A Month-By-Month Look At The Pregnancy Calendar

A typical pregnancy normally lasts from 37 to 42 weeks, counting from the first day of your last period. When you’re pregnant, your body will go through a number of important changes. Here’s an outline of what you can expect during the different stages in a pregnancy calendar.

Pregnancy calendar

Month 1
●    Start of first trimester
●    For most, this is the month you discover you’re pregnant.
●    Your baby is only 0.1 to 0.2 mm. 
●    You may be prescribed pre-natal vitamins and folic acid.
 

Month 2
●    Your baby is now a little under an inch long. 
●    Your baby’s heart is beating, the brain is developing, and has developed all limbs. The eyes have not fully developed.
●    You may experience moodiness as hormone levels adjust.
●    Nausea, vomiting, food sensitivity and fatigue may develop, or become more severe.
●    Start budgeting, and explore your options for birth plans.
 

Month 3
●    Nausea may decrease as your body adjusts to hormone levels.
●    By the end of the first trimester, your baby is fully developed.
●    You will be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat.
●    Your baby is between 2 and 4 inches long.
●    You may experience your first food cravings as appetite returns.

Month 4
●    Start of second trimester in the pregnancy calendar.
●    Experience first flutters of baby movement, often described as “butterflies” or “bubbles”.
●    Nausea usually subsides and energy increases.
●    You may develop heartburn as your uterus rises in the abdomen.
●    Consider signing up for prenatal classes.
 

Month 5
●    Appetite often increases.
●    Fatigue may return, as you’re carrying extra weight.
●    You may experience bloating, and constipation. 
●    Some will experience forgetfulness, also known as “pregnancy brain”.
●    Your baby is now about 6 to 9 inches long, and develop fingerprints. 
 

Month 6
●    Your uterus is the size of a basketball resting above your belly button. 
●    Skin on the stomach may feel itchy as it stretches around your womb.
●    Bleeding gums, constipation, heartburn and leg cramps, may intensify.
●    Your baby is about 10 inches long.
●    You’ll be aware when your baby stretches and hiccups at this stage of the pregnancy calendar. 
●    Plan your maternity leave with your employer.
 

Month 7
●    Your feet or hands may start cramping.
●    You may experience more of your baby’s movements.
●    Many experience Braxton Hicks contractions (non-productive contractions). 
●    Your baby is almost 12 inches long. 
●    Your child can now see, hear, and taste.
 

Month 8
●    You may experience discomfort as your baby pushes against your rib cage or organs.
●    Pelvic pressure may increase as your baby drops into this area.
●    Indigestion and heartburn may become more intense.
●    Braxton Hicks contractions become more regular.
●    Your baby may be a 12 inches or longer. 
●    By the end of the 8th month in the pregnancy calendar, most babies descend head-down into the pelvic area.
 

Month 9
●    You breathe a little easier as your baby settles into the pelvis, giving you more room in the abdominal area. 
●    Sleep will become more difficult due to your belly’s size.
●    Your weight gain will be as high as it will go; up to 35 pounds on average. 
●    Your baby will be about 18 to 21 inches long. 
●    Your baby’s brain is growing rapidly at the last month of the pregnancy calendar.