Month One
Congratulations you are pregnant! However, chances are you might not even know it yet. The first two weeks consist of ovulation, which means there is no baby yet. It isn’t until the third week where conception takes place. Hello sperm, meet egg. Once fertilized, the egg will then divide and divide into what will appear as a ball of cells called a blastocyst. The blastocyst begins its journey from your fallopian tubes down to your uterus, it’s new home for the next nine months. By the end of month one, the blastocyst will begin implanting itself to the uterine lining and become an embryo. Your little ball of cells will then divide into two parts – one half being your future baby boy or girl and the other half will become the placenta – your baby’s lifeline during its time in the uterus.
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
Your baby is no bigger than the size of a poppyseed, about 2 mm long. Your belly won’t have visibly changed, showing no signs of a baby…yet.
Month Two
If you didn’t know you were pregnant last month, then you’ll definitely know it this month. The telltale symptoms of pregnancy are starting to creep up: nausea, fatigue, constant peeing and food aversions and cravings. The first circulatory system to develop in your baby is the heart and this month it takes shape. Some other big contenders in the making are: kidneys, liver and lungs. Your baby is also starting to grow some human like features complete with little arms and legs.
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
Your baby has graduated from the size of a poppyseed to the size of a raspberry, about 1/2 an inch. To you, you might start to see and feel a little difference in your mid section. It might feel slightly firmer than usual, however outsiders are still unable to notice anything going on.
Month Three
This marks the end of your first trimester and pregnancy symptoms are most likely still going strong. Every woman and pregnancy is different so whatever symptoms you may be feeling may not be the same as others or even your previous pregnancies. Along with the ending of the first trimester comes the next stage in your baby’s development from embryo to fetus. Those little arms and legs will begin to make movements however it’ll be at least another month before you actually feel them. Don’t be too disappointed because during this month you should be able to finally hear your baby’s heartbeat on a Doppler device. Also equally exciting is your baby is developing its sex organs and is soon going to be a he or a she. Again, it’s too early to find out the sex though.
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
Your baby has more than doubled in size and by the end of month three should be about 2.5-3 inches long, the size of a peach. Making room for that baby in the uterus your waist may start to thicken. You may notice your pants starting to feel a bit more snug and, even though it may be slight, a tiny bump starting to form at the bottom.
Month Four
The beginning of the second trimester also welcomes a nice break from all the horrible pregnancy feels you may have been experiencing in the first trimester. If you’re lucky you might start feeling less queasy, have more energy and feeling a little more like yourself again….only pregnant. This is also when fetuses start to grow at different rates, an early sign of their very individual traits. Your baby is starting to grow some hair! For some, possibly on its head but also some body hair will be sprouting called lanugo. Lanugo is like a downy fur coating which helps keep your baby warm. Your baby is also moving alot more now, being able to wiggle its little fingers and toes but also he or she can breathe, suck and swallow now too. Baby’s muscles are getting stronger and you might even feel a few kicks during this month too.
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
Your baby is about the size of your palm now measuring in at approximately 5 inches long by the end of the month. Your belly continues to grow and become more pronounced. This is usually around the time where some women decide to start spreading the news as it starts to become harder to hide the belly. If this is not the case you might be wondering “When do you start showing in pregnancy?”. Remember every woman and every baby is different, for some the belly starts showing early but others it might not start popping out into a little later down the road.
Month Five
As you probably already know (and feel) baby is growing and developing at a rapid speed. He is also learning a whole bunch of new skills such as yawning and hiccuping (which you might even be able to feel as well). Your baby is also coming into his own because he now has his own set of unique finger and toe prints. Also your baby’s sense are starting to develop, and just in time because the amniotic fluid is changing day to day depending on what you eat. Start them early with healthy food habits.
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
The baby is about 7 inches long now and approximately the size of a large banana. He’s also weighing in over a whole entire 1 lb now! This is the month where you start to show much more noticeably. You might even find that strangers are starting to comment on your pregnant status. Bellies vary, some sit very low, some high and some right in the middle. An old wives’ tale states that the way your belly sits is directly linked to the sex of your child, but that is nothing but an old wives’ tale.
Month Six
Up until this point your baby has been mostly skinny for the most part, but that’s about to change because fat will start to develop this month. The all important lungs are almost fully developed and along with it the ability to breathe. Baby’s nostrils will begin to open up and he can now practice breathing and hiccuping as well (you’ll feel and maybe even see lots of those). Your baby will start looking a lot more like he will when he’s born as his face is almost fully formed and his eyes begin to open. With heightened senses come more awareness of a world outside of the womb. If you shine a bright light at your belly or even make a loud noise, you might startle your baby!
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
This month your baby will have almost doubled its length and weight since last month coming in at approximately 15 inches long and around 2 lbs. This is apparent in your belly as it rounds out more and becomes more pronounced. Your uterus is about the size of a basketball now and folks might even accuse you of smuggling one under your shirt.
Month Seven
Welcome to the third and final trimester. Your little one is mastering some skills in the womb such as blinking, coughing and even dreaming because REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is starting. Matching your baby’s new repertoire of skills comes the massive development of his brain. Things are getting cramped in there so you’ll be feeling your baby move more and more.
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
Your baby’s growth is starting to slow down as it gets closer to the delivery date. Your baby is weighing in at approximately 3 lbs and measuring 18 inches long. Remember this varies from baby to baby especially now because your baby is getting closer to his actual length and weight at time of birth.
Month Eight
Your baby is mastering the skills (swallowing, breathing, kicking and sucking) needed for when he makes his big debut. His skin is no longer see through and is opaque. Your baby is building up antibodies and developing his immune system. He is also getting into position settling into an optimal heads down and bottoms up position. This makes it much easier for mama when it comes to delivery. Some babies don’t ever get into this position though which causes problems when it comes time for birth. Although space is getting limited, baby is still very active and those cute little kicks and jabs are starting to feel more and more uncomfortable.
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
Baby’s weight is growing steadily at an average of 1/2 lb per week while growth is starting to taper off. On average your baby may be coming in at around 20 inches long and 5 1/5 lbs. Your belly is generally the same shape as last month but it may be popping out a bit more now.
Month Nine
So close yet so far! This will probably be the longest month as you somewhat patiently wait for the arrival of your baby. The good news is that at 37 weeks your baby is considered full term. Although this is the case, your baby hasn’t stopped growing at that point. Fat continues to accumulate, your baby practices his breathing and sucking, his systems (circulatory and musculoskeletal) are getting ready for the outside world, he’s shedding his lanugo and his skin is turning white. Yes, white because skin pigmentation doesn’t occur until shorty after birth. Also as impatient as you are so is baby as he starts getting fidgety you might notice he is starting to flip from side to side. As he starts to get into birthing position you might start to feel like it’s getting harder to breathe and even walk! Hang in there sister!
Baby vs. Belly Shape and Size
Baby’s weight and size is going to vary at this point now that he’s ready to come out into the world. Full term babies can weigh anywhere from 6-10 lbs and measure approximately 19 to 22 inches. Of course there are smaller and bigger babies than that that are born perfectly healthy as well. Your belly is at its largest and curviest as it holds onto that baby tight.
Remember every woman is different and every pregnancy is different. Your month to month may look different than mine and my next pregnancy might even look different than this last one did too.
Pregnancy Resources
http://www.newkidscenter.com/Pregnant-Belly.html
What to Expect When you’re Expecting
Featured photo credit: Kelly Hunter via flickr.com
