Congratulations! Pregnancy is an exciting time and a great
opportunity to learn about your child's growth and development.
But with so much pregnancy information available in books, in
magazines, and on websites, how can you hope to cover it all before
giving birth?
We've made it easy for you to get all the pregnancy info you
need in one place. Our illustrated pregnancy calendar is a detailed
guide to all the changes taking place in your baby - and in you!
Each week of pregnancy includes a description of your baby's
development, as well as an explanation of the changes taking place
in your body. You'll also find important medical info that will
help keep you and your baby healthy.
A Word About Due Dates and Trimesters
After you announce your pregnancy, the first question you'll
probably be asked is "When are you due?" At your first
prenatal visit, your health care provider will help you determine
an expected delivery date (EDD). Your EDD is 40 weeks from the
first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). If you deliver on
your EDD, your baby is actually only about 38 weeks old -
that's because your egg didn't become fertilized until
about 2 weeks after the start of your last menstrual period.
It's important to remember that your due date is only an
estimate - most babies are born between 38 and 42 weeks from the
first day of their mom's LMP and only a small percentage of women
actually deliver on their due date.
Another common term you'll hear throughout your pregnancy is
trimester. A pregnancy is divided into trimesters:
- the first trimester is from week 1 to the end of week 12
- the second trimester is from week 13 to the end of week
26
- the third trimester is from week 27 to the end of the
pregnancy
Getting Started
To get started, simply click below on the week of pregnancy
you'd like to view. Many of the articles include links to other
pregnancy and newborn articles with more information.
Check back every week of your pregnancy to see how your baby is
developing and to find out what changes you can expect in your own
body, too!
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: June 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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