Pregnancy

What are the three stages of pregnancy?

A routine pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, starting from the first day of your last normal menstrual cycle. It’s separated into three trimesters that mark general stages of fetal development.

First trimester

In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, you will undergo important hormonal changes that influence nearly every system of your body. These changes are responsible for both stopping your menstrual cycle and causing a variety of early symptoms, including:

• Extreme fatigue
• Tender, swollen breasts
• Morning sickness or mood swings
• Food cravings or repulsions
• Frequent urination or constipation

Second trimester

From weeks 13-28 of your pregnancy, your initial symptoms may ease or disappear. As your baby grows, however, you may begin to experience:

• Lower-back pain
• Stretch marks
• Swelling
• Other symptoms related to weight gain and increased blood volume

Third trimester

From week 29 until you deliver, your baby continues to grow every day, leaving less room for your:

• Lungs
• Bladder
• Other internal organs

Many women experience shortness of breath and the urge to urinate throughout the third trimester.

What does routine prenatal care involve?

Prenatal care typically begins with a positive pregnancy test and continues throughout a woman’s pregnancy. To confirm your pregnancy and establish a due date, your OB/GYN will perform an extensive health exam including a pelvic exam and an ultrasound. As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll have routine ultrasound screenings and other tests to monitor your progression. Routine screenings include:

• Tests to determine your blood type and Rh factor
• Hepatitis B and C screenings
• Sexually transmitted infection screenings
• Glucose screening tests (to check for gestational diabetes)
• Fetal health screening tests

Regular prenatal checkups occur:

• Once a month through the end of the second trimester
• Twice a month between weeks 28-36
• Weekly until delivery

What is a high-risk pregnancy?

The obstetricians at Connecticut Women OB/GYN specialize in providing prenatal care and delivery for women with high-risk pregnancies. A high-risk pregnancy may mean that you or your baby require special monitoring or care throughout your pregnancy, or it may mean that you’re more likely to have medical challenges before, during, or after delivery. Some of the factors that qualify a pregnancy as high risk include:

• Being over the age of 35
• Having a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension
• Having a history of miscarriage
• Having a history of premature delivery  

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, your OB/GYN can help you manage your situation for the best possible outcome.