Pregnancy Trimesters

There are three trimesters that break up the major stages of pregnancy and child development.

The first trimester of begins two weeks before your pregnancy is thought to have begun. The first trimester, weeks one to 12, is marked by the transformation of a woman's body into a habitable place for a child to develop. Physical changes will manifest themselves in some unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea, tender breasts and fatigue. Women can also expect an emotional roller coaster marked with exhilaration as well as anxiety. Mood swings are natural. The first trimester is also a changing time for the pregnant woman's social life and romantic partner.

The second trimester is between week 13 and 27. It's also what's considered to be the slow, happy crawl toward the emotional roller coaster's dramatic drop. The nausea may have passed and the baby won't be big enough to make a woman feel too much discomfort. Early on in the second trimester, a woman's health care provider can determine the sex of the baby. In the middle of the second trimester, the baby will develop the capacity to hear. Shortly after, at the midway point (18 weeks after conception), the baby will begin to move around.

The third trimester is between weeks 28 and 40 and will be a time of discomfort and anxiety punctuated by back pains, shortness of breath and deceptive Braxton Hicks contractions. The baby will finish developing its bones, sexual organs and will open its eyes. It will also practice breathing and detect light for the first time while your body prepares for delivery. The Mayo Clinic suggests keeping yourself busy with preparations for the child during this time to keep your mind off any anxieties. During this time you'll also start weekly visits to your health care provider.