Key Pregnancy Milestones by Trimester Explained

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If you are currently pregnant or planning to be it is important to be aware of some of the key pregnancy milestones that you will encounter. Being aware of how your baby is developing, especially if you are a first time mom, will help you be better prepared for you new bundle of joy. The 20 week ultrasound that everyone talks about is just one of the many milestones you will have on your 40 week pregnancy journey but there’s so many more! Check out some of our favorite key pregnancy milestones by trimester explained now!

First Trimester Milestones

The first major milestone in the course of a pregnancy is highlighted by a visit to the doctor to determine whether, in fact, you are pregnant. This visit to the doctor will include a variety of tests to ensure that you are healthy and that your baby is set on the right track for development during the next nine months. Morning sickness is usually most intense during the first trimester so it is important to know how to deal with these symptoms if you are going through this stage for the first time. Starting from just a tiny ball of cells known as a blastocyst, your baby will rapidly grow into an embryo. As their organs develop during the first trimester their heart will begin to beat and tiny limbs will begin to form. After about ten weeks, your baby’s brain will have started to form and their bones will become increasingly dense.

Second Trimester Milestones

The second trimester is an exciting time for new parents because this is the period in which you will be able to find out the sex of your child and have that gender release party with friends and family! Your baby will start to become more independent as his/her circulatory system begins to work on its own. After about nineteen weeks, you will start to notice your baby kicking. Your baby will be more sensitive to your movements and will occasionally respond to them with their own movements.

Third Trimester Milestones

During the third trimester, you need to schedule regular visits with your doctor to ensure that your child and you are in good health. Symptoms such as high blood pressure during this time can lead to complications when it comes time to give birth. It is common to feel contractions known as Braxton-Hicks contractions during this time. The third trimester is when your baby’s brain development boosts into overdrive and rapid growth will occur with your baby growing from around half a kilo to their final birth weight over a three-month period.

After The Baby Is Born – The ‘Fourth Trimester’

It is important to consider the time immediately following the birth of your child as part of the pregnancy process. Many mothers experience mild postpartum symptoms and need to practice appropriate self-care in order to recover from the experience of pregnancy. Being prepared for the ‘fourth trimester’ will allow you to provide your baby with love and care while still balancing your own needs in the process. Your friends, family and doctors are there to help, make sure you let them know what you need since this is a time of many new experiences for you!