Pregnancy is a difficult phase but it is the most beautiful too. Women pregnant
for the first time claim that the pregnancy period makes them experience the
essence of womanhood. It is important for every woman to understand what her
body is going through while she is pregnant. She must be aware of what is normal
and what is not. Given below is a pregnancy calendar i.e. a chart of what a
pregnant woman can expect during her pregnancy.
This calendar can help you be
mentally prepared to face whatever happens to your body during pregnancy week by
week and not rush to the pregnancy doctor whenever something new is experienced.
However, please make sure to consult your doctor regarding any unusual symptoms
that you witness because some unusual symptoms could signal severe pregnancy
complications.
Weeks 1 to 4
You are still not pregnant in Week 1. Pregnancy is calculated from the first
day of your period. Your fertile period will start towards the end of the second
week when you will ovulate. You should be pregnant by the middle of the third
week. You however, will not feel anything until you miss your period. Some women
have implantation bleeding during this time.
Weeks 5 to 8
You have missed your period. You really start to feel pregnant. A urine test
will confirm your pregnancy. You are experiencing pregnancy symptoms like mood
swings, nausea, tender breasts, and lower abdomen cramps etc. Your bundle of joy
is right now actually just a few tiny cells. In your 7th week, your pregnancy is
confirmed beyond doubt. Start looking for the various medical tests you might
need after consultation with the doctor. You baby is growing very fast now! Your
uterus is expanding- you may feel the stretch.
Weeks 9 to 14
You should start gaining weight by now. You will notice that you are visiting
the toilet too often! The fetus has started developing most of its organs,
especially noticeable at the limbs that look like buds! Many side effects of
early pregnancy, like morning sickness, will have disappeared. Your baby is
growing rather than developing new parts. All the main organs of your baby have
been formed. You can hear the heart beat around this time.
Weeks 15 to 23
This the best part of your pregnancy period. You are in the second trimester.
Life will be a lot simpler and all pregnancy symptoms have disappeared... You
can feel your baby moving – more like a tickle! You are getting heavy now. Be
careful about your sleeping posture and shoes. Your baby probably has hair,
teeth, all its organs have formed... it will start growing with every passing
day.
Weeks 24 to 33
What was that? Yes, you may get a few contractions during this time. Nothing
to worry about- it’s your body preparing for a normal delivery. Start planning
your maternity application. You will have to wind up your work quite soon. Take
special care of your back and your knees. You will tend to lose balance easily.
You have entered the pregnancy third trimester. Your baby has perfectly formed
fingernails. It can react to sounds and touch too! Your baby is too big to move
around freely now. Movements will be restricted other than a few pokes!
Weeks 34 to 39
You are almost there. Life seems slow and cumbersome now and you cannot wait
to see your baby... hold on for a few more days! Your baby is fully developed
and will have very high chances of survival even if it decides to enter the
world earlier than planned! The time has come; it can happen any day now. Take
rest. You will need the energy after your little darling is born! Your baby is
ready, you need to be ready too, and you never know when it decides to give the
push! Arrange necessary items like nursing gowns, breastfeeding bras, baby
cloths etc. for the coming future requirements.
An educated and healthy mother means a healthy baby. Do a lot of research on
the Internet and ask friends who have passed this stage to clear your doubts. We
wish you a wonderful pregnancy and a happy motherhood!
