Track Your Pregnancy JourneyHamilelik Yolculuğunuzu Takip Edin

(From week 0 to week 13 + 6)

The first trimester starts on the first day of your last period (or when you receive a positive reading on a pregnancy test) - this extends to the end of week 13.

During the first trimester, cell division occurs at a fast pace, your baby's initial structure and organs begin to develop and the heart starts to beat. From pregnancy week 10, the embryo becomes a fetus and by the end of trimester 1, all organs will have formed. From then, the organs continue to develop and grow. It is truly breathtaking to know your baby has already formed their structure and has everything in place.

Your body will undergo several changes and adapt to pregnancy. More blood is formed, circulation increases, your breasts swell and the hormone levels change. It is common for these changes to give rise to so-called pregnancy symptoms. Typical indications that you are expecting a baby during the first trimester may be; tense breasts, fatigue, nausea and mood swings. Once the body has made adjustments and gotten used to them, it is not uncommon for certain symptoms to disappear/come and go.

During the first trimester, you will register at your midwife clinic and meet your midwife - they will accompany you throughout the course of your pregnancy. Together, you structure a plan to arrange the appointments you should have, which samples you need to take, and if/what type of fetal diagnosis you will opt for.

(From week 14 to week 26 + 6)

The second trimester will last from the first day of week 14 to the last day of week 27.

From week 14, the hormone relaxin is secreted, this affects the joints in the pelvis, thus, making them more mobile. This can be painful for some women. From week 16 you could also experience uterus contractions and tension, this is known as braxton-hicks contractions and is a way for the uterus to train in preparation of birth.

Around week 20, you will typically feel the first movements, this can be a milestone for many. However, there are some women that continue to struggle with nausea and fatigue, which is also normal. Other symptoms that may appear in the second trimester are; back pain, leg cramps and braxton-hicks contractions.

During the second trimester, the fetus goes through a growth phase. By this point the fetus will grow in length and begin to have the same proportions as a newborn. During the latter part of the second trimester, the fetus gains more subcutaneous fat and from week 22, the fetus is considered a child.

Many women, but far from all, experience the second trimester as the most comfortable - the first and most pronounced symptoms (such as nausea and fatigue) may have subsided and you feel well again. At this time, an ultrasound has been carried out, where you will see for the first time that there really is someone in there. The realization that your baby has formed and you are about to become a parent begins to sink in.

(From week 28 until birth)

The third and final trimester lasts from day 1 of week 28 and continues until the baby is born.

Now the child is almost completely developed and for the remainder of the pregnancy, the child will continue to grow and gain weight. If the baby were to be born now, it would have a good chance of survival outside of the womb, but would likely need care and assistance with feeding and breathing. A child born before 37 weeks is considered premature. Even if the baby could survive birth at this early stage, every day and week the baby remains in the womb will contribute to the steadier development of their lungs, cognitive functions and maturity. The rate of development goes much faster in the womb than outside, so the days in the womb are valuable for the baby. This is good to keep in mind when the pregnancy feels infinitely long.

During the third trimester, many people can again experience pregnancy symptoms that had previously passed and some symptoms become more pronounced. Many people find they become tired or lethargic as well as nauseous and struggle with sleeping. This can be a strenuous part of pregnancy - but it means that you will soon meet your baby.

It is important that you feel your baby's movements regularly. In the third trimester, it is good to have identified some kind of pattern where you can recognize how your baby is moving. The baby's movements should not decrease at the end of the pregnancy, but they can change character when the baby is given less space to move.

The third trimester is also a time of preparation for many, for both the birth and parenthood. There are several great courses accessible for expectant parents. Practical preparations could be a comfort to check off your list, but they can also aid mental preparation of what is to come. Visualizing and creating goal images is a strategy that many expectant parents consider an effective way to gauge an understanding of what parenthood and the next steps will look like.