG should definitely show a positive result at this point. You're sure to be able to confirm what your body is telling you. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 7 Your First Trimester Your Body - 7 Weeks Pregnant This week your baby is undergoing some extraordinary changes and developments. The head, heart, spinal cord, and some of the larger blood vessels begin to form. As these blood vessels form, the heart begins to pump fluid through them, and your baby's first red blood cells are created. Your baby is about 7 - 9 mm or 0.27 - 0.35 inches in length, (approximately the size of a grain of rice), and weighs about 1/30 of an ounce - less than a breath mint. Your baby's brain, bladder, tongue and esophagus are all developing and transforming, while his eyes are moving to the front of the face and his tiny eyelids are forming. The bones of his tiny limbs have started to form and all of your baby's major organs - heart, intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs and pancreas -- are forming and growing. In fact, your baby actually goes through 3 sets of kidneys during development with this week's development, being the second set. Both the hand plates and the genital tubercle are present this week, but you can't tell whether it's a boy or a girl by sight at this point. Nasal pits are also forming. In your womb, your baby has already become active swimming around inside the amniotic sac and kicking. However, as he's much too small and well-cushioned by the uterus and the new amniotic fluid you won't be able to feel him yet. But don't worry. In a few months you'll be able to feel him constantly. This time next year your baby will be 19 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 7 Weeks Pregnant If you've ever had facial breakouts or acne, I'm sorry to say that you may get to experience this again. Due to the hormonal changes in your body, you may end up with a few breakouts over the next few weeks. It's okay though. Using a good, gentle facial cleanser and hypoallergenic make-up will keep these to a minimum, and these breakouts will go away either when you enter your second trimester or when you deliver. You may have either gained or lost a few pounds, but are not showing yet. The good news? Your pregnancy symptoms may start to decrease. While the heartburn, morning sickness and breast tenderness may continue, the backaches and headaches usually do subside at least a little after this week.

Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 8 Your First Trimester

Your Baby - 8 Weeks Pregnant Your baby has a face! Your baby's features are becoming more obvious, as his lips, tongue and nostrils, as well as the buds for 20 baby teeth are already present. The back muscles are growing along the spinal column, and his or her reproductive organs have started to form and soon will become either testes or ovaries. The arms and legs are growing and elbows and knees appear as well. The fingers and toes are starting to show but are still webbed. Your baby is about 8 - 11 mm or 0.31 - 0.43 inches in length. The process of ossification (hardening of the bones) begins as the bones of the fingers and toes have already reached the first joint. Your baby is already getting smarter as his brain continues to develop and grow. Your baby is starting to show signs of reflex activity - an automatic response to certain types of stimuli. Connecting you and your baby, the umbilical cord with all its blood vessels, is starting to function. In fact, what will be your baby's intestine is forming in the umbilical cord as well. An ultrasound done this week would show your baby's fluttering heart and reflex movements. This time next year your baby will be 20 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 8 Weeks Pregnant By now you may have missed your second period and you have probably made an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm what you may already know. At your first office visit your healthcare provider will do several tests to ensure you and your baby's health. These included a family and pregnancy history, urine test (for pregnancy hormone, protein, blood, and infection), a blood test (for iron levels, Rh factor, and immunities), a baseline weight and blood pressure, and a pelvic exam (to determine size of uterus and the size/color of cervix). Your caregiver may also wish to do a pap smear now or wait until you are further along. While this visit will take a little longer, following visits will not. If this is your first pregnancy you are probably not showing yet. However, if this is your second or more, you may find yourself with a small roundness to your belly. This is because your other pregnancies have loosened those muscles, allowing the uterus to protrude sooner than before. Once your pregnancy is confirmed there are some things you will want to keep in mind. You should not change the cat litter (due to risk of toxoplasmosis, which can cause genetic defects in your baby), and you should decrease your caffeine intake, increase your calcium intake, and rest when you can.

Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 9 Your First Trimester

Your Baby - 9 Weeks Pregnant This is your last week of the embryonic period. Your placenta is developing well and your baby looks like a human now - albeit a tiny human - approximately 13 - 17 mm or about 0.51 - 0.66 inches in length (about the size of a raspberry). At this point, he weighs approximately 1 - 1.5 grams (about the weight of a paperclip). While the internal reproductive organs have now become either testes for boys or ovaries for girls, there's nothing yet to tell you whether it's a boy or girl even if you look closely. The skeleton has begun to form as cartilage and bones take shape. The baby's intestine has begun to move out of the umbilical cord into the baby's abdomen and your baby is now taking his first few drinks - he's drinking amniotic fluid. Remember, a little of what you eat and drink ends up in the amniotic fluid so, it can end up in him. Reflex muscle movements continue and now your baby will move away if touched through the uterine wall. Other changes in your baby are the heart valve formation, the retina formation, and the tip of the nose becoming visible. This time next year your baby will be 21 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 9 Weeks Pregnant Providing a place for a baby to grow is hard work and you could find yourself even more tired now than before. Your breasts may feel fuller or heavier now and may even be a bit sensitive. Continue with the supportive bra (such as a jogging bra) to help alleviate the discomfort. While the headaches may subside a bit, you may find yourself dizzy at times. If you do, be sure to walk close to a railing, sit up slowly, and don't go from one position to another quickly (such as sitting to standing, lying down to sitting, etc.) to reduce the chance of dizziness. In addition, you may find yourself with a stuffy nose or spontaneous nosebleeds. Don't worry or be alarmed. Nasal congestion and nosebleeds are fairly common during pregnancy. One thing you can try is using a vaporizer or humidifier to help reduce these symptoms. At this point you may be considering a pregnancy orchildbirth class. These are available for both you and your partner and can help make the transition much easier and help with any questions, concerns or worries you or your partner may have. There are even classes for older children to help them adjust to the idea of a new baby. Contact your local hospital, birth centers, midwives, or childbirth educators for a list of current classes. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 10 Your First Trimester Your Body - 10 Weeks Pregnant This week marks the beginning of the fetal period, which lasts until birth. Your baby's body systems, such as circulatory, nervous, reproductive and digestive, are fully formed during this time. His heart is beating approximately 160-170 beats per minute. Your baby is 27 - 35 mm or 1.06 - 1.38 inches with 1/2 the length being attributed to the head. He weighs between 3 - 4 grams (or less than 1/2 ounce), or 4 paper clips. Your baby will become much more active than before, but unfortunately, his movements are still too small for you to notice. He will be moving his arms and legs, which can be seen on an ultrasound. Your baby's joints are fully formed, as are his tiny hands, feet, fingers and toes. At this age, he would be able to grab an object, if it were placed in his hand, as he grows more and more sensitive to touch. Your baby's eyes are open most of the time but the eyelids are beginning to fuse - they will stay that way until you reach approximately 25 to 27 weeks. The external genitalia are beginning to show your baby's gender and both the external ears and upper lip are completely formed now. Your baby's biggest accomplishment this week is the disappearance of the tail! Also, your baby is breathing. This breathing activity is noticeable as he "breathes"am niotic fluid. He is beginning to urinate as well. This time next year your baby will be 22 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 10 Weeks Pregnant There's some good news this week - your morning sickness may begin to ease and give you some relief. You are still tired, moody and nauseated and, much to your dislike, you may start seeing some blotchiness on your face. Skin problems can be attributed to the changes in your body's level of hormones. This is the week where you may begin to show ever so slightly. Your abdomen may begin to stick out, but it will be more from bowel distension than the uterus. Ready or not, your waistline is slowly disappearing. As your blood volume increases by 40-50 percent, you will begin to notice veins on your breasts, legs and tummy more easily. Don't worry. These usually subside shortly after delivery. Photo submitted by Facebook Fan Krissy Y, 10 weeks pregnant Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 11 Your First Trimester Your Baby - 11 Weeks Pregnant Your baby's organ systems are now functioning and he has a skeleton, nerves and blood circulation. Your baby's tiny feet are fully formed and shaped and could stand on an adult's fingernail. The most critical part of baby's development is now over, and the remainder of the pregnancy is about rapid growth, organ maturation and getting ready for delivery. In fact, your baby grows so quickly now that he will start out this week being approximately 21 - 25 mm or 0.85 - 1.0 inches and by the end of the week will be 44 - 51 mm or 1.75 - 2.0 inches and weigh approximately 7 grams! Your baby's head is about 1/2 of his body length. The baby's eyelids are fused now and the irises are developing. Your baby will begin to get baby teeth, fingernails, toenails and hair follicles this week, too. This time next year your baby will be 23 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 11 Weeks Pregnant Guess what? Your uterus is about the size of a grapefruit already! While you probably haven't gained much weight so far, you may be a little concerned about weight gain during pregnancy. Most doctors say that you should gain approximately 1-2 lbs. a month in the first trimester, (a total of about 6 pounds). However, everyone is different and you may actually lose weight. That's normal and you'll be perfectly fine, particularly if you had a lot of morning sickness, nausea, or heartburn. You might be getting your appetite back as your morning sickness subsides, but certain foods or smells may still make you nauseated. It is important to remember that good nutrition is important for both you and your baby. Take your prenatal vitamins, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and get plenty of protein. Oh, and don't forget to rest. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 12 Your First Trimester Your Baby - 12 Weeks Pregnant By now, nearly all of your baby's organs, structures and systems are fully formed. The heart begins pumping several quarts of blood through your baby's body every day. Your baby has also begun to develop nerves and a spinal cord, allowing him to feel some types of pain. While your baby's brain is not the same size it will be at birth, it does have the same structure. Fingers and toes have separated and hair and nails continue to grow. Your baby is approximately 2.5 - 3.5 inches and weighs about 12 - 14 grams. Also, the external genitals can now show definite signs of male and female gender. Before, where there was only reflex movement, your baby now moves spontaneously and at random, although his movements are still too slight to be felt. With the use of a Doppler, you may be able to hear your baby's heart beat at this office visit. It will sound very fast, similar to the sound of a running horse's hooves. Once you hear this sound, you can rest assured that your risk of miscarriage is greatly reduced. This time next year your baby will be 24 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 12 Weeks Pregnant While your morning sickness and tiredness may be even less frequent, you may be getting lightheaded or have headaches again. This is from the increase in blood volume. Remember the safety precautions regarding dizziness? Well, those can apply here as well. Be sure to talk about any symptoms or illness you may experience with your healthcare provider. It is important for you to communicate any concerns, worries, or questions you may have. Your uterus will begin to shift up and forward as it grows, taking the pressure off the bladder and you'll have fewer trips to the bathroom. But don't get too used to that. It won't be long - in the third trimester - where the baby and uterus will be big enough that they start pressing on your bladder again. Your placenta has taken over producing your hormones now so you may find yourself with slower, less frequent, less intense mood swings. Photo submitted by Babies Online member Kendra K, 20 years old, in her 12th week of pregnancy with baby number two! Pregnancy Photos - The Second Trimester Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The Fourth Month Due Date Calculator Brought to you by Nine Months To Birth The placental membrane allows exchanges to occur more freely between mother and fetus. The fetus grows, becomes more human-looking and tends to become more independent. The placenta: a more permeable barrier. The placenta is now entirely functional. It takes up 20 to 25% of the area of the uterus. From the 6th month of development, it has completely replaced the corpus luteum by secreting more and more hormones; in this way, it provides mother and fetus with more estrogen and progesterone, a capacity that is specific for human beings. The fetus is now less sensitive to harmful substances than the embryo was. Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The Fifth Month Due Date Calculator Brought to you by Nine Months To Birth This is the month when fetal movements become more coordinated and more vigorous. The head, which is more prominent than the body at the beginning of the Second Month, continues to grow. The large protruding forehead takes up half of the face. The outline of the chin and neck form and separate from the trunk. The rounded protrusion of the eyes appears as a pigmented black spot, without eyelids, and connected to the brain by the optic stalk which later becomes the optic nerve. The buds for the deciduous or milk teeth form. Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The Sixth Month Due Date Calculator Brought to you by Nine Months To Birth The sensory faculties of the fetus now begin to develop. This month marks an awakening of attention and muscle development. The fetus has become a small, vigorous being and can clench his fists and grip an object since he now possesses the grasping reflex. He now moves every day and manifests his presence so that if the mother no longer feels him move at any time during a 24 hour period, she should not hesitate to call her physician; however, the fetus may remain immobile for a few hours while sleeping. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 13 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 13 Weeks Pregnant There is a lot going on with your baby this week. Your baby's intestines are migrating from the umbilical cord into his or her abdomen. The villi are also forming in the intestines, and these help in peristaltic movements and digestion. The liver begins to secrete bile and the pancreas is even secreting insulin! All twenty teeth have formed and are waiting under the gums, while your baby has begun to practice swallowing by taking in the surrounding amniotic fluid and passing it back in his urine. Your baby can smile and his vocal cords are quickly developing, too. He looks more and more human as his eyes move closer together and the ears are beginning to move to what will be their normal positions. Your baby weighs between approximately 13 and 20 grams (1/2 and 3/4 ounce) and is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inches long. The placenta and baby are about the same weight now. Most of the vital systems are developed now, and baby starts really growing, at times, growing as much as an inch this week. This time next year your baby will be 25 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 13 Weeks Pregnant Welcome to your second trimester! Many mothers state that this is the time when they feel their best. The early signs of pregnancy are over and you will find yourself with more energy. Also, this is the time when you will begin to feel pregnant. This is usually the most enjoyable and comfortable part of pregnancy as the feelings of sickness are ending (or soon will be) and your tummy is still small enough that it is not getting in the way or making you feel uncomfortable. Your body is working very hard right now, so you need to listen to the little clues it will give you, and make sure to get enough rest. You may have been putting off telling others about your good news, but now would be a great time. This is also a time when fathers and other family members want to start becoming more involved as the pregnancy becomes more real for them. You can help them do this by encouraging them to participate in your pregnancy, but only to the extent that you feel comfortable. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 14 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 14 Weeks Pregnant Your baby's body systems are starting to work on their own. The digestive system practices moving food along the intestines and through the renal system and he can create and eliminate urine. He also continues to practice breathing the amniotic fluid in and out of his lungs. Your baby has tiny, soft nails on his fingers and toes, is growing hair and may even suck his thumb. Your baby is approximately 10-11.5 cm (3 1/2 -4 inches) and weighs approximately 1.5 ounces. Also, your baby's blood is beginning to form in the bone marrow and blood vessels are beginning to connect various parts of the fetus to another. The joints and muscles allow your baby full body movement so your baby is able to move around. The baby's neck is getting longer and his chin is no longer resting on his chest. The eyes and ears continue to move into place. The hands are becoming functional and reflex movements often occur. Nourishment now comes from the placenta. Remember, some of what you eat and drink is getting through to your baby. The doctor can tell if your baby is a boy or a girl using special tests. Amniotic fluid is an amazing substance. It completely regenerates itself every three hours. We do know that it is partially composed of urine from the baby, but where amniotic fluid in general is made we are not sure. Modern medicine still has some surprises left. This time next year your baby will be 26 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 14 Weeks Pregnant Levels of hormones are becoming steady and the mood swings of the first trimester will slow. However, because of the lower hormone levels - and the fact that your baby may be pressing against your bowel - you may begin to experience constipation as your intestinal muscles are working more slowly. A good way to combat this is to increase the fiber in your diet and drink more water. If after a while you see no relief, or you find this bothersome or troubling, mention it to your doctor at your next appointment. Other changes may include the appearance of a dark line down the middle of your abdomen. This is normal and is called the linea negra. Also, the areola (the dark part of your nipple area) may have gotten darker and larger. This is also normal as your body readies itself for breastfeeding. Your uterus is approximately the size of a grapefruit. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 15 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 15 Weeks Pregnant Rapid growth of your baby continues at this point. The skin is very thin and you can see the blood vessels clearly underneath. The scalp hair pattern is developing while fine hair (called lanugo) covers the baby's body. Your baby is approximately 12-14 cm (3.7 to 4.1 inches) and weighs about 50 grams (1.75 to 2 ounces). Your baby's taste buds already look like a mature adult's and doctors have learned that the amniotic fluid that surrounds it can smell strongly of curry, cumin, garlic, onion and other essences from a mother's diet. Your baby's bones continue to harden and retain calcium very rapidly. At this point in the pregnancy the placenta will begin to take on the job of hormone production to sustain the pregnancy, which was the job of your ovaries up to this point. Your baby's eyelids are now firmly shut, and will stay closed until the third trimester. This time next year your baby will be 27 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 15 Weeks Pregnant Your regular clothes may begin to feel a little snug now so don't try to force your body into them. You can wear elastic top pants such as stretch pants or sweats until you can either invest in or borrow some proper maternity clothing. If all else fails, borrow some of your partner's clothes if needed or just unzip your pants. If you plan on havingamniocentesis (a test that can indicate any abnormalities in the baby) you should schedule it now as these are normally done between 16 and 18 weeks. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 16 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 16 Weeks Pregnant Your baby's nails are well formed and some babies are even in need of having their nails trimmed at birth. Your baby is emptying his or her bladder every 40-45 minutes. The limb movements are becoming more coordinated and vigorous. The head is erect and the legs are developed. Both the gender and muscle movements are easily detectable with ultrasound. Your baby is approximately 4 inches long and weighs about 80-85 grams (3 ounces). This time next year your baby will be 28 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 16 Weeks Pregnant You may begin to feel your baby's movements as his bones begin to harden. These first feelings have been said to feel more like butterflies in the stomach, rather than actual fetal movement - and is called fluttering. Another common name for these movements isquickening. However, if you have a thick or anterior uterus, are overweight, or this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel these first movements yet. Don't worry. As your baby moves his muscles more frequently you will be more aware of your baby's presence. Your heart continues to increase the blood volume output to supply the baby with oxygen. Your enlarged heart is pumping about 20 percent more blood than it did before you were pregnant. This volume will actually continue to increase throughout your pregnancy and will result in an increased heart output of 30-50 percent by the time of delivery. However, this increase in blood volume may lead to a stuffy nose or even nose bleeds on occasion. As your blood volume increases it affects your estrogen level, and that leads to swelling of the nasal membranes, resulting in the stuffy nose or nosebleeds. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 17 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 17 Weeks Pregnant Your baby will begin to form fat this week. The fat begins to deposit under his skin and is important in heat production and metabolism. At delivery, fat will account for 2-6 percent of your baby's total body weight. This will help him maintain his body temperature when he is born. Your baby is approximately 5 inches long and weighs in at about 140-145 grams (5 ounces). This means that the baby now weighs more than the placenta. If you were to get an abdominal x-ray (which isn't recommended and could be dangerous), your baby's skeleton would be visible. His movements are becoming stronger and more frequent now. Reflex movements are fully functional as your baby will regularly suck and swallow and loud noises outside the uterus may actually cause the baby to startle. This time next year your baby will be 29 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 17 Weeks Pregnant Your uterus has grown and is now about halfway between your pubic bone and navel (about an inch or inch and a half below your belly button). Your bodily secretions may increase due to the increased blood volume. If you have increased nasal congestion or runny nose, increased sweating or increased vaginal discharge this is normal and is nothing to worry about. Rest assured, this increase in body secretions will go away after the birth of your baby. As your baby goes through some growth changes (getting bigger and beginning to add fat deposits under the skin) you may find yourself growing too. Average weight gain to this point in pregnancy is about five to ten pounds, but don't worry if you are a little off. If this is your second pregnancy (or beyond!), you will gain differently than if it is your first. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 18 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 18 Weeks Pregnant Your baby is growing rapidly. His bones are continuing to harden and the pads of his fingers and toes are formed. He even has his own set of fingerprints developing as well. Your baby is approximately 5.5 inches and weighs about 200 grams (7.5 ounces). Your baby can kick, swallow, and sleep. He also is developing his stomach, intestine and colon and the intestines are collecting meconium (the initial stool a baby will pass after birth). If the baby is a boy, the prostate will begin to develop this week as well. The skin is still a bit pink and transparent and his ears still stick out from his head. The four-chambered heart begins to build up muscle cells and is pumping between 25 and 30 quarts of blood per day. This time next year your baby will be 30 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 18 Weeks Pregnant You may find that sleeping is increasingly difficultas your body grows. Some things you may want to try are propping yourself with pillows to help you find a more comfortable sleeping position, or investing in several firm pillows or a pregnancy pillow to help you get comfortable. Also, try doing pelvic tilts before bed and always urinate before lying down. You may be getting light-headed, dizzy or even feel faint from time to time. This is normal and is only cause for concern if it happens frequently (more than several times daily) or severely (if you pass out and fall). This condition is referred to as "postural hypotension" and occurs because your cardiovascular system isn't reacting as quickly as it did before pregnancy. Postural hypotension most commonly occurs when you go from one position, such as sitting, to another position, such as standing, too quickly. The best thing to do is to move slowly when changing positions. Move to the edge of the sofa or chair and allow yourself to get steady before slowly standing. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 19 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 19 Weeks Pregnant This is an impressive week for growth! Your baby weighs approximately 250 grams (8-9 ounces) and is about 15 to 19 cm (6 to 7.5 inches) long. If you are having a girl, her ovaries now contain primitive egg cells. Lanugo (a covering of fine soft hair) appears all over the baby's body. This fine hair will remain until birth draws nearer. Sometimes you can still see some on the baby's face and ears after birth. Also apparent is vernix, a milky white covering that protects your baby's skin from its aquatic environment. Can you imagine how wrinkled you'd get if you were in water for nine months? The placenta continues to grow and offer nourishment for your baby while the permanent teeth buds are forming behind the already formed milk teeth buds. Growth becomes rapid now and your baby begins to store iron for the production of red blood cells. Your baby can even dream (REM sleep)! This time next year your baby will be 31 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 19 Weeks Pregnant Pregnancy mask, dry itchy skin, and flaky skin are common in pregnancy and are due to hormonal changes. Don't worry, because after pregnancy your skin will return to whatever is normal for you. Try using lotions and oils to help with dry, flaky and itchy skin. Also, a healthy diet and drinking lots of water will help to ease any skin irregularities. Also, as you are getting close to the half-way mark in your pregnancy, you may want to start looking into childbirth education and classes such asLamaze. These classes can help ease any anxiety you have, help you understand what is happening to your body, and also help you prepare for labor and delivery. There is medical research thatindicates women who have taken childbirth classes have an easier, less stressful birth experience. To find out about classes in your area contact your local hospital or ask your doctor at your next visit. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 20 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 20 Weeks Pregnant Over the last four weeks, your baby has grown an incredible amount, and has just about quadrupled his weight. He's big enough that you should be feeling fluttering or quickening quite regularly now. In fact, from his movements you may be able to tell if your baby is awake or asleep. Your baby is anywhere from 20 - 26 cm (8 to 10 inches) long and weighs 285-300 grams (10-11oz). Your baby has started to practice breathing motions, even though his lungs are not yet mature enough to breathe enough air to allow him to survive outside your body. Lanugo (the fine hair) covers your baby's whole body, and hair on his scalp is beginning to grow. Your baby's ears are fully functional now and he enjoys the sound of uterine noise. All the organs and structures of your baby's body are formed and your baby is now entering a period of simple growth. And you may be getting ready to be a grandma already: if your baby is a girl, her uterus is beginning to develop! Ultrasound image submitted by Babies Online member Amber E of Albuquerque, NM: "This is my sweet little girl - we can't wait until October to meet her!" This time next year your baby will be 32 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 20 Weeks Pregnant Congratulations -- you are halfway through your pregnancy! As the baby and uterus grow, some moms report a little trouble breathing, or taking deep breaths, as their lungs become cramped with the internal organs. While not a serious complication, it can be uncomfortable. Once your baby drops or engages into the pelvis (which happens about four to six weeks before your due date) this will be relieved. If you haven't yet, you might want to start coming up with some of your favorite baby names. It might help to look through family history for ideas or pay attention to names when you watch movies or read books. Don't forget: when thinking about a baby name, be sure to pay attention to the initials your baby will have. You wouldn't want to try to personalize something for your baby, only to realize that your baby's initials spell -- or sound like -- something you all won't be happy about down the road. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 21 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 21 Weeks Pregnant Your baby is still pretty active and continues to move all over in the amniotic fluid. However, towards the end of this trimester the baby will begin to settle, usually in a head down position. Your baby is beginning to show evidence of eyebrows and eyelashes and the hair on his scalp is much more visible. He wakes and sleeps in regular intervals, similar to what a newborn would do. This may be apparent to you by his movement patterns. He regularly ingests and absorbs large quantities of the amniotic fluid and excretes urine. Your baby is approximately 27-30 cm (11 inches) and weighs about three quarters of a pound. This time next year your baby will be 33 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 21 Weeks Pregnant You are probably much more emotionally stable now, as your hormone levels have stabilized. You are probably showing now, so be sure to invest in some comfortable maternity clothes. Your uterus is about one-half inch above your belly button so don't be surprised if your "inny" becomes an "outy." Average weight gain is about 10 - 15 pounds; but again, don't be concerned if you are a little off. As long as youare eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water, don't pay too much attention to the calories or numbers on the scale. Your ankles and feet may be swelling or be swollen by the end of the day. The water you drink will help so be sure to get plenty. Also, plan to rest for at least 30 minutes with your feet up in the evening. Sex is something that many pregnant couples don't feel comfortable discussing at length. However, sexuality can change a lot during pregnancy. While in the first trimester you may not have any interest in sex (usually from being nauseated, having sore breasts, or you are just too tired), in the second trimester libido is usually increased. 132Share Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 22 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 22 Weeks Pregnant Your baby is getting bigger and continues to practice for life outside the uterus. This week your baby has fully developed eyelashes and eyebrows and the hair on your baby's head is continuing to grow as his brain begins a rapid growth process. The fetus has fully formed fingerprints and loud noise can wake up the baby. He may begin kicking and turning around, too. Your baby's heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope. His nose is taking on a more defined shape as cartilage (the soft bone) appears. If you baby is a boy, the testes have begun to descend from the pelvis into the scrotum. Your baby is approximately 30-32 cm (12.2 inches) and weighs about one pound. (Picture supplied by 3D Sono Image) This time next year your baby will be 34 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 22 Weeks Pregnant As your baby continues to grow and fill out, so will you. You're belly will become more prominent and may offer some obstacles you didn't really think of before. For example, to get through turnstiles at the malls, you may have to use your hand to turn them, or even go through backwards. You will probably continue to gain weight steadily now, but the majority of it is your baby, not you. As you gain, the extra weight may be taking a toll on your back. Try wearing some comfortable low-heeled shoes and remember to rest with your feet raised above your hips. Overall, you're still feeling pretty good and active in this second trimester. You are probably getting all kinds of input as to what gender your baby is. People will often offer their opinion using different myths or old wives tales. While some people find this fun, others find it annoying. Be sure to let everyone know how you feel about these games. You can do it in an easy, non-offensive manner by letting them know that you don't want to know the sex of the baby until it's born or that you're waiting until your ultrasound to find out for sure. Have you decided whether you want to know the gender of your baby? Photo submitted by Babies Online member Greta G of South Amboy, NJ: "This photo was taken on March 30th, 2009. I'm just about 22 weeks pregnant, we'd just confirmed we were having a boy!" Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 23 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 23 Weeks Pregnant The body of your baby is getting plumper but his skin is still fairly wrinkled due to the lack of subcutaneous fat. He's starting to drink the amniotic fluid he's floating in, and his digestive system is mature enough to absorb nutrients. Not only is your baby starting to drink and taste, but all of his sensory systems are maturing as well. Your baby's face and body is looking more and more like those of an infant. The bones of his inner ear are beginning to harden and his pancreas is developing (the pancreas is very important in the production of insulin). Your baby's fingernails are almost fully formed and the lanugo (fine hair) that covers his body is getting darker. Your baby continues to grow in preparation for the journey of birth. Your baby is now more than 11 inches long and weighs over a pound. (Picture supplied by3D Sono Image) This time next year your baby will be 35 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 23 Weeks Pregnant Your baby still has lots of room to move around, so the kicks, punches and movements you had felt before will continue. In fact, there will be times when you will be able to see your baby moving from the outside! This is a good time to get Dad to feel the baby moving, too. You may find yourself having (or starting) mood swings. Don't worry; these are normal and will subside either late in your third trimester or shortly after the birth of your baby. These mood swings are from the rising hormone levels as your body readies itself for delivery. Your regular doctor appointments will continue and he/she may palpate your abdomen. This palpation is the doctor's way of feeling the position of the baby. Your doctor will also continue the use of a tape measure to measure your fundal height (cm measured from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus). Your fundus (top of your uterus) will be approximately one to one-and-a-half inches above your navel at this point. You may worry if you are a bit bigger or smaller than the average, but it is normal for you to be individual in your measurements as every mother is different. However, if you continue to worry, be sure to ask your doctor about your concerns. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 24 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 24 Weeks Pregnant Your baby is almost completely formed. He is now between 1.25 and 1.5 pounds and is about a foot long. He will continue to gain weight in muscles, developing organs and the deposit of brown fat. The purpose of the brown fat is to retain body heat. Newborns are notoriously bad at regulating body temperature at first. This is particularly a problem for a baby born early. Changes are occurring in lung development so some babies are able to survive (with intensive care services) if born today. Surviving babies may have disabilities and require long-term intensive care. A good estimate is that a baby born now would usually stay in the NICU until their official due date. (Picture supplied by 3D Sono Image) Your baby is totally unaffected by the Braxton Hicks contractions (a usually painless tightening of the uterus not affiliated with labor) you may be having as well. This time next year your baby will be 36 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 24 Weeks Pregnant Your fundus (top of the uterus) will continue to grow and reaches approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches above your navel. You may be becoming more aware of your baby's movement patterns, and can tell when he is sleeping or awake. In fact, it is not a bad idea to sleep or rest when you feel your baby resting. You may start feeling a tightening of your uterus or abdomen from time to time. Don't worry. This is normal and is your body practicing for the real thing. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions. In reality, the uterus actually contracts at all phases of a woman's life. However, we rarely notice this unless our uterus is full -- like it is now. At your doctor's appointments you will continue to be measured for fundal height, weight and asked how you are feeling. Between your 24th and 28th week, your doctor may order a glucose tolerance test to check your body for gestational diabetes, which occurs in some women. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 25 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 25 Weeks Pregnant The structures of your baby's spine are beginning to form while the blood vessels of the lungs develop as well. Also, his nostrils are beginning to open. Your baby now has fully formed fingerprints and his bones are continuing to harden. If your baby were delivered now it would have a chance of surviving due to some great advances in medicine. The premature baby could survive in an incubator for few months. His taste buds are forming, and he may be developing a weakness for sweets. He is about 13 inches long and weighs a pound and a half. This time next year your baby will be 37 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body You are probably feeling very good about your pregnancy at this point. You are showing, people know and your overall health and energy have improved. Perhaps it is time to start thinking about what happens after baby comes. Is the nursery ready? Where will your baby sleep? Have you chosen baby names for both boys and girls (if you haven't learned the gender of your baby yet)? These little things need your attention, too. And, during the next few weeks, you should take care of whatever is needed so you will be ready for your big day. Your doctor may want to begin seeing you more often now. As the delivery date gets closer he will want to monitor fetal heartbeat, movement and your fundal height, as well as check your overall health. Photo submitted by Babies Online member Lacey J of Lexington, NE: "I got a new shirt, it made me feel a lot better about my new figure. I think pregnant women are beautiful and they shouldn't be afraid to show it off. A beautiful miracle is taking place inside of you." Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 26 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 26 Weeks Pregnant Your baby's developed oil and sweat glands are now functioning. His fingernails, toenails, eyebrows and eyelashes are now fully present and will continue to grow until birth. He can respond to sound and can hear you and those around you. Although we assume the uterus is a quiet place, the baby has been surrounded by noise for a long time. Things like your heartbeat, digestion, other body functions and external noises are heard by the baby. In fact, you may feel the baby jump at a sudden noise. Your baby is now about 14 inches and weighs a little less than two pounds. The uterus also allows some light to be seen so your baby is aware of light and dark. Your baby's skin is wrinkled and translucent and may have a reddish color due to the presence of dermal blood vessels. Veins are visible through your baby's skin, although it is quickly changing from transparent to opaque. The following months will see an increase in body fat. The lungs continue to mature with the development of air sacs and also begin to secrete surfactant (a substance that will help your baby's lungs expand at birth). At this stage of development the various organs have formed. About 4 out of 10 babies born now may survive (with intensive care services). This time next year your baby will be 38 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 26 Weeks Pregnant As your baby continues to grow you will often find yourself with aches and pains from the pressure. These include back pain, pelvic pain and even pain in your sides or ribs. The best thing to do when this happens is to change your position or move around for a little while. Often, your movement is enough to cause baby to move thus releasing the pressure and relieving the pain. Finding a comfortable position for sleeping may feel like Mission Impossible! Between all the time spent going from the bed to the bathroom or kitchen, you are going to need to get as much rest as possible. If you need to, invest in a body pillow to help you get into a comfortable position. It will also help in supporting your legs and growing belly. Also, don't be afraid to nap during the day if you need to. Your fundal height has reached approximately 2 to 2 1/2 inches above your navel. Photo submitted by Babies Online member Amanda C, 26 weeks pregnant Pregnancy Photos - The Third Trimester Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The Seventh Month Due Date Calculator Brought to you by Nine Months To Birth During the 7th month, the fetus who is growing and gaining weight takes up more and more room and there is less amniotic fluid. It is during these last three months of terms that the fetus grows the most; his weight triples between six and nine months of pregnancy. His skin becomes thicker, continues to be keratinized and becomes covered with a whitish coating, the vernix caseosa, a secretion formed by the sebaceous glands. This fatty coating of fluid protects the skin and serves to lubricate the baby's body during parturition. Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The Eighth Month Due Date Calculator Brought to you by Nine Months To Birth Prenatal learning and memorization of sounds may exist. Many experiments have been conducted over the last few years in an effort to determine more precisely the hearing ability of the fetus in utero. What does the fetus hear? And can the fetus remember sounds heard during intrauterine development? It is possible to verify that the fetus is forming his sense of taste between the 5th and 7th month of development. And if from the third month on, the fetus swallows his amniotic fluid, it perhaps had no particular flavour for him. And yet, beginning with the 8th week of development, the taste buds develop on the tongue, and also in the palate, gums, and throat. Pregnancy Video: Weeks 29-32 (8th Month) Pregnancy Videos & Photos - The Ninth Month Due Date Calculator Pregnancy Video: Weeks 33-36 (9th Month) Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 27 Your Second Trimester Your Baby - 27 Weeks Pregnant This week marks the beginning of the third trimester. The retina develops its normal layers by the 27th week of gestation. These layers are important in receiving light and light information and transmitting it to the brain for interpretation. Your baby's skin is quite wrinkled from floating in water. It will stay this way until a few weeks after birth as your newborn fills out into a baby. Your baby is about 14.5 inches long, and weighs over two pounds. (Picture supplied by 3D Sono Image) This time next year your baby will be 39 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 27 Weeks Pregnant Congratulations! You have officially started yourthird trimester. Way to go! Your body will need an extra 300 to 350 calories each day. During this time you will continue to put on weight and will continue to do so until about your 36th or 37th week. You will notice the weight you gain will be different in placement than the weight you have gained to this point. As long as you are eating healthly and maintaining a well-balanced diet, the weight you gain during pregnancy is not considered fat or unhealthy, but instead, necessary for sustaining both you and your baby. Now is not the time to worry about the number on the scale and you should not diet while pregnant. If you are concerned with the amount of weight you are gaining - whether too much or too little - discuss it with your doctor. You may be experiencing some shortness of breath from the pressure of your uterus on your rib cage. As your uterus grows, it places pressure on the rib cage and prevents your lungs from being able to expand completely. But don't worry. You and your baby are still getting enough oxygen. In your third trimester it is important to recognize the signs of premature labor. Research shows that premature labor is more common in some women in the summer months than other times of year due to dehydration. Be sure to continue to drink plenty of fluids. If you have any of the following, be sure to call your doctor right away: Bright red blood from your vagina Sudden gush of clear, watery fluid from your vagina Intense pelvic pain Dull backache, usually in the lower back Contractions or bad cramps (especially if more than 5 in one hour) Pain during urination (could be an infection of the urinary tract, bladder or kidneys) Swelling or puffiness of your face and hands (possible sign of preeclampsia) Sharp or prolonged pain in your abdomen (possible sign of preeclampsia) Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 28 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 28 Weeks Pregnant The eyes are partially open and can perceive light. Your baby's eye lashes and eye brows continue to grow and subcutaneous fat is deposited. If you have a baby boy, his testes will probably begin descending. About 9 out of 10 babies born now will survive with intensive care services and the help of medical technology. Your baby is almost 15 inches and weighs over two pounds. (Picture supplied by 3D Sono Image) This time next year your baby will be 40 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 28 Weeks Pregnant In your third trimester you will experience heartburn, constipation, hemorrhoids, urinary incontinence, varicose veins, swelling, and at times, itchy skin. But, you will also experience the birth of your baby. Your breasts may begin to leak colostrum at this point, but don't worry if they don't. You will still be able to breastfeed if you choose to do so. Have you thought about how you will feed your baby? Half of the babies in the United States are bottle-fed, while the other 50 percent are breastfed. While many people will try to sway you one way or the other, be sure to do what is right for you, what you feel comfortable with, and what will work for you and your family. There is no wrong answer. Your doctor will probably want to see you every two weeks for a while. If you haven't taken a childbirth class, you may want to do some reading on the subject to familiarize yourself with what will be happening during labor and delivery. Your doctor may wish to test for your blood type now to determine if you need what is called a Rhogam shot. A Rhogam shot will prevent complications if you and your baby have a different type of blood. If you partner does not know his blood type, he may want to have his blood typed as well. Photo submitted by Babies Online member Marci J of Junction City, Oregon: "This about the time I found out that I have gestational diabetes. It's a scary time, but the baby is doing well, and moving A LOT. Just found out today that the baby is about 3.4lbs already. It's going to be a big one. It's been fun so far and I can't wait to meet this little person. " Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 29 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 29 Weeks Pregnant Your baby can open his eyes and will turn his head towards a source of any light. His sensory organs are well developed. His fingernails and toenails are growing and he is beginning to regulate his own temperature. The bone marrow is completely in charge of production of the red blood cells now. Your baby even urinates about a half liter of urine into the amniotic fluid every day. Your baby weighs about 2.5 pounds and is over 15 inches long. The movements you feel will probably begin to change at this point. You once were the home of wild gymnastics parties, but now as the space becomes cramped you will notice smaller movements, such as elbows and knees poking you. Ultrasound image submitted by Babies Online member Sierra Ryan of Calgary: "This was a 3D ultrasound I went for a 29 weeks and also the ultrasound I found out the sex of my baby!" This time next year your baby will be 41 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 29 Weeks Pregnant Remember, the irritations of pregnancy - the itchy skin, hemorrhoids, urinary incontinence, varicose veins, leg cramps, swelling, shortness of breath and feelings of discomfort - will pass with the birth of your baby. Also remember that as your baby is growing, so is your body. You may feel as if there is not enough room inside you for your organs, but rest assured, there is. The best ways to deal with the discomforts of late pregnancy are to maintain proper nutrition, drink plenty of fluids, practice good posture, exercise and rest whenever you can. Your fundus is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inches above your navel at this point. Photo submitted by Babies Online member Michelle S, 29 weeks pregnant Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 30 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 30 Weeks Pregnant Your baby's permanent teeth have developed and are waiting in his gums. Your baby is very aware of his surroundings and his eyelids will open and close. He will even look around and turn toward light. We tend to think of the uterus as a dark place but the uterus actually can be light and dark depending on your environment. Your baby weighs almost three pounds now and is approximately 15.5 inches long. You may be able to distinguish sleeping and waking cycles in your baby. Although it usually seems as if the baby wants to sleep while you are awake, and vice versa, this is not indicative of a sleepless newborn. Your baby can not only hear your voice, but can recognize it. Also, he has a grip so strong it is capable of gripping your finger. At this point, your baby may be practicing nursing as he sucks his thumb. He has lungs that are capable of breathing air, although medical help may be needed. About 9 out of 10 babies born now will survive. (Picture supplied by 3D Sono Image) This time next year your baby will be 42 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 30 Weeks Pregnant Although you may not feel like it, exercise is a great way to keep up your energy and stamina. Taking a nice leisurely walk or swimming a couple laps of the pool can help more than you think. Also, your posture is very important to your comfort so remember to continue practicing the mechanics of good posture. Sleeping may also be a problem now, so remember to use pillows to prop or support your legs and belly. Also, sleeping on your left side may help as well. You may find yourself with a nasty case of heartburn from time to time. This is caused as the uterus grows and displaces some of your internal organs. However, don't let it get you down. To help, remaining seated or upright for at least 30 to 45 minutes after eating a meal. If heartburn is interfering with sleep, try sleeping in a recliner. Some women report that eating smaller, more frequent meals helps, as well as staying away from spicy, greasy or heavy foods. Remember to talk to your doctor before taking anything for your heartburn - even over the counter medications. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 31 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 31 Weeks Pregnant Your baby will gain weight faster than he'll increase in length. By now the baby's lungs and digestive tract are nearly mature. Your baby's irises can now dilate and contract in response to light. Due to the deposits of white fat underneath the skin your baby's skin is no longer red, but is now the wonderful newborn pink color. His fingernails may reach the end of the hands, too. Your baby is now a little over 3 pounds and is 16 inches long.(Picture supplied by 3D Sono Image) You may worry if you are breathless from walking or sometimes even just sitting that your baby is in danger. This is not true. Your baby is getting plenty of oxygen from your placenta. This time next year your baby will be 43 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 31 Weeks Pregnant Your abdomen may be aching as it swells and your rib cage and pelvis may be sore as the baby gets bigger and fills up all the space you have available. It's a wonderful thing that your baby is growing so well, but it may not feel that way. You will find yourself with lots of aches and pains from the pressure and the decreased amount of room in your abdomen. The pains most frequently experienced are pelvic and back pain. This would be a great time to ask your partner for a back rub or to invest in a heating pad. Also, don't forget that maintaining good posture, taking exercise and gentle stretching can help, too. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 32 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 32 Weeks Pregnant Your baby sleeps approximately 90 to 95 percent of the day now. His skin has become thicker and he continues to become more of a pinkish color. Your baby's movements will peak this week. From now on they will change in quantity and quality. Most of the wrinkles are disappearing from your baby's face, and there may be a lot of hair on his head. The weight gain has been fairly incredible recently. Your baby is now almost 4 pounds and is 17 inches long. Babies Online member Renee H submitted this 4D ultrasound profile picture of her son Trystan at 32 weeks gestation. You can clearly see all of his hair, his eyes, nose, mouth and his squishy puffy cheeks! "This is probably one of the best ultrasounds I've had." This time next year your baby will be 44 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body The discomforts of pregnancy may be wearing you down. Remember to rest as much as you can. There are many things you can do to help relieve some of these discomforts such as massage, relaxation techniques, stretching, exercise, proper posture and a healthy, balanced diet. Be sure not to take any sort of pain medication - even over the counter remedies such as Tylenol or Advil - without first discussing it with your doctor. You may be wondering about what the birthing process will truly be like. Depending upon whom you ask, you may find yourself with varying examples. According to reports and research, approximately ten percent of women will report that labor is truly painful, while another ten percent will report no pain at all. Everyone else is somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. Your experience will differ from others as you may have a different pain threshold, and may choose to use or not to use any type of medications during birth. There are many factors that can affect the amount of pain you will experience during birth. Your body is producing a hormone called relaxin. This hormone is responsible for loosening or relaxing the pelvis, making it more mobile during delivery. You may feel the effects of this hormone in your legs as you experience waddling. Don't worry; this is only temporary. And when it comes time to give birth, you will be very grateful it's there. Your fundus is approximately four inches above your navel. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 33 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 33 Weeks Pregnant By now, you have all the amniotic fluid you are going to have and the amount will remain consistent until delivery. Your baby's brain continues to grow, and increase the size of his head. Your baby continues to develop fat deposits under the skin, changing the color of his skin from red to pink. If you're having a boy his testicles have moved from their location near the kidneys through the groin to the scrotum. If you are having a girl, her clitoris is relatively prominent. Your baby is approximately 17.5 inches long and weighs a little over four pounds now. This time next year your baby will be 45 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 33 Weeks Pregnant You will be gaining about a pound a week now. While mild swelling is normal, be sure to watch out for any sudden swelling (over the course of two to three days), especially in your face. If you do experience sudden swelling, be sure to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. You can now probably distinguish the baby's knee from his elbow, even though the movements are smaller. You may also notice small movements that appear to be rhythmic in your uterus. This is probably caused by thebaby having hiccups and isn't cause for alarm. Take this time to continue learning all you can about your labor, the birth process and your postpartum months. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 34 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 34 Weeks Pregnant Your baby can - and does - respond just as a newborn would by opening his eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping. Your baby can also grasp firmly and his little fingernails may need to be trimmed shortly after birth. This month also offers more time for your baby to build antibodies and for his skin to continue to thicken. Your baby is approximately 18 inches long and weighs about 4.5 pounds. It's wonderful to know that if your baby was born now, it has a 95 percent chance of full and normal survival with medical intervention.(Picture supplied by 3D Sono Image) This time next year your baby will be 46 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 34 Weeks Pregnant Your body is really getting ready and you may notice that you have more and more contractions that seem less and less like practice! This is a great sign that your body is getting ready. This is a good time to learn all you can about the stages of labor: First Stage: This begins when you start to have regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity. The contractions will then pick up and you will be in the active phase of the first stage of labor. Contractions are then more intense and come more frequently, usually requiring more of your attention. Somewhere between this active phase and the next phase, transition, you will change to your place of birth. Transition is the short but hard part of labor. Transition has contractions coming very close together, but they never actually feel any stronger than the contractions of the active phase. At the end of transition you will becompletely dilated. Second Stage: You begin this stage when you are completely dilated. You will begin pushing your baby into this world. Your contractions will get further apart and feel differently. If you have been un-medicated you will feel the urge to push. If you have been medicated you may or may not feel the urge to push and will be directed at how to proceed. If there is anepisiotomy done, it will be done at the end of this stage. The end of the second stage will be marked by the birth of your baby! Third Stage: This is the anticlimax. Anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour after delivering your baby they will want you to give a few small pushes to expel the placenta. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 35 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 35 Weeks Pregnant Your baby is getting plump. The fat deposits are now beginning to offer form and fullness to your baby's legs and arms. Your baby is taking up most of the room in your uterus, so there is a lot less room to move around. Also, your baby's lungs are now completely developed and producing what is called surfactant, a substance that helps in the exchange of oxygen in the lungs. Your baby is now approximately 18 inches long and weighs about five pounds. If you were to have your premature baby now, you'd be happy to know that there is a 99 percent chance of the baby surviving. (Picture supplied by 3D Sono Image) This time next year your baby will be 47 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 35 Weeks Pregnant Your routine visits to your healthcare provider may start to include the checking of your cervix now. Your doctor is checking your cervix for signs of effacement and dilation, the indication that labor is not far off. You may be having trouble sleeping now and there are numerous physical reasons sleep may be difficult. For instance, the baby may be putting extra pressure on your bladder and going to the bathroom every 45 minutes isn't conducive to sleep. You may also have a backache, swollen feet or may not be able to find a comfortable position. Try doing pelvic tilts before bed, limiting fluids after a certain time and being tired when you go to bed. These things may help you fall asleep. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 36 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 36 Weeks Pregnant Your baby continues to put on weight by about 1/2 pound each week. It's no wonder the womb is becoming very cramped. Your baby is gaining weight quickly because layers of fat pile on and help in both body temperature regulation and developing his immunity in preparation for life in the outside world. You may find you are carrying your baby much lower now (or soon will be) as the baby drops into the birth canal, readying himself for birth. Your baby is about 19 inches long and weighs from 5.5 to 6.0 pounds. The vast majority of babies born now will live with little need forintensive medical treatment. This time next year your baby will be 48 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 36 Weeks Pregnant You will probably begin to see your healthcare provider every week now until you give birth. The average weight gain to this point is approximately 25 to 30 pounds. However, based on your body type, height and your baby's size (or even how many babies you are carrying) your weight gain may be more or less. You should be consuming about 2400-2500 calories a day, but be sure to make them count by eating healthy, nutritious foods as your body is working very hard now getting ready for delivery and needs the fuel. Most babies will be in a head down position at this point. However, about 4 percent of the babies will bebreech (meaning the buttocks or feet descend into the birth canal first). If your baby is breech, don't panic. There are plenty of things that you can do to encourage the baby to turn, including special exercises that you can learn. Other things to ask your healthcare provider about (if you have not yet done so) include breastfeeding, Group B Strep and a hospital/birth facility tour. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 37 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 37 Weeks Pregnant Your baby is continuing to grow and gain weight during these last few weeks. Also, he is practicing breathing movements in preparation for the outside world. Your baby will also turn his head toward light and sound just as a newborn would. Around this time your baby's head should be down. If not he is in a breech position (the baby's bottom or legs come into the pelvis first). By the end of this week, your pregnancy will have come full term. Your baby can be born any day now. Your baby is anywhere from 19 to 20 inches long and weighs approximately 6.5 pounds. This time next year your baby will be 49 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 37 Weeks Pregnant Your pregnancy is considered a term pregnancy at this point and nothing will be done to stop labor in most circumstances. Any vaginal discharge you may have been having will have more cervical mucus in it as your body begins to prepare for labor. You should plan to take a tour of your birth facility if you have not previously. If you are having a homebirth try to invite everyone over for a quick run through of what you expect. If you have not given any thought to whether you will breastfeed or bottle feed, now would be the time to do so. There are a lot of great books, pamphlets and literature out there about both methods, so be sure to adopt the one that is right for you, your baby and your family. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 38 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 38 Weeks Pregnant Your baby could be gaining as much as one full ounce of weight per day now. While he continues to urinate and practice breathing, your baby is also storingmeconium (your baby's first bowel movement) in his intestines. His lungs are continuing to mature and his grasp has become even firmer than before. Your baby is approximately 20 inches long and weighs about 6 1/2 to 7 pounds. Almost all babies born now will live with little medical intervention. This time next year your baby will be 50 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 38 Weeks Pregnant You may begin to feel electrical buzzes down your legs and inside your vagina. This is caused by the baby hitting nerves as he settles into your pelvis. You may be experiencing some Braxton-Hicks contractions, which can be irregular and very painful. These contractions may be felt in your back, hips, lower abdomen and your pelvis. The difference between these contractions and real ones are that true labor contractions usually start at the top of your uterus and spread over the entire uterus, through your back and into the pelvis. True labor pains will be progressive in strength and duration and will not be alleviated when you change positions. If you're unsure, call your doctor. But don't worry. You'll know the difference - trust your body. Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 39 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 39 Weeks Pregnant The lanugo (that soft covering of hair) is mostly gone now and your baby will continue to gain weight, even up to the last week or two of pregnancy. He doesn't have much room to move in the uterus so movements may begin to slow. At this point, all the organ systems are developed and in place. Your baby is still building a layer of fat to help control body temperature after birth. The last part of development is the maturing of lungs. Your babyis ready to greet the world. He is approximately 20 inches and weighs a little over 7 pounds. This time next year your baby will be 51 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 39 Weeks Pregnant Your baby may descend into your pelvis now (if he hasn't already). This is called engagementor lightening and usually occurs before labor in first time moms and during labor in subsequent births. You may be feeling huge and very clumsy as well. This happens because your center of gravity shifts, making you feel off balance. The good news: the uterus is not pressing on your diaphragm any more so youcan breathe easier. The bad news: the uterus is now pressing on your bladder so you'll be going to the bathroom even more often than before. Your uterus is now 7 to 8 inches above your navel. As your day of delivery grows closer, you may experience some of the following (although they are not all present and may not all be accurate indicators of oncoming labor): Bloody show Loss of mucous plug Nesting instinct Loose stools Loss of weight Increase in appetite Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar Pregnancy Week 40 Your Third Trimester Your Baby - 40 Weeks Pregnant Congratulations! Your baby is full term and ready to be born at any time. This is the last week of pregnancy - or is it? If your baby doesn't come this week, don't worry. It's normal for due dates to be off a little and before you know it, your little one will be here. Babies come on their own time. You won't actually be past due until you hit around 42 or 43 weeks (depending on your caregiver's guidelines). Just try to relax and take it easy. Your baby is about 20 inches long and may weigh as much as 7 or 8 pounds. This time next year your baby will be 52 Weeks Old! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today. Discover more Fun Facts about your baby's due date too, like birth flower, birth stone, when he'll be driving, and more. Your Body - 40 Weeks Pregnant Congratulations! You've made it! This is your last official week of pregnancy - hopefully. Your body has been getting ready in many ways over the last few weeks but many healthy pregnancies will still be in full gear past 40 weeks gestation. This is very normal and no cause for concern. Only about four percent of women will actually give birth on their due date. In most cases (98 percent), women will give birth 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after their actual due date. You are not considered past due until approximately 42 or 43 weeks gestation. Take the time to rest, relax and prepare yourself for the arrival of your baby. Photo submitted by Babies Online member Teresa of Vaughn, WA : "The day we took this picture I did not feel up to it but I pushed through for my sister who had painted my belly and took the photo. Later that night I went into labor and had my son that very next morning! I am now very thankful my sister had done all that for me. Without her there would be no belly photo."