Pregnancy week by week: know what happens at each stage of pregnancy

Home> iStock

Embryonic and fetal development lasts over 37 to 40 weeks, causing infinite changes in the woman's organism over the months. ? It is important to monitor and observe the growth of the fetus, as well as the clinical condition of the pregnant woman, to ensure proper evolution of the embryo, its viability and vitality ?, explains Cristiane Martins de Lira (CRM-SP 85481), gynecologist and obstetrician. Pregnancy monitoring week by week is important for the mother to know what is going on with her baby.

To identify the symptoms of pregnancy and monitor the development of the baby each week of pregnancy, we have listed the following list by consulting the masters in biology, José Luiz Faria Vasconcellos and Fernando Gewandsznajder and the gynecologist and obstetrician Sheila Ferreira Sedicias (CRM-PE 17459). The size of the embryo each week is represented by a seed or a fruit.

Content Index:

• Pregnancy week by week
• Prenatal

Pregnancy week by week

• 1st week: poppy seed. At this stage, the egg cell is already being divided and reproduced at an accelerated rate resulting in the morula cell mass. Approximately 100 cells have already been produced, some of which will develop the embryo and others the placenta. The mother has menstruation interrupted and high progesterone levels are maintained throughout pregnancy.
• 2nd week: sesame seed. At this stage, the morula cell mass is directed towards the uterus and changes resulting in the blastocyte. Then the small embryo is fixed in the endometrium (inner and vascularized layer of the uterus). The mother feels the sharpest smell and greater body sensitivity.
• 3rd week: Grape seed. Here the small embryo fits independently of its mother, despite the need for her body to develop. The mother has pink vaginal discharge and cramps, as well as greasiness on the skin.
• 4th week: lentil grain. The embryo is elongated and formed by three layers of cells (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm). The mother feels many emotional swings.
• 5th week: almond. The milestone of this stage is the groove in the back with a bulge that will be the head. The amniotic sac is already formed, the embryo receives oxygen from the placenta, and the heart is developing. The mother feels sleepiness, tiredness and excessive nausea, as well as breast pain and numbness in the nipples.
• 6th week: pea grain. The central nervous system is developing, beyond the lungs, which throughout pregnancy will form completely. The mother may have the indication of folic acid in the diet.
• 7th week: cranberry red (belongs to the same family as the blueberry). The heart already has four chambers that allow the heartbeat. The mother has constant headaches as there are high levels of the hormone beta HCG in her blood.
• 8th week: raspberry. Here begins the formation of arms and legs, as well as facial features. The mother may be referred for iron supplements due to anemia, which is normal at this stage.
• 9th week: olive. The head is already rounded, being half its size, the eyes are still separated and fused by the eyelids, preventing them from being opened. The mother may have vaginal thrush because her immune system is low.
• 10th week: Black plum. The neck has already lengthened and allows the head to move. Facial muscles develop allowing to chew and suck. The mother may have bleeding gums when brushing her teeth due to inflammation.
• 11th week: lime. At this stage, the baby settles in new positions. The heart pumps blood throughout the body through the umbilical cord and the ovaries or testes are already formed within the body. The mother will begin to feel discomfort as the uterus transposes the pelvic bones and there is more room for the baby to develop.
• 12th week: plum. At this stage the baby can already yawn, swallow and hiccup. The mother has enlarged breasts and the abdomen is more visible.
• 13th week: peach. The hands and feet are formed, but the joints, muscles and ossification are stiffening. The mother may have memory lapses and her veins are more visible in the body.
• 14th week: lemon-sicilian. In this stage there is the growth of hair, nails and eyebrows. The sexual organs are under development and the sex of the baby can be detected.The mother has a rounded silhouette, hormones stabilize making her more willing and the risk of miscarriage is reduced.
• 15th week: orange. At this stage, the milestone is to know the sex of the baby, because its sexual organs are already formed. With the bones of the ears developing, the baby can identify and recognize voices. The mother may have decreased morning sickness.
• 16th week: avocado. The skin of the fetus is more pink, although transparent, it is possible to observe the skeleton. In addition, the baby begins to train its breathing encouraging the development of the lungs. The mother feels the appetite increase, as the baby will need more energy as it grows.
• 17th week: onion. At this stage the baby can already dream and the characteristic of the first teeth already appears in the jawbone. The mother feels hot, swollen, itchy in the belly or breasts and heartburn as there are high levels of progesterone in the body.
• 18th week: sweet potato. Fingerprints are developing through the accumulated fat on the fingertips and toes. The mother may have a constant white discharge, which increases as she approaches delivery, and is common at this stage.
• 19th week: mango. At this stage the brain develops the five specific senses such as sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. The mother has a vertical dark line in the center of the belly and may feel pain below the belly due to the uterus ligaments that stretch as they grow.
• 20th week: banana. The heartbeat is stronger and can be heard with the stethoscope over the belly. The baby can already turn and roll, move his hands and grab the umbilical cord. The mother feels the increase in urinary frequency and may have stretch marks on the body.
• 21st week: pomegranate. The milestone of this stage is the production of all the bones and cells responsible for protecting the body (red blood cells and white blood cells). The mother has a stiffened belly because the uterus has grown a lot and it is indicated the practice of light physical exercises, which improves the blood circulation and facilitates the delivery.
• 22nd week: papaya. At this stage the baby can easily move his arms and legs, put his hands on his face and suck his fingers. In addition, the nose and mouth are more developed. The mother may have frequent hemorrhoids and urinary infections, being common at this stage.
• 23rd week: grapefruit. Here the pancreas is already functioning and makes the baby's body produce insulin. The eyes begin to move quickly, the hearing is sharper and it is indicated to hear different songs and sounds for the baby to get used to. The mother feels oscillations in balance as the center of gravity is changing.
• 24th week: Galia melon. At this stage, the eyelids are still closed, but the eyelashes are already formed. The mother will easily notice when the baby is sleeping and / or awake due to movement and kicking.
• 25th week: broccoli. The baby's hair appears and has a predefined color, which after birth will change. Adrenaline and norepinephrine already circulate in the baby's body under stress and agitation. The mother feels discomfort when sleeping, as it will be more difficult to find a proper position due to the size of the belly.
• 26th week: lettuce. The baby's eyes are lighter shades and after birth will darken according to family genetics. If the sex of the baby is male, the testicles descend completely to the scrotum, and if female, the clitoris protrudes and the eggs are already formed inside the ovaries. The mother has severe back pain when bending or sitting, and discomfort when standing for a long time.
• 27th week: cauliflower. At this stage the baby may be sitting sideways and / or upside down. The mother may have difficulty breathing due to pressure from the uterus against the diaphragm.
• 28th week: eggplant. At this stage, the sleep, breathing and swallowing cycle is already regularized. The baby feeds on the amniotic fluid that accumulates in the intestine, which aids in the development of meconium (waste). The mother will begin the production of colostrum (nourishing yellow liquid) in the breasts, being a preview of breastfeeding.
• 29th week: Acorn Pumpkin. The milestone of this stage is the position that the baby is to be born, usually is upside down in the womb and remains so until delivery. The mother may have early Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are short and painless and will prepare the uterus until delivery.
• 30th week: cucumber.The baby's body fat is approximately 8% of its weight, which will help regulate its temperature after birth. The baby is already upside down and with the knees bent upwards, facilitating the delivery. The mother feels tired and mood swings, which is common at this stage.
• 31st week: pineapple. At this stage the baby is more receptive to play and stimuli of sounds and lights. The mother may have darker, more sensitive areolas, and small lumps due to milk production. Insomnia may be frequent and teas (valerian or passiflora) are indicated for relaxation.
• 32nd week: pumpkin. The baby's eyes are already wide open upon waking, moving toward the light and blinking. The heartbeat is approximately 150 times per minute. The mother may experience frequent cramps, being a preview of labor.
• 33rd week: cabbage. The bones of the baby's head have not yet fused, which makes it easy to exit during normal delivery. The mother feels discomfort in the ribs when feeding due to pressure from the uterus. If you have excessive fluid retention, it is advisable to talk to the professional, as there is evidence of preeclampsia.
• 34th week: Squash. The baby's central nervous and immune systems are still developing. He prepares for childbirth. The mother has a harder belly and feels pain and / or numbness in the pelvic region due to joint relaxation.
• 35th week: poo. The baby is already fully formed except the lungs that are still developing. The mother has the most prominent belly button and may have gained weight.
• 36th week: yellow melon. At this stage the baby still needs to grow and gain weight. If there is advance of delivery, it is considered premature. The mother feels less and less the movements of the baby due to the limited space to him.
• 37th week: water pumpkin. At this stage the lungs are fully formed, beyond all organs and systems. The baby is similar to a newborn and can fit and be born at any time, being considered term. The mother has a lowered belly, feeling lighter and breathing better, but tiredness still remains and it is indicated to rest.
• 38th week: Frog-skin melon. The baby is ready to be born, but may stay until the 40th week, getting fat and growing. The mother feels contractions at a standardized pace every 30-40 minutes and is advised to contact the obstetrician as the time for the unborn baby is approaching.
• 39th week: Giant Pumpkin. In this step, the previous circumstances remain. The mother has the mucous plug (gelatinous mucus) that closes the end of the uterus and contractions are every 10 minutes indicating that labor is getting closer and closer.
• 40th week: watermelon. The above circumstances remain until the baby is born and calm and serenity is indicated.

Prenatal

Prenatal care consists of the assistance and advice of the obstetrician, ensuring a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery. According to the new guidelines on antenatal care from the World Health Organization (WHO) issued in 2016, it is recommended that at least eight consultations be held in the interim of pregnancy.

• 1st consultation: first 12 weeks.
• 2nd consultation: attendance at the 20th week.
• 3rd consultation: attendance at the 26th week.
• 4th consultation: attendance at the 30th week.
• 5th appointment: attendance at the 34th week.
• 6th appointment: attendance at the 36th week.
• 7th appointment: attendance at week 38.
• 8th appointment: attendance at week 40 until delivery.

Prenatal exams assess the mother-baby binomial during the 40 weeks of gestation, blood, urine and ultrasound are constantly analyzed, says Cristiane. In addition, the pregnant woman's weight and pressure are checked, as well as fetal movement and heartbeat.

Read also: 15 Tips for Getting Pregnant: Essential, Realistic and Safe

What to expect in your First Trimester of pregnancy | Pregnancy Week-by-Week (April 2024)