Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide – What to Expect in Every Trimester?

• January 19, 2026
• 0

Pregnancy is a journey of tiny milestones, right from the moment a fertilised egg implants to the day your baby is finally in your arms. While each woman’s experience is unique, understanding how your body changes week by week can make the journey calmer, more exciting and far less overwhelming. This guide walks you through pregnancy week-by-week symptoms, your baby’s development, and the doctor visits and scans you can expect along the way.

How Are Pregnancy Weeks Calculated?

Many people are surprised to learn that pregnancy doesn’t begin from the day the baby is conceived. In medical terms, it is counted from the first day of your last menstrual period. This is simply because the exact day of ovulation and conception can be difficult to pinpoint, whereas the start of a period is easier to track.

So, even though conception usually happens about two weeks later, those days are included in the count. That’s why a full-term pregnancy is said to last around 40 weeks, even though the baby begins developing a little after that. Knowing this helps pregnancy timelines make more sense – from when scans are scheduled to how trimesters are defined and when your due date is calculated.

First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)

The first trimester is often the most life-changing part of pregnancy, even if it doesn’t look like much is happening on the outside. Inside your body, however, everything is moving at incredible speed. Your baby’s heart begins to beat, vital organs start forming, and the foundation for growth is laid.

At the same time, your body is adjusting to powerful hormonal shifts, which may leave you feeling unusually tired, nauseous or emotional. Some women feel all of this intensely, while others feel almost nothing at all. It is important to note that both experiences are completely normal. This is also when most women have their first doctor visits, early scans and essential tests that set the course for the months ahead.

What’s Happening With Your Baby?

In the early weeks, the fertilised egg becomes an embryo and then a tiny fetus. Around Week 6, the heart starts beating. By Week 10, most major organs have begun forming, and by Week 12, your baby has tiny fingers, toes, eyelids and facial features. Though only a few centimetres long, the foundation for all growth is already in place.

What You May Feel?

Many women first recognise pregnancy through symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting (morning sickness)
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating
• Frequent urination
• Emotional changes

Not everyone gets all these symptoms, and some feel none at all, both are normal.

The first trimester is when most women formally step into their pregnancy care journey. This usually begins with your first visit to the gynaecologist, where baseline tests are done to understand how both you and your pregnancy are progressing.

Tests and Doctor Visits

For many women, the first trimester is when pregnancy finally feels real. You meet your gynaecologist, ask a hundred questions, and start getting familiar with routine tests.

• Blood and urine tests are usually done early, not because something is wrong, but because they help your doctor understand your baseline health and catch small issues before they become big ones.
• Around 11 to 14 weeks, you’ll likely be advised an NT scan along with a double marker blood test. This is often the first detailed look at how the pregnancy is progressing.
• During these visits, your doctor will also start keeping an eye on things like blood pressure, weight and thyroid levels, and may suggest supplements such as folic acid or iron to support the growing baby.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13–26)

For many women, this phase feels kinder. The constant nausea often eases. Energy comes back in small bursts. Clothes start fitting differently. And slowly, pregnancy stops feeling abstract.

What’s Happening With Your Baby?

Inside, your baby is growing fast. Bones are becoming stronger. Features are more defined. Somewhere around the middle of this trimester, many women feel their baby move for the first time – a tiny flutter that makes you pause and smile because suddenly, there’s no doubt anymore. There’s a baby in there.

Your baby can now hear muffled sounds, swallow fluid and respond to touch. By the end of this trimester, all major organs are in place and continuing to mature.

What do you start noticing?

Your own body keeps changing too. The bump becomes obvious. Hunger increases. You may feel some back or hip discomfort, or notice heartburn, constipation or changes in your skin. Sleeping might need a bit of adjustment as your belly grows, finding a comfortable position becomes a small nightly project.

Tests and Scans

• This trimester is also when the anomaly scan is done, usually around 18 to 20 weeks. It’s a detailed scan that checks how the baby’s organs are forming.
• Doctor visits usually happen every few weeks, and weight, blood pressure and sugar levels are monitored.
• Some women are screened for gestational diabetes during this time, depending on their health history.

Third Trimester (Weeks 27–40)

The final stretch brings mixed feelings of excitement, impatience, nervousness, and physical tiredness.

What’s happening to your baby?

Your baby is now focused on growing stronger and getting ready for the outside world. The lungs mature, the brain develops rapidly, and fat stores build up. Most babies turn head-down somewhere between 32 and 36 weeks.

What are you feeling this trimester?

• By now, your body feels the weight of pregnancy.
• You may feel breathless, need to use the bathroom more often, or notice swelling in your feet and hands.
• Sleep becomes lighter and interrupted. You may feel tightening in your belly. So practice contractions that come and go. As long as they’re irregular and painless, they’re usually normal.

Tests and Scans

Doctor visits become more frequent during this phase.

• Your doctor checks the baby’s position, heartbeat and growth, and keeps an eye on fluid levels. Growth scans or doppler scans may be advised if needed.
• This is also the time when conversations shift towards labour.
  • What signs to watch for,
  • When to come to the hospital, and
  • how to prepare. Hospital registration gets done, and that hospital bag quietly waits by the door.

When to Call Your Doctor

Most pregnancies progress smoothly, but there are times when you shouldn’t wait it out.

• Heavy bleeding, strong abdominal pain, sudden swelling of the face or hands, severe headaches, vision changes, persistent vomiting, fever or noticeably reduced baby movements all need immediate medical attention.
• When you’re pregnant, trusting your instinct matters. If something feels wrong, it’s always okay to call.

Taking Care of Yourself During Pregnancy

There’s no perfect way to “do” pregnancy. But small, steady habits help.

• Eat what feels nourishing. Drink water often.
• Take the supplements your doctor recommends.
• Gentle movement, like walking, can make a difference if your body allows it. As pregnancy advances, sleeping on your side, especially the left, can feel more comfortable.

Avoid smoking, alcohol or any medication unless your doctor has cleared it. And don’t underestimate emotional support. Talk to your partner. Lean on family or friends. Join an antenatal group if that feels right.

Most of all, be gentle with yourself. Pregnancy isn’t a checklist – it’s a season. Some weeks feel easy. Some don’t. Every pregnancy moves at its own rhythm, and every question you ask is valid. Stay connected with your doctor, listen to your body, and allow yourself to experience this journey one day at a time.

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FAQs

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Q1. How often should I visit my gynaecologist during pregnancy?
Ans. Most women are seen once in the first trimester, every 4-6 weeks in the second trimester, then every 2-3 weeks in the third trimester, and weekly from Week 36 onward – unless your doctor advises more frequent monitoring.

Q2. Is spotting normal in early pregnancy?
Ans. Light spotting in early pregnancy can be common, especially during implantation. However, heavy bleeding, pain or persistent spotting should be evaluated immediately.

Q3. When is the due date usually calculated?
Ans. Your due date is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), adding 40 weeks. Early ultrasound scans may slightly adjust that date if fetal measurements are ahead or behind.