Pregnancy Month by Month
Know What Exactly Happens To Your Body and Baby During Pregnancy
Congratulations!!!! Discovering you are pregnant is an extremely joyous occasion. But your responsibilities skyrocket from now. Till your baby see the outer world, it is very important that you understand what it needs. The life style you lead during pregnancy determines the health of your child before and after delivery. There is no denying of the fact that your body undergoes a lot of changes and the changes are quite different in every woman. However, the growth that the baby undergoes in the womb is very much similar in all the healthy women. Remember, you are not ill, you are pregnant. Try doing sober exercises which minimizes the possibility of mishap to a great extent.
To help you lessen your anxiety levels, we have tried our best to educate you with what happens to your body and baby all through the stages of your pregnancy. Let’s have a look at it month by month!
First Three months:
Let’s call it Trimester which is after fertilization of egg. This is the early stage of pregnancy where a water-tight sac forms around the fertilized egg which aids in the growth of embryo throughout your pregnancy. Nausea and fatigue becomes your routine till the end of third month.
Growth in first two months:
- Growth of placenta happens in the first three months. Placenta is a tube like structure which transfers nutrients from mother to the baby and pushes out waste from the baby.
- The primitive growth of face starts with large circles for eyes. Mouth, throat and lower Jaw starts taking shape. Most importantly, formation of blood cells kicks start the blood circulation.
- Growth of ears starts with a fold in the skin on both the sides of head.
- The neural system and digestive system begin to develop.
- Bones replace cartilage by second month.
By the end of third month, the baby is formed completely. Your baby starts moving but you cannot feel it. The reproductive system of baby also develops but it is not possible to find the gender.
Size:
By the end of third month, your baby is about 3 to 4 inches long and an average healthy baby weighs 28 grams.
Fourth Month:
You tend to have morning sickness, nausea and fatigue in your Trimester but in fourth month you will be filled with energy. If you still feel the same, don’t panic. It’s not serious and the intensity goes down with time.
Shopping time ladies…Because the baby has grown, you can observe the pretty baby bump and this is perhaps the only time when women get excited to see their clothes getting tighter. Don’t squeeze yourself into tight clothes. Try buying some loose cotton clothes.
Growth:
- Growth of hair can be observed.
- The crown of the mouth is grown.
- The sex of the baby can sometimes be seen (but remember, in India it is not legal)
- In male foetus, prostate glands start developing and in female foetus, the ovaries move down from the abdominal region to the pelvic area.
Size:
By the end of fourth month, your baby is about 5 to 6 inches long and an average healthy baby weighs about 140 grams.
Fifth Month:
Fifth month is the period of remarkable growth of your baby hence you need to be extra careful with your diet. With every passing day, muscles are developed and gets stronger. This is the month where you get a tangible proof that you are pregnant, as you can feel your baby’s movements. Enjoy the attention from your partner ladies as they get more involved now (wink!)
Your breasts grow in size and secrete yellow fluid called Colostrum. This means your body is getting prepared for breastfeeding.
Growth:
- You baby sleeps and wakes after regular intervals.
- It starts sucking its thumb.
- Your baby’s chief entertainment now is to check the structures inside your uterus.
- The teeth have begun its growth within the Jawbone.
- The gall bladder starts producing bile which is required for digestion.
Size:
By the end of fifth month, your baby is about 10 inches long and an average healthy baby weighs 300 grams.
Sixth Month:
This is the period where wishes pour in from everyone who sees you as you are visibly pregnant. The blood supply in your body increases due to which you feel sweaty most of the time. Your heart and lungs work 50% more than the normal. As the baby begins to put pressure upwards, you may feel pain in your ribcage. Be cautious of your posture and try your best to protect your feet as well as joints.
Growth:
- The brain grows rapidly in this month
- Brown fat, which keeps the baby warm, starts developing.
- Bones become solid
Size:
By the end of sixth month, your baby is about 11 to 14 inches long and an average healthy baby weighs 500 to 750 grams.
Seventh Month:
Mind your language as your baby can hear and see your words and actions respectively. Make sure people around you also are well behaved. Your uterus starts expanding and back pain is very common. Learn to deal with it. You usually put on some more weight and tend to feel extremely tired very often. Rest whenever possible but don’t overdo it. As the baby is growing, pressure is built on your stomach, causing indigestion problems. If you give birth to a premature baby at this point, the chances of your baby survival is reasonably high.
Growth:
- Baby’s eyelids and eye lashes start fusing by the end of the month.
- Development of lungs takes place.
- The reproductive system of your baby starts developing.
- The baby starts accumulating fat and grows in size.
- Baby starts opening and closing of eyes.
Size:
By the end of seventh month, your baby is about 16 inches long and an average healthy baby weighs 1100 to 1400 grams.
Eighth Month:
Your stomach grows more which disturbs your balance slightly. Therefore always try to stand straight and maintain a good posture all the time. You are likely to have problems with breath, digestion and sleep. Your sleep gets disturbed because of your baby’s activities and your unusual size. But enjoy this wonderful experience.
Do you know what the best part of this month is? Your baby starts kicking more strongly and if you are lucky, you can see the outline of your baby’s feet or elbow on your abdomen.
Growth:
- Baby’s face starts becoming chubby and the skin becomes smooth.
- To get prepared for delivery, most of the babies move their head down.
- Baby gets prepared for the life outside the womb.
Size:
By the end of third month, your baby is about 17 to 18 inches long and an average healthy baby weighs 2 to 2.5 KG.
Ninth Month:
The shape of your abdomen might change as the baby has changed its position for birth. Make sure the frequency of your visits to doctor is increased. The heartbeat of baby is monitored very carefully. Make a note of your delivery date and ask your doctor what to do if you are in labor. More than kicking, you can feel your baby rolling. You might feel pain in your buttocks and pelvic region. Problem with sleep continues.
It is almost over. Have control over your anxiety. Though you feel restless and impatient, try to calm down your mind, body and soul. Keep your bag ready with all the things you might require as labor don’t come with intimation.
Growth:
- Your baby is completely developed.
- The testicles would have descended in Male baby.
- Your baby gains weight at the rate of one ounce per day.
- Baby settles itself for delivery. Legs get tucked into chest and knees are placed against nose.
- The baby’s body is extremely flexible easing the process of delivery.
- Antibodies flow through the placenta.
- Baby starts developing sleeping patterns.
Size:
By the end of ninth month, your baby is about 20 inches long and an average healthy baby weighs about 2700 to 4000 grams.
Don’t panic while in labor. Remember, you are going to be completely alright within few hours. Trust me, the new member of your family relieves you from all the pain you had gone through in just a second.
Happy delivery!!!
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Do you have a child aged between 18 months to 4 years? Click on the image below