Stages of Pregnancy

Did you know a woman is typically considered pregnant for more than 9 months? In fact, a woman who carries her child full-term actually means she’s been pregnant for 40 weeks, or roughly 10 months! That’s because pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period, even though the actual fertilization of the egg does not typically take place until about 2 weeks later. Here are some more interesting facts as you go through pregnancy month by month.

1^st Month:

• A woman has her period
• About 2 weeks after a woman’s first day of her period, a mature egg is released from her ovary and ovulation begins, typically lasting about 24 hours.
• After the egg travels down the fallopian tube and is met with a sperm, it begins to divide. The ball of cells settles in the uterus, attaches to the lining and pregnancy begins!

2^nd Month: Unfortunately, this is the month that tends to commonly produce some uncomfortable symptoms in many pregnant women, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, frequent urination, breast tenderness and heartburn. While it might not always be comfortable for the mother, this is an exciting time for the developing baby!

• The circulatory system, including the heart, begins to form.
• Appendages, like arms, legs and toes form.
• Neural tube begins to form as well as the umbilical cord.
• Some facial features begin to form, such as the eyes and lips.
• By the end of the month, a gene has determined if the embryo will be male or female.
• The embryo is now about ½ inch long!

3^rd Month:

Sometimes nausea worsens during this month. Read more about nausea and vomiting in pregnancy in our fact sheet. Just click here.  We have the information available in Spanish, too.

• During this time, the embryo officially become a fetus and the umbilical cord connects with the placenta to carry nutrients and oxygen to it.
• Either male or female sex organs begin to form.
• Bones become harder and kidneys start producing urine.
• By the end of the month, the fetus can make spontaneous movements and it measures in at up to 3 inches long!

4^th Month:

You’ve made it to the second trimester and, for many women, nausea may begin to subside during this month.

• Your fetus is doing a lot of growing during this month…about 3 inches!
• It’s also growing hair and further developing its sex organs. In fact, typically during this time, a doctor may be able to tell the sex of the fetus via ultrasound.
• By the end of the month, the fetus can measure in at up to 4.5 inches long!

5^th Month:

This is an exciting month for many moms-to-be since this is the time women typically begin to feel the fetus’ movements. It’s often described as feeling like the fluttering of a butterfly and is called “quickening.”

• If the fetus is female, it’s uterus forms by the end of this month.
• A fine, furry hair called “Lanugo” along with a greasy material called “vernix caseosa” forms to protect the fetus’ skin.
• By the end of the month, the fetus can measure in at up to 6.5 inches long!

6^th Month:

• The fetus starts changing positions and moving about more frequently during this month.
• Eyebrows and eyelids form.
• Tastebuds develop.
• The fetus starts responding to sounds.
• Mom may also begin to feel movements caused by the fetus’ hiccups.
• A woman’s breasts may start producing small drops of milk called “colostrum.”
• By the end of the month, the fetus can measure in at 8 inches long and weigh as much as 1.4 lbs!

7^th Month:

• The fetus starts accumulating more and more fat.
• The fetus may begin sucking on its fingers, sleeping at regular intervals and opening and closing it’s eyes.
• By the end of the month, the fetus can measure in at up to 10 inches long!

8^th Month:

• The lanugo (fuzzy, fine hair) begins to fall off the fetus’ skin.
• If the fetus is male, its testes begin descending into the scrotum.
• The fetus’ skeleton continues to harden and it’s head grows to accommodate the growing brain.
• By the end of this month, the fetus can measure in at up to 11 inches!

9^th Month:

By this point, the pregnancy can put a lot of strain on a woman’s body. She can have symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, constipation and shortness of breath. She also may find it difficult to hold urine.

• The fetus’ eyes can now distinguish between light and darkness and its pupils contrict when exposed to light.
• The fetus continues to develop fat in order to prepare it for after birth and it’s skin smoothes out.
• A woman’s uterus is now about 15 times bigger compared to pre-pregnancy.
• The fetus may drop down, positioning it’s head toward the pelvis during this month.
• The fetus typically develops a full head of hair.
• By the end of the month, the fetus can measure in at up to 12.5 inches long!

10^th Month:

• The fetus’ hand now has a firm grasp.
• Vaginal mucus discharge typically increases during this month and may be mixed with some blood, otherwise known as the “bloody show.” This often indicates labor will begin very soon.
• During these last couple of weeks, the fetus grows to reach 18 to 22 inches in length and typically weighs between 7 and 8 lbs. at birth.
• Women on average give birth around the 39^th or 40^th week of pregnancy.