Each pregnancy trimester paints a picture of human development that’s nothing short of miraculous. From the moment of conception, your baby embarks on an incredible growth journey. Read on for a sneak preview of each stage that leads up to the birth of your fully formed little human. FIRST TRIMESTER: A TINY SECRET BEGINS TO BLOOM The first trimester starts from the first day of your last menstrual period and continues until the end of week 12. It’s a time often marked by excitement tinged with a fair share of fear. From the joy of discovering pregnancy to battling nausea (hello, morning sickness!), fatigue, tender breasts, increased urination and a rollercoaster of emotions thanks to hormonal changes, these first three months are a crucial time for the formation of your baby’s major organs and body structure. Baby’s Growth and Development Weeks 1-3: The first two weeks are kind of a cheat since you aren’t technically pregnant yet. The magic only really starts in week three. Sperm meets egg in a dazzling union. This forms the zygote, which sounds like a sci-fi character but is the first form of your baby. It quickly divides into a bundle of cells and makes a beeline for your uterus. Week 4: By week four, the bundle of cells, now a blastocyst, has found its spot in your uterus and starts burrowing into the wall. It’s smaller than a poppy seed but has grand ambitions. Week 5: The embryo now has a beating heart – tiny but fierce. This is the week when many parents see or hear that heartbeat for the first time during an ultrasound. Week 6: Your tiny tenant is busy this week, sprouting a nose, eyes, ears, chin, and cheeks. Week 7: By now, your baby is about the size of a blueberry and starting to wiggle. These aren’t full-on somersaults yet, just the initial rehearsals. Week 8: Your baby’s limbs are lengthening and moving, and their fingers and toes are forming. Week 9: The tail your baby sported starts to disappear, and the skeleton begins to harden from rubbery cartilage to bone. mom well-being THE AMAZING MILESTONES OF PREGNANCY 2024 shopping guide | we know you care | 6 MOM WELL-BEING | BABY CARE | FEEDING | NURSERY & SAFETY | TRAVEL | PLAYTIME
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