The Major Milestones of Pregnancy

Everyone’s pregnancy is different, but there are some experiences that all mothers tend to share in common during those all-important nine months (and after). Here are a few of the most common/eventful, and also the most major milestones of pregnancy!

First Trimester

• Getting positive confirmation that you’re pregnant from a home test or a doctor.
• Sharing your exciting news with your partner.
• If you choose, sharing the news with your friends and family.
• Having your first moment of unusual exhaustion.
• Seeing firsthand what morning sickness is all about—and realizing that it can happen at any time of day.
• Experiencing strange appetite changes, whether it’s a craving for weird flavor combos or a sudden distaste for something you ordinarily don’t mind,
• Finding your OB/GYN and going through the information flood that is your first few visits.
• Seeing your baby for the first time with an ultrasound and hearing its tiny heartbeat.
• Noticing some changes in the shape of your body, though not necessarily a pronounced baby bump.
• At the end of the first trimester, you’ll realize that you’re one third of the way done with your pregnancy!

Second Trimester

• Feeling a bit more comfortable as the morning sickness and fatigue of the first trimester starts to subside.
• Making the announcement to friends, family and coworkers who don’t already know—many couples choose to wait until the second trimester to reveal the big news because the first trimester is the period of greatest risk for miscarriage.
• Starting to show more dramatically after the relatively mild bloating or bump development of the first trimester and buying maternity clothes to fit your new belly.
• Noticing that other people are noticing and reacting to your growing midsection, potentially including unwelcome comments and unexpected well wishes.
• Feeling your baby move around, kick and generally make his or her presence felt.
• Seeing more detailed ultrasound images and even learning the gender if you choose to do so at this point.
• At the end of your second trimester, you’ll be more than halfway done with pregnancy and will have just a few more weeks left before you meet your new little one!

Third Trimester

• Tying up loose ends and finalizing details around the house and your life, from picking out the right car seat to finishing the decor for your nursery.
• Attending a baby shower and receiving gifts from loved ones and friends, then arranging and organizing those gifts.
• Seeing your OB/GYN on a more regular basis—you could even have weekly appointments.
• Packing a hospital bag and coming up with a plan for when you go into labor.
• Watching the days to your due date tick away and, most likely, being surprised on the actual day of arrival.
• Learning the difference between real contractions and Braxton-Hicks.
• Meeting your little one after your delivery or c-section!

These milestones may come with their own ups and downs, and some of them may be more significant than others. That’s normal, so don’t worry if your pregnancy ends up looking a little bit or even a lot different from the typical path described here. What’s important is that you’re prepared and healthy!