Pregnancy Symptoms & Development: What to Expect Week by Week

The typical progression of a pregnancy is as follows:

Weeks 1-4:

- The embryo implants in the uterus.

- The placenta begins to develop.

- The woman may experience symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness.

Weeks 5-8:

- The embryo's organs begin to develop.

- The woman's belly begins to show.

- She may also start to feel the baby's movements.

Weeks 9-12:

- The baby's body begins to grow rapidly.

- The woman's belly continues to grow.

- She may also start to feel Braxton Hicks contractions, which are practice contractions.

Weeks 13-16:

- The baby's movements become more pronounced.

- The woman's belly continues to grow.

- She may also start to develop stretch marks.

Weeks 17-20:

- The baby begins to put on fat.

- The woman's belly continues to grow.

- She may also start to feel the baby's kicks.

Weeks 21-24:

- The baby's lungs begin to mature.

- The woman's belly continues to grow.

- She may also start to feel the baby's hiccups.

Weeks 25-28:

- The baby begins to practice breathing and sucking.

- The woman's belly continues to grow.

- She may also start to feel the baby's head engaging in the pelvis.

Weeks 29-32:

- The baby's brain continues to develop.

- The woman's belly continues to grow.

- She may also start to feel the baby's feet and hands pressing against her abdomen.

Weeks 33-36:

- The baby's lungs are fully mature.

- The woman's belly continues to grow.

- She may also start to feel the baby's weight on her bladder and rectum.

Weeks 37-40:

- The baby is ready to be born.

- The woman's belly reaches its full size.

- She may also start to feel the baby's head pressing against her cervix.

Labor and Delivery:

- The woman's water breaks and she goes into labor.

- The baby is born.

Postpartum:

- The woman's body begins to recover from pregnancy and childbirth.