VENTURA NEIL FLOYD E August, 12 2019

BSN IV B1 Ma’am, Ceralde

STAGES OF PREGNANCY AND FETAL DEVELOPMENT

Month by month
STAGES OF PROMINENT FEATURES / CHANGES CLINICAL RELEVANCE
PREGNANCY
First trimester 1. Missed Period Signifies first sign that fertilization and
implantation have occurred.
ovulation has ceased
Signifies that woman is pregnant
2. Extreme fatigue Signs of early pregnancy
3. Tender, swollen breast, nipples may Signs of early pregnancy
protrude
4. Nausea with or without throwing up Signs of early pregnancy
5. Cravings or aversion to certain Signs of early pregnancy
foods
6. Mood swings Signs of early pregnancy
7. Constipation Signs of early pregnancy
8. Frequent urination Signs of early pregnancy
9. Headache Signs of early pregnancy
10. Heartburn Signs of early pregnancy
11. Weight gain or loss Signs of early pregnancy
4 weeks / 1 month 1. Developing of the nervous system: Most pregnancy test will be positive
brain and spinal cord Signs of pregnancy
2. Heart begins to form Blastocysts have already made the journey
3. Embryo ¼ inch long from fallopian tube into the uterus
Goodell’s sign is present
VENTURA NEIL FLOYD E August, 12 2019
BSN IV B1 Ma’am, Ceralde

8 weeks / 2 months 1. Embryo begins to develop into a Heart beat can be detected by doppler
fetus Movement can be detected by ultrasound
2. All major organs have begun to Chadwicks sign
form
3. Baby’s heart begin to beat
4. Arms and legs grow longer
5. Fingers and toes have begun to
form
6. Sex organs begins to form
7. Face begins to develop feature
8. Umbilical cord is clearly visible
9. Fetus nearly 1 inch long, weighing
less than 1/8 of an ounce1
12 weeks / 3 months 1. Nerves and muscles begin to work Baby’s gender is still difficult to
together distinguish on ultrasound
2. External sex organs show if the Heartbeat at about 170bpm
baby is a boy or girl
3. Eyelid close to protect the
developing eyes, it will not open
until the 28 week
4. Head growth has slowed, and the
baby 3 inches long
Second Trimester 1. Nausea and fatigue may lessen or Physical and emotional change in a woman
go away completely
2. Baby bump will start to show Physical and emotional change in a woman
3. Pain or aches felt in the back, Physical and emotional change in a woman
abdomen, groin, or thighs
VENTURA NEIL FLOYD E August, 12 2019
BSN IV B1 Ma’am, Ceralde

4. Presents of stretch marks on the Physical and emotional change in a woman

abdomen
5. Darkening of the skin around the Physical and emotional change in a woman
nipples
6. A line on the skin running from Physical and emotional change in a woman
belly button to pubic hairline
7. Mask of pregnancy: patches of Physical and emotional change in a woman
darker skin over the cheeks,
forehead, nose, or upper lips
8. Numb or tingling hands Physical and emotional change in a woman
9. Itching on the abdominal area, Physical and emotional change in a woman
palms, and soles of the feet
10. Swelling of the ankles, fingers and Physical and emotional change in a woman
face
16 weeks / 4 months 1. Musculoskeletal system continues Heartbeat may now be audible/heard
to form through doppler
2. Skin begins to form and nearly
translucent Gender of the baby maybe seen through
3. Meconium develops in the intestinal ultrasound
tract, first bowel movement
4. Begins sucking motions with the
mouth
5. 4-5 inches long
20 weeks/ 5 months 1. Baby is more active Quickening, contractions and movement
2. Baby is covered with lanugo and Fetal heart can be auscultated
vernix palpation of fetal movement
VENTURA NEIL FLOYD E August, 12 2019
BSN IV B1 Ma’am, Ceralde

3. Eyebrows, Eyelashes, fingernails

and toenails have formed.
4. Baby can hear and swallow
5. 6 inches long
24 weeks/ 6 months Baby’s bone marrow begins to make blood Braxton Hicks
cells
Taste buds forms
Footprints and fingerprints formed
Hair begin to grow
Lungs are formed but do not yet work
Regular sleep cycle
If boy, testicles begin to descend into
the scrotum
if a girl her uterus and ovaries are in
place
12 inch long
Third Trimester Difficult of breathing is present because Physiologic Changes in a woman
of the pressure as baby grows
Urinate more frequently
Swelling of the ankles, fingers and face
Hemorrhoids
Tender breast, belly button may protrude
Contractions
36 weeks/ 9months Baby’s bones are soft but fully formed Considered late term, contractions and
Movement and kicking increases movement felt
Eyes can open and close
VENTURA NEIL FLOYD E August, 12 2019
BSN IV B1 Ma’am, Ceralde

Lungs not fully formed but practice Uterus and the fundus will reach the
breathing movements occur xiphoid process
Baby’s body begin to store vital minerals
such as iron and calcium
Lanugo begins to fall off
37 weeks to 40 weeks End of 37 weeks baby is considered full Considered to be early term
/ 10 months term
Baby’s organ are capable of functioning on
their own
Head of the baby may turn into -a-head
down position for birth

Reference:
Stöppler, M. C. (n.d.). Stages of Pregnancy: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Trimester Images. Retrieved from
https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/pregnancy_stages_trimesters