MOM FOREVER

Since you are here, it’s obvious that you want to know what to expect when you're expecting. The notion could be dreadful, especially for the first-timers. But don’t worry. We have divided our comprehensive but detailed pregnancy calendar that will help you in guiding in the right direction. It will tell you what changes are taking place in your baby- and in you.

The First Month (0-4th Week)

This is the start of an exciting and blessed journey. It commences at the start of your last period and lasts about four weeks.

Baby’s life starts this month, i-e, about two weeks from the commencement of your last period, conception takes place inside your uterus.

There will be more than 36 weeks (8 months, 12 days) until the birth when the month ends.

The fetus (your baby) will be 2 weeks old at the end of this month.

He/she will be the size of a pinhead.

Pro Tip: Refrain from taking any medicine without consulting a health professional during your pregnancy. Tell them about your condition so they can prescribe a medicine that is safe for both you and your baby.

The Second Month (5th-8th Week)

This starts after the beginning of your last period and it will last four weeks.

32 more weeks to birth (7 months, 14 days) at the end of this month.

The fetus will be six weeks old at the end of this month.

At the end of the second month, the baby will be 1.5 cm in length.

The fetus will start to develop limbs.

In this month, the umbilical cord, the nervous system, spine, heart, nose, eyelids, and ears begin to develop.

Pro Tip: Tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking can seriously hamper the development of your baby. They can also have adverse effects on your lungs.

The Third Month (9th-12th Week)

The third pregnancy month starts 8 weeks (2 months) after the beginning of your last period.

Until birth, there will be 28 weeks (6 months, 16 days) at the end of the third month.

The baby will be 6 weeks old at the start of this month and will be 10 weeks old at its end.

The fetus will weigh around 20 grams and will be 9 cm long at the end of the third month.

For the first time, the baby’s heart will beat. (Already excited?)

The fetus will get the nourishment through the umbilical cord and will float in a sack of amniotic fluids.

Pro Tip: Mother’s health and wellbeing are very important to the child. Plenty of exercises and a healthy diet will be beneficial for both mother and child.

The Fourth Month (13th-16th Week)

This month will begin 12 weeks (3 months) after the start of your last period.

24 weeks (5 months, 18 days) will be left until birth at the end of this month.

The fetus will be 2.5 months old at the beginning of this month and will be 3.5 months old at its end.

The fetus will weigh around 100 grams at the end of the fourth month and will be 16 cm long.

The uterus will be stretched to about the size of a fist.

The face will begin to acquire its own features and the head will be big, about half of the total length. Ears and genitals will be developing around this time.

The fetus will practice breathing and swallowing movements. It will turn its head, will move its thumb and toes, and kicks. However, the mother will not yet feel any such tiny movements.

Pro Tip: You must visit a clinic or a doctor before the beginning of the seventeenth week in order to qualify for maternity benefits.

The Fifth Month (17th-20th Week)

The fifth month starts 16 weeks after the start of your last period.

There will be 20 weeks (4 months, 20 days) until the birth at the end of this month.

The fetus will be 14 weeks old at the start of the fifth month and 18 weeks at the end of this month.

The baby will be 25-27 cm in length at the end of the month and weighs around 250-300 grams.

By that time, the fetus will have grown its own circulatory system, and its heartbeat will be twice as fast as adults.

The fetus will now have eyebrows. Its skin will be covered in fine downy hair that will vanish by birth time.

By this time, the placenta will be as big as the fetus and it will protect it from some but not all harmful substances.

If the mother had a baby before, the mother can now feel the baby’s movements.

Pro Tip: In this month, the time is ripe to talk to the health nurse about antenatal classes.

The Sixth Month (21st-24th Week)

This month begins 20 weeks (5 months) after the commencement of your last period.

At the end of this month, there will be 16 weeks (3 months, 2 days) until birth.

The fetus will be 4.5 months old at the start of this month and will be 5.5 months old at the end of the sixth month.

The baby’s heartbeat can be heard or felt at this time. Even a primipara (a woman expecting her first kid) can feel its movements. The fetus will weigh around 400-600 grams and will be 30 cm long at the end of the sixth month.

The faster growth of the uterus indicates the possibility of twins.

The uterus (the fundus) will be up to the navel at the end of this month.

The protective film begins to grow into the skin.

The baby will practice sucking and its thumb will often find its way into the baby’s mouth.

During this period, the baby will sleep most of the time but can be woken by external vibration or noises.

Pro Tip: You should keep your paperwork in order by this time because, in the 22nd week, you will be eligible for maternity, paternity, or parent’s pay (and absence leave) or for maternity benefits.

The Seventh Month (25th-28th Week)

This month is considered to be one of the crucial months for the development and care of both mother and the child. It starts 24 weeks after the start of your last period.

There will be 12 weeks (2 months, 24 days) until the birth at the end of this month.

The fetus will be 22 weeks old at the start of the seventh month and will be 26 weeks old at the end of this month.

The fetus will be around a kilo and will be 35 cm long.

The fetus will be most active as compared to earlier stages. Its turns and kicks will be visible and will have a strong grip with his hands. Also, it will open and close its eyes.

Your uterus will be up to the navel and you may feel first contractions during which your belly will go hard for a few seconds.

The Eighth Month (29th-32nd Week)

This conclusive month will start 28 weeks after the start of your last period.

There will be 8 weeks (1 month, 26 days) until the birth at the end of the eighth month.

At the beginning of this month, the fetus will be 26 weeks old and will be 30 weeks old at its end.

The fetus weighs around 1.5 kilos and will be 40 cm long.

A frail one, the baby will look like a “baby” during this month. It will have chances of surviving if it comes to the world now.

The lungs of the fetus will not be fully developed, and it will still lack the essential antibodies of a full-term baby.

Pro Tip: Avoid strenuous jobs which include standing for a long stretch of time and lifting heavy objects.

The Ninth Month (33rd-36th Week)

This month starts 32 weeks (8 months) after the start of your last period.

There will be a month (28 days) at the end of this month until the baby is born.

The baby will be 30 weeks old at the start of this month and 34 weeks old at its end.

It will be 47 cm long and will weigh around 2,700 grams. The baby will gain weight quickly during this phase.

The baby will have not much room left to move, that’s why its movements will be limited. Most babies get in the position for birth, head down.

The baby’s skin is filled with vernix- a creamy, protective film.

Pro Tip: It’s the best idea to get everything ready for the baby at this stage.

The Tenth Month (37th-40th Week)

This month starts 36 weeks after the commencement of your last period or 34 weeks after the conception of the baby.

The baby will be 34 weeks old at the beginning of this month. Most babies are born when they are 38 weeks old.

Considerable increase in contractions, the uterus will drop and the baby’s head will be ready for birth.

The baby’s kicks will grow so forceful as they could move a book placed on the mother’s navel.

Most babies are born around 49-52 cm long and weigh around 3,000 to 4,000 grams.

Your baby will come into this world at the end of the tenth month, give or take seven days.

Read more about Pregnancy

Pro Tip: Rush towards the maternity clinic if the water breaks, if you experience severe pain and bleeding, or when the contractions are constantly coming.