The Pregnancy Symptoms Calendar

The first week of pregnancy is officially counted from the first day of your last period. So, when you’re one week pregnant, you haven’t even conceived yet! What happens to your body during this stage and when will your egg actually be fertilized?

Am I pregnant yet? The 2nd week of your official pregnancy is usually your fertile window. It’s characterized by your attempts to conceive and then by the long wait to take the test. By the end of pregnancy week 2 you might just be lucky! What’s happening to your body and your baby?

By pregnancy week 3, the sperm will actually have fertilized your egg and things will start to get real! What is happening to your little embryo? And when will the first pregnancy symptoms kick in?

In pregnancy week 4, you may start to experience some of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy. The embryo is embedding in your uterus and the pregnancy hormones are running wild? Read more about pregnancy symptoms and fetal developments as you reach the end of the first month of pregnancy.

Tingling breasts? Morning sickness? Feeling tired all the time for no reason? Yep, these are all symptoms that often kick in around pregnancy week 5. You’re one month pregnant already and there are huge changes going on for you and your baby. Read more about the symptoms and developments here.

At six weeks pregnant, it’s really important that you’re looking after yourself (because looking after your body is looking after your baby!). There is still a risk of miscarriage – do you know the symptoms to look out for? Have you thought about seeing an obstetrician to check on your pregnancy health?

At 7 weeks pregnant your baby will start to look less like a tadpole and more like a baby – even though he or she is only the size of a blueberry! You won’t be ‘showing’ yet, but y you may start to gain some weight. What are the symptoms and developments and how can you make sure you’re looking after yourself?

AT the end of pregnancy week 8, you’ll officially be two months pregnant! Your baby is still only tiny but is almost completely formed – right down to the fingers and toes. Read more about the symptoms and developments at this stage of pregnancy here.

By pregnancy week 9, your baby is well established in the womb. But there is still a risk of miscarriage so hold off on telling your wider circles of friends and family for another 3 weeks. You may find that the racing pregnancy hormones cause mood swings and/or fatigue – lots of exercise and good nutrition should help you stabilize these symptoms. Find out more about other developments and symptoms here.

At 10 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a small lime. He or she is developing rapidly and your body is hard at work. This can mean that mood swings and fatigue continue. You may also still have early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness to contend with, which can make things super tough. Cheer yourself up by reading about your baby’s developments and changes.

By the time you’re 11 weeks pregnant, you’ll most probably notice your waistline thickening, even though you’re not actually “showing” yet. Your baby is almost completely formed and the rest of your pregnancy will be spent developing systems and organ functions – as well as getting much, much bigger! Find out more about the symptoms and developments in pregnancy week 11 here.

Pregnancy week 12 is one of the most exciting milestones for many expectant parents. At the end of week 12 (when you’re 3 months pregnant), the chance of miscarriage reduces significantly, which is why it’s recommended that you wait until this stage before announcing your pregnancy. The moment has finally arrived! How will you share your exciting news?

At the end of this week, you’ll have completed your first trimester of pregnancy. And, almost overnight, your belly may “pop out” and you’ll begin to show. Hopefully, most of the unpleasant symptoms of trimester one are behind you and you can look forward to glowing skin and a burst of energy in the second trimester. What other developments can you expect in week 13 of pregnancy?

By pregnancy week 14, your baby is about the size of a lemon. And, if you weren’t showing last week, you’ll almost certainly be sporting a little round belly in week 14 (although every woman is different!). Your baby is quickly developing and almost all of his or her organs are now fully functional. Find out more about pregnancy week 14 here.

At pregnancy week 15, women often experience bleeding gums because of the hormones and increased blood flow. It can be a really good idea to book a trip to the dentist around this time to make sure your dental health’s okay. What other symptoms and developments should you expect at 15 weeks pregnant?

Another exciting pregnancy milestone arrives at 16 weeks pregnancy. You may be able to find out your baby’s gender at an ultrasound (just don’t be too disappointed if he or she gets shy and hides from the camera!). Have you and your partner decided whether to find out or keep Baby’s gender a surprise? What other symptoms and developments happen at this stage of pregnancy?

Week 17 of pregnancy is the beginning of a wonderful stage for many women. The uncomfortable symptoms of the first trimester wear off, your skin glows, and your hair grows quickly and shines with health. Your baby is also in an intense stage of growth. Read more about the symptoms and developments here.

During pregnancy week 18, your baby (and your belly!) continue to grow rapidly and you may need to invest in some maternity clothes if you haven’t already. You should also make sure you’re staying active and eating well. Read more about your symptoms and your baby’s development when you’re 18 weeks pregnant here.

Sometime around pregnancy week 19, you’ll experience the “quickening”, when your Baby’s movements become strong enough to feel. Your baby may start to put pressure on your spine and bladder and you may have backache and need to pee every 5 minutes! Read more about the symptoms and developments here.

At 20 weeks pregnant, you’re exactly halfway through your pregnancy and your baby should be about the size of a small melon. Baby’s movements will be becoming much stronger and you should be feeling them regularly. You may also be feeling the odd cramp or pain. Have you thought about planning a baby shower? Time to call your bestie!

By pregnancy week 21, the baby should become very active in the womb and even your partner will be able to feel the kicks and movements. You may also start to experience some strong food cravings and aversions. Don’t “eat for two” – snack healthily and regularly to give your baby the very best nutrients. Find out more about the symptoms and developments at 21 weeks pregnant here.

At week 22 of pregnancy, your baby’s senses are very well-developed and he or she can even hear your voice. Try and spend lots of time talking and singing to your baby to start the bonding process. Find out more about what to expect when you’re 22 weeks pregnant here.

23 weeks pregnant marks the start of an intense period of growth and Baby’s weight should double over the next month or so. You can expect an increase in symptoms because of this rapid growth – don’t be surprised if you experience swollen feet and ankles, cramps or back pain, and the odd touch of insomnia. Find out more about what to expect at this stage of pregnancy here.

In the 24th week of pregnancy, your baby should continue to gain about 6 ounces a week. You may notice changes to your belly on a daily basis and you should be able to feel lots of kicks and movements. Anxiety is common at this stage of pregnancy, so make sure you’re communicating regularly about how you feel and that you’re not afraid to ask for help when you need it.

At around 25 weeks pregnant, your baby will begin to practice the survival skills he or she will need. Breathing reflexes are being developed and the baby will be sucking in and out amniotic fluid. You are now nearing the end of your second trimester – have you written a formal birth plan yet? Read more about what this involves here.

At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby’s brain is functioning at a really high level. The eyelids finally open and he or she becomes sensitive to light. Shine a torch on your belly and see if you can feel the kicks! Find out more about symptoms and developments at this stage of pregnancy here.

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of your second trimester and are now two-thirds of the way through your pregnancy. You may start to have some of the more uncomfortable late pregnancy symptoms around week 27. Do you know the difference between normal swelling (pregnancy edema) and the symptoms of preeclampsia? Find out more here.

At pregnancy week 28, you enter the final trimester of pregnancy. Your baby’s position may change as he or she drops lower down in the pelvis and prepares for birth (this happens at different times for every woman). The change in position can cause sciatica (shooting nerve pain) and pressure on your lower back and bladder. Find out more about the symptoms and developments here.

By the time you’re 29 weeks pregnant, tiredness and discomfort can really set in. Anxiousness and even depression are common symptoms for women in this stage. Make sure you’re getting lots of nutrients, exercising regularly, and grabbing some rest whenever you can. Communicate regularly with your partner, family, and midwife and seek help and advice when you need it.

Only 10 more weeks to go! When you’re 30 weeks pregnant, you’re likely to develop a number of uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. But which are normal and harmless? And which could be the sign of a serious pregnancy complication? Find out about pregnancy symptoms from week 30 here.

At around week 31 of pregnancy, you’ll probably notice distinct changes in your baby’s movement patterns. This is because the baby settles into longer periods of sleep. As long as he or she also has times when they are intensely active, there’s nothing to worry about. You could consider keeping a ‘kick diary’ to monitor Baby’s movements and patterns more closely.

Sometime during week 32 of pregnancy, your body may start “practicing” for labor and your uterus may randomly contract in what’s known as Braxton Hicks Contractions. Find out more about them, and other symptoms and developments in week 32 here.

At 33 weeks pregnant, your baby is developing his or her smaller details and functions, like the immune system. And, he or she seems to get a little bit bigger every day! What are the other symptoms and developments at this stage of pregnancy?

At 34 weeks pregnant, you might really be starting to feel the strain on your body. Tiredness, insomnia and body aches can combine with other symptoms to make the days (and nights!) seem really long. But the end, and the moment you’ll meet your beautiful baby are in sight. Only six weeks to go!

By week 35 of pregnancy, your body is busy preparing for childbirth. The hormones may cause some surprising symptoms such as blurry vision and itchy eyes. You may also notice that your breasts begin to leak colostrum. Find out more about the symptoms and developments at 35 weeks pregnant here.

Up until 36 weeks pregnant, your baby has been gaining weight rapidly. But, around now, that growth will begin to slow down and Baby’s energy will go into preparing for labor. You may be experiencing some uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms – and have a very noticeable ‘waddle’. Hang in there – just four weeks to go!

As you get closer to labor and delivery, your uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms and a niggling worry about the unknown experiences ahead can often lead to anxiety. Many women develop anxiousness, or even panic attacks, at around 37 weeks pregnant. Make sure you understand your symptoms and know what to expect.

At the end of pregnancy week 38, you will be considered “full term”. Babies seldom pay attention to a due date on a calendar – your guess about when he or she will arrive is as good as anyone’s! Do you know the difference between late pregnancy symptoms and the first signs of labor? Find out more here.

Some babies seem eager to join the world and arrive at around 39 weeks pregnant, while others seem so happy and comfortable in the womb that they stick around for another 2 or 3 weeks. Which sort will yours be? Labor may start at any time – do you know how to recognize the earliest symptoms of labor?

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the full 40 weeks of pregnancy. Now you just need to wait patiently (or impatiently!) for your baby to make an appearance! Don’t be too surprised if labor doesn’t kick off this week, though. Statistics show that nearly a third of pregnancies go beyond their estimated due date. Get as much rest as you can and reserve your strength for when labor finally starts.