Pregnancy is arguably one of the greatest events in a woman's life and makes it clear what a great miracle life itself is. Despite all the exciting and amazing scientific discoveries, despite all the rational insights we have today about conception, pregnancy, and birth, there always remains a touch of the mystery of motherhood, which has always been attached to the creation of new life within one's own body since the dawn of humanity.
You are about to embark on a great adventure. We look forward to accompanying you on this journey.
In our three-part pregnancy calendar "Week by Week", we briefly present the most important events in each trimester in every episode. We start with the first trimester, which marks the beginning of your journey.
The first trimester at a glance: Pregnancy weeks 1–13
Usually, a pregnancy begins with the first look at a positive pregnancy test. Without a doubt, a positive result is one of the greatest moments in a woman's life. Furthermore, incredible things happen inside your body every week of pregnancy. Here you will find out exactly what goes on during the 40 weeks of your pregnancy.
Weeks 1 – 3 of pregnancy
Your pregnancy is calculated from the start of your cycle, i.e., from the first day of your last period. This is referred to as the first and second week of pregnancy. However, you don't really feel pregnant yet. Currently, the expectant mother has no signs at all that would indicate it.
In the first half of the monthly cycle, the eggs mature in the ovaries. From the 12th to the 16th day, ovulation takes place in the middle of the cycle. After successful ovulation, a mature egg now travels into the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized within 12 to 24 hours.
If you have sexual intercourse during your fertile days, i.e., the days around ovulation, millions of sperm travel through the uterus to the egg, which is currently traveling down the fallopian tube. If sperm and egg meet, a fusion occurs. The egg is thus fertilized. While the fertilized egg now travels into the uterus, the process of cell division and thus the creation of new life already begins. Approximately 30 hours after fusion, the fertilized egg divides for the first time. After this first division, the cells divide again approximately every 20 hours. The body begins to release pregnancy hormones. These serve to prepare the uterine lining for the fertilized egg to implant itself. It takes about a week for the fertilized egg to arrive in the uterus.
How do you experience the first period?
In these first weeks, you probably won't notice any physical signs or symptoms yet. However, women who regularly measure their temperature for contraceptive purposes might notice that their temperature does not drop as usual shortly before their next period, but is instead slightly elevated. The body temperature rises by 0.5 degrees Celsius after ovulation and successful fertilization. However, even a minor infection can cause a rise in temperature. Therefore, a slight temperature increase alone is not yet a reliable indicator of pregnancy.
Even though some women notice an existing pregnancy very early on, it usually takes at least 3 weeks before the first signs appear.
First signs:
- Abdominal pain
- Increased discharge (hormonal changes)
- Pulling sensation in the abdomen (stretching of the round ligaments, growth of the uterus)
- Nausea (affects 80% of women in the first trimester, triggered by a rapid rise in the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG))
- Diarrhea (usually due to dietary changes)
- Light spotting, also known as implantation bleeding
The pregnancy trimesters at a glance
Pregnancy lasts an average of 40 weeks of pregnancy. These are divided into three trimesters. Accordingly, a trimester has a duration of about three months or 13 weeks.
- The first trimester: The first third of pregnancy (weeks 1–13) is an extremely exciting and thrilling time. During this period, all the important organs are formed in your unborn baby. At the same time, you will notice some physical changes in yourself.
- The second trimester: In the second third of pregnancy (weeks 14–27), the initially unpleasant side effects of the pregnancy, such as nausea and fatigue, subside. This period is usually perceived as very pleasant by expectant mothers.
- The third trimester: In the last third of pregnancy (weeks 28–40), your unborn baby will grow steadily, and you will also automatically gain weight. During this phase, be sure to get enough rest and take plenty of recovery breaks. Between the 38th and 42nd week, your baby will get ready to be born.
The 4th week of pregnancy
To be immediately certain that you are pregnant without any further aids, you would have to know your cycle very precisely. But a standard pregnancy test from the drugstore or pharmacy will show you a positive or negative result directly based on the release of the pregnancy hormone hCG. This gives you immediate clarity.
What is happening right now?
As the fertilized egg travels towards the uterus, it divides several times. It is now already referred to as an embryo. From the 4th week of pregnancy, the embryo implants itself in the uterine lining. The cell layers develop into the nervous system, skeleton, muscles, organs, and skin.
At the same time, the placenta begins to form. It is a flat organ interwoven with blood vessels, consisting of both embryonic and maternal tissue. It ensures that your bloodstream is connected to that of your child and is created by the embryonic tissue growing into the uterine lining. However, the embryo that has just implanted itself there is still very tiny: about the size of a poppy seed (1–2 millimeters).
From now on, the first signs of pregnancy may occur. The following symptoms have been observed by expectant mothers from the 4th week of pregnancy onwards:
- Increased urge to urinate: Due to the rise in hormones, it happens that women feel a stronger urge to urinate.
- Spotting: From the 4th week of pregnancy, there is the possibility of light spotting, so-called implantation bleeding. Initially, this is no cause for concern. However, if the bleeding lasts longer or if heavier bleeding occurs, a visit to the gynecologist is recommended.
- Mood swings: Pregnancy hormones can turn your emotional world upside down.
- Tension in the breasts: Your breasts are preparing for the upcoming milk production. The mammary glands begin to grow. The color and shape of the nipples may also change.
- Morning sickness: This varies greatly from woman to woman. Some feel no nausea at all, while other women are burdened by it not just in the morning. Usually, however, these symptoms subside in the second trimester.
- Light discharge: A light, odorless discharge is a completely normal symptom, especially in the first weeks of pregnancy.
- Fatigue: Your body is creating a whole new life. This is hard work that it first has to get used to. Many women also suffer from iron deficiency now, which can make them even more tired. Discuss this with your gynecologist.
- Balanced and healthy diet
- Avoiding cigarettes and alcohol
- Avoiding passive smoking
- Avoiding stress
- Sufficient exercise, possibly sporting activities
- Taking folic acid
- Regular visits to the gynecologist
You may not know it yet, but your unborn baby is already growing vigorously and will continue to develop. Incredible things happen in every week of pregnancy. Limbs grow, organs are formed, and later in the pregnancy, the fetus already has real sleep and wake phases.
The 5th week of pregnancy
Congratulations, you are pregnant! Your mind is probably still processing this life-changing news, but your body has already been working at full speed for quite a while. The fertilized egg has implanted itself in your uterus, divided many times, and formed different cell layers. The outer layer of the cell (ectoderm) forms the skin, nervous system, sensory organs, and teeth. The middle cell layer (mesoderm) is the foundation for bones, muscles, lymphatic and blood vessels, and the heart. The inner cell layer (endoderm) gives rise to the other organs (liver, thyroid, bladder, and the entire respiratory tract).
The 6th week of pregnancy
Your belly is still completely flat, but your breasts may already start to feel tight. The nipples become darker and possibly more sensitive. Your body is running at full speed and is already preparing for breastfeeding. Due to the pregnancy hormone (hCG) and the increase in estrogen and progesterone, more milk glands are forming in your breast. This strong hormonal surge, which your body first has to get used to, can certainly lead to further symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and a hard, bloated belly.
Your baby's heart is now fully developed and is the first to start its work. Human life begins. The embryo's head still makes up more than half of its small body (total size approx. 4 mm). Small bones have formed along the neural tube. These will soon develop into your baby's spine and ribs.
The 7th week of pregnancy
Now your gynecologist can clearly confirm the existing pregnancy. He or she will soon hand you the maternity records. All important examination results, special features, and potential risks are entered there. This gives midwives and treating doctors a quick and necessary overview of your pregnancy progress.
Currently, the small face is already forming: eye sockets, nostrils, and mouth are already there. The first muscle strands are forming. The liver is also already producing red blood cells. Since your unborn child takes on a curved posture due to its large head, the size is measured in crown-rump length (CRL). This is the length from the head to the bottom.
The 8th week of pregnancy
In this week of pregnancy, there may be increased pulling and pinching in your abdomen or lower belly. No need to worry; in most cases, this is simply because your uterus is growing. You might already be wondering when the right time is to look for a midwife. The answer is simple: it's never too early. The sooner you take care of it, the better.
The baby now measures 15 millimeters from head to toe. It is just about as wide as your thumbnail. The embryo already has fingers and toes. Knee joints are forming on the legs and elbows in the arms. The ears are also already developed. Your baby's eyes are still covered with a fine membrane, from which the eyelids will later form. Most internal organs are formed and have long since taken their permanent place. Kidneys and stomach are starting to produce urine and stomach acid.
The 9th week of pregnancy
Now the time has finally come! The first prenatal check-up is coming up soon, which usually takes place between the 9th and 12th week of pregnancy. You can then see your baby in your belly for the first time via ultrasound. Most likely, blood will also be drawn now so that your doctor can determine your blood type and Rh factor.
Muscles and nerves start their work and begin to work together. Your unborn baby still has plenty of room and makes full use of it. It swims, fidgets, and does somersaults every day. Since it only weighs about one gram, you won't feel much of it yet. The neck has also already developed and separates the large head from the rest of the body. The small face is taking more and more shape. Eyes, ears, nose, and lips are already clearly recognizable.
The 10th week of pregnancy
In this week of pregnancy, it is also quite possible that you are still struggling with the hormonal adjustment. There are expectant mothers who struggle with brittle, lifeless hair or blemished skin due to the change in hormone balance. Your uterus is now the size of a grapefruit. You might notice now that you can just barely close your pants at the top. It's slowly becoming time for maternity pants, as these have an elastic waistband and offer your belly enough space.
From this week of pregnancy onwards, the embryonic phase ends. All important organs have developed and are located where they belong. The gynecologist now refers to it as a fetus. Your unborn baby's head has already straightened up, and it can stretch and bend its arms and legs. There is a thin layer of skin between the fingers and toes, which is now slowly receding. In the 10th week, foot and finger lines form. They create the unique fingerprint.
The 11th week of pregnancy
It may happen that you now experience increased food cravings. Many pregnant women are often hungry from this point on, and usually for foods they didn't even like before the pregnancy. Doctors still don't know why this is the case today. It is best not to let cravings arise in the first place by making sure your stomach is never completely empty. It is a good idea to eat several healthy small meals spread throughout the day.
The fine-tuning is coming. The webbing between fingers and toes disappears, and the fingernails begin to grow. The eyes, which are still on the side of the head, gradually move to the center of the face. The fetus can already open its mouth to swallow amniotic fluid. It even excretes the ingested fluid again. It happens that the fetus often gets hiccups. The foundations for the teeth are formed in the jaw. The cartilage mass that currently forms your baby's skeleton begins to ossify and becomes steadily firmer. The skin is also getting thicker now.
The 12th week of pregnancy
You and your baby have reached an important milestone at the end of the 12th week of pregnancy. The critical phase of pregnancy now ends, and the risk of miscarriage now drops rapidly. If you have suffered from severe nausea, this will now gradually subside.
Your unborn baby is busy starting to move its head back and forth. It now repeatedly brings its hand to its face. Due to the existing sucking reflex, it wants to start sucking its thumb. Thanks to the increasingly mature nerve pathways, it can clench its fists and bounce its feet. It is now making its first learning experiences, which busily stimulate and encourage the brain. However, it will still be some time before you can properly perceive the movements.
The 13th week of pregnancy
The first trimester will soon end, and for many women, the time is now approaching to finally officially announce their pregnancy. You should also inform your employer about your pregnancy. Because only if they know about your pregnancy can they ensure that the provisions of the Maternity Protection Act are observed.
Your unborn baby is starting to try out its facial expressions. It frowns and tries to open its mouth. It discovers a completely new pleasure: rocking back and forth or bouncing up and down. In the 13th week, the vestibular system in the inner ear begins its work and reacts to movements, especially to rhythmic bouncing up and down. These stimulus lines from the inner ear activate the areas in the brain that ensure extreme well-being and calm for your baby. Accordingly, your child feels very comfortable due to the rocking and bouncing in the womb. The swing2sleep is based exactly on this principle. It is the leading automatic baby hammock that supports your newborn from the first day of life in arriving in this world through gentle rocking and bouncing. Due to the relaxing effect of the up and down movements, your baby feels as secure as in the womb. This also makes it much easier for you to calm your baby with the swing2sleep, e.g. during colic. The swing2sleep supports your baby in falling asleep and staying asleep and helps in difficult phases, during growth spurts and when teeth are coming through.
Find out in the next blog article which developmental steps your unborn baby will take in the coming weeks and which changes you and your body will go through. The second trimester covers the 14th–27th week of pregnancy. Enjoy!
