ParentsNeed decided to create an infographic that depicts a week by week pregnancy guide. ParentsNeed is a leading parenting magazine that focuses on all topics related to parenting. So, regardless if you’re trying to determine what week 25 of pregnancy looks like, or what to feed a toddler, they have information on just about everything!
Pregnancy comes with many ups and downs. It’s comparable to an emotional roller coaster where one moment you feel like the happiest woman on earth, and then the next thing you know you’re angry or sad. While it’s a very exciting time, it can also be very stressful if you don’t know what to expect. There are lots of sites that offer useful information for parents to be, but it’s much easier to understand when laid out in an infographic.
What Does the Infographic Depict?
The following infographic is a guide to pregnancy and therefore especially useful for mothers and fathers to be. It explains what to expect during each week and month of pregnancy – from beginning to end!
The First Trimester
The first trimester of pregnancy covers weeks 1 through 13, or months 1 through 3.
Looking at the pregnancy guide, you’ll realize that the first two weeks of pregnancy is primarily focused on changes for the woman’s body to begin growing the baby. During this time it’s important to get plenty of rest and begin taking prenatal vitamins.
It’s interesting to think that by week 4 the baby’s circulatory and central nervous systems have begun to form. Additionally, the baby’s heart and brain begin to develop. Ending out the first month of pregnancy, the baby is about the size of a sesame seed!
Month two usually brings an increased amount of pregnancy symptoms. In fact, some women will spend the better part of these first few months fighting morning sickness. By the end of the 8th week, the baby is officially a fetus.
The third month is an exciting time for many parents to be because it’s the first time you’ll hear the baby’s heartbeat. This should occur near week 12. The growing baby goes through a great deal of changes during this time, and can swallow, burp, and even yawn for preparation into the second trimester.
The Second Trimester
The second trimester covers weeks 14 through 26, which is months 4 through 6.
This is an important time to make sure you are eating correctly. Knowing what to eat during pregnancy will not only help the baby grow properly, but it will prevent too much unwanted weight gain.
Month four brings some major milestones for the baby’s development. By the end of this month, the baby has fingerprints, all limbs and joints are formed, and can even suck now! The mother will begin to notice some changes as well. It’s common for pregnant women to begin experiencing things such as swollen and bleeding gums, weird food cravings, and a dark line forming down her baby bump (known as Linea Nigra).
Most women look forward to month five because this is when the sex of a baby is visible on an ultrasound scan. This usually happens around week 20, though you can find out earlier via blood tests. It’s also exciting because around 21 weeks most women are feeling fetal movements.
The final month of the second trimester is when the baby opens his or her eyes for the first time. This is also a great time to read and speak to the baby – the mother’s voice is like music to the baby’s ears, so talk away!
The Third Trimester
The third trimester goes from weeks 27 through 40, or weeks 7 through 9.
By this time in pregnancy most women are exhausted and overly excited for the arrival of their baby! During the 7th month it’s important to begin counting the baby’s kicks (if you haven’t already). Just remember that some of those “kicks” may actually be the hiccups, as they start around this time. At this point the baby should be around the size of an eggplant.
The 8th month can bring Braxton Hicks contractions. Though they are uncomfortable sometimes, they are nothing compared to the real thing. They help you and your body prepare for the baby’s birth. At this time the mother should be getting as much rest as she can, as the time is getting close!
The 9th month leaves many women feeling anxious! The baby is fully formed and almost ready to make its arrival. Just remember that patience is the key here! Sure, you’ve waited long enough to meet your tiny bundle of joy, but the longer they stay in the womb, the more prepared the baby is for life on the outside.
Check out the infographic below for a week-by-week guide to pregnancy!
