1st Trimester Pregnancy Guide | Pregnancy Guide

Pregnancy Guide - 1st Trimester (0 to 12 Weeks)

1 Week Pregnant

Did you know that your pregnancy begins before you even conceive? In working out your due date, your doctor will count the weeks from the first day of your last period. When he tells you you are eight weeks pregnant, your developing baby is actually only 6 weeks old!

2 Weeks Pregnant

This is the week you will actually conceive! The fertilised egg makes it way along the Fallopian tube on its way to the womb where it will implant and start to grow. At conception, the fertilised ovum starts dividing into two cells and then four and then eight and so on. In the first few days after conception, before you know you’re pregnant, the fertilised ovum with its cells still dividing, rolls down the Fallopian tube into the womb or uterus. Two or three days after this it embeds itself securely in the uterine wall. At the same time the placenta (afterbirth) begins to develop. This, via the umbilical cord, will be the baby’s link with you as he develops.

3 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby is now visable to the naked eye – he is the size of the head of a pin! He is growing very quickly, but you won’t even know that you’re pregnant yet! The brain, spinal cord and heart are starting to develop.

4 Weeks Pregnant

The placenta is continuing to form and you should be taking folic acid daily and quitting the fags and booze! The heart begins to beat and limb buds form. The length of your baby is about 0.4cm and he is comma shaped. You might be expecting a period at the end of this week – and you are in for a big surprise!

5 Weeks Pregnant

Amazingly, your baby’s central nervous system, muscles and bones are all in the early stages of development – already! The nose, eyes and mouth are forming. Basic hand “plates” are present. You may know you’re pregnant if you have done an early test, but morning sickness should still be a couple of weeks away.

6 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby’s length is measured from the top of his head to his bottom – known as the crown-rump length. By now he should be around 1.3cm. The face is forming, foot “plates” are forming and rudimentary fingers are present. The embryo will be viable on an ultrasound scan. You may notice that your breasts are bigger and perhaps rather tender.

7 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby takes a bit of a stretch by the end of this week – he should be 1.8cm! Eyelids are beginning to form, the tip of the nose is distinct, the trunk is elongating and straightening out from the earlier comma shape. By now you might be feeling a little queasy, but you’re not showing at all yet. Your clothes might be a little tight in the evening but you’ll be back to normal when morning comes!

8 Weeks Pregnant

The baby now weighs about 1 gram. His “baby” teeth buds are forming along with his external ears, optic nerve and eye lids. Your baby is also moving his arms and legs although you won’t be able to feel it yet.

Your clothes may be getting a little tight now and you should start thinking about getting some maternity wear. You may also suffer from indigestion or heartburn, eating smaller meals and drinking a small glass of milk may help.

9 Weeks Pregnant

Ooh – you may notice a thickening of your waistline the week! Your baby is forming his organs at this time, and he is beginning to move his arms and legs. His movement will be visable on an ultrasound scan. The eyelids are closed tightly over the developing eyes and the face is very human looking.

10 Weeks Pregnant

You may have your booking visit around this time, when a doctor or midwife will take all your details and family history and discuss what sort of care you would prefer during your pregnancy. The kidneys begin to function and the foetus can pass urine from 10 weeks. Your baby is 6cm long. The little heart is pumping blood around the body and can be seen on an ultrasound scan. At the end of week 10 your baby is known as a foetus. He is beginning to look more like a baby, and a critical part of his development is behind you.

11 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby is growing quickly right now and his fingernails are forming. All of his internal organs are forming, although they aren’t all ready to function just yet. The intestines, for instance, are already processing the liquor that the baby is swallowing. However, the lungs, whilst developing, are still immature. Yet it is very apparent that by 12-13 weeks of pregnancy that here is a developing human being. He can suck and swallow and is able to move freely in the liquor surrounding him. You may still be feeling tired and nauseous, but this should pass quite soon.

12 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby is now nearly 9cm long and weighs about 45g (1½ oz). Many mums breathe a sigh of relief when they reach this milestone. Your baby is more or less fully formed and now all he has to do is grow and mature. If you are offered a scan about this time you will clearly see you baby moving around.

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