Your Body

This is when many women "miss" their periods, and consequently realize that they are pregnant. Your basal temperature will be high for a while, and this can cause feverishness and weakness similar to those you experience when you have a cold. Due to changes in hormones, darkening of the areola and swelling of the breasts may also occur.

For Your Information

The uterus becomes larger and you will sometimes experience discomfort in the lower abdomen and back. Some mothers will start having morning sickness.

Your Baby

The fetus is now about 2 cm long, its heart has formed and a heartbeat can be confirmed.

Your Body

The uterus is now about the size of a clenched fist. The number of women suffering from morning sickness will increase and symptoms will be strongest at around 10th or 11th week, but most women will be over it by the 15th week or so.

For Your Information

Due to pressure on the bladder caused by the increasing size of the uterus, you will have to go to the bathroom more often. Your breasts and lower abdomen will become taut. Vaginal discharge will also increase. Up until this time, there is a greater risk of miscarriage, so strenuous sports or exercise should be avoided.

Your Baby

The fetus is now 8 cm long and weighs around 20 g. The head, body, arms and legs are beginning to form. Movement will begin after 8 weeks and at around 11 weeks the heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope.

Your Body

For most women, morning sickness will have subsided and appetite will be restored. The increased size of the abdomen will now start becoming noticeable externally and the enlarged uterus may cause pain or cramps in the upper leg joints.

For Your Information

After 14 weeks the placenta has almost completely formed and the possibility of miscarriage is greatly reduced.

Your Baby

The weight of the fetus is now about 100 g and it is about 15 cm long. The internal organs have begun to develop, and arms and legs have formed. Bone and muscle have begun to develop and the fetus can move around freely in the amniotic fluid. Brain development is rapid, with the cerebrum and cerebellum forming at this time.

Your Body

A stage of stable pregnancy is entered. The baby starts taking nourishment and oxygen from the placenta via the umbilical cord. The uterus now protrudes as far as the navel making the pregnancy more conspicuous.

For Your Information

The breasts develop and grow larger. At about 18 weeks some mothers begin to feel fetal movement.

Your Baby

The baby is now about 25 cm long. Heart and lungs are working well and the baby's heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope. The shape of the ears, nose and mouth become defined and finger and toe nails and hair begin to grow.

Your Body

Development of the fetus clearly protrudes forward and most mothers can feel the baby moving. During pregnancy, the amount of blood increases, and pressure on the heart and lungs by the enlarged uterus make you susceptible to heart palpitations (rapid heartbeats) and shortness of breath. As the abdomen is now a considerable weight, care must be taken to avoid backache.

For Your Information

Some expectant mothers experience a discharge of colostrum (yellowish pre-milk) from the breasts. This is about the right time to consider beginning nipple massage.

Your Baby

The baby is now about 30 cm long and weighs about 500 g. Eyebrows and eyelashes have developed and the baby can open its eyes.

Your Body

Significant protrusion occurs as growth of the uterus proceeds as far as the region above the navel. Estrogenic hormone levels rise, and when tired, you can easily feel how taut the skin on you abdomen has become. The increased load on the lower and middle of the back causes pain. In addition, other problems begin to occur, such as constipation or hemorrhoids.

For Your Information

Fetal movement becomes stronger and more frequent. If you don't feel any movement at all for a full day, a visit to the doctor is advisable.

Your Baby

At 26 weeks the baby is around 35 cm and has reached around 800 g. Eyes and ears begin functioning and the baby starts becoming sensitive to light and sounds. The baby also becomes capable of fine movements such as changing its position and opening and clenching its hands.

Your Body

This is when fetal movements are at the strongest during this period, even to the extent of causing discomfort or pain. At the same time, fat increases to protect the abdomen, which can easily lead to stretch marks.

For Your Information

Your arms and legs will often swells. If this is only a temporary occurrence, for example late in the day, this is natural. However, if the swelling persists throughout the day, it could be a sign of pregnancy toxicity (pre-eclampsia or eclampsia), so a visit to the doctor is strongly recommended.

Your Baby

At 30 weeks, the baby is about 40 cm long and weighs about 1,500 g and starts to take its final position in the uterus. The baby starts to create fatty tissue under the skin. At this time, you will already have to know the sex of the baby using ultrasound.

Your Body

Now, as the base of the uterus extends down to the pit of the stomach, you may experience heartburn and indigestion. As the heart and lungs are also under pressure, breathlessness and palpitations (rapid heartbeats) are a frequent occurrence.

For Your Information

Incontinence and the need to urinate frequently are the result of the baby's head pressing on your bladder. It is a good idea to change your underwear frequently so as to avoid the risk of cystitis.

When walking, you might feel some pain in your upper leg joints and pubic bone. This is because the baby's head has now reached the pelvic bone-a proof that childbirth is drawing near.

Your Baby

At 34 weeks, the baby is about 45 cm long and weighs about 2,200 g.

The baby can now drink from the amniotic fluid and discharge urine.

The baby can also experience pleasure or displeasure in response to external influences.

Your Body

The baby has moved down into the pelvis and abdominal expansion becomes very pronounced. Some women experience temporary navel protrusion during this period. Pain in the upper leg joints and pubic bone becomes more intense.

For Your Information

As childbirth approaches, the vagina and opening to the uterus relax and vaginal discharge increases. Several times a day the abdomen will feel tight and swollen and there will be some pain.

Some women begin to experience something similar to labor pains, known as prelabor labor.

Your Baby

At 39 weeks, baby's weight is around 3,000 g and length about 50 cm.

The muscles around the mouth have developed sufficiently to enable the baby to breastfeed. By this stage, the baby is ready to be born at any time.