With all the changes happening in your body throughout the next 40 weeks, you’ll be feeling quite differently during each trimester! It’s not the same for every soon-to-be-mum, but there can be similarities in mental and physical differences trimester-by-trimester that can help you prepare for what’s ahead! Keep reading to learn more about what will be happening in your body and to your baby’s development throughout the next 9 months.

First Trimester

The first trimester, on average, lasts weeks 0 to week 13 of pregnancy. Oftentimes, a woman may not realise she is pregnant until she is well into her first trimester. During the first trimester, your baby will develop from a group of cells to a fetus, and they’ll start to develop their organ system and body structure.  

During the first trimester, your body may start to feel differently as you undergo some changes. These changes usually come with symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness and frequent urination. You’ll also experience hormone fluctuation during the first trimester and beyond, which can cause your emotions to be a bit up and down. You also may experience fatigue.

Doctor visits become part of your life now too. The first visit will involve a lot of questions as your doctor assesses your health and identifies any risk factors. Doctor appointments are a regular event happening approximately every 4 weeks from this point forward. These appointments are a great way to find out more information and ask any questions you may have about pregnancy.

At the end of the first trimester, you should also start talking with your employer about maternity leave, and your partner should do the same!

Second Trimester

The second trimester lasts from week 14 to week 26, and is commonly known as the ‘golden period’ as women tend to start feeling better after the first trimester. The nausea, fatigue and breast tenderness stop becoming as much of an issue, and sleeping patterns tend to get better, but there are other symptoms. Your skin will start to stretch around your belly and breasts as they start to grow, which can cause mild itching. You may also experience back pain or leg cramps as you get further into your pregnancy. However, the second trimester is also when women can experience that ‘pregnancy glow’ where their skin and hair look and feel healthier!

The second trimester is when you will start to feel your baby in your belly. This is also when your baby’s hair, eyebrows and eyelashes are growing in. Your baby will start to be able to hear you around week 20, and around week 23, your baby may start practise breathing. It is also during this trimester that doctors can tell what gender your baby is.

During this trimester, doctors may start running diagnostic tests to analyse your baby for certain conditions as well as test for yourself for conditions like gestational diabetes. These are normal checks for every baby and mum, so you don’t need to panic when your doctor does want to check for these things!

Third Trimester

The third trimester, lasting from week 27 until you give birth, is both exciting and nerve racking. Your baby’s movements will become more intense and happen more often. There are also a lot of doctor appointments now. Your feet may start to swell and you may have trouble getting to sleep, but there are a lot of exciting things on the way.

Now is the time you start planning for the birth. Things like getting the nursery ready and planning out names are things you want to have ready before giving birth. Now is also the time for a baby shower! Throwing a baby shower can be a lot of fun and help with getting ready for the baby. If you know the gender, start asking for gifts like clothes and toys. If you’re waiting to know the gender, gender-neutral toys, blankets and essentials are great gift recommendations. Doctor appointments will be happening all the time now, monitoring the baby and making sure everything is good with both the baby and yourself. Finalising your birth plan with your physician will also happen a few weeks before you give birth. In the last 4-6 weeks of your pregnancy is when many women see it ideal to take their maternity leave, though this is different for everyone depending on how you’re feeling.

During these few final weeks, you’ll also want to start getting prepared for the hospital. Have a bag packed weeks in advance with all your essentials for when you’re giving birth.

Conclusion

We hope that by knowing what’s to come during each trimester of your pregnancy helps you feel a bit more relaxed during this exciting time! Soon enough, you’ll have made it through 40 weeks of pregnancy and you’ll have your little bundle of joy in your arms! But there’s another trimester that isn’t talked about enough: the fourth trimester. We’ve written a blog on this as well for when you reach this point! Read now at https://www.nutura.com.au/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-fourth-trimester/