Pregnancy Week by Week

Welcome to the second trimester! 14 weeks pregnant marks a lot of changes—you might be feeling less nauseated, hungrier and more energetic. That’s because you’re embarking on what’s known as the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy. Starting with pregnancy week 14, the second trimester is the time to get some exercise, get some to-do’s done and have some fun. Enjoy!

Feeling sexy? Now that you’re 15 weeks pregnant, you’re probably feeling high energy, and that may mean high libido, too. Your partner isn’t feeling nearly as frisky at week 15 pregnancy? That’s normal, too. Let’s face it, the thought of baby being so close while you two are doing the deed can freak them out. Remind your partner that baby has no idea what’s going on and—as long as your OB hasn’t given you any activity restrictions—sex won’t hurt baby or threaten your pregnancy.

Now that you’re 16 weeks pregnant, things are getting pretty exciting. You may have another prenatal visit this week, where you will get to hear baby’s heartbeat again. Even more thrilling will be feeling baby kick, which could happen starting this week, so pay attention to those subtle feelings in your 16 weeks pregnant belly. Another cool fact? Baby is starting to be able to hear your voice—and they’ll recognize it at birth—so feel free to chat baby up any chance you get.

Decisions, decisions. Now that you’re 17 weeks pregnant, start making firm plans, like whether or not you’re going to find out baby’s sex via ultrasound (if you didn’t already through first trimester prenatal testing), and what kind of childbirth class you’d like to take. As you start making these decisions, the pregnancy will feel even more real, which is super exciting, but part of you is probably feeling a little anxious, too. After all, you’re at week 17 of your pregnancy; that’s almost halfway through, and there’s so much to do, it can be overwhelming. Our best advice? Don’t try to do it all yourself—ask for help. And whatever doesn’t get done? You’ll find it’s not that important anyhow.

Time to switch things up. Starting around 18 weeks pregnant, you should begin to sleep on your side instead of your back. That’s because baby (and your uterus) is getting big enough to press against large veins in the back of your abdomen, which can reduce the amount of blood going to your heart, making you feel lightheaded—or worse, lowering your blood pressure. Sounds scary, but it’s totally preventable by simply sleeping on your side. Of course, your veins aren’t the only things that are prone to pressure—you are, too! At pregnancy week 18, there’s a lot going on. Be sure, in your hectic schedule, that you plan some time to take breaks and unwind.

So what do you think: Is it a boy or a girl? At 19 weeks pregnant, you’re probably getting psyched for your mid-pregnancy ultrasound. Most parents-to-be think of this test as the chance to find out baby’s sex (if you didn’t already in the first trimester through prenatal testing), but you will actually see a lot more than baby’s boy or girl parts. You’ll see all of baby’s body—inside and out—and you’ll be amazed at all the development going on at week 19 of pregnancy. That’s exciting!

Congrats! During week 20 of pregnancy, you’re at the halfway point. If you’ve recently found out baby’s sex, you’re in a completely new mindset—are we right? Now, those baby names you’re throwing out are more likely to end up as baby’s actual name. When you find yourself in a baby store, you can start to picture those adorable outfits on your little boy or girl—so 20 weeks pregnant may be the time when you’re ready to start finalizing your baby registry too. Happy shopping!

Pressure’s on! Have you found the perfect baby name yet? It seems like parents-to-be either come up with baby’s name quickly and easily, or agonize over it all the way up until the birth. If you haven’t picked that perfect name yet, check out The Bump’s extensive lists of baby names of all sorts; cool names, beautiful names, hipster names and much more. Whatever name you choose, you’ll probably think it’s even more perfect once you get to know (and fall in love with) your future little bundle of joy. At 21 weeks pregnant, you’re not just choosing a name, you’re hard at work getting your home ready too. Of course, things like baby bouncers and changing table pads can be tough to choose, but try not to stress about it at week 21 of pregnancy. Trust us, baby won’t care if you pick out a Pack ‘n Play that clashes with the area rug!

It’s getting crowded in there! Now that you’re 22 weeks pregnant, your rapidly growing baby is invading your space—to say the least. That’s why it might be tough to catch your breath and why your back might be killing you. Hey, as baby grows, they may be expanding your belly so much (so fast) at week 22 of pregnancy that you might start to get some stretch marks (sorry)—and you might even have a newfound “outie” belly button! While you might not love all these side effects, you’ll probably want to capture your pregnant belly in some professional photos. Twenty-two weeks is a good time to start planning for a maternity portrait session. You’ll want to aim for a third trimester sesh to capture that big, beautiful belly, but it shouldn’t be so late that you risk going into labor before your appointment.

At 23 weeks pregnant, baby is getting ready for their big debut by listening in on what’s going on in the outside world. We know you’re getting ready too. Just remember: While having the nursery painted and stocked with diapers is important, there are some less fun to-dos you should have on your radar—namely, financials. Week 23 of pregnancy is a good time to call your health insurance company to see how you’re currently covered and decide what adjustments you’ll need to make for baby. Consider writing a will if you don’t have one, or updating your current one. And how’s baby’s savings account going? If you’re like, “what savings account?” now is a good time to start one. Even making small deposits will help once you factor in the time value of money—the earlier you start saving, the faster your money will compound. One study found that kids who have their own savings account are more likely to go to college, and another one estimated the average cost of raising a baby until age 18 to be over $226,000. Whoa!

Consider this a preview of motherhood: Baby is doing just fine—and you’re, well, kind of a mess. Your week 24 baby is working on being ready to survive (and thrive!) in the outside world. You, on the other hand, are probably experiencing some of the late-pregnancy discomforts at 24 weeks pregnant—leg cramps, backaches and swollen feet. Hang in there, mama-to-be!

You’re 25 weeks pregnant, and it’s probably dawned on you that soon you’ll actually have to deliver this baby. That might be a little scary, but it’s also exciting! What’s cool is that most hospitals will let you pre-register for delivery, which means you can fill out your admissions paperwork early so you don’t have to stand around filling out a bunch of forms while in the throes of labor.

You haven’t met baby yet, but they’re taking over your life! They’re interfering with your sleep, messing with your memory and even giving you a stress headache or two at 26 weeks pregnant. (They’ll do all those things after birth too!) When they say moms-to-be have 40 weeks to get ready for baby, they don’t just mean growing the baby and buying a car seat and bouncer. You also need to mentally prepare for a newborn to become the center of your attention. And already, at week 26 of pregnancy, baby is giving you some practice in that department.

Raise your sparkling water glass and say goodbye to the second trimester! Next week you’ll officially enter your third trimester.

Welcome to the third trimester! Moms-to-be who are 28 weeks pregnant and beyond are known for their lack of sleep. If you find yourself up in the middle of the night, do something relaxing. This is not the time to vacuum the house from top to bottom—even though you might feel the urge to do that at some point. (It’s called nesting. You’ve probably heard of it.) Instead, read a book, drink chamomile tea or listen to soothing music. Then get back to bed and try to get some rest!

Hey you! You’re probably getting a preview of baby’s personality by feeling them move. By those playful kicks and jabs, you may realize you’ve got a gentle dancer or an active ninja! Week 29 of pregnancy is a good time to start finalizing details, like stocking the nursery with baby care essentials, taking an in-person (if your hospital allows it) or virtual tour of your hospital’s labor and delivery ward, selecting a pediatrician and checking out a few potential daycares. (Depending on where you live, you may encounter a long wait list!) You’ll also want to start packing a bag with the things you know you’ll want with you at the hospital for baby’s birth. Leave it by the door, so you can add items you think of along the way—and so you can grab it at a moment’s notice.

Starting to feel like a walking belly? Your 30 weeks pregnant belly is doing more than just making it tough to find a comfortable sleeping position—it’s made itself a conversation piece. Everywhere you go, someone seems to have a comment about how you look, which isn’t always so fun. And no doubt you’ve encountered one or two people who don’t think before they speak and say something embarrassing or hurtful (what’s up with that?). Try not to take those comments seriously, but know which ones should be taken to heart—like when someone tells you you’re glowing, believe them. You are!!

Can you believe all five of baby’s senses are fully developed at 31 weeks pregnant? Baby is also getting smarter! In the meantime, you might actually feel a little… dumb. You’re not! It’s just that many moms-to-be find themselves acting absentmindedly during the third trimester. Some say that “pregnancy brain” isn’t a real thing, but can you honestly think of another time in your life when you’ve had as much on your mind as now? We’re guessing no. That right there is enough of a reason to be so forgetful at week 31 of pregnancy.

Ready or not?! At 32 weeks pregnant, baby’s birth still seems far into the future, but you and baby are getting ready in a lot of ways… just in case there’s an early arrival. You’re probably dealing with some end-of-pregnancy to-dos, like telling your health insurance there’ll be a new arrival soon, and figuring out how the heck to install an infant car seat. Your 32-week fetus has probably turned into the head-down position (or will turn soon), so they’re poised for the trip down the birth canal. Don’t worry: You still have a little more time to mentally prepare for that!

We’d tell you to take a deep breath and relax, but it’s probably tough to do either of those at 33 weeks pregnant. In fact, it’s probably hard to get comfortable at all, since you might be feeling overheated on top of your other symptoms too. But you’re probably getting super excited to meet baby, and we can’t blame you. Week 33 of pregnancy is a good time to start packing your hospital bag. You might also want to read up on postpartum care and stock your medicine cabinet with some essential new mom care supplies. (The hospital will have plenty as well, so no need to worry if you overlook something.) Sure, you might not see baby for another month or so, but if you have an early surprise arrival, at least you won’t have to think about which shirt to pack or whether or not you have hemorrhoid cream at home. (About that…sorry.)

Watch what you say! Your curious baby can hear your voice and is listening in on your conversations at 34 weeks pregnant. In fact, baby might enjoy a lullaby or two—so go ahead and sing to them. Some experts say that, after birth, babies can recognize songs mom sang while pregnant; they may even be more easily soothed by those familiar tunes once they're “on the outside.” And no, baby won’t care if you’re singing a bit off-key.

Ready as you’ll ever be! At 35 weeks, some moms-to-be feel like they have a ton of stuff left to do before baby’s arrival. Others can barely wait for baby to make their debut. Either way, try not to stress; baby will show up when they’re ready and won’t care if you haven’t checked every little detail off your list. As long as you’ve got a safe place for baby to sleep, some diapers and an infant car seat for the ride home, you’ve already got a bunch of baby’s basic needs taken care of.

It’s month nine already? Time is flying! Since baby really could decide to arrive any day now, try to put in your final prep work at 36 weeks pregnant. For example, if you took a childbirth class a few months ago, reread the materials you were given and practice the breathing techniques you learned with your partner. Go over your plan for getting to the hospital and all the what-ifs. Update your boss and colleagues on the status of all your work projects so they know where to take over if you’re suddenly out of the office. Week 36 of pregnancy is also a good time to enjoy a date with your partner.

Time for some good clean fun? Around week 37 of pregnancy, many moms-to-be find themselves organizing cupboards and scrubbing floors. That’s the phenomenon people lovingly refer to as “nesting.” It may be instinctual—your body senses baby will be here really soon. After all, you’re 37 weeks pregnant, which is considered “early term,” meaning baby is almost ready. Nesting can also be your brain’s way of trying to make sure you’re prepared for, well, as much as you can be prepared for. Having a baby-friendly pad definitely gives you an edge on this whole new parent thing. At least that’s one thing you can control!

Yow! If you feel a lightning bolt-like sensation running up and down your legs (and in your vagina!), don’t freak out. At 38 weeks pregnant, baby is probably sitting pretty low in your pelvis, which means they’re bumping into all kinds of nerves down there—including some super-sensitive ones you might not know you had. While you’re dealing with that new discomfort, be on the lookout for signs of labor at week 38 of pregnancy, including contractions that come on stronger and at more regular intervals, and, of course, the “ bloody show.” The big event could happen any day now—or it might not be for a few weeks. Until then, try to chill.

Yay! Baby has finally reached full term! You’re probably feeling like you want to get this baby OUT. We’re not sure, but the impatience and discomfort moms-to-be feel around 39 weeks pregnant (and beyond!) might be nature’s way of getting you mentally prepared for delivery. Remember how freaked out you used to be about childbirth? Now, at week 39 of pregnancy, you don’t care what it takes, you just don’t want to be pregnant anymore!

Happy due date! Since 40 weeks pregnant is baby’s official deadline, you’ve already made up the bassinet, installed baby’s car seat, packed your hospital bag and set it by the door. Now, take care of some easy last-minute things, like making sure your cell phone is fully charged before you go to bed.