Week By Week Stages

• Skin Changes – Rosy or shiny skin, also called “the pregnancy glow”, is caused by an increase in blood circulation. Pregnancy hormones can also increase oil production on the skin causing acne.
• Heartburn – Muscles that break down food become more relaxed and slower. Food then stays in the stomach longer causing or worsening heartburn.
• Constipation – This is often caused by the iron in the prenatal vitamin, as well as the slowed process of digesting food.
• Visible Veins – Your veins may become more noticeable because your body makes extra blood and the heart pumps faster to meet the demands of pregnancy.
• Lightheaded/Dizziness – Your body works hard to make extra blood to support the pregnancy thus causing some feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness.
• Vaginal changes – The lining of the vagina becomes thicker and less sensitive. You may notice thin white discharge.
• Emotion changes – Due to the overload of hormones during your pregnancy, you may feel moody, forgetful, and unable to focus. Fatigue and stress can worsen these symptoms.
• Frequent urination – As the growing uterus pushes on the bladder, you may notice an increased need to urinate. Some even leak urine when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
• Growing belly – This occurs as your pregnancy and uterus grow.

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• Nausea/Vomiting – For many, this begins to improve in this trimester.
• Leg Cramps – This is related to the pressure a baby is putting on nerves and blood vessels that go to the legs. Call your healthcare provider to report this since a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) can cause similar symptoms and can occur during pregnancy.
• Breast Changes – Breasts grow larger and fuller to prepare for lactation.
• Skin Changes – As the pregnancy grows, the skin stretches and can cause stretch marks. Dry, itchy skin, increased sensitivity to sun, the formation of a dark line (linea nigra) down the belly from navel to pubis, and the formation of patches of darkened skin on the face can also occur.
• Puffiness – This is caused by fluid retention and slower blood circulation. Call your healthcare provider if this becomes severe.
• Back/Hip/Pelvis Pain – The growing pregnancy puts stress on the back, meanwhile, ligaments relax causing aches and pains in your hips and pelvis. Bones also move slightly to prepare for childbirth.
• Abdominal Muscle Cramping – Muscles and ligaments supporting the uterus stretch as the uterus grows.
• Nasal Congestion/Nosebleeds – This can occur as increased blood flows to mucous membranes.
• Loose Teeth – Pregnancy hormones can affect the ligaments and bones in the mouth as well, so teeth may loosen. This returns to normal after pregnancy.
• Heartburn – This may worsen in the second trimester.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) – Hormonal changes slow the flow of urine. Additionally, your bladder doesn’t completely empty due to the enlarged uterus pressing against it.  Symptoms of a UTI include an increased need to urinate, burning with urination, presence of blood in the urine, or strong odor to the urine. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop these symptoms.
• Braxton Hicks Contractions – The tightening of the uterine muscles causes discomfort and is sometimes mistaken as “false labor”. This is one of the ways your body prepares for labor. These contractions are irregular and should go away in a few minutes.  Call your healthcare provider if they become regular and painful.
• Weight Gain – This is caused by the growing pregnancy, hormones, and fluid retention.
• Fetal Movement – You will begin to notice movement of the pregnancy inside the uterus. Movement will feel more noticeable as the pregnancy grows during this trimester.

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• Fatigue – Hormones and the physical/emotional stress of the pregnancy can cause tiredness.
• Puffiness – This is caused by slowed blood circulation and fluid retention. Call your healthcare provider if this becomes severe.
• Tingling/Numbness – Swelling may press on nerves causing tingling, and as the skin becomes stretched, it may begin to feel numb.
• Varicose Veins – These are caused by pregnancy hormones triggering the vein walls to relax and swell. Fluid retention and pressure from the growing pregnancy can also slow blood circulation leading to varicose veins.  Additionally, the strain from a bowel movement can cause varicose veins near the anus called hemorrhoids.
• Continued Back/Pelvis/Hip Aches and Pains – This occurs as the pregnancy grows and the body prepares for childbirth.
• Abdominal Muscle Pain – This occurs as the pregnancy grows and the muscles and ligaments are stretched.
• Shortness of Breath – As the uterus grows upward, the lungs have less room to expand.
• Breast Changes – The breasts may continue to become larger and fuller. They may start to leak a yellow liquid called colostrum, the baby’s first food.
• Vaginal Discharge – Discharge may increase. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any fluid leaking or see blood.
• Stretch Marks – As the pregnancy grows more in size, stretch marks may begin to appear or increase.
• Decrease in Fetal Movement – There will be less fetal movement as the pregnancy grows and has less room to move around in the uterus.

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