First Trimester Pregnancy Week By Week: Monitor Each Pregnancy Week

Each pregnancy week unfolds new developments in the fetus and changes in the mother's body and emotions. To ensure proper health of the baby and mother, there is need to monitor pregnancy week by week. This article guides you through each pregnancy week in first trimester pregnancy. It is important to monitor your health and each baby stage during pregnancy to have a safe, worry free delivery. The pregnancy week by week information below will help you tide over stage 1 pregnancy.

Week 1 to week 13 make up the first stage of pregnancy.

Week 1

1. The embryo has not yet been conceived, since this is the start of the menstrual cycle.

Week 2

1. The mother's uterus is developing blood supply in preparation for the embryo.

Week 3

1. The sperm and egg fuse, creating an embryo. This is the start of pregnancy, the time when life begins to take shape in the mother's womb. The father's chromosomes are responsible for the baby's gender.
2. Some women may see bleeding when the fused egg moves into the uterus.

Week 4

1. The fused egg, or blastocyst, is attached deep inside the uterus. It keeps dividing to form tissues in the uterus, both for the baby and the mother.
2. The mother may feel fatigue and tenderness in the breasts. Don't be disappointed thinking you did not conceive, the symptoms reveal themselves later!

Week 5

1. Your little baby is just a bunch of cells right now. The rudimentary cells will form the nerves, brain, spinal cord etc. Some of these cells will form the heart and blood vessels, muscles, bones and other tissue. Some cells have already started positioning themselves to form the heart. A long way to go yet!
2. You may feel nausea, the first sign of pregnancy. Cheers! Time to purchase a pregnancy test kit and confirm a visit from the stock.

Week 6

1. The embryo is now just an inch in length, but the things going on within it will amaze you! Eyes and ears have started developing, and blood is being pumped by the few celled heart! The first cells of the limbs appear.
2. Nausea and vomiting has intensified, and you may wish you had never conceived. Don't worry, this lasts only till start of second trimester pregnancy.
3. This is also the time when most miscarriages take place. If you notice spotting, bleeding, cramps in the stomach, go to your doctor immediately.

Week 7

1. Pregnancy 7 weeks sees the formation of tiny legs, arms, eyes and nose. The brain is also developing.
2. This pregnancy week will see some weight change, either weight loss or weight gain. Continuous pregnancy week by week monitoring will keep the baby healthy.
3. If you are carrying twins, you may now feel the first symptoms like water retention in limbs, great exhaustion, rapid weight gain and severe morning sickness.

Week 8

1. The little one has a heartbeat now, and this pregnancy week is safe for getting the first ultrasound of different stages of pregnancy trimester.
2. You may face problems like acne and rashes due to hormone changes, but they're just temporary.

Week 9

1. Bones and cartilage start developing in the fetus, and webbed feet and hands are formed.
2. Indigestion and gas may trouble would be mothers. Take it easy, and eat what you feel like.

Week 10

1. The little baby is almost fully formed, from the tiny limbs to the heart, brain and face.
2. Mom, you may feel troubled by spider veins and feel cranky - relax, its part of the package. Go out for a walk, read a book, sway to your favourite song.and don't forget the pregnancy week by week monitoring of the baby! Especially be alert for unusual weight gain!

Week 11

1. This pregnancy week sees the baby develop rapidly.
2. Many parents may opt for tests to check the health of the baby during this pregnancy week. But do not go for a test you feel is unnecessary.

Week 12

1. Almost all the fetus' limbs are developed. This is the time to find out if you will have a boy or a girl; the sexual organs have started developing.
2. Mom, there is good news and bad news. While nausea is almost gone, and your energy levels are coming back, you may have headaches due to greater pumping of blood by your enlarged heart.

Week 13

1. The baby's digestive system has developed.
2. Nausea is gone, so is tiredness - welcome to a period of peace!

Reading about pregnancy week by week development helps you understand the miracle of birth. At this stage of pregnancy development, chances of miscarriage have dropped. Now you can look forward to second stage of pregnancy. Of course, we need not add, continue the pregnancy week monitoring. But don't forget to enjoy this special time with life growing inside you!