pregnancy Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, counting from the first day of your last normal period. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters

TRIMESTERS Trimester 1st = week’s 1-13 2nd = week’s 14 - 26 3rd = week’s 27 and on (38-40 WEEKS)

Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness) FIRST Trimester (Week 29-Week 40) During the first trimester your body undergoes many changes. Hormonal changes affect almost every organ system in your body. These changes can trigger symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your period stopping is a clear sign that you are pregnant. Other changes may include: Extreme tiredness Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness) Cravings or distaste for certain foods Mood swings Constipation (trouble having bowel movements) Need to pass urine more often Headache Heartburn Weight gain or loss

Second Trimester (Week 13-Week 28) As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have: Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks Darkening of the skin around your nipples A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Patches often match on both sides of the face. This is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy. Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.) Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face.

Third Trimester (Week 29-Week 40) Some new body changes you might notice in the third trimester include: Shortness of breath Heartburn Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.) Tender breasts, which may leak a watery pre-milk called colostrum (kuh-LOSS-struhm) Your belly button may stick out Trouble sleeping The baby "dropping", or moving lower in your abdomen Contractions, which can be a sign of real or false labor

1 Month First Trimester At the end of four weeks: Baby is 1/4 inch in length Heart, digestive system, backbone and spinal cord begin to form Placenta (sometimes called "afterbirth") begins to develop The single fertilized egg is now 10,000 times larger than size at conception

Month 2 First Trimester At the end of 8 weeks: Baby is 1-1/8 inches long Heart is functioning Eyes, nose, lips, tongue, ears and teeth are forming Penis begins to appear in boys Baby is moving, although the mother can not yet feel movement

Month 3 First Trimester At the end of 12 weeks: Baby is 2 1/2 to 3 inches long Weight is about 1/2 to 1 ounce Baby develops recognizable form. Nails start to develop and earlobes are formed Arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes are fully formed Eyes are almost fully developed Baby has developed most of his/her organs and tissues Baby's heart rate can be heard at 10 weeks with a special instrument called a Doppler

Month 4 Second Trimester At the end of 4 months: Baby is 6 1/2 to 7 inches long Weight is about 6 to 7 ounces Baby is developing reflexes, such as sucking and swallowing and may begin sucking his/her thumb Tooth buds are developing Sweat glands are forming on palms and soles Fingers and toes are well defined Sex is identifiable Skin is bright pink, transparent and covered with soft, downy hair Although recognizably human in appearance, the baby would not be able to survive outside the mother's body

Month 5 Second Trimester At the end of 5 months: Baby is 8 to 10 inches long Weight is about 1 pound Hair begins to grow on baby's head Soft woolly hair called lanugo will cover its body. Some may remain until a week after birth, when it is shed. Mother begins to feel fetal movement Internal organs are maturing Eyebrows, eyelids and eyelashes appear

Month 6 Second Trimester At the end of 6 months: Baby is 11 to 14 inches long Weight is about 1 3/4 to 2 pounds Eyelids begin to part and eyes open sometimes for short periods of time Skin is covered with protective coating called vernix Baby is able to hiccup

Month 7 Third Trimester At the end of 7 months: Baby is 14 to 16 inches long Weight is about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds Taste buds have developed Fat layers are forming Organs are maturing Skin is still wrinkled and red If born at this time, baby will be considered a premature baby and require special care

Month 8 Third Trimester At the end of 8 months: Baby is 16 1/2 to 18 inches long Weight is about 4 to 6 pounds Overall growth is rapid this month Tremendous brain growth occurs at this time Most body organs are now developed with the exception of the lungs Movements or "kicks" are strong enough to be visible from the outside Kidneys are mature Skin is less wrinkled Fingernails now extend beyond fingertips

Month 9 Third Trimester At the end of 9 months: Baby is 19 to 20 inches long Weight is about 7 to 7 1/2 pounds The lungs are mature Baby is now fully developed and can survive outside the mother's body Skin is pink and smooth Baby settles down lower in the abdomen in preparation for birth and may seem less active

AMNIOTIC FLUID Clear, yellowish fluid surrounding the developing fetus. Protects Fetus Controls Temperature Supports Symmetrical Growth Allows Movement

UMBILICAL CORD Connecting link between fetus and placenta. Transports oxygen and nutrients to fetus from the placenta and returns waste products from the fetus to the placenta. Contains: 2 arteries and 1 vein http://www.webmd.com/baby/ss/slideshow-fetal-development