Guide
What to Expect Each Trimester of Pregnancy
Pregnancy is usually divided into three trimesters, each with its own changes, milestones, and checkups. This guide gives a simple overview of what to expect, so you know what is coming and when to ask questions. It is educational, not medical advice.
First trimester (weeks 1 to 13)
Big hormone shifts can bring nausea, tiredness, and tender breasts. This is when the baby's organs form, so folic acid matters most. Expect your first prenatal visit, early bloodwork, and often an ultrasound. Optional genetic screening is offered.
Second trimester (weeks 14 to 27)
Many people feel better and have more energy. You will likely feel the baby move, have the anatomy ultrasound around 18 to 22 weeks, and a glucose test for gestational diabetes near 24 to 28 weeks. Your belly grows and so does your appetite.
Third trimester (weeks 28 to birth)
Visits get more frequent. You may have more swelling, back pain, heartburn, and trouble sleeping. Your team checks blood pressure and the baby's growth and position, does the GBS swab around 36 weeks, and helps you plan for labor. Track the baby's movement daily.
This guide is educational and not medical advice. Your visits and tests are tailored to you; ask your clinician about your schedule.
Frequently asked questions
- When will I feel the baby move?
- Many first-time parents feel movement between about 18 and 25 weeks; it can be earlier if you have been pregnant before. After 28 weeks, daily movement tracking helps catch changes early.
- What tests happen in each trimester?
- Early bloodwork and optional genetic screening in the first, the anatomy ultrasound and glucose test in the second, and blood-pressure and growth checks plus the GBS swab in the third. Your clinician tailors the schedule.
- Which trimester is hardest?
- It varies. Many find the first trimester tough from nausea and fatigue, feel best in the second, and get more uncomfortable in the third. Materna helps with whatever stage you are in.