Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy Week by Week ~ Global Health Center

Pregnancy marks a new chapter of your life, the chapter that will very soon include a new character, your child. As your pregnancy moves further to D day, your body changes, week by week. While you are familiar with some signs and symptoms of pregnancy, others might be completely unfamiliar to you. This article lists most common signs and symptoms of pregnancy week by week. Let’s see what

they are.

Weeks 1 and 2

Actually, you’re still not pregnant. In fact, there’s no even an embryo in sight at this point. In first two weeks of pregnancy (the week of your last period and the following week) your body is working hard to prepare for the event that will pave the way for your baby – ovulation. Currently, your uterus just started getting ready for the arrival of a fertilized egg.

Week 3

If your egg and husband’s or partner’s egg have “formed a connection”, there’s an embryo in your belly. However, you won’t notice any changes in your body just yet. After all, you still didn’t miss your period. But, you might spot light vaginal bleeding and mistake it for period. In fact, it is considered one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.

Week 4

The fertilized egg burrows into the lining of your uterus. The process is referred to as implantation. Your period was supposed to start this week, but you missed it; which is regarded as one of the most obvious signs that you’re pregnant. Besides the obvious absence of period, you might also notice that your breasts are tender. Some women also experience extreme senses of taste and smell at this point.

Week 5

Most women find out they’re expecting their child during 5^th week of pregnancy. If you’ve done pregnancy test, chances are high it was positive. During this week, your baby starts developing body systems and structures such as spine, brain, heart etc. But, your baby doesn’t look like a baby just yet.

What about you and your body? Symptoms most women experience in week 5 include:

Morning sickness
Lightheadedness
Frequent urination
Abdominal cramps
Vaginal bleeding
Fatigue
Breast changes
Food cravings or aversions
Vaginal discharge
Mood swings.

Week 6

This is the point when you will start noticing some changes in your body. Although most people won’t be able to tell you’re pregnant just yet, your uterus is constantly growing. At this point, your baby is about 1/8 to ¼ inch in length (size of a pea). The increasing uterus forms a pressure onto your bladder and you start going to the bathroom more frequently than in previous week.

Furthermore, your breasts still feel sore and might even start to swell. Other symptoms are similar to the 5^th week and they include irritability, mood swings, fatigue etc.

Week 7

If you haven’t experienced any pregnancy symptoms before, you might start experiencing them now. It’s extremely important to bear in mind that all women experience pregnancy symptoms differently and in different intensity. In most cases, you will experience different symptoms in every pregnancy you go through.

Symptoms associated with 7^th week of pregnancy include:

Vomiting
Nausea
Frequent urination
Excess saliva in your mouth
Tender and swollen breasts (your bra might not fit)
Bloating (you might not be able to zip up your pants)
Darkening of the areolas
Fatigue.

Meanwhile, your baby is still just an embryo but its tail is decreasing and will disappear quite soon.

Week 8

At this point you might notice that your clothes feel too tight now, although you’ve gained just a few pounds. Your breasts are still sore and even tingly. Furthermore, fatigue will probably continue this week as well.

Week 9

Your clothes will feel even tighter now because the waistline will keep “expanding”. Also, your breasts will continue on growing while nipples will become even darker. Most common symptoms associated with 9^th week of pregnancy include:

Nausea/vomiting
Frequent urination
Increased appetite
Tingly/tender breasts
Dizziness
Fatigue
Irritability
Heartburn
Constipation
Cravings/food aversions.

Meanwhile, your baby is experiencing some changes too e.g. its elbows can bend now.

Week 10

Congratulations, your baby isn’t just an embryo anymore, but a fetus. While some women won’t experience morning sickness anymore, others will for quite some time. Other symptoms associated with 10^th week are somewhat similar to other symptoms of the 1^st trimester:

Vaginal discharge
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Heartburn
Gas, bloating, constipation.

Week 11

If you’re pregnant with your first child, you might not start showing just yet. If you’ve been pregnant before, then you might start noticing a tiny baby bump. This week, your baby’s genitalia are finishing up its development (but it will only be visible on ultrasound between weeks 16 and 20).

Pregnancy signs and symptoms linked with week 11 are:

Heartburn
Sore or enlarged breasts
Morning sickness.

Week 12

The first trimester is almost over and you’ve probably gained about 2 pounds now. Symptoms associated with week 12 include:

Melasma or mask of pregnancy
Areolas become darker
Breast tenderness and soreness remain.

Week 13

Due to growing uterus, you might experience sharp pain in lower abdomen during sudden movements. Your breasts will start producing colostrums, precursor of breast milk and you might notice your breasts start leaking from time to time (some women might experience this later in the pregnancy). You might even start feeling energetic at this point.

At this point, your baby is the size of peapod.

Week 14

You’re officially in second trimester. Congratulations! You will notice your breasts aren’t as tender as they were, symptoms of morning sickness are either gone or their intensity decreased, and you’ll feel more energetic.

At this point, your baby’s kidneys start producing urine which is released into amniotic fluid.

Week 15

In 15^th week of pregnancy, you’ll notice your belly is getting larger just like your breasts and nipples. This is, also, the right time to start wearing maternity clothes because it’s more comfortable.

As your body is still trying to adjust to your pregnancy, you might feel overly emotional. Other symptoms you’ll feel this week include:

Body pain
Darkening of the skin around nipples
Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Meanwhile, your baby is growing more skin and hair, even eyebrows.

Week 16

At this point, you might notice your sleeping pattern improved. Second trimester is also called a honeymoon phase of pregnancy mostly because it’s not accompanied by severe symptoms.

Signs and symptoms associated with this week include:

Pregnancy glow
Heartburn and constipation
Congestion or nosebleeds in some cases.

Your baby is about the size of avocado now.

Week 17

As your uterus is constantly expanding, your organs will have to shift to make enough room for your baby. This might lead to some gastrointestinal problems like heartburn or indigestion to continue. Moreover, you might also experience sciatic nerve pain. You might recognize it by piercing pain in your leg.

Your baby is adding a bit of fat to its body which will help him or her regulate body temperature.

Week 18

You’ve probably developed impressive baby bump by now. Symptoms you’ll experience at this point include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Body aches
Itchy abdomen, hands, or feet
Stretch marks
Line nigra.
Nasal and gum problems
Heartburn, constipation
Dizziness.

At this point, your baby’s about the size of a bell pepper.

Week 19

This is the point when most women feel baby’s movement. Although second trimester is characterized by higher levels of energy, you might start experiencing fatigue from time to time, especially now when you’re almost halfway through your pregnancy. It happens because your body is still adjusting to constant changes.

However, morning sickness symptoms that didn’t vanish at the beginning of second trimester should be gone by now. If you’re still experiencing nausea or vomiting, you should consult your doctor.

At this point, you might still feel pain in your abdomen from time to time. Good thing about week 19, your hair will become shinier than ever.

Week 20

You’re officially halfway pregnant now! Your appetite might increase and bump more pronounced. Starting this point until the end of your pregnancy, you might gain a pound per week.

Symptoms linked with 20^th week include:

Food cravings
False labor or Braxton-Hicks contractions.

Week 21

Stretch marks are still developing as your stomach keeps expanding. Common symptoms that occur in 21^st week include:

Varicose veins
Urinary tract infections
Oily skin and acne.

Meanwhile, your baby’s eyes have the ability to open now.

Week 22

Irritability and move swings should relieve at this point and you’ll start feeling better, emotionally. Besides varicose veins and oily skin, you might also have to deal with hemorrhoids at this point.

Week 23

Besides growing belly and expanding hips, you’ll notice your feet and ankles started swelling as well. If your breasts didn’t start producing colostrum earlier, they might start doing so this week. Furthermore, due to weight gain, stretch marks will form on your thighs and breasts.

Week 24

As stretch marks are still forming on your skin, you might feel itchiness. Also, your eyes might start feeling dry and itchy at this point as well. Breasts will probably start producing colostrum (if haven’t already). Furthermore, as your body prepares for delivery, you’ll start experiencing false contractions again and it will happen frequently until the end of pregnancy.

Other symptoms associated with 24^th week include backaches and constipation.

Week 25

At this point, you’re pregnant about 6 months. You’ll continue to gain weight as your body strives to support the growing baby. Symptoms you might experience include:

Aches and pains
Swollen ankles
Heartburn.

Moreover, your baby is able to respond to familiar sounds now.

Week 26

In 26^th week, your uterus reaches more than 2 inches above belly button. Since your bladder is pressured by the growing uterus you’ll still go to bathroom frequently. From this point, you might be prone to developing gestational diabetes. First signs of this condition include excessive thirst accompanied by frequent bathroom visits.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about 9% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes.

Week 27

Starting this week, you’ll start feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. As baby grows you’ll still experience heartburn, back pain, weight gain, and swelling. Other symptoms include:

Shortness of breath
Trouble sleeping
Hemorrhoids.

Week 28

You’re in your third trimester now! By now, your baby probably shifted into place for delivery, but some babies will shift after week 30. Symptoms you’ll experience at this point are:

Constipation and gas
Leg crams and back aches
Insomnia.

Week 30

These days, you might feel more tired and it’s difficult for you to find a comfortable sleeping position. You’ll still experience back ache and your feet will change. Mood swings will return as lack of energy will only make you more irritable.

Week 31

Symptoms associated with 31^stweek of pregnancy include:

Colostrums (if haven’t leaked before, it varies from woman to woman)
Frequent urination
Leg cramps
Hemorrhoids.

At this point, your baby’s lungs and nervous system are almost completely developed.

Week 32

Fatigue, heartburn and other symptoms that followed you throughout pregnancy will continue. Plus, you’re still going to experience false contractions. This is a good point to recognize false contractions from false labor. Remember, if they don’t have rhythm, it means they don’t increase or decrease, that’s a sign the contractions are false and you’re not in the labor.

Week 33

Symptoms you’ll probably notice at this time include:

Heat skips a beat
Sciatica
Ankles and feet swelling more than in previous weeks
Difficulty sleeping
Shortness of breath.

Your baby at this stage can even experience deep REM sleep.

Week 34

At this stage, you might feel bulky due to water retention. Due to weight gain, you feel exhausted and find it difficult to sleep. Furthermore, while your uterus is still expanding you’re still going to experience heartburn and indigestion.

Week 35

Your growing uterus forms a pressure onto a ribcage thus making it difficult for you to breathe. Also, because of weight gain, it might be difficult for you to move around. Some women feel breast tenderness in 35^th week again.

Week 36

You have only four weeks left until you meet your baby. This week, you’ll feel more exhausted than usual, plus you’ll still experience false contractions. Before deciding to head to hospital, always try to identify whether contractions you experience are false or real.

Week 37

This is the point when baby usually drops and you start breathing more easily. However, you’ll probably have the urge to urinate frequently or you’ll experience more intense back pain. Since babies don’t, really, arrive according to the schedule, starting 37^th week, you should start expecting your baby to arrive any day now.

Week 38

If you still carrying your baby you might experience a sudden urge to do something around your house, particularly in the nursery. This is called nesting. However, you should take it easy as excess weight makes it difficult for you to be physically active for a longer period of time.

Week 39

Your baby has reached his or her full height and weight now and is ready for the big debut. You should spend this week preparing things for the hospital (if you haven’t already) and getting some rest. At this point, due to the fact baby is full grown, it will be difficult for you to sleep or even stand up and sit down. You might also experience heartburn as well.

Week 40

If your baby hasn’t arrived yet, then you should expect your bundle or joy this week. Most babies who are born at 40 weeks are between 19 and 21 inches long and weigh between 6 and 9 pounds. It might be difficult for you to move with all this weight and you’ll become irritable and experience mood swings again. But, it’s just matter of days now!

Congrats.

Conclusion

Throughout pregnancy, your body goes through series of changes thus experiencing a wide array of symptoms. Intensity and frequency of symptoms varies and every woman experiences them differently. If you’re concerned, consult your doctor who’ll give you some useful tips and explain whether something’s perfectly normal or inform you if you should be concerned.

References

https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/pregnancy-center/4-ideas-for-weight-gain-during-pregnancy.html

https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health