A full-term pregnancy is divided into three trimesters and lasts for 40 weeks. It starts from the first day of your last menstrual period and continues till the day baby is delivered. The fetus continues to develop throughout pregnancy and is expected to meet specific developmental milestones in each pregnancy trimester.
While the usual time frame is 40 weeks, a full-term baby can be born between 37 and 42 weeks.
For consultation regarding pregnancy, delivery, or any gynecological issue, contact Al Hilal Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology today and get an appointment with the best gynecologist and obstetrician in Bahrain.
Our representatives are available on WhatsApp helpline, in Al Hilal Manama, Salmabad, Riffa and Muharraq branches, for your convenience. We also offer exclusive antenatal and delivery packages and privilege cards for additional benefits- to provide affordable yet exceptional healthcare services to all our patients.
Pregnancy Trimesters in Weeks
Following are pregnancy trimesters in weeks:
First trimester is from 1- 12 weeks of pregnancy, and it is the most crucial time for the development of fetus. During this time, the egg and sperm combine to form embryo, that implants in the wall of uterus and starts to divide and grow. By the end of 12 weeks/ first trimester:
- Major body organs and structures have started developing.
- Heartbeat is regular.
- Toes and fingers have formed.
- Fetus weighs around 1 ounce and is 3 inches long.
- Muscles and nerves start working together and the fetus can make a fist.
- Eyelids develop and stay closed until around 28 weeks- to protect eyes.
Click here for more information regarding First Trimester of Pregnancy– by Dr. Jasmine Sankaranarayanan, Specialist Gynecologist, Al Hilal Hospital Bahrain.
Second trimester is from 13- 28 weeks, and the fetus goes through drastic changes during this time. By the end of this trimester, the fetus has achieved following milestones:
- Weighs around 1.5 pounds and grows up to be 1 foot long.
- The first bowel movement (meconium) develops in intestines.
- The fetus can hear, see, scratch itself and make sucking motion.
- Hair, skin, and nails have developed.
- Lungs develop but are not working at this point.
- Fetus sleeps and wakes up regularly.
- Male’s testicles would move to scrotum, and female’s eggs develop in the ovaries.
- Taste buds form.
- Bone marrow starts making blood cells.
- Fine hair (lanugo) covers the body.
Third trimester is from 29 weeks until delivery– that is usually around week 40. The fetus has developed most of the body systems and organs by now, that continues to grow and mature with time. Further developments that take place during this trimester include:
- The bones become harder.
- Movement of baby becomes more noticeable.
- Eyes can now open and sense light.
- Lung formation is complete.
- Fine hair on the body (lanugo) falls off and a waxy coating, known as vernix, develops on the body.
- Towards the end of this trimester, the fetus drops lower in the mother’s abdomen and mostly turns head-down.
Pregnancy Trimesters Months
Full term pregnancy can be broken down into three pregnancy trimester months:
- First trimester: 1- 3 months.
- Second trimester: 4- 6 months.
- Third trimester: 7- 9 months.
For consultation regarding pregnancy, delivery, or any gynecological issue, contact Al Hilal Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology today and get an appointment with the best gynecologist and obstetrician in Bahrain.
Pregnancy Trimesters Chart
Pregnancy Trimesters Calculator
A pregnancy trimester calculator can be used to roughly calculate the delivery due date (the date when baby is expected to be born). It also provides an estimate pregnancy schedule, based on the approximate due date, ultrasound date, last menstrual period date, conception date or the IVF transfer date.
Pregnancy Trimesters Symptoms
Pregnancy trimesters symptoms vary from one person to another; however, the usual symptoms include the following:
First Trimester
- Tender and swollen breasts.
- Fatigue
- Mood swings/ changes in mood.
- Craving for certain food items.
- Indigestion
- Headaches
- Changes in weight.
- An increased need to urinate.
- Constipation
- Morning sickness- nausea, sometimes combined with vomiting. It can last throughout the first trimester, and sometimes even beyond. Despite the name, it does not occur only in the morning, and can happen at any time of the day.
Click here for more information regarding First Trimester of Pregnancy– by Dr. Jasmine Sankaranarayanan, Specialist Gynecologist, Al Hilal Hospital Bahrain.
Second Trimester
It is usually more comfortable as compared to the first trimester, as morning sickness and fatigue usually reduce or disappear. However, the following changes start taking place:
- Abdomen continues to expand as the fetus grows.
- Sometimes, stretch marks start appearing on abdomen, breasts, thighs, and buttocks.
- The skin around nipples (areola) becomes darker in color.
- The skin on face might start developing dark patches.
- Fingers, ankles, and face might swell.
- Itching might occur. If it is accompanied by yellowing of skin or eyes and vomiting (symptoms of jaundice), consult an expert gynecologist
- Baby’s movements also become more noticeable as the trimesters continue to progress.
Third Trimester
During third trimester, the growth of fetus can cause new discomfort, and the pregnant woman might experience:
- Shortness of breath.
- Heartburn
- Swelling in fingers, face, and ankles.
- Mood swings
- Swelling in fingers, face, and ankles
- Milk leakage from breasts.
- Changes in nipples and breasts.
- Hemorrhoids
- Frequent need to urinate.
- Real contraction, that induce labor.
- Braxton-Hick contractions, that do not induce labor.
- Anxiety about delivery and parenthood is also common towards the end of this trimester.
Al Hilal Hospital Bahrain, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
For more information about pregnancy, childbirth, or any gynecological issue, consult an expert gynecologist at the earliest. At Al Hilal Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, we have highly qualified and experienced doctors, state-of-the-art laboratories, and modern equipment to provide accurate diagnoses and effective treatment options for all the patients.
Contact Al Hilal Hospital, and get consultation with the best gynecologist and obstetrician in Bahrain for details related to pregnancy, childbirth and other gynecological matters. For your convenience, our representatives are available on WhatsApp helpline, in Al Hilal Manama, Salmabad, Riffa and Muharraq branches. We also offer exclusive antenatal and delivery packages and privilege cards for additional benefits- to provide affordable yet exceptional healthcare services to all our patients.
