What to Expect During Each Trimester

Pregnancy is an exciting time full of new experiences and the building anticipation of waiting to meet your new bundle of joy. Pregnancy can also be confusing, and a little intimidating, and no one understands that better than our teams at St. Luke’s Health Family Birthing Centers. We have the resources, knowledge, and care to support you throughout your pregnancy. Read on to learn about what each trimester has in store for you.

First Trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy is from week 1 until the end of week 13 (months 1 through 3). The male genes will determine whether the baby will be a boy or a girl. At 6 to 8 weeks, the eyes and face will be formed, and the heartbeat can be seen on ultrasound. At the end of 12 weeks, all the baby's organs will be formed.

If you would like to learn more about what to expect in your first trimester, visit these resources:

• Early Signs of Pregnancy
• What to Expect: The First Trimester
• 3 Remedies to Ease Morning Sickness

Second Trimester

The second trimester of pregnancy is from week 14 through week 27 (months 4 through 6). The second trimester is often a time when you feel your best. Usually, morning sickness has lessened or quit completely, you may have more energy, and you may have an increase in appetite. The second trimester is also a time when the fetus grows rapidly. At the end of the sixth month, the fetus is about 9 inches long and weighs about 1.5 pounds. You will likely begin to feel the baby move more frequently between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

If you would like to learn more about what to expect in your second trimester, visit these resources:

• What to Expect: The Second Trimester
• Your Guide to Developing a Birth Plan
• 3 Reasons You Should Go on a Hospital Tour

Third Trimester

The third trimester of pregnancy is from week 28 through week 40 (months 7 through 9). During this time, your baby will be kicking, swallowing, dreaming, and having regular sleep cycles. You’ll be feeling a lot of movement inside your abdomen, and this is an important sign of your baby’s health. You can also expect aches, pains, and swelling during the third trimester as you carry around your baby.

The third trimester is when you’ll take the majority of your prenatal education courses. Our Family Birthing Centers offer classes designed to help prepare you for childbirth and life with your newborn:

• Preparing for Childbirth Classes – offered at the Sugar Land, The Vintage, and The Woodlands locations
• Breastfeeding Classes – offered at The Woodlands location
• Breastfeeding Support Groups – offered at the Sugar Land and The Woodlands locations
• Newborn Care Classes – offered at The Woodlands location only
• Infant CPR Classes – offered at The Woodlands location only
• Sibling Classes – offered at The Woodlands location only

View all upcoming prenatal and family education classes on our events calendar.

If you would like to learn more about what to expect in your third trimester, visit these resources:

• What to Expect: The Third Trimester
• 5 Classes to Take to Prepare for Baby
• 3 Tools to Ease Labor Pain

Throughout Your Pregnancy

Check out these resources for helpful information regardless of which trimester you’re in:

• Baby's Size During Each Month of Pregnancy
• Zika and Pregnancy
• 7 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
• The Do's and Don'ts of Exercising While Pregnant
• Managing an Ectopic Pregnancy
• When to Seek Medical Attention During Pregnancy
• Before Birth: Prenatal Screenings Every Mother Should Consider
• CMV: The Most Common Viral Infection at Birth
• Navigating Your 1st and 2nd Trimesters
• VBAC: What You Need to Know

The learning doesn’t stop there! Prepare for your baby and learn about different aspects of caring for a newborn and what to expect post-birth with these resources:

• The Difference Between "Baby Blues" and Postpartum Depression
• Food, Baby: 5 Things to Never Feed Your Infant
• Body After Baby: What to Expect
• How to Keep Baby Flu-Free
• 5 Benefits of Breastfeeding
• Safe Sleep for Baby: Remember Your ABCs
• When Whooping Cough Becomes an Emergency
• 6 Steps to Prevent SIDS
• 3 Common Breastfeeding Problems & What You Can Do