Pregnancy Blog

There are three trimesters of pregnancy, which in humans, typically lasts about 40 weeks.  So how long does each trimester last and what happens during each trimester?  Breaking it down, each trimester has it’s own unique developments.The first trimester lasts through week 12, although you may have to give or take a week depending on the doctor (the reason there is a discrepancy is because 40 weeks doesn’t evenly divide by three trimesters).  This is the time in which the baby’s heart starts beating and all major organs develop.    This is also one of the most difficult times for a woman because she will start to experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting and cravings.  This time also carries the highest risk of miscarriage which adds more stress for many women.

The second trimester lasts through week 26, again, give or take a week depending on the doctor you see.  This is sometimes known as the honeymoon trimester.  The reason for this is because typically morning sickness has started to ease up and the aches and pains of the third trimester have not yet arrived.  This is also a very exciting time as movement will be felt at some point during this period.  Development continues as the baby grows larger.

The third trimester lasts through the end of the pregnancy and is quite uncomfortable for a lot of women.  The growth rate starts to slow as does the baby’s movement, due to lack of room in the uterus.  The lungs are completing their development as the baby prepares to take it’s first breaths of air after it is born.  Hopefully during this time, baby turns into a head down position in preparation for birth.

So, although the exact weeks for the trimesters of pregnancy vary, they are approximately 13 weeks each.  Each trimester has its ups and downs with lots of development, but in the end, it is all worth it as you hold your newborn child.