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Month 1
Nausea, Breast Tenderness, Fatigue, Frequent Urination; a common side effect of the production of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which causes an increase need to urinate in early pregnancy, and Food Sensitivity, just the smell of food may turn your stomach. -
Month 2
Nausea, vomiting, food sensitivity and fatigue may develop or become more severe. If you haven’t already, you should make changes in your lifestyle so you and your baby will be healthy. You should stop smoking , drinking and using caffeine. You may experience moodiness as hormone levels adjust. Sexual desire may wan as fatigue and nausea increase. -
Month 3
Nausea may decrease as your body adjusts to hormone levels. Your middle may widen, as the uterus grows to the size of a grapefruit. As you feel better, develop an exercise plan to increase strength and flexibility, which will help during labor. Moodiness and food aversions may continue, buy usually subside by the end of the trimester. You may experience your first food cravings as appetite returns. -
Month 4
Baby starts to move. You may find yourself feeling better. Nausea usually subsides and energy increases. Hormones stabilize, and you feel less moody. Your sex drive may also return. You may develop heartburn as your uterus rises in the abdomen. Outward signs of pregnancy may begin to appear. Now is a good time to sign up for prenatal classes. -
Month 5
Most women gain between 5 to 15 pounds by this time. Your uterus is now the size of a cantaloupe. Appetite often increases. Fatigue may return, as you’re carrying extra weight and your heart is pumping more blood. Some women experience bloating, constipation or other uncomfortable symptoms. Some women experience forgetfulness. Your belly button may pop out. -
Month 6
Your uterus is now the size of a basketball resting above your belly button. Skin on the stomach may feel itchy as it stretches around your growing womb. Bleeding gums, constipation, heartburn and leg cramps, may intensify at this time. You’ll gain about a pound a week at this time. The increased weight may result in varicose veins or hemorrhoids. You may become tired more easily -
Month 7
Your feet or hands may start cramping. You may experience more movement of your baby. Your joints may feel more loose due to softening in preparation for birth. Many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions (non-productive contractions) starting in the seventh month. -
Month 8
You’ll continue to gain about a pound a week. You may feel discomfort as baby pushes on rib cage or organs. Pelvic pressure may increase as baby drops into this area. Indigestion and heartburn may become more intense. Skin continues stretching and stretch marks may appear. Braxton Hicks contractions become more regular. -
Month 9
You may breathe a little easier as baby settles into the pelvis, giving you more room in the abdominal area. Sleep will become more difficult due to your size and any anxiety you may feel about the upcoming birth. Some women experience a “nesting instinct” and feel compelled to ready the home for baby’s arrival. Your weight gain will be as high as it will go – up to 35 pounds is average. Some women start losing a pound or two as labor approaches.
