YOU ....... week by week

at 0-8 weeks pregnant

Your pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period, although conception usually takes place about two weeks after that, around the time that you ovulate (release an egg). In the first four weeks of pregnancy you probably won’t notice any symptoms. The first thing most women notice is that their period doesn’t arrive. Find out about the signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
By the time you are eight weeks pregnant you will probably have missed your second period, although a little bleeding occasionally occurs around the time you are six, seven or eight weeks pregnant. Always mention any bleeding in pregnancy to your midwife or GP, particularly if it continues and you get stomach pain.
Your womb has grown to the size of an apple by the time you are around seven or eight weeks pregnant. You’re probably feeling exhausted. Your breasts might feel sore and enlarged, and you are probably needing to urinate more often than usual.
Some pregnant women start to feel sick or tired or have other minor physical problems for a few weeks around this time. Most women stop having morning sickness and start to feel better by the time they are around 14 weeks pregnant

at 9-12 weeks pregnant

During this time your breasts will have got bigger, so consider wearing a supportive bra. You may also find that your emotions vary: you feel happy one moment and sad the next. Don’t worry – these feelings are normal and should settle down. You can find out more about feelings, worries and relationships in pregnancy.
If you haven't seen your midwife yet, contact your GP or maternity team for your booking appointment and to start your antenatal care. This appointment should take place by the time you are 12 weeks pregnant. You may be offered your first ultrasound scan when you’re between eight and 14 weeks pregnant: this can vary depending on where you live.

at 13-16 weeks pregnant

If you've been feeling sick and tired with morning sickness, you’ll probably start to feel better when you're around 13 or 14 weeks pregnant.
Some women start to feel sexy around this time, possibly due to pregnancy hormones or increased blood flow to the pelvic area. Some women don’t, and this is perfectly normal. You can find out more about sex in pregnancy.
You’ll notice a small bump developing as your womb grows and moves upwards. If you've been feeling the urge to urinate more often over the last few months, it’s because your womb was pressing on your bladder. This should ease off now.
See your doctor if you notice any pain when you urinate. Urinary infections can happen in pregnancy and it’s important to treat them quickly to reduce the risk of kidney infections

at 17-20 weeks pregnant

At 20 weeks pregnant, you're halfway through your pregnancy. You will probably feel your baby move for the first time when you're around 17 or 18 weeks pregnant. Most first-time mums notice the first movements when they are between 18 and 20 weeks pregnant. At first you feel a fluttering or bubbling, or a very slight shifting movement, maybe a bit like indigestion. Later, you can’t mistake the movements and you can even see the baby kicking about. Often you can guess which bump is a hand or a foot and so on.
You may develop a dark line down the middle of your tummy and chest. This is normal skin pigmentation as your tummy expands to accommodate your growing bump. Normal hair loss slows down, so your hair may look thicker and shinier.
You’ll be offered an anomaly scan when you are 18 to 20 weeks pregnant – this is to check for abnormalities in the baby. Your midwife or doctor can give you information about this and answer any questions. You can find out more about screening for foetal abnormality.
Common minor problems can include tiredness and lack of sleep. Sleeplessness is common, but there is plenty you can do to help you sleep including using pillows to support your growing bump. Some women also get headaches. Headaches in pregnancy are common, but if they’re severe they could be a sign of something serious.

at 21-24 weeks pregnant

 

Your womb will begin to get bigger more quickly and you will really begin to look pregnant. You may feel hungrier than before – try to stick to a sensible, balanced diet, and make sure you know what foods to avoid.
Not everybody gets stretch marks, but if you do develop them they will probably start becoming noticeable when you’re around 22 to 24 weeks pregnant. They may appear on your stomach, breasts and thighs. At first they look red and then fade to a silvery grey. Your breasts may start to leak a little pre-milk, and this is normal.

at 25-28 weeks pregnant

You may get indigestion or heartburn, and it might be hard to eat large meals as your baby grows and takes up some of the space where your stomach normally is. You may also find you are quite often getting tired.
You may have swollen face, hands or feet. This might be caused by water retention, which is normal (try resting and lifting up your swollen feet to ease it). Be sure to mention any swelling to your midwife or GP so that they can take your blood pressure and rule out a condition called pre-eclampsia, which can cause swelling.

at 29-32 weeks pregnant

As your bump pushes up against your lungs and you have extra weight to carry around, you may feel breathless.
Leg cramp at night is common around 29 to 32 weeks pregnant. You may find it hard to sleep because you can’t get comfortable. Try lying curled up on your side with a pillow between your legs and a cushion under your bump to see if it feels more comfortable. You might find you need to urinate a lot as well. You can find out about more common pregnancy health problems.
When you are 31 weeks pregnant, if this is your first baby, your midwife or GP should measure the size of your womb and check which way up the baby is. They will measure your blood pressure, test your urine for protein and discuss the results of any screening tests from your last appointment.

at 33-36 weeks pregnant

You need to slow down because the extra weight will make you tired, and you may get backache.
From about 34 weeks pregnant, you may be aware of your womb tightening from time to time. These are practice contractions known as Braxton Hicks contractions, and are a normal part of pregnancy. It’s only when they become painful or frequent that you need to contact your midwife or hospital.
Only around 5% of babies arrive on their due date. You can find out more about labour signs and what happens in labour.
If you have children already, you may want to make childcare arrangements for when you go into labour. Pack your bag ready for the birth if you are planning to give birth in hospital or a midwifery unit.
When you are around 36 weeks pregnant, make sure you have all your important telephone numbers handy in case labour starts.

at 37-40 weeks pregnant

When you are around 37 weeks pregnant, if it’s your first pregnancy, you may feel more comfortable as your baby moves down ready to be born, although you will probably feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen. If it’s not your first pregnancy, the baby may not move down until labour.
Most women will go into labour when they are 38 to 42 weeks pregnant. Your midwife or doctor should give you information about your options if you go to more than 41 weeks pregnant.
Call your hospital or midwife at any time if you have any worries about your baby or about labour and birth.