Are you pregnant and curious to know what happens during pregnancy? On average, pregnancies last a period of 40 weeks. If the baby is premature, the baby is born earlier than 37 weeks- normal pregnancies last between 37-42 weeks.
Just Starting!
Did you just find out you’re pregnant? If so, chances are you are in 
your first trimester! This trimester is the first 13 weeks from your last menstrual cycle. Whether your pregnancy is obvious or not, your body is going through some major changes. By the end of this trimester, your baby’s organs will have developed, therefore, this is considered the most crucial period of your baby’s journey of development. This time, however, is the most common time to miscarry so perhaps it is best to avoid spreading the news until this trimester is over. Additionally, it is important to see your health care professional every month. During this time, it is common for you to feel fatigue and sickness, that of which, can occur at any time of the day (it is a common misconception that morning sickness only occurs in the morning). To aid in minimal nausea, eat bland foods such as crackers, and eat small meals. You may also notice your breasts growing in size due to the hormonal changes that your body is experiencing, and your breasts may be tender to touch.
Pregnancy and Lactation
During your pregnancy, lactation may begin as early as your first trimester, however, most women experience it in their second or third trimester. In order to prepare for your baby’s birth, you may leak a thick, milky substance that is yellow in color- it is called colostrum. Colostrum is the “pre-milk” and contains nutrients; it is used to breastfeed the baby when the baby is born. Your breasts will begin to produce a full supply of milk around 2-3 days after giving birth.
Pregnancy: Second Trimester
The second trimester begins after the 13th week and continues until the 27th week. By this time, your pregnant belly may begin to show and you may notice that your nausea level has decreased and your energy level is restored. Although old symptoms may have disappeared, new symptoms may arise such as leg cramps and back pain. This may also be an exciting time because as your baby continues to grow in length, you may feel your baby “kick” – this is commonly experienced between week 16-20. If you wish, your doctor may notify you of your baby’s sex. In order to make labor and delivery easier and more manageable, you can perform exercises of moderate levels such as walking, jogging and swimming; this is also important as it’ll help you maintain a healthy body weight.
Pregnancy: Third Trimester
The third trimester is from the 27th week of pregnancy until you give birth. At this time, your emotions may be mixed – you may feel excitement and anxiety all at once. It is important to see your health care professional often during this time. You may experience sleeping problems and shortness of breath. To aid in child birth, it may be beneficial to take a childbirth class.
Keep in mind – every pregnancy is different. However, If you are concerned that what you are experiencing is unusual for pregnancies, it is best to contact your health care professional.