Pregnancy Development Calendar

Pregnancy development calendar helps you to get detailed information about your child's growth. The total period of pregnancy is approximately 40 weeks. These 40 weeks are counted from the first day of your last menstruation. However, till the due date, the baby has completes only 38 weeks. This is because, the egg does not fertilize for the first two weeks. Most of the babies are born between 38th and the 42nd week of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Development Calendar - Trimesters
Pregnancy is divided into trimesters. The first trimester is from week 1 to week 12. The second trimester is from week 13 to week 26. And the last trimester is from week 27 till the birth of the baby. According to the week by week calender that is given here, your pregnancy will start from the week 3. The pregnancy development calendar gives you an idea about the development of the baby, changes in your body and nutritional requirements. Also, the possible complications that can be experienced by you and your baby are included.

Pregnancy Development Calendar
Here is a weekly pregnancy calendar that shows fetal development

Week 1 and 2
In the first two weeks, you are not actually pregnant. In these weeks, the baby is not conceived. Your expected delivery date is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period, so, in these two weeks you have time to prepare your body for the baby. Read this to learn more about the best time to get pregnant. In the second week, you will be in the middle of the menstrual cycle and the ovulation will take place. This is the time when you are most likely to conceive. Read odds of getting pregnant for more information.

Week 3
The baby inside you starts developing from this week. In this week, you may not feel that you are pregnant. Your baby's sex is determined at the fertilization level itself. Supplements like folic acid are advisable during this period. Nourishing your baby with required proteins, calcium and iron is necessary. Many a times the folic acid supplement is recommended when you are trying to conceive the baby. Folic acid is responsible for the development of the spinal cord and the brain of your baby. Calcium is necessary for the growth and development of bones.

Week 4
In the fourth week of pregnancy, your baby is two weeks old and the fetal development is still in its early stages. In this week, you still may not be showing signs of being pregnant. To know more about the pregnancy symptoms, read first month pregnancy symptoms.

Week 5
In the fifth week, your baby's heart, bones, muscles and central nervous system will start developing. Facial features of the baby will start developing. The development of the facial features will start in this month and end in week 9. In this month, you will start feeling that you are pregnant. Some of the most common pregnancy symptoms are nausea, fatigue, tender breasts and frequent urination.

Week 6
Nutrition is an important aspect at this stage and in the overall process of pregnancy. To learn more about care that must be taken during pregnancy, read this, prenatal care. In this week, the heart of your baby starts beating and along with the heart, eyes of the baby will start their formation. In this week, ensure that adequate amounts of omega 3 fatty acids and folic acids are consumed by you. Strictly stop smoking after this stage because it affects your baby very badly. Also, caffeine intake must be reduced. It is advisable to take care of yourself in this stage to avoid early pregnancy miscarriage. Your nutrition plays an important role in this week, as the development of your child is at its peak. At this stage you can visit the doctor and discuss your medical history with him/her.

Week 7
Legs and arms of the baby start developing in this week. The heart is divided into left and right chambers. The internal organs like appendix, pancreas and intestine start developing. In this week of pregnancy, you will experience slight gain in weight. Intake of calcium is must in this week as it will help prevent the complications in pregnancy at this stage. For calcium, dairy products like cottage cheese, milk, custard and yogurt must be consumed.

Week 8
In the 8th week, your baby will have eyelids, retina, nose tips and even the ears start developing. The arms of the baby are slightly curved over the heart. Also, the cerebellum, a part of the human brain, starts developing in this week. At this stage, the gonads start developing in the baby. Pain, vaginal bleeding and cramps are experienced in this week. For more information on cramps, read cramps in early pregnancy.

Week 9
In the 9th week of the pregnancy development calendar, the arms of the child grow longer and the fingers are developed. However, the touch pads of the fingers are still developing in this week. Legs, toes, ears, eyes and neck are the other parts of the body that are growing in this week. In this week, your waist line will start getting bigger and you will gain weight. The baby's growth and development is dependent on the weight gain that you undergo. Checking weight regularly during your regular visit to the doctor is important. Intake of Vitamin C is important during pregnancy, as it reduces the chances of premature birth.

Week 10
At the end of this week the fetal period begins and the embryonic period comes to an end. The baby's head will appear more rounded and the hair follicles, finger nails, and toe nails will start developing in this week of pregnancy. At this stage, you must start putting on weight. If that is not the case, consult your doctor immediately.

Week 11
In this week, the iris in the eye of the baby is developed and the shape of the brain of the baby is developed. Carbohydrates must form a major part of your nutrition at this stage. The development of gall bladder, pancreas and thyroid is almost completed. In this week, your body will go through most of the changes that you will experience throughout the pregnancy.

Week 12
In the 12th week, during the Doppler, you can hear the heart beats of your baby. Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes and high altitude flights. The fingers of the baby are now separated. The external sex organs of the baby now show up, which indicate whether the baby is a female or a male. In the 12th week, the early pregnancy symptoms start disappearing and the uterus becomes very big and you may feel it above your pelvic bone.

Week 13
The face of your baby will now start looking more like a human as the eyes and ears start coming closer. The growth of your baby will strikingly slow down in this week. At this stage, the external genitalia are distinguishable and you can determine the sex of your baby. And it is in this week itself, that your baby will pass the first urine into the amniotic fluid. Your waist size increases and you will need maternity clothes. Many women experience an infection in the gall bladder and it is recommended that you consult a doctor instead of taking over-the-counter medicines. Your breasts change the size and the areola becomes darker in pregnancy.

Week 14
The hands of your baby start becoming functional and the baby starts using its fingers and thumbs. The sucking muscles of the baby develop in this week and the mouth of your baby undergoes a lot of changes. At the end of this week, breathing, sucking and swallowing are the movements that are developed in your child. In this week, you must rest for atleast 1 hour with your feet in an elevated position. Drink lots of fluids and eat adequate amount of fiber. Many women suffer from constipation during this week. To know more, read, constipation in early pregnancy.

Week 15
In this week, the skin of your baby is thin and covered with hair called lanugo. The bones of your baby are developing everyday and are becoming harder and harder. The baby now swallows and digests the food and passes the waste through the system. At this stage, you must follow a regime of sleeping and waking up at the same time every day. Also, regular exercises must be done. You must sleep in a comfortable position from this week and your bedroom must have a temperature of about 21 degrees.

Week 16
In the 16th week, many women experience that their baby is moving. The muscles of head and neck of your baby are becoming stronger. The body of the baby will grow faster in this week, as compared to the previous week. Nasal congestion, headaches and allergies are experienced by many pregnant women.

Week 17
There is a weight gain seen in your baby and you will experience fatigue in this week. Your baby will look more like a human in this week. Exercising moderately is recommended in this week. Many women prefer to eat vegetarian food, as meat can be nauseating to them. You must consult a nutritionist about the food you should eat.

Week 18
In this week, the baby's fingers and toes will develop swirls and creases. The early fecal waste matter is developed in the baby and is accumulated in the bowels of the baby. This fecal waste is called meconium. Meconium consists of amniotic fluid, digestive secretions and cell loss of the baby. The eyes and ears of your baby will now be placed in the proper position in this week. At this stage of pregnancy, your heart will have to work 40 % more than the normal conditions to pump more blood. Whitish vaginal discharge is commonly experienced during the pregnancy and is considered normal. In pregnancy, you must have a check on your weight and the weight gain must be as steady as possible. Exercises and healthy diet must be strictly followed for a normal pregnancy. In the last two trimesters, the carbohydrates intake must be increased.

Week 19
Vernix caseosa is a white fluid that is developed to form a protective layer on your baby's body. This fluid is beneficial in the development of glands and sensory organs. The primitive eggs in the ovaries are already developed at this stage, if you have a baby girl. Fat deposits are developed around the neck and chest. Eyebrows and scalp hair are developed in this week. Routine blood pressure check is recommended as many pregnant women experience dizziness due to hypotension.

Week 20
Your uterus is now grown and comes in line with your belly button. Skin starts growing on the body of your baby. The slimy vernix is still there on the body of your baby which helps to protect it from the amniotic fluid. Harder baby movements are experienced in this week. The arms and legs of your baby become stronger and hence, the baby kicks will also become stronger.

Week 21
Your baby's heart will start beating faster in this week and the the legs of your baby are now grown in their final proportion. Food cravings are common in many pregnant women. Fruit juices and other fluids must be consumed by the pregnant women.

Week 22
Rapid development in the brain is observed in your baby. External sounds can wake up the baby from sleep. In a baby girl, the ovaries are developed in this week and in the boy the scrotum. Dizziness is observed in many pregnant women. However, if frequent dizziness is experienced, consult your doctor at the earliest. And lastly, do not forget to increase the fluid intake in your diet. Drinking lots of water can help avoid the headache and bladder infection.

Week 23
The baby's ears are developed and become stiff. The hair on the baby called lanugo start developing darker and darker. The baby will gain almost double the weight (as compared to this week's weight) in the coming weeks. The pancreas of the baby start developing and start secreting insulin, so that the baby can now breakdown sugar. In this stage, you may experience pain in ligaments and sciatic nerve. To know more on pain in sciatic nerve, read this sciatic nerve pain. In this trimester and the third trimester, the intake of proteins must be increased in your diet.

Week 24
Frequent nosebleeds are experienced by many people. A lot of hormonal changes are observed and the body starts adapting to your pregnancy. Calcium is very important in pregnancy, as it helps to develop the bones, teeth, heart and nerves of the baby. Many doctors recommend to have calcium supplements during this trimester.

Week 25
In this week, there are chances that you may go in labor and baby that you give birth to has chances of survival. These babies are called premature babies.
In this week, the blood vessels start developing under the skin and these blood vessels are filled with blood. Swelling and bloating are symptoms that are seen in pregnancy. Vitamins and minerals that are essential for your baby's growth are supplied by the supplements, that are recommended by many doctors. Also, bladder infections are very common in this period of pregnancy.

Week 26
The baby develops a sleeping pattern by this week. Many a times, the baby may suffer from arrythmia, in which the baby misses a few heart beats here and there. The reason for this is that the baby's heart is developing at this stage and this arrythmia will disappear after a certain stage. Your uterus will start growing bigger and bigger and will cause leg cramps, back pain and pelvic pressure.
It is recommended to eat fish at this stage because fish has the omega-3 essential fatty acids. This is the end of your second trimester and now, your last trimester will start.

Week 27
In the 27th week, the baby will develop a sense of sight. The connection of the baby's eyes and brain is formed in this week. Some women may develop gestational diabetes. Protein must be included in the diet of a pregnant woman along with nuts and dairy products.

Week 28
The baby will look more chubby in the ultrasound and the fat deposits on the baby will continue. The muscle tone of the baby will start improving in this week. In pregnant women, emotional changes may be experienced at this stage. Hormonal changes are responsible for these emotional changes and mood swings. Fresh fruits and vegetables must be included in daily diet. Fatty foods and sugar must be consumed in moderation. For more information read, diet for healthy pregnancy.

Week 29
Now the baby's lungs and brain are developed in this week. Your baby will gain weight rapidly and is able to breathe on its own. It is helpful that you eat smaller meals frequently. Drinking lots of water and eating dried fruits and raisins is preferred in this week.

Week 30
Myelin is a fatty substance that covers nerve cells of your baby and improves the efficiency of nerve messages of your baby's brain. A transparent vaginal discharge in women is common throughout the pregnancy. It is recommended to consult a doctor if the discharge is thin or white, yellow, red or green and is foul smelling. Also, if the discharge causes a burning sensation, consult a doctor.

Week 31
In the 31st week, the uterus grows to its fullest size and you may experience pain in the pelvic area. Your ribs will also experience the pressure. This is the reason of frequent back ache in the third trimester of pregnancy. Exercise regularly and maintain your sleep pattern. Learn more on exercises in pregnancy exercises. It is advisable not to drink lots of fluids at night, as it may keep you going to the toilet all the night.

Week 32
Your baby has developed all five senses and you will experience severe back pain in this week. It is recommended that you must have proper prenatal care during pregnancy. In this week, keep your hospital bag ready as anything can happen in the coming weeks.

Week 33
You may have severe back pain and sciatic nerve pain. Often, you may feel uncomfortable while sitting. The color of your baby's skin turns pink from red and fats are deposited under skin. The baby continues to gain weight in this week.

Week 34
Immune system of your baby is developed in this week. This helps the baby fight against diseases and infections. In this week, your baby's head enters the birth canal. Pressure is experienced in the pelvic area. However, more room is created in the stomach and you are able to breathe easily than before.

Week 35
Fat is deposited on the baby and the baby's arms and legs will become fatter and fatter. In this week, you have to gather information, like your blood group, your due date, details of last pregnancy(if any), your doctor's contact number and your husband's number.

Week 36
In this week, it is common that some women lose weight, as all the food that she eats is converted to energy. If in the earlier week, your baby has not fallen in the birth canal, in this week it will fall in the birth canal with its head down. However, sometimes, the baby does not fall in the birth canal. At such times, a C section operation is done by the doctors during the baby's birth.

Week 37
Earlier in this week your baby will grow rapidly. However, during the last days of this week, the growth of your baby will slow down. Be prepared in this week as you may experience labor signs very soon. Read more on labor signs in impending signs of labor.

Week 38
In this week the baby gathers a lot of meconium in his/her body. This will pass from the body as the first stool. In this week you may experience tiredness and may feel bloated. You may not feel like eating in this week, but still you have to continue your daily nutritional intake.

Week 39
In this week, you must concentrate on your nutrition, as after the childbirth, you will be breastfeeding the baby. On an average, you must take 500 calories extra everyday. Vegetables, fruits, rice, pasta and dairy products are recommended during this week.

Week 40
This week brings a sigh of relief along with a congratulating note. You will experience labor in this week and the contractions will start right in this week. Initially, when the contractions start, continue deep breathing. Women who have crossed the 40th week and yet have no signs of labor must not worry. The delivery can take place anytime till the 42nd week. In this week, your family will grow with one more member. To learn more on how to take care of babies read baby care.

This was the pregnancy development calendar. Hope this will give you an idea of the growth of your baby and your required nutrition. To get more information on baby care read the following:

• Baby Food
• Baby Clothes.