If you’re pregnant and all excited about it, you’d definitely be wondering when would it be that you’ll finally meet your little one.
Don’t worry, you can actually know when it’s about to happen because calculating your due date is possible and not so tricky at all.
Calculating Your Due Date
Your due date is calculated by adding 280 days to the first day of your last menstrual period. This is done by assuming that you have a 28-day cycle.
Meet your Gynaecologist who can assist you in the calculation of your due date.
Why Is My Pregnancy Counted From the Start of My Last Period?
It can be hard to determine when a woman last ovulated but it’s certainly easier for a soon to be a mom, to remember when her last period started. Therefore your Gynaecologist counts your pregnancy from the first day of your last menstrual period.
What If I Don’t Remember the Date of My Last Mensuration?
The due date calculation works best if your cycle is expected every 28 days and your periods are regular.
However, If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, you may not be sure about the date of your last period.
Meeting your Gynaecologist and taking his opinion, in this case, is essential. Your first ultrasound scan or a dating scan will be done to determine your due date which will give you a more accurate estimation.
How Accurate Is My Due Date?
Remember that the calculated due date is only an estimated of when your baby will be born. About 5-7 % of the babies are born on their estimated due date. Estimated due date can change or shift with regards to your baby’s development
It is highly recommended that you visit your Gynaecologist regularly in order to keep a check on your pregnancy. Your doctor will tell you if you are on the right track or not.
When Will My Baby Bump Show?
This is one the most common things soon to be moms think about.
The answer to this question varies from pregnancy to pregnancy and mother to mother considering a few important factors.
- If it’s your first pregnancy, you might show up a bit late due to tight abdominal muscles. You can expect a baby bump between 12 to 16 weeks.
- If it’s not your first pregnancy, you can show sooner as your abdominal muscles are more lax since you have been pregnant before.
- If you are thin, you can show earlier but if you are on the heavier side it might take a bit longer as a defined stomach or extra fat can hide the bump.
Understanding the Trimesters
Trimester means three months. A typical pregnancy is about nine months long, so it’s divided into three trimesters.
As the pregnancy is measured in trimesters, understanding them can help you know a great deal about your baby’s development in a better way.
First Trimester
It lasts from the very beginning of your pregnancy until you’re 13 weeks plus six days pregnant.
Starting with the first trimester, we know that after fertilization and implantation the baby is just a tiny embryo which consists of several a layers of cells.
From these cells, all the organs and other body parts will soon develop. Gradually in the first trimester, the heart begins to beat and the intestines form.
Your little one’s earlobes, eyelids, mouth, and nose are also taking shape. Growing quickly, your baby will soon be about the size of a kidney bean.
Second Trimester
At the beginning of the second trimester, babies are about 3.5 inches long and weigh about 0.4 kgs. It will last when you’re 14 weeks to 27 weeks plus six days pregnant.
It’s in this trimester that you will begin to show your bump.Your baby’s heart will begin to pump a little bit of blood now. Your baby will grow stronger as the skeleton will slowly harden from a softer cartilage to a harder bone.
You’re most likely to feel kicks soon if you haven’t already. Your baby will also have tiny and unique fingerprints by now.
Third Trimester
Your baby’s weight is about 1.1 kg now at the start of the third trimester. It lasts from when you’re 28 weeks pregnant until you have your baby.
Billions of neurons will be added to your little one’s brain. The baby will also have eyelashes by now and he can blink too. Fingernails, toenails, and hair also begin to develop during this trimester.
Finally, your baby will now spend his or her final weeks in your womb putting on some more weight.
Full Term
Now when the time has come, you can expect to welcome your little one, who would be on an average scale, at least 17- 19 inches long, weighing nearly 2.5 to 3 kgs.
Pregnancy Week by Week
Each week of pregnancy brings tremendous changes to your body and to the baby’s development.
Week 1- 2
If the egg meets sperm, fertilization will happen and you’ll be on your way to your pregnancy. Get ready for some other wonderful life-altering changes to happen.
Week 3
Your baby now a tiny ball of cells which are multiplying very quickly.
Week 4
Your baby is now an embryo made up of two layers. Your primitive placenta is also developing.
Week 5
You will begin to experience pregnancy discomforts like tender swollen breasts now. You will be a bit fatigued and might experience some mood swings.
Week 6
You might have morning sickness now but get excited because your baby’s nose, mouth, and ears are beginning to take shape.
Week 7
Your uterus doubled in size and now your baby is an embryo with a small tail, with developing hands and feet.
Week 8
You might be noticing pregnancy chances in your body more clearly by now.
Week 9
Your baby is gradually developing and has started to look more human. You might put on some more weight as well.
Week 10
Congratulations! Your baby’s organs and other body structures are lined in place and ready to grow.
Week 11
Your baby’s hands will soon begin to function a bit. Your little one will open and close his tiny hands into fists.
Week 12
Your little one’s toes can move and curl now.The brain is growing rapidly and kidneys are starting to excrete urine.
Week 13
You’ve reached the last week of the first trimester. Your baby now has fingerprints and tooth buds now. Hs is also almost 3 inches long.
Week 14
You may be feeling more energetic and less nauseated now. Your baby’s face has become more defined by now and your little one can show some expressions too.
Week 15
Your baby has formed taste buds and he can also sense light now.
Week 16
Eat to your heart’s satisfaction.
Your baby will soon double his weight and add inches to his length.
Week 17
You baby will replace soft cartilage to a stronger bone. The umbilical cord will grow stronger and thicker.
Week 18 -19
Your baby’s genitals are developed by now.
Sing and tell some stories, your baby may be able to hear you now.
Week 20
Treat yourself ! You have reached halfway through your pregnancy now.
Week 21
Did you feel that movement? Well, wait and watch because it will soon turn into a kick.
Week 22
Your belly has grown bigger by now, cool thing is that your baby has eyebrows too.
Week 23
Careful ! Your baby can feel motion now. Your weight has significantly increased and your belly is a lot bigger now. You can experience swelling in ankle and feet.
Week 24
Your uterus is pretty big enough now to make sure your baby is safe and all warm in there.
Week 25
Your baby is actively putting on some more fat now. Your little one will also grow some hair.
Week 26
The exciting news is that your baby is breathing now by inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid.
Week 27
Your baby is opening and closing his eyes now. He can also hiccup and suckle his fingers.
Week 28
Welcome to your last trimester!
Your baby is comfortable in your womb and growing even more rapidly now.
Week 29
Your baby can sense light now. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature.
The head is growing and taking shape to make some more room for the developing brain.
Week 30
You may be battling mood swings, clumsiness, and fatigue but lighten up your mood to celebrate because your baby is almost 0.5 kgs now.
Week 31
You can sense that your baby is moving a lot. You sense and feel the kicks too which is a sign of a healthy baby.
Week 32
Be prepared, your expanding uterus may cause heartburn and shortness of breath.
Meet your healthcare provider if it causing you a lot of discomforts.
Week 33
Your baby is almost 1 kg and your belly is big enough that it’s difficult for you to be sleeping and turning comfortably. Be a little more patient, your baby is almost ready to meet you in a few weeks.
Week 34
Your baby’s brain is successfully maturing. His lungs and limbs are getting stronger.
Week 35 to 36
Your baby is gaining about 0.2 kg a day. You may feel the baby drop down into your pelvis.
Week 37
Be prepared, you are now approaching Your due date soon.You may have more vaginal discharge and occasional contractions.
Week 38
Your baby is, even more, stronger now.
Your baby can grasp things firmly now.
Week 39
Congratulations, your baby is full term now. Keep a check, if your water breaks call your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Week 40
Don’t worry if you’re still pregnant. Give the baby some time, it’s common to go past your due date.
Week 41
Your baby must be ready to greet the world now. Keep your healthcare provider informed as you can go into labor anytime soon.
CONCLUSION
Now that you know almost everything about the development of your baby along with when can you expect to welcome him/her.
It’s time that you stay prepared for every trimester beforehand. You can do this by asking your Gynaecologist about the absolute do’s and don’ts.
Eat right, take your supplements on time and sleep well.
Meet your healthcare provider to be well informed and examined. Don’t forget to visit your Gynaecologist in time for the scheduled visits.Your Gynaecologist will ensure that your health status is perfectly fine and keep a check on your baby’s development as well.
We wish you a happy and Blissful Experience of becoming a mother.
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