Pregnancy & The baby

The changes your baby goes through during pregnancy

We have talked about how pregnancy will be for you, now let’s talk about baby. They are developing so fast and growing every day. Which, as you have found out, can have negative effects on you as the mother. They stretch out your belly and take up a lot of space within you, stealing all your strength and energy, but they are so worth it. This post is about how your baby develops within you throughout the length of your pregnancy. How it goes from a tiny poppy seed to a pumpkin. A pumpkin coming out of you is always fun to imagine, but remember your body was made to do this.

Pregnancy is a miraculous journey that brings new life into this world.

Over the course of roughly nine months, a tiny cluster of living cells, inside you, develops into a complex and beautiful human being, ready to enter the outside world. The journey that those cells go on is incredible. We know it all starts with fertilisation when the genetic material from mother and father are combined. This single cell divides and divides again, forming a cluster of cells which then implants itself within the wall of the uterus, and eventually starts receiving nutrients and oxygen from the mother’s bloodstream. You must remember that once the placenta is formed, everything that can be passed into the bloodstream will go through your baby. That includes alcohol, caffeine, toxins in cigarettes and drugs. These can all have negative effects on your baby as they grow and develop inside you. Remember it is only you that can protect the baby that you are growing.

As we all know, pregnancy is made up of three trimesters. Your baby is developing throughout and big changes are happening to that little bundle of cells.

First Trimester

During your first trimester of pregnancy (roughly the first 12 weeks), many important developments take place. That tiny group of cells that implanted itself within the wall of your uterus grows into an embryo, and that embryo begins to take on the characteristics of a developing human being. The amniotic fluid protects your embryo from harm, providing it a safe place to grow. When you get to around five to six weeks into your pregnancy, the embryo’s heart begins to beat. This momentous event marks the beginning of a lifelong journey. At around eight weeks major organs and structures start to form, and arms and legs appear as tiny buds. A foetus is born.

Second Trimester

During your second trimester (weeks 13-27), your baby undergoes a period of rapid growth and development. You as a mother will start to feel your baby moving during this time, a sensation known as “quickening.” I started feeling my first child move around 20 weeks. It was a strange, but beautiful feeling and from there I smiled every time I felt my baby move.

Ok… not every time. I had an unpleasant feeling in my ribs near the end of my pregnancy, caused by my baby having kicked me.

The second trimester sees more amazing developments in your baby. Baby can now feel touch, hear sounds, and even taste the amniotic fluid, all thanks to their nervous system development. Your baby’s skin becomes covered in vernix, a protective substance that helps to moisturise and protect the skin. They begin to grow hair and nails, and their eyes open and close. They also begin to develop a digestive system, allowing them to swallow amniotic fluid and digest it. At around 22-23 weeks, your baby has a chance of survival outside of the womb with good medical assistance. However, they are still developing and maturing, and the longer they remain in the womb, the better your baby’s chances of survival and overall health.

Third Trimester

We’re here, the final stage. During the third trimester (weeks 28-40+), your baby continues to grow and develop, preparing themselves for joining you in the outside world. Your baby will start to gain weight rapidly and their body fat will increase. Your baby’s brain becomes better developed, and your baby can start to process information and respond to stimuli. Tiny Human is now fully formed and ready to join you.

As your due date approaches, your baby may change position, moving head-down in preparation for birth. You may begin to have contractions called Braxton Hicks, which are only your body preparing your uterus for labour. Annoying I know, it can be confusing so close to your due date.

You might think that your waters breaking is the first sign of labour, however, sometimes they don’t break until just before you’re ready to push.

Conclusion

Throughout the journey of pregnancy, your developing baby experiences a vast array of changes, both physical and emotional. At each stage, your baby develops new abilities and functions. The journey of pregnancy is full of wonder, complexity, and beauty. If worried about your baby, contact a midwife. It is always better safe than sorry.

You can find pregnancy resources at the end of Pregnancy and the Mother.