How will your body change? What’s happening inside you? As the weeks pass you’ll notice changes big and small in your own body. But as your baby develops from sperm and egg to embryo to fetus and finally newborn, there’s a whole lot more magic going on inside that you won’t be able to see.
Over the next nine months, baby’s many complex body systems will be developing on their own special timelines, leading to everything from baby’s first heartbeat to hearing your voice in utero.
FIRST TRIMESTER
Weeks 1 and 2 of pregnancy: Your pregnancy begins as your body gears up for ovulation and prepares for fertilization.
Week 3 of Pregnancy: As sperm meets egg, fertilization occurs and your baby-to-be takes form — as a tiny group of cells.
Week 4 of Pregnancy: The blastocyst that will be your baby splits to form the placenta and the embryo, and the specialized parts of your baby’s body begin to develop.
Week 5 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s heart and circulatory system are developing, while your hCG hormone levels are now high enough to confirm your good news with a home pregnancy test.
Week 6 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s face is taking shape, which is something sweet to think about as you race to the toilet to pee yet again.
Week 7 of Pregnancy: Right now, the only things growing faster than your baby’s brain may be your tingly, achy breasts.
Week 8 of Pregnancy: As your baby starts moving in the womb, morning sickness (which doesn’t just strike in the morning) may have you moving to the bathroom.
Week 9 of Pregnancy: Your baby is busy building muscle, but all you may want to do these days is take a nice long nap.
Week 10 of Pregnancy: On your baby’s to-do list this week: Build bones and cartilage. On your agenda, increase your fiber intake to cope with pregnancy constipation.
Week 11 of Pregnancy: That adorable little alien inside your tummy is starting to look human about now, as you start feeling a bit more human yourself.
Week 12 of Pregnancy: While it may seem as if you’ve doubled in size over the past few weeks with pregnancy weight gain, it’s your baby who actually has!
Week 13 of Pregnancy: As the first trimester comes to a close, your baby’s about the size of peach, though you may not be feeling too peachy about your sex life right now.
SECOND TRIMESTER
Week 14 of Pregnancy: It’s all about hair now as your baby sprouts some on his head, eyebrows, and body. As for Mom, those first-trimester pregnancy symptoms should be easing up a bit.
Week 15 of Pregnancy: You might not yet be feeling it, but your baby is kicking those little legs and flexing those elbows, while — higher up — you may be coping with some dental weirdness.
Week 16 of Pregnancy: Here’s an eye opener for you: While you’re packing onthe baby pounds, your baby’s eyesight (and eyelashes!) are developing rapidly.
Week 17 of Pregnancy: Your baby is practicing sucking and swallowing as she gets ready for the real thing: a breast or bottle! As for Mom, you may be warding off some unwanted belly touching.
Week 18 of Pregnancy: You might start to feel your baby moving around anytime now, which is a great way to take your mind off your bothersome back.
Week 19 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s skin now has a protective coating, while you might be hoping for something to protect you from painful leg cramps.
Week 20 of Pregnancy: Boy or girl? You can find out this week through a routine ultrasound!
Week 21 of Pregnancy: Your baby is grazing on whatever you are right now, but those stretch marks are yours alone, Mom.
Week 22 of Pregnancy: These days, the only things growing more rapidly than your baby’s senses may be her mommy’s feet!
Week 23 of Pregnancy: Baby is getting (a little) plumper, but Mommy may notice something completely different when she glances at her own belly: the linea nigra.
Week 24 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s facial features are really filling out…and your belly button may be really popping out!
Week 25 of Pregnancy: As baby prepares to take his first breath, pesky hemorrhoids may make you swear under yours.
Week 26 of Pregnancy: Major excitement: Your baby opens her eyes! On the flip side, you might wish yours would stay closed so you could get some sleep.
Week 27 of Pregnancy: Your baby moves on to a whole new growth chart this week, while your swollen feet and ankles may need a growth chart of their own!
THIRD TRIMESTER
Week 28 of Pregnancy: Your baby has started blinking and dreaming while you may be dreaming that the pain in your derriere will disappear!
Week 29 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s packing on the pounds, which look so cute on her. If only you could say the same for your varicose veins….
Week 30 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s brain is getting smarter by the minute, but for Mom, the only thing that smarts right now may be heartburn pain.
Week 31 of Pregnancy: As your baby’s senses increase, his mommy’s breathing room decreases.
Week 32 of Pregnancy: Your baby is practicing survival skills like sucking and breathing, while your uterus is practicing some Braxton Hicks contractions.
Week 33 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s immune system gets a boost, while her sleepless mommy could use a boost of energy.
Week 34 of Pregnancy: A boy baby’s testicles descend this week (whoopee!), but Mom should also look out below — and above — as her vision becomes less sharp.
Week 35 of Pregnancy: A rapidly growing brain makes your baby’s head weigh more and that means more pressure on Mommy’s bladder.
Week 36 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s bones may be ready to rock and roll, but yours may be aching something awful right now.
Week 37 of Pregnancy: Your doctor may check for labor signs, while your baby prepares for birth by sucking, turning, and breathing in the womb.
Week 38 of Pregnancy: Your baby is producing surfactant, which will help him take those first breaths while you’re producing colostrum, the precursor to breast milk.
Week 39 of Pregnancy: Your baby’s brain development is still in high gear, even as you may start to experience some definite signs of labor.
Week 40 of Pregnancy: It’s the official end of your pregnancy — though your baby might not have gotten that memo. Hang in there!
Week 41 of Pregnancy: It’s not unusual for a baby to be overdue, but you’re apt to feel real labor pains at any time this week or next.
Week 42 of Pregnancy: In the rare case that your baby is truly overdue, the good news is she’ll be wide-awake and ready to go once she’s born.
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