From breast pain in early pregnancy to back pain in late pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes throughout pregnancy. For expectant parents, these pregnancy-related symptoms may be expected or unexpected.
Symptoms vary from person to person and from pregnancy to pregnancy, with some symptoms being more common than others. Use our list of symptoms by week of pregnancy to prepare yourself for what to expect. But don’t worry if your pregnancy doesn’t follow this exact timeline; just like life and your new baby, pregnancy can be unpredictable.
Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about symptoms each week of pregnancy, be sure to talk to your prenatal care provider.
Third trimester
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, and symptoms vary depending on the trimester.
- 妊娠初期: 1～13週目
- Third trimester: Weeks 14 to 27
- Third trimester: 28th to 40th week
Symptoms by week of pregnancy
Looking for more information about early pregnancy symptoms? What about symptoms in the second or third trimester? We’ve got a week-by-week guide for you.
Remember that every pregnant woman has a unique experience, so take these guidelines with a pinch of salt.
第1週
Doctors calculate your due date from the first day of your last period, so your first week starts on the first day of your last period before you were pregnant. That means you’re not technically pregnant yet. However, you can expect to experience some normal menstrual symptoms, like bleeding, cramps, sore breasts, and mood swings.
第2週
Ovulation usually occurs during the second week, when a mature egg is released from the ovaries, travels to the fallopian tubes, and awaits fertilization by sperm. Not everyone experiences signs of ovulation, but symptoms may include a sharp pain in the lower abdomen (abdominal pain), breast tenderness, a slippery vaginal discharge that resembles raw egg white, and a rise in body temperature.
第3週
During the third week of pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus. Some people may experience mild cramps or light bleeding called implantation bleeding. Contact your doctor if you experience heavy bleeding or pain. This may indicate an ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo implants outside the uterus (usually in the fallopian tube).
第4週
You may have a positive home pregnancy test this week. Congratulations! Breast pain is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, and wearing a bra may feel more uncomfortable during this time. Some people may also experience an increased sense of smell or taste, fatigue, constipation, bloating, and mood changes. But don’t worry if you don’t have any pregnancy symptoms; they may take a few more weeks to show up.
第5週
Hormonal-induced mood changes can cause a wide range of emotions starting from week 5. Your emotions may change from happy to depressed to angry for no apparent reason. Other early pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, breast pain, and nausea may also appear early.
第6週
Morning sickness, one of the most dreaded pregnancy symptoms, begins as early as week six for some women (though for some it may not start until later in the pregnancy, or at all). An increased sense of smell can make nausea worse and promote cravings and loss of appetite. Morning sickness can last into the second trimester, so now is the best time to find ways to deal with it, like eating less, taking ginger, wearing an acupressure bracelet, or avoiding foods that trigger morning sickness.
第7週
Frequent urination is another early pregnancy symptom. This is caused by several factors, including the pregnancy hormone hCG, increased fluid in the body, your kidneys working harder to eliminate waste products, and finally, your growing uterus putting pressure on your bladder. Plan to go to the bathroom often!
第8週
At this point, for many women, pregnancy symptoms begin to fully emerge: nausea, sore breasts, fatigue, frequent urination, mood swings, abdominal bloating, etc. Another uncommon symptom is increased saliva production in the mouth, which may continue into the first trimester. Headaches are also common, due in part to increased hormones.
第9週
Did you know that pregnancy can affect your digestive system? Pregnancy hormones can cause changes to your bowel movements, making them slower than normal. Many people experience constipation and abdominal bloating in addition to the nausea that comes with morning sickness. Plus, as your baby grows, your digestive system slows down, so talk to your doctor about stool softeners if needed.
第10週
Are you glowing? Some people experience a “pregnancy glow” as an early symptom of pregnancy, hormonal acne is common, and you’ll probably notice your breasts and belly getting bigger every week.
第11週
As your belly grows, you may experience abdominal pain and cramping. This pain in the round ligament may be mild or severe discomfort. You may also experience a clear or creamy discharge in your underwear (called a vaginal discharge) as your body tries to eliminate bacteria during pregnancy. This is normal.
第12週
Did you know that your blood volume increases by about 50% during pregnancy? One side effect is that veins become more visible on the skin, especially in light-skinned people.
第13週
Many early pregnancy symptoms will subside towards the end of the first trimester, but you may start to notice that you’re feeling dizzy throughout the day. This can be caused by hormonal changes, reduced blood flow, and low blood pressure. Stay hydrated and slowly change positions to deal with this.
第14週
You’ve officially entered your third trimester, which most people consider to be the “easiest” third trimester. Many report increased hunger, more energy, and a stronger sex drive in the coming weeks. If you’re one of those people, make the most of this “feel good” trimester by starting a doctor-approved exercise routine and preparing your home for baby.
第15週
During your second trimester, you may also experience a few odd pregnancy symptoms each week. You may experience nasal congestion (due to increased blood volume in your mucous membranes), leg cramps, sensitive gums, etc. You may also feel clumsy during this stage of pregnancy, as the hormone relaxin loosens your ligaments.
第16週
Around 90% of pregnant women experience darkening of the skin around the nipples, inner thighs, armpits and belly button. If you have darker skin, the darkening may spread to your cheeks and nose (known as the “pregnancy mask”).
第17週
Back pain is common during pregnancy (thanks to those pregnancy hormones!). If you’re feeling more forgetful than usual, it’s probably because some people experience “pregnancy brain.” Plus, many women start to feel their baby kick between the 16th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy, so keep an eye out.
第18週
At this point, your belly may look pregnant (but not necessarily to others), plus your breasts will start to increase in size in preparation for producing milk. You can expect to gain weight steadily until delivery (usually about half a pound to a pound per week). Your feet may also increase in size during pregnancy!
Week 19
During the second trimester, some women may experience heartburn. This is because pregnancy hormones relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If you experience this unpleasant symptom, try to eat less, sit upright after eating, and avoid sour, greasy, and spicy foods. The pressure of the baby on your intestines can also lead to constipation.
Week 20
By now, your baby may be kicking hard. The first kicks feel like flapping in your tummy. Leg cramps, dry eyes, and trouble sleeping are also common symptoms at this stage. If you haven’t used one yet, try a pregnancy pillow for better sleep.
Week 21
You may feel pain in your round ligament for a while, but the pain tends to increase as your baby grows. Your hips, groin, and abdomen may feel sharp pain as your uterus stretches.
Week 22
Pregnancy often leads to thicker, shinier hair and faster-growing nails, as progesterone levels rise and your body stores extra nutrients (so don’t forget to take your pre-pregnancy vitamins). You may notice that your hair is stronger and thicker than usual. But the constant tension on your abdomen can also cause your skin to become dry and irritated.
Week 23
As your belly grows, your “protruding” belly button may turn into a “protruding” one, but rest assured that it will return to normal after you give birth. During this period, you will likely continue to suffer from leg cramps, brain fog, back pain, increased vaginal discharge, constipation, headaches, stretch marks, and other symptoms of the second trimester.
Week 24
While some women continue to have a strong sex drive during pregnancy, others may find that their libido decreases. They may feel too sore or tired to carry it out. Other pregnancy symptoms include tingling hands and bleeding gums, snoring due to an enlarged nose, and pregnancy weight gain.
Week 25
Do you feel numbness in your hands or fingers? You may be experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, which is often the result of normal swelling and fluid retention. This numbness will go away after giving birth. In the meantime, avoid sleeping on your arm and keep your wrist moving throughout the day.
Week 26
As you approach the third trimester, anxiety, leg cramps, frequent urination, or general discomfort can make it hard to sleep. You may also experience itchy hands and feet. Mild itching is usually harmless and can be treated with antihistamines, soothing ointments, and lotions. However, severe itching may be a sign of a liver disorder called cholestasis of pregnancy and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Week 27
If back pain and leg cramps aren’t bad enough, some women also experience hemorrhoids during their third trimester. Itchy, swollen veins develop in the rectum due to increased blood flow and pressure and can be made worse by straining, which often accompanies constipation. Hemorrhoid pain and bleeding can be relieved with a high-fiber diet and plenty of fluids, hemorrhoid ointments, sitz baths, or witch hazel pads.
Week 28
Welcome to the third trimester! As you approach your destination, you may feel physically tired and uncomfortable. Pain is common and some people may develop symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). This occurs when the ligaments around the pubic bone become loose and unstable, stretching more than usual.
Week 29
After giving birth, you may notice yellow colostrum leaking from your breasts for a few weeks as your body prepares to breastfeed. This liquid acts as a precursor to mature breast milk and helps your baby’s body adapt to life outside the womb. Additionally, your blood pressure will start to increase from 28-32 weeks of pregnancy onwards.
Week 30
If you’re still experiencing symptoms like itching, swelling, pain, or heartburn, your condition probably isn’t improving. If you have stretch marks, like most pregnant women, they may be becoming more noticeable. These red, pink, purple, and even dark brown stripes can’t be prevented. In fact, they are often genetically determined, but they do fade quite a bit over time.
Week 31
You may have been happy to get over your early pregnancy symptoms, but now some of them may be returning. For some, they may never go away. For example, your breasts may become tender again as the colostrum starts to come out. You may have to urinate more frequently because your uterus puts pressure on your bladder. You may feel extremely tired after even the slightest effort. Keep it up.
Week 32
After 20 weeks of pregnancy, you may experience “practice” contractions called Braxton Hicks. They are characterized by irregular hardening and tightening of the uterus and occur more frequently as your pregnancy progresses. Braxton Hicks contractions usually last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes and often come and go at irregular intervals. Braxton Hicks are normal, but if you experience stronger and more frequent contractions, contact your healthcare provider as they may be a sign of premature labor.
Week 33
The baby continues to grow and is still putting pressure on your internal organs. What’s the outcome? You may experience symptoms such as bladder leakage, shortness of breath, heartburn, and general discomfort. Additionally, many people experience pain in the upper abdomen near the top of the uterus during this time, which is a normal symptom caused by the abdominal wall being stretched by the growing uterus. If you’re worried that there may be another cause, consult your obstetrician-gynecologist. This type of pain is usually painful to the touch and gets worse when the baby kicks.
Week 34
As your due date approaches, remember: every day is important for your baby’s development during the final weeks of pregnancy, so you want to allow your baby to continue growing as long as it’s medically safe. You may notice some changes in the strength of your baby’s movement as your baby grows and gets ready to be born, but be sure to contact your doctor if you have any concerns or notice a significant decrease in your baby’s movement.
Week 35
As labour progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions will become more frequent – make sure you know how to distinguish these exertional pains from real labour pains. At this point, many women find that insomnia becomes a strong late pregnancy symptom.
Week 36
Baby’s moving! About 2-4 weeks before birth, your baby will start to “slide” down into your lower pelvis (also called breech or breech presentation). This movement relieves pressure on your internal organs and makes breathing easier.
Week 37
Your baby’s new position can cause pelvic discomfort and increased pressure in your abdomen. You might notice a little bleeding after sex, but don’t worry; this is probably a result of your cervix becoming dilated and sensitive. However, if you experience menstrual-like bleeding, contact your doctor as this could also be a sign of a placenta problem.
Week 38
Around the 37th or 38th week of pregnancy, some women lose their mucus plug. The mucus plug seals the opening of your cervix and protects your baby from bacteria. It usually comes out a few days to a few weeks before delivery and looks like a dark pink or bloody discharge.
Week 39
When your water breaks, you may experience a squirt of fluid or a slower flow. Other signs of premature labor include regular contractions, pelvic pressure, dull lower back pain, and restlessness. Premature labor often lasts for several hours. Many healthcare providers recommend that first-time parents wait for this stage to pass and go to the hospital if contractions are coming every 4-5 minutes, lasting for a minute, and continuing in this pattern for an hour (the 4-1-1 rule or 5-1-1 rule), but your healthcare provider may have other recommendations.
Week 40
You may experience pregnancy symptoms such as insomnia, bloating, frequent urination, and pelvic discomfort until your baby is born. If an induced labour or Caesarean section is planned, this may happen within a few days or weeks. After 40 weeks, you may need an ultrasound to monitor the position, size and fluid of your baby and to make sure everything is normal.
Week 41
After 40 weeks, your baby is considered “post-term” because he or she is past due, but in most cases, this is completely normal and actually quite common. Still, an overdue baby can cause anxiety and restlessness, but be patient and watch for signs of labor. Your baby is about to be born! Consider exercising (walking, dancing, squatting, etc.) to draw your baby closer to your pelvis and increase the chances of birth.
Week 42
Most babies are born within 2 weeks of their due date (either before or after), and although you may become fatigued once you reach 42 weeks, this is very rare. Most doctors recommend inducing labor before 42 weeks. In the meantime, continue to take care of yourself, and before you know it, your baby will be in your arms.
