Normally a pregnancy can last up to 38 weeks - but in some cases this period is longer or shorter. With this in mind, we will tell you all the details that happen during pregnancy month by month: from the development of the fetus to the changes in the mother's body.

Pregnancy month by month: periods

Dr. Dalva Cristina Marques, a gynecologist specialized in obstetrics and member of Doctoralia, explains that in order to understand the development of the fetus and the changes in the mother's body, it is necessary to divide the gestation into two stages: the first one is the fetus and the second one is the mother's body. the embryonic and fetal period .

Embryonic period

The embryonic period, known as organogenesis, lasts until the 12th week of gestation. During this period, all of the baby's organs are being formed, and therefore there is greater sensitivity to any aggression.

"There is a vulnerability for the appearance of fetal malformations Therefore, it is necessary to follow all the prenatal care, perform the appropriate examinations and investigate the formation of the fetus", advises the specialist.

In addition, the gynecologist adds that it is necessary to pay attention to the medications that will be used so that there is no interference from these drugs in this phase.

Fetal Period

According to the doctor, the fetal period begins after 12 weeks of pregnancy. In it, the baby is already fully formed and it is another period of maturation, where all the organs already formed end up acquiring a more definitive structure.

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Month by Month Pregnancy

Find out what happens with the mother and the baby in the gestation stages month by month, as Dr. Dalva Cristina Marques lists all the processes. Check it out!

First Quarter

First month: weeks 1 to 4

What happens to the mother:

From the first to the fourth week, fertilization takes place in the fallopian tube, and then this embryo formed in the fallopian tube will descend into the uterine cavity.

During this period, the formation of the amniotic cavity, which will surround the embryo, also takes place. This is an important phase, in which the mother begins to have the first symptoms of the production of progesterone which increases a lot.

Finally, some patients report pain in the breasts, a little headache, and cramps - all as a result of the changes in hormones. They can also cause mood swings.

Upon reaching the uterus, the fertilized egg cell attaches itself to the endometrium, a kind of lining of the organ, and this stage is called nidation. Then, the cells begin the multiplication process that will result in the fetus. The placenta also begins to form. Small bleedings or intense vaginal discharge are normal during this period.

What happens to the baby:

The placenta continues to develop, and the little one is fed via the mother's blood, which reaches him through the umbilical cord. By the end of the week, he can measure about 2 mm.

Second month: weeks 5 to 8

What happens to the mother:

The mother starts to have some symptoms, such as colic more insistent and fatigue, since the blood circulation becomes more intense and can generate a certain difficulty in breathing.

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It is also common to feel the first nausea and mood swings. On the other hand, your nails will become more resistant, as will the urge to urinate.

Do you know those famous pregnancy cravings? They usually appear from the sixth week on, as well as an aversion to certain foods. It is possible that symptoms such as heartburn and constipation will appear.

What happens to the baby:

From the fifth to the eighth week, the process of nidation takes place: that is, the embryo will attach itself to the uterine cavity and begin to develop. In addition, a flattened trilaminar disk is formed, which then becomes the skull and the place where the baby begins to stretch.

At this stage, the fetus will measure about 5 mm from the cranial brain region to the caudal region (which will turn the limbs). The nervous system is also developing at this stage, in addition to the kidneys, muscles, thinner bones, and liver.

Around the seventh week, the heartbeat begins and the placenta and umbilical cord are formed. In the fifth week, it measures a little over 2 mm and weighs 1 gram.

Third month: weeks 9 to 12

What happens to the mother:

During this period, weight gain becomes more noticeable. Also, the breasts become larger, more sensitive and painful. The hair becomes less oily. Because of hormonal changes, the pregnant woman may start to care about things that normally would not bother her. This is because, besides the increase in hormone levels, the anxiety caused by pregnancy can reinforce nervousness.

On the other hand, the increased blood level makes your hands and feet warmer. There is also increased thirst, as your body needs more fluid. So morning sickness tends to pass or decrease from the 12th week on.

Until then, the medical follow-up must be constant. Thus, the morphological ultrasound of the first trimester is requested, which can identify some genetic malformations and syndromes.

During the entire first trimester of pregnancy, it is very important to folic acid supplementation This is because the vitamin acts directly in building the baby's neurological system.

What happens to the baby:

From the 10th week on, the baby is called a fetus - it weighs about 20 g and measures 31 to 42 mm from head to buttocks. The brain is already more developed, but the head is still disproportionate to the body. The intestines develop rapidly and part of them protrude inwardsMost of the joints are ready and, although it is still too early to identify the baby's sex on the ultrasound, the genitals have already differentiated.

At around 11 weeks, the baby's heart is beating strongly and it is possible to hear it through the ultrasound. After the 12th week, the baby is already fully formed. Through the ultrasound, it is possible to identify the fingers, especially of the hands. The fetus' movements are already very evident and active. At the end of this week, depending on the fetal positioning, it is possible, in some pregnant women,identify the sex of the baby, which measures between 54 and 66 mm from head to buttocks and weighs about 60 g.

Gestation month by month: second trimester

Fourth month: weeks 13 to 16

What happens to the mother:

Between the thirteenth and sixteenth week, there is a greater visualization of the pregnancy by the mother, who can identify the uterine enlargement more easily - that is, the belly becomes more and more apparent!

From this period on, the risk of miscarriage decreases significantly. It is common during these weeks to have an intense urge to urinate. Changes in blood pressure can cause dizziness and, eventually, even fainting. Therefore, be careful with sudden changes in position, especially when getting up.

What happens to the baby:

The movements are already more refined and the baby can flex arms and legs, as well as open and close his hands.

Mechanisms begin to develop that allow the baby to further develop the sense of hearing - tiny bones in the middle ear improve, but since the hearing centers in the brain are not yet fully developed, the baby cannot understand sounds. Over time, the baby can hear the mother's voice and heartbeat. By the end of the 16th week, the fetus measures between 16 and 17 cm and weighson average 150 to 170 g.

Fifth: weeks 17 to 20

What happens to the mother:

Around the 20th week you can already feel the baby moving, the growth of the uterus intensifies, and the baby bump starts to appear.

The nipples, in turn, become darker, and skin pigmentation also increases in other areas of the body. As a result, some women see the nigra line, a vertical line in the middle of the belly. Melasmas - dark spots that appear mainly on the face - can also appear, so always use sunscreen.

What happens to the baby:

Between the seventeenth and twentieth week, the circulatory and urinary systems begin to function, hair and hair are already visible and the baby moves more intensely and frequently.

The fetus can also already identify sounds and voices, so this is an important phase for closer communication.

Sixth month: weeks 21 to 25

What happens to the mother:

In this phase, it is common for sweating to increase, since the woman is carrying extra weight. In the 22nd week, the second morphological ultrasound is done. The objective is to make sure that all the organs are ready. Another important exam in this period is the glycemic curve of the mother, which will identify the presence (or not) of gestational diabetes.

What happens to the baby:

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The baby gains more body fat The baby's blood circulation increases due to the mass production of blood cells. At the end of the 24th week the baby weighs approximately 700 to 850 g and measures an average of 30 cm.

Third trimester of pregnancy

Seventh month: weeks 26 to 30

What happens to the mother:

For Mom, fatigue and difficulty breathing will be even more apparent, and may be accompanied by back and rib pain .

This happens because of the lordosis generated during pregnancy.

What happens to the baby:

Then, in the 30th week, the baby's greatest weight gain phase begins, and he continues to gain height, but at a slower rate. Therefore, it is in this period that the differences between babies of the same gestational age begin to appear.

The majority of babies in this phase already adopt the cephalic position (head up), and the mother may feel more pressure in the lower abdomen, especially on the bladder, and even some kicks in the ribs. The average weight in this phase is between 1.4 and 1.7 kg.

Eighth: weeks 31 to 34

What happens to the mother:

In the eighth month of pregnancy, the consultations with the doctor become fortnightly, since a closer follow-up is necessary because of the delivery, which will be soon. The pregnant woman may present cramps, muscular pains and colostrum - substance produced by the breast that will generate breastfeeding.

It is common to have shortness of breath, caused by the volume of the uterus and accumulation of gas in the intestine near the rib region.

What happens to the baby:

By this time the baby weighs about 1.7 kg, so some serology tests are ordered as part of prenatal care. By the end of the 34th week, the baby is developing an immune system to protect itself from infection. By this time the baby probably has its head in its final position, usually facing downwards. Only 3 or 4% of all babies are sitting up with their legs orThe baby in this week weighs between 2.1 and 2.5 kg and measures an average of 44 cm.

Ninth month: weeks 35 to 40

What happens to the mother:

By the 36th week, it is common to feel throbbing or pressure in the pelvic region, caused by the baby's weight and movement. By this point, the maternal blood flow has increased by 50% and will remain constant until delivery. The nipples enlarge and the breasts become heavier.

From the 37th week on, the pregnant woman may experience "training contractions" (Braxton-Hicks contractions), in which her uterus stiffens for a few seconds and then relaxes, without pain, a few times a day, sporadically, without definite intervals.

The proximity of childbirth makes women more nervous. In addition, weight should stop increasing, and it is also common for some women to lose weight in the week before the birth. On the other hand, the pressure of the uterus against the ribs should cause discomfort, while the skin of the abdomen may itch because it is too stretched. There is usually a drop in libido.

What happens to the baby:

By the 40th week, the baby's lung function is ready for the delivery Then he measures between 45 cm and 50 cm, all his organs are completely formed, and he can already control his breathing. He then begins to fit into the pelvic cavity, and is ready to be born at any moment, which usually occurs around the 40th week.

Month-to-month pregnancy: how to convert weeks into months?

Finally, for those who wish to better understand the "language of pregnant women", one can consider that every 4.4 weeks completes 1 month, generating the following count:

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Source: Dr. Dalva Cristina Marques, gynecologist specialized in obstetrics, menopause, perinoplasty, and intimate aesthetics. Member of Doctoralia.

Reference:

• Women's Institute and Fetal Medicine
• Ministry of Education