A “trimester” is, most simply, a period of time. In terms of pregnancy, a trimester refers to three roughly equal portions of the time you are pregnant. Since pregnancy lasts, on average, 40 weeks, a trimester lasts roughly three months, or 13 1/3 weeks. The concept of the trimester is used to help health care providers and expectant moms divide the process of pregnancy up into specific portions. During each trimester, mom-to-be and her baby have specific discomforts, nutritional needs, and physiological changes that will occur. Some moms-to-be and some health care providers prefer to discuss pregnancy in terms of the weeks of pregnancy (in other words, number of weeks since the last menstrual period).

The first trimester is generally characterized by early development of the embryo into a fetus. The first trimester begins from the time of conception, and ends at around 12 or 13 weeks since the last menstrual period. Most miscarriages will occur in the first trimester. This is also the time that morning sickness tends to be at its worst. Also, many moms report feeling fatigued during this first stage of pregnancy.

The second trimester lasts, roughly, from weeks 13 through 27 of your pregnancy. During this time, the mom-to-be generally feels her best. Morning sickness has generally passed, and the baby has not grown so big that she interferes with mom’s ability to get around. You will be able to feel first movements of your baby, sometimes known as “quickening,” during the second trimester.

From the end of the second trimester until your baby is born is called the third trimester. During this time, the baby grows and grows and grows. Backache and weak bladder control often occur during this time. Mom-to-be is often uncomfortable, waiting for those last days of pregnancy to pass. Your baby can come at any time after 37 weeks, unless you have premature labor or some other medical condition which requires early delivery. Many physicians recommend restrictions on travel and activity during the third trimester.

Posted in Pregnancy

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