2nd Month

Baby goes from blastocyst to zygote, as that dividing ball of cells takes on a more human form. You may be experiencing a change, too, as your body and mind adjust to your new role as mom-to-be.

Changes you may experience

• Nausea, vomiting, food sensitivity and fatigue may develop or become more severe.
• If you haven’t already, you should make changes in your lifestyle so you and your baby will be healthy. You should stop smoking, drinking and using caffeine. Consult your doctor about other changes you may need to make.
• You may experience mood changes as hormone levels adjust.
• Sexual desire may wan as fatigue and nausea increase.

How your baby is developing ?

Your baby is now a little under an inch long but has developed into a tiny human being. The heart is beating, the brain is developing and it has developed all its limbs as well as hands and feet. The eyes have not fully developed.

What to expect at your prenatal visit this month

• If this is your first visit, you may have an internal pelvic exam.
• Weight gain and blood pressure will be measured and monitored.
• Urine will be tested for possible infection.
• Blood may be drawn to test your medical condition.Your doctor may ask for dating scan to know duration and location of pregnancy,baby’s heart beat and any pathology in or close to uterus.

3rd Month

You’re reaching the end of your first trimester, and your body is adjusting to the shifting hormone levels. By the end of the third month, your baby is fully developed.

Changes you may experience ​

• Nausea may decrease as your body adjusts to hormone levels.
• Your middle may widen, as the uterus grows to the size of a grapefruit.
• As you feel better, you would be started with iron and calcium tablets.
• Mood changes and food aversions may continue but usually subside by the end of the trimester.
• You may experience your first food cravings as appetite returns.

How your baby is developing ?

Your baby is now officially a fetus and is between two and four inches long. By the end of the first trimester, all organs are present, and even fingernails are developing. Your baby is also moving its arms and legs, though you won’t feel it yet. The rate of miscarriage drops at this point.

What to expect at your prenatal visit this month

• You will be required to get the 3rd month sonography which is important part of screening for chromosomal defects as well as predicting high blood pressure in later pregnancy.
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), which can detect chromosomal problems, sickle cell anemia, Down syndrome, and other genetic defects, is usually scheduled between eleven and thirteen weeks if desired.
• Weight, blood pressure and other monitoring will continue.

4th Month

Hormones settle, morning sickness fades, and you start to feel normal again. You also start showing – and feeling like a true mom-to-be. Welcome to the joys of the second trimester!

Changes you may experience

• By the end of this month, you may feel “quickening” – the first flutters of baby movement often described as “butterflies” or “bubbles.”
• You may find yourself feeling better. Nausea usually subsides and energy increases.
• Hormones stabilize, and you feel less moody. Your sex drive may also return. Enjoy this time!
• You may develop heartburn as your uterus rises in the abdomen.
• Outward signs of pregnancy may begin to appear.
• Most moms-to-be start shopping for their pregnancy wardrobe at this point.
• Now is a good time to sign up for prenatal classes.

How your baby is developing ?

Your baby is five to six inches long and weighs up to 110gms. Baby’s face and heart are fully formed at this point, though the lungs are still developing. Baby’s eyes will open during this month and it will begin feeling the urge to suck.

What to expect at your prenatal visit this month ​

• Assessment of uterine size, as well as your own weight and blood pressure, will continue.
• As it is every month, your urine will be tested for sugar and protein.
• An ultrasound is usually performed to check for fetal age.
• Amniocentesis test for abnormal chromosomes may be offered.

5th Month

You’re glowing – and showing! You’re halfway through your pregnancy, and your baby is thriving.

Changes you may experience ​

• Most women gain between 2 to 6kg by this time.
• Your uterus is now the size of a musk melon.
• Appetite often increases.
• Fatigue may return, as you’re carrying extra weight and your heart is pumping more blood.
• Some women experience bloating, constipation or other uncomfortable symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
• Some women experience forgetfulness, sometimes called “pregnancy brain.” Your belly button may pop out.

How your baby is developing ?

Your baby is now about 300 grams and six to nine inches long. Baby is covered with a fine protective hair. This month he or she will develop fingerprints and permanent teeth buds behind fully formed baby teeth..

What to expect at your prenatal visit this month

• Monitoring of baby’s growth and heartbeat continues.
• Your weight, urine and blood pressure will also be checked.
• At this point, a detailed sonography known as anomaly scan would be done.

6th Month

As the second trimester comes to an end, your baby is making his presence known – and your maternal instincts may be emerging as well. Start the countdown – labor day is just months away.

Changes you may experience ​

• Your uterus is now the size of a basketball resting above your belly button. The skin on the stomach may feel itchy as it stretches around your growing womb.
• Complaints of mid-pregnancy, back pain, constipation, heartburn and leg cramps, may intensify at this time.
• You’ll gain about a pound a week at this time. The increased weight may result in varicose veins or hemorrhoids. Talk to your doctor if you notice protruding veins in any area.
• You may become tired more easily – no wonder! Listen to your body and rest as necessary.

How your baby is developing ?

Your baby is about 10 inches long and weighs over 500gms. You’ll be aware of baby’s movements as it stretches and hiccups. Baby’s eyes now open and close, vocal cords are functioning, and “finishing touches” like eyebrows have formed.

What to expect at your prenatal visit this month

• Monitoring will continue. Pregnancy-induced blood pressure problems (hypertension) often start at this time, so make your caregiver aware of problems with swollen ankles, headaches or nosebleeds.
• Most women are tested for gestational diabetes at this time.

7th Month

The fetus at seven months is becoming more baby-like. Time to start thinking about maternity leaves and birth plans, as you enter the third trimester!

Changes you may experience ​

• Your feet or hands may start cramping.
• You may experience more movement of your baby.
• Your joints may feel looser due to softening in preparation for birth.
• Many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions (non-productive contractions) starting in the seventh month

How your baby is developing ?

Your baby is starting to develop fat under its skin. Baby’s now almost 12 inches long and weighs between 1 kg to 1.3 kg. Your child can now see, hear and taste, and the brain and nervous system are growing rapidly.

What to expect at your prenatal visit this month

• Monitoring of your weight, blood pressure and urine, as well as the baby’s growth and position, will continue.
• Women who are Rh-negative may receive a shot of Inj Anti-D at this time to prevent complications later.
• Stretch marks may appear as the skin continues to stretch.
• You may start seeing your doctor more frequently at this point. Most start out with checkups every other week once you’re seven months pregnant.
• Now is the time to talk to your doctor about your birth vision. Discuss your feelings about pain management, fetal monitoring, episiotomies and breastfeeding at this time.
• Just remember these plans are just a blueprint, which can be adjusted as necessary during labor and delivery to protect the well being of mom and baby.

8th Month

Babies grow rapidly when you’re eight months pregnant – and you may be tiring of pregnancy and anxious for baby’s arrival. Enjoy setting up a nursery as the countdown begins!

Changes you may experience

• You’ll continue to gain about a 500gms a week
• You may feel discomfort as the baby pushes on the rib cage or organs.
• Pelvic pressure may increase as the baby drops into this area.
• Indigestion and heartburn may become more intense.
• Skin continues stretching and stretch marks may appear.
• Braxton Hicks contractions become more regular.

How your baby is developing ?

Your baby’s brainwaves resemble those of a newborn by this time. It may be a foot (12 inches) or longer and weigh about 2kg

What to expect at your prenatal visit this month

• Monitoring of your weight, urine, blood pressure and swelling will continue.
• Baby’s growth, heartbeat, size, and position will be checked.
• Your doctor may order a second ultrasound at this time to verify the baby’s size and position.
• Doctors visits usually increase from bi-weekly to weekly starting at the 36th week.

9th Month

The countdown to baby’s birthday begins. You may be tired one minute and energetic the next, as you anxiously wait for baby’s arrival.

Changes you may experience

• You may breathe a little easier as baby settles into the pelvis, giving you more room in the abdominal area. This is known as lightening.
• Sleep will become more difficult due to your size and any anxiety you may feel about the upcoming birth.
• Some women experience a “nesting instinct” and feel compelled to ready the home for the baby’s arrival.
• Your weight gain will be as high as it will go – up to 16kg is average. Some women start losing a 500gms to 1kg as labor approaches.

How your baby is developing ?

Baby’s lungs are maturing, and it is shedding the layer of hair that protected it in the uterus. Your baby’s brain is growing tremendously this last month. Baby measures about 18 to 21 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.6kg

What to expect at your prenatal visit this month

• All monitoring will continue. You will also receive an internal examination to determine if the cervix has ripened or started to dilate.
• You will visit your doctor weekly for monitoring at this point. Visits may increase if you pass your due date.