Pregnancy Week by Week

A lot is happening now, but you can’t see it with the naked eye. This is when your body is ovulating and your uterus is getting ready to possibly conceive by the thickening of the uterine wall and releasing an unfertilized egg.

Here is the big moment. This is the week where ovulation and implantation can occur. When the one single sperm meets the egg, there you have it…conception. At conception, the fetus’s eye color, hair color, gender and more have already been determined.

Right now, the fetus is actually called an embryo and some major things are happening. The embryo’s brain, spinal cord, heart, and gastrointestinal tract are all being developed.

It’s now time to take a pregnancy test. Most women discover their pregnancies between weeks 4-7. Pregnancy symptoms may start to develop such as a missed period or breast tenderness. Since ovulation times are different for every woman, it’s important that you take a free, medical-grade pregnancy test and receive a free ultrasound so we can determine exactly how far along you are.

Your embryo is experiencing some major growth here. The beginning stages of the nervous system, skin, nails, hair, mammary glands, sweat glands and enamel for teeth begin to develop. Also, the foundations of the heart, lungs, skeletal system, liver and much more are being created. Even arms and legs begin to develop this week.

Your embryo’s heartbeat is steady and the eyes and ears are forming but some women begin experiencing morning sickness this week. 

You may begin to experience more pregnancy symptoms by week 6. Heartburn, some slight cramping, and light bleeding are super normal this week. Your breasts may still be pretty tender and you might even notice that they make look a little bit darker than normal.

You may still be experiencing morning sickness and maybe some possible weight gain. It’s also possible to have lost a couple of pounds due to morning sickness. You might be experiencing some mood swings and cravings too.

Your embryo is now developing a tongue, hair follicles, and eyelids. Every essential organ that a human being needs to survive has already been forming at this point.

It’s a good time to either begin or continue your prenatal care during week 8. Continue with healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Before you were pregnant, your uterus was the size of a fist. By week 8, it’s the size of a grapefruit!

Your embryo now contains every body part that an adult has but they are not fully developed. The facial features begin to become more defined, and their muscles are even able to contract.

You may not look pregnant on the outside, but you may begin to feel pretty bloated and your pants may start to feel snug. Some of the pregnancy symptoms may have disappeared and others surfaced.

Now called a fetus, it is ready for some pretty major weight gain. The fetus can also start sucking its thumb this week.

Your newly pregnant body is still experiencing pregnancy symptoms, but you may have developed some good coping strategies on how to alleviate those.

The fetus’s kidneys, liver, brain, and lungs are now functioning. Plus, fetuses start to kick their newly developed legs this week.

Your body is continually changing along with the ever-changing fetus. Many women notice hair and fingernail growth during this time in pregnancy. However, not all women will show their pregnancies at this point. Some may notice a small bump while it may not be noticeable with others.

Your fetus is very active at this point. The skeleton is beginning to harden and your fetus’ head is almost half of its entire length.

You are almost out of your first trimester at this point. Your ever-growing uterus is expanding. Depending on if this is your first pregnancy or not, you may already be needing maternity clothes.

Your fetus is continually growing as well. Its kidneys can now secrete urine and the facial features become more recognizable.

You might notice some stretch marks here and there as your body is meeting the needs of the growing fetus.

Your fetus now has its very own fingerprints.