Watch Your Baby Grow
This calendar is a companion to prenatal visits. Each week outlines what’s happening with your baby, how you may feel, and the questions worth asking your care team. Remember that due dates are estimates—full term spans weeks 38–42.
Bookmark the page and check back regularly to stay informed about development milestones, trimester transitions, and practical to-dos.
Due Dates & Trimesters
Your expected delivery date (EDD) is calculated as 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Most babies arrive within a two-week window on either side of that date, so plan with flexibility.
First Trimester
Weeks 1-12
Foundation building for every major organ while you navigate early symptoms.
- Positive test & first prenatal visit
- Morning sickness & fatigue
- Start prenatal vitamins with folic acid
Second Trimester
Weeks 13-26
Energy often returns, and you feel those first flutters as growth ramps up.
- Anatomy scan around week 20
- Baby begins hearing your voice
- Discuss glucose screening with your provider
Third Trimester
Weeks 27-40
Baby packs on weight while you prep for labor, delivery, and postpartum life.
- Practice kick counts
- Finalize birth and support plans
- Review newborn care questions with your doctor
Appointment Roadmap
Use this overview to anticipate what each phase of prenatal care usually includes. Bring it to visits and note any extra monitoring your provider recommends based on your health history.
Early Pregnancy (Weeks 4–12)
Confirm the pregnancy, establish baselines, and review medical history.- Initial prenatal visit with bloodwork, urine tests, and dating ultrasound if needed.
- Discuss prenatal vitamins, nutrition, and safe medications.
- Consider genetic screening options and vaccination updates.
Middle Pregnancy (Weeks 13–27)
Monitor growth, anatomy, and your comfort as symptoms shift.- Anatomy scan around week 20 to review organs, placenta, and amniotic fluid.
- Glucose screening between weeks 24–28 to check for gestational diabetes.
- Review travel plans, work adjustments, and childbirth education classes.
Late Pregnancy (Weeks 28–40+)
Prepare for delivery, watch fetal movements, and finalize logistics.- Weekly or biweekly visits to monitor blood pressure, swelling, and baby’s position.
- Group B strep test between weeks 35–37.
- Finalize hospital bag, car seat installation, and postpartum support plan.
Weekly Wellness Habits
Small, repeatable actions keep your energy steadier as pregnancy progresses. Try pairing each habit with a specific time of day so it sticks.
Hydration & Nutrition
- Aim for 8–10 cups of water daily; add lemon or fruit if flavors help.
- Combine protein, complex carbs, and produce at meals to stabilize energy.
- Keep iron-rich snacks handy (nuts, legumes, fortified cereals) to partner with prenatal vitamins.
Movement & Rest
- Use short movement snacks—gentle stretches or walks—to ease stiffness between appointments.
- Practice side-lying rest with pillows to support hips and belly as bump grows.
- Incorporate pelvic floor relaxation as well as strengthening to prep for birth.
Mind & Support
- Journal weekly wins and worries to bring to prenatal visits.
- Share calendar highlights with partners or support people so they stay involved.
- Bookmark helplines or virtual groups if you need mental health check-ins.
Weeks 1–4: Conception to Implantation
Baby
A fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube, divides rapidly, and implants in the uterine lining while the placenta begins to form.
You
You may not notice symptoms yet, but hormones are shifting and a missed period plus a positive pregnancy test confirm the news.
Weekly Pointers
- Schedule your first prenatal appointment
- Start prenatal vitamins if you have not already
- Track the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) for due-date calculations
Weeks 5–8: Organs Take Shape
Baby
The heart starts beating, limb buds appear, and facial features begin forming. By week 8, the embryo becomes a fetus roughly the size of a raspberry.
You
Nausea, breast tenderness, and mood swings are common. You might feel exhausted as progesterone rises.
Weekly Pointers
- Eat small, frequent meals to ease nausea
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, and high-mercury fish
- Discuss medications and supplements with your provider
Weeks 9–12: First Trimester Finale
Baby
Fingers and toes separate, and vital organs finish forming. Baby begins tiny movements even though you can’t feel them yet.
You
Morning sickness may continue, but some parents start feeling better toward week 12. Your uterus grows beyond the pelvis.
Weekly Pointers
- Review genetic testing options
- Stay hydrated and rest often
- Plan how to share the news when you feel ready
Weeks 13–16: Second-Trimester Lift
Baby
Lanugo (fine hair) covers the skin, and facial muscles allow baby to make expressions. Around week 16, baby is about the size of an avocado.
You
Energy often improves, and a small baby bump appears. Some parents feel the first flutters known as “quickening.”
Weekly Pointers
- Schedule the mid-pregnancy ultrasound (around week 20)
- Explore childbirth education classes
- Begin a gentle prenatal exercise routine with provider approval
Weeks 17–20: Senses Awaken
Baby
Hearing develops and the nervous system matures. Baby may start responding to your voice or gentle music.
You
Backaches or leg cramps may appear as posture changes. The anatomy scan checks growth and placenta location.
Weekly Pointers
- Sleep on your side with support pillows
- Monitor iron intake to reduce fatigue
- Talk through travel plans and comfort strategies with your provider
Weeks 21–24: Growth Spurt
Baby
Taste buds work, and baby swallows amniotic fluid to practice digestion. Lungs continue branching and preparing for breathing.
You
Weight gain picks up. Braxton Hicks (practice contractions) might begin, especially after activity.
Weekly Pointers
- Stay hydrated to minimize Braxton Hicks
- Wear supportive shoes to ease swelling
- Review maternity leave paperwork and childcare options
Weeks 25–28: Entering Trimester Three
Baby
Eyes start to open, and baby responds to light. Rapid brain development supports memory and learning foundations.
You
Shortness of breath and heartburn can increase as baby grows. Glucose screening for gestational diabetes typically happens now.
Weekly Pointers
- Discuss kick-count tracking with your provider
- Finalize support people for delivery
- Prepare a list of questions for third-trimester visits
Weeks 29–32: Final Stretch Begins
Baby
Baby gains about half a pound per week, stores fat, and practices breathing motions. Bones harden but skull plates remain soft for birth.
You
Sleep may be harder to come by. You might notice more swelling or restless legs.
Weekly Pointers
- Elevate feet and wear compression socks if approved
- Pack a hospital or birth-center bag
- Confirm pediatrician selection and appointment scheduling process
Weeks 33–36: Ready for Launch
Baby
Baby turns head-down in many pregnancies, nails grow, and the immune system borrows antibodies from you for protection.
You
Frequent bathroom trips and pelvic pressure are common. Weekly prenatal visits often start around week 36.
Weekly Pointers
- Practice labor coping techniques and breathing
- Install the car seat and have it inspected if possible
- Review birth preferences with your care team
Weeks 37–40+: Full Term
Baby
Baby continues to build fat and may shed most lanugo. Full term begins at week 39, though healthy births can occur between weeks 38–42.
You
Watch for labor signs like regular contractions, water breaking, or bloody show. Continue daily kick counts and stay in touch with your provider.
Weekly Pointers
- Keep your phone charged and bags ready
- Know when your provider wants you to call or head to the hospital/birth center
- Line up postpartum support plans and meals
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a due date calculated?
Your expected delivery date (EDD) is 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Only a small percentage of babies arrive on that exact date, so providers consider anything from weeks 38–42 full term.
What is a trimester?
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters: weeks 1–12, 13–26, and 27 through delivery. Each trimester features specific developmental milestones and prenatal tests.
How should I use a week-by-week calendar?
Check in weekly to understand fetal development, changes in your body, and upcoming prenatal care. Use the calendar to jot down questions for your provider and track symptoms.
When should I call my doctor?
Contact your provider if you have severe cramps, heavy bleeding, fever, decreased fetal movement, or any symptom that worries you. Trust your instincts—the calendar is educational but not a substitute for medical advice.
Can I customize the tips for my pregnancy?
Absolutely. Everyone’s pregnancy looks different. Use these guidelines alongside your provider’s recommendations, cultural practices, and personal comfort.
Weekly Reflection Prompts
A few minutes of journaling keeps your provider updated and helps you notice patterns. Copy these prompts into your notes app or pregnancy journal.
Body & Baby Check
- What new sensations or symptoms did I notice this week?
- How did baby’s movements feel compared to last week?
Care Team Questions
- What lab results, medications, or lifestyle shifts do I need clarified?
- Are there upcoming tests I should schedule now?
Life Logistics
- Did I update insurance, leave paperwork, or childcare research tasks?
- What support or rest do I need to feel ready for the next milestone?
Key Takeaways
Track Weekly
Consistent check-ins help you anticipate milestones and questions.
Partner With Care
Share observations with your prenatal team for individualized advice.
Stay Flexible
Due dates are estimates; babies arrive on their own timelines.
Keep Asking
Use the calendar to note anything you want to discuss at appointments.
Important Medical Disclaimer
This calendar provides educational information only. It does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always follow instructions from your obstetrician, midwife, or prenatal care team.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe pain, bleeding, fever, reduced fetal movement, or any concern that feels urgent to you.