Pregnancy Stages

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First, Second and Thid Trimester

 

Pregnancy is an amazing time of changes to your body and your life. The foods you eat before and during pregnancy prepare your body to support the growth of your baby. Eating nutritious foods gives your baby the best chance of a healthy beginning.

First Trimester

The first trimester is from 0 to 12 weeks.
By six weeks, your baby is the size of a pea. By seven to eight weeks all the baby’s major organs are partly formed. Your body creates two special organs to support and nourish your child. The amniotic sac surrounds the baby with fluid and acts like a shock absorber. The placenta is your baby’s life support system. It feeds your baby, brings oxygen and gets rid of wastes through the blood. Everything you eat, drink or smoke, including drugs, will be delivered to your baby through the placenta. Good nutrition is required so your body has the right building blocks for a healthy pregnancy.

Second Trimester

The second trimester is from 13 to 28 weeks.
During this trimester, your baby starts to hear and may startle at loud noises. Sex organs are maturing. Hair grows on your baby’s head. He or she can cough or hiccup. Your baby is very active. You need to drink plenty of healthy fluids and eat nutritious foods to help your body support your growing baby.

Third Trimester

The third trimester is from 29 to 40 weeks.
Your baby does most of his or her maturing now. By six months, your baby weighs less than 1 kilogram (less than 2 lb.). At birth, the average baby will weigh between 2.5 to 4 kilograms (6 to 9 lb.). Brain cells are growing very fast. Calcium is especially needed now for proper bone and tooth growth. Your baby is getting ready to be born.