Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, the changes to the mother's body seem to be very slow. Just because all of the many miraculous events are undetectable to the eye does not mean that pregnancy week by week is anything short of ever changing. From the moment of conception to the actual arrival of the baby, pregnancy is a constant state of a work in progress. Every week brings more changes and development for both mother and baby.
For a look at pregnancy week by week, let us take a particular week from each trimester to get a clear look at how rapidly things change inside an expectant mother's uterus. Week six of the first trimester is usually about the time mother-to-be discovers the existence of her little baby. By this stage, the little one already has a heartbeat but is only about 1/17 of an inch long. That heartbeat is moving the baby's own blood through the tiny body and the beginnings of arms and legs are starting to form. Facial features are also on their way to development at this early stage. Every baby and pregnancy is unique so this is a rough guess of the state of progress at week six.
Moving forward a few months to the second trimester in pregnancy week by week places events at week twenty one. The baby is moving a lot at this stage. Daddy and other loved one may be able to feel the movement now. Growth slows a little as the heart grows stronger. And to help out with all of that movement, the baby's legs are becoming more proportionate to the rest of it's body. Mother is probably feeling more comfortable with morning sickness hopefully behind her. This is about the time when her pregnancy is becoming obvious to others.
In the third trimester it is a run to the finish line. Week thirty is right in the middle of the third trimester in our look at pregnancy week by week. At this point the baby probably weighs about three pounds and is gaining weight everyday. That means mother is probably feeling a little awkward and uncomfortable. The baby's eyelids are working. Week thirty also brings the baby's ability to produce his own red blood cells. In other words, the bone marrow is now functioning independently of Mother.
Despite the feeling of pregnancy lasting forever that many pregnant moms experience, pregnancy week by week is a new adventure. Both Mom and the new arrival are in constant motion preparing for the final stages of this beautiful and exciting time.
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