Your pregnancy journey week by week all adds up to the big moment in the delivery room. As your little one develops, you can expect to feel a lot of changes in your body. Changes are a normal part of pregnancy, but some may feel uncomfortable.
Abnormal changes can occur when found with other signs and symptoms. That’s why regular prenatal visits and screenings are important in case anything goes wrong or doesn’t feel quite right. If anything feels unusual to you during your pregnancy, always notify your provider to get the care you need.
Along with prenatal appointments, maternal health education, advanced ultrasound screenings and prenatal diagnostic testing are available to patients. Receive the best care available throughout the entire process to stay healthy for you and your baby.
Guiding You Through Each Trimester
Some symptoms are common, like morning sickness in the first trimester, while others may warrant immediate attention from your provider. Keep in mind that every pregnancy is different. Your early signs may differ than what someone you know may have experienced.
First Trimester
Duration: 1-14 weeks (98 days)
Common symptoms:
- Aches in the muscles of the back, hips and thighs
- Bleeding/spotting
- Intensified emotions due to swirl of hormones
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination and/or constipation
- Ligament pain along front of abdomen and pelvis
- Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
- Tender or swollen breasts and/or nipples
Second Trimester
Duration: 14-27 weeks (189 days)
Common symptoms:
- Aches in the muscles of the back, hips and thighs
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination and/or constipation
- Gastrointestinal issues (acid reflux, heartburn)
- Ligament pain along front of abdomen and pelvis
- Skin changes (pigmentation, acne, dryness, itchiness)
- Visible baby bump (around 16 weeks)
Third Trimester
Duration: 27-40 weeks (280 days)
Common symptoms:
- Aches in the muscles of the back, hips and thighs
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal issues (acid reflux, heartburn)
- Frequent urination, swelling and constipation
- Muscle soreness in your back, pelvis and legs
- Sleeping problems
- Skin and vein changes
- True labor contractions
Abnormal Symptoms
If you notice a significant change or these abnormal symptoms are present, please call your provider:
- Blurred vision or spots in front of the eyes
- Far less or no fetal movement
- Fever or headache that doesn’t go away
- Pain in the upper right section of the stomach
- Nausea and vomiting in the third trimester
- Skin rashes in your second trimester
- Sudden weight gain (more than a pound a day)
- Swelling of the hands, feet/ankles and face
- True labor contractions that become stronger and more frequent
- Watery discharge or vaginal bleeding
- When something feels wrong
