Pregnancy Symptoms week by week

A week-by-week guide to pregnancy symptoms can help women understand what to expect in the early stages of pregnancy. Here is an overview of pregnancy symptoms broken down by week during the first trimester.

Weeks 1-2: Conception and Early Development

Ovulation and Conception: During these weeks, you are not technically pregnant yet. Ovulation and conception usually occur during the second week.
Asymptomatic: Most women do not notice any pregnancy symptoms during this phase.

Week 3: Fertilization and Implantation

Implantation Bleeding: As the fertilized egg lodges in the uterine lining, some women may experience mild spotting, called implantation bleeding.
Mild Cramping: Mild cramping may occur as the embryo implants in the uterus.

Week 4: Confirmation of Pregnancy

Missed Period: This is often the first noticeable sign of pregnancy.
Fatigue: As your body adjusts to pregnancy, you may feel unusually tired.
Breast Tenderness: Your breasts may feel painful, heavy, or more tender due to increased hormone levels.

Week 5: Hormonal Changes

Nausea: Morning sickness may occur, but it can also occur at any time of the day.
Frequent Urinating: Increased blood flow to the kidneys may cause you to urinate more frequently.
Bloating: Hormonal changes can cause bloating, similar to premenstrual symptoms.

Week 6: Physical changes begin

Morning sickness becomes more severe: Nausea and vomiting may become more severe at this time.
Mood swings: Hormonal fluctuations can cause mood swings or irritability.
Cravings/dislikes for certain foods: You may develop strong cravings for certain foods or, conversely, aversions to foods you previously enjoyed.

Week 7: Persistent symptoms

Increased fatigue: You may feel more tired as your body uses more energy to support the growth of the embryo.
Breast changes: Your breasts may become softer and larger.
Constipation: Progesterone slows down your digestive system and can cause constipation.

Week 8: Significant changes

Darkening of the areola: The area around the nipple may darken.
Dizziness: Changes in blood pressure may cause occasional dizziness or lightheadedness.
Acne: Hormonal changes can cause breakouts or changes in skin texture.

Week 9: Growth and development

Enhanced sense of smell: Your sense of smell can be enhanced, making certain smells more intense.
Headaches: The surge in hormones may cause headaches in some women.
Continued frequent urination: Your growing uterus can put pressure on your bladder, forcing you to be alert when you go to the bathroom.

Week 10: The placenta takes over

Round ligament pain: As your uterus grows, you may experience sharp aches or pains in your abdomen.
Visible veins: Increased blood volume can cause veins to become more noticeable, especially in your breasts.
Mood changes: You may feel more emotional or tearful due to hormonal changes.

Week 11: Hormonal peak

Feeling more “pregnant”: You may start to feel more definitely pregnant when symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness peak.
Shortness of breath: You may notice mild shortness of breath as your body adjusts to the increased demands of pregnancy.
Mild cramping: Mild cramping may continue as your uterus stretches to accommodate your growing baby.

Week 12: The end of the first trimester

Nausea begins to subside: Many women find that nausea and morning sickness decrease at this time.
Increased energy levels: You may start to feel more energetic as first trimester symptoms subside.
Visible belly: A small baby bump may appear, especially if this isn’t your first pregnancy.

The second trimester runs from weeks 13 to 26 and is generally considered the most comfortable and enjoyable period. Many early pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and fatigue, will subside, and you may feel more energetic and closer to your growing baby. Here’s a detailed week-by-week guide to the most common symptoms you may experience during this time.

Week 13: Second trimester begins

Energy boost: As your body adjusts to pregnancy, you may notice an increase in your energy levels compared to the first three months of pregnancy.
Reduced nausea: Morning sickness usually subsides, and you’ll feel more like yourself again.
Visible baby bump: Your uterus is expanding, and you may notice a small baby bump.
Uterine round ligament pain: The ligaments that support the uterus stretch, which may cause sharp, short-term pain on either side of the abdomen.

Week 14: Baby bump and body changes

Increased appetite: As nausea subsides, your appetite may return or even increase as your baby grows.
Breast changes: Your breasts continue to grow and may not feel as tender as they did in the first three months of pregnancy.
Skin changes: A “pregnancy glow” may develop due to improved blood flow and hormonal changes, but you may also notice darkening of your areola or melasma (dark spots on your skin).

Week 15: Speedups are coming

Nasal congestion: Increased blood flow to your mucous membranes can cause nasal congestion.
Heartburn: As your uterus expands, it may begin to press against your stomach, which can cause heartburn or indigestion.
Emotional health: Many women experience more stable emotions during the second trimester as their bodies adjust to hormonal changes.

Week 16: Fetal movements begin

Speedups: You may begin to feel your baby’s first subtle movements, called speedups. These sensations may feel like fluttering or bubbling in your abdomen.
Improved circulation: The increased amount of blood in your body can make veins more noticeable, especially in your legs and chest.
Mild swelling: Mild swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands may occur as your body retains more fluid.

Week 17: Growing Belly and Adjustment

Backache: Your baby’s growing weight can put pressure on your lower back, causing backache.
Leg cramps: You may experience leg cramps, especially at night, due to changes in blood circulation.
Varicose veins: Because your uterus presses on your leg veins, you may notice varicose veins forming.

Week 18: Stronger movements

Clearer movements: Your baby’s movements become stronger and clearer, especially when you’re at rest.
A rounder belly: As your uterus grows, your belly will become more noticeable.
Shortness of breath: As your uterus expands, it presses on your diaphragm and can cause mild shortness of breath.

Week 19: Progressive development

Skin sensitivity: Your skin may become more sensitive, and you may notice itching as your stomach expands.
Increased discharge: You may have more vaginal discharge, which is normal and helps prevent infection.
Stretch marks: As your skin stretches, you may see stretch marks on your abdomen, chest, thighs, or buttocks.

Week 20: Halftime

Ultrasound at 20 weeks: Around this time, you may have a second trimester ultrasound so that you can see your baby and confirm development.
Braxton Hicks contractions: You may start to experience these “practice” contractions, which are usually painless and irregular.
Pelvic pain: The extra weight and shifting center of gravity can cause discomfort in the pelvic area.

Week 21: Your baby’s rapid growth

Increased baby movements: Your baby’s movements are stronger and more frequent, and you may even feel kicks and twists.
Digestive problems: As your baby grows, digestive problems such as constipation and heartburn may become more noticeable.
Changes in nails and hair: Pregnancy hormones cause your hair and nails to grow faster, but they can also become more brittle.

Week 22: Mood and body changes

Emotional stability: Many women experience more stable emotions during the second trimester, although mood swings can still occur.
Darkening of the skin: The linea nigra (the dark line that runs from your belly button to your pubic bone) may become more noticeable.
Difficulty sleeping: As your stomach grows, it may become more difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position, and you may have more vivid dreams.

Week 23: Preparing for the third trimester

Hiccups: You may feel rhythmic movements that indicate your baby is hiccuping, which is a normal part of development.
Swelling: Swelling in your feet and ankles may increase as your body continues to retain more fluid.
Weight gain: As your baby grows, you may notice a steady increase in weight, which is normal and expected.

Week 24: Further growth

Testing for gestational diabetes: Around this time, your doctor may test your baby for gestational diabetes.
Back and hip pain: The extra weight and pressure on your joints can cause back and hip pain.
Varicose veins: As the pressure on your veins increases, varicose veins may become more noticeable.

Week 25: Feeling your baby’s movements

Stronger kicks: Your baby’s movements become stronger, and you may feel them more frequently throughout the day.
Indigestion: As your digestive system slows down, constipation and bloating may become more common.
Shortness of breath: As your uterus continues to press against your diaphragm, you may become short of breath.

Week 26: The final weeks of the second trimester

Braxton Hicks contractions: These motor contractions may become more noticeable but not painful.
Abdominal pain: As your baby and uterus grow, you may feel more pressure or pain in your abdomen.
Trouble sleeping: It can be hard to find a comfortable sleeping position, which can cause trouble sleeping.

During the third trimester, your body goes through major changes as it prepares for birth. Here’s a week-by-week overview of the most common symptoms you may experience during the third trimester:

Weeks 28-29: The beginning of the last trimester

Back pain: As your baby grows and your belly expands, the extra weight can put pressure on your back and cause discomfort.
Shortness of breath: Your growing uterus presses on your diaphragm, making it difficult to take a deep breath.
Fatigue: The extra weight and increased energy demands can make you feel more tired than usual.
Braxton Hicks contractions: You may start to feel these “exercise” contractions, which are usually mild and irregular.

Weeks 30-31: Progressive abdominal enlargement and discomfort

Heartburn: The pressure of your growing baby on your stomach can cause acid reflux, which can lead to heartburn.
Swelling: Swelling of the feet, ankles, and hands is common due to increased fluid retention.
Frequent urination: As your baby presses on your bladder, you may need to go to the bathroom more often.
Leaking Breasts: Your breasts may begin to leak colostrum, the first milk your body produces for your baby.

Weeks 32-33: Preparing for Labor

Pelvic Pressure: As your baby moves deeper into your pelvis, you may feel
increased pressure or discomfort in the area.
Sleeping Issues: Finding a comfortable sleeping position may be difficult, and frequent trips to the bathroom can disrupt your sleep.
Varicose Veins: Pressure from your growing uterus can cause the veins in your legs to swell, leading to varicose veins.
Stretch Marks: As your skin continues to stretch, you may notice new stretch marks on your abdomen, chest, and thighs.

Weeks 34-35: Preparing for Labor

Braxton Hicks Contractions: These contractions may become more frequent and stronger as your body prepares for labor.
Increased Vaginal Discharge: As your body prepares for labor, you may notice increased vaginal discharge.
Nesting Instinct: Many women feel a strong urge to clean and tidy their home as they prepare for their baby’s arrival.
Pelvic Pain: If your baby’s head moves into labor position, this may cause increased pelvic pain or discomfort.

Weeks 36-37: Full-term pregnancy is on the way

Relief: Your shortness of breath may lessen as your baby “sinks” deeper into your pelvis, but this may increase pelvic pressure.
Backache: Backache may worsen as your due date approaches and your baby continues to grow.
More frequent urination: When your baby’s head presses on your bladder, it may increase your urge to urinate.
Increased vaginal discharge: As your body prepares for labor, you may notice a thicker, mucus-like discharge.

Weeks 38-39: Final preparations

Mucus plug discharge: You may notice a mucus plug discharge, a sign that labor is imminent.
Regular contractions: Braxton Hicks contractions may become stronger and more regular, indicating that labor is imminent.
Pelvic pain: The positioning of your baby may cause sharp pain in your pelvic area, especially when you move or walk.
Nesting urge: You may feel a strong urge to complete final preparations for your baby’s arrival.

Week 40: Full term and waiting for contractions

Cervical os: Your cervix may begin to dilate in preparation for labor.
Increased pressure: Your baby’s head may become completely stuck in your pelvis, causing tremendous pressure and discomfort.
Contractions: Regular, strong contractions are a sign that labor is starting. If they occur regularly and are closely spaced, it’s time to contact your doctor.
Rupture of your membranes: Your membranes may rupture, causing your sac to rupture, a clear sign that labor is imminent.

After 40 weeks: Pregnancy with implantation

Continued discomfort: If your pregnancy is past 40 weeks, you may continue to experience discomfort due to the size and position of your fetus.
Increased monitoring: Your doctor may monitor you more closely to make sure you and your baby are staying healthy while you wait for labor to start.
In the third trimester, it’s important to stay in close contact with your doctor, especially as you get closer to your due date. He can advise you on what to expect and when you should seek medical help, as you prepare to give birth.