When you first find out that you're pregnant there can be so many mixed emotions, from excitement to even feeling scared, so knowing what to expect in your pregnancy month by month can really help all those mixed feelings.
Whatever feelings you have after finding out you're pregnant, they're completely valid and you won't be alone in those feelings. So whether it's your first pregnancy or you've been pregnant before, reading about different symptoms, key milestones and even body changes through each month you're pregnant can help you feel more reassured about any symptoms you're experiencing in your pregnancy, and is also an exciting way to see how your baby is growing that month.
Find out more about your baby's development month by month through pregnancy with Mother&Baby.
First trimester: Pregnancy months 1 to 3
During the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy, your baby will turn from a fertilised egg into a tiny 8cm human. The first trimester of pregnancy is where you probably notice more of the pregnancy symptoms. There are a lot of changes happening to your body and to your growing baby through those first 3 months .
Month 1 of pregnancy - week 1 to 4
During month one of your pregnancy you might have taken an early positive pregnancy test or just starting to experience early pregnancy symptoms.
If you haven't already, you'll need to start taking Folic Acid supplements to support the early development of your baby.
During the weeks 1 to 4 of your pregnancy, your baby will grow to the size of a pumpkin seed, their face and eyes begin to develop, and their heart begins to beat.
Month 2 of pregnancy - week 5 to 8
At two months pregnant you might have an early scan where an ultrasound can detect your baby's heartbeat. By this point, your baby will also be about an inch long and the cartilage in the embryo will start to be replaced by bone.
It's at this stage your baby's organs also begin to take shape.
Month 3 of pregnancy - 9 to 12 weeks
By the end of your third month of pregnancy your baby will have developed limbs and their fingernails and toenails will begin to form. You'll have your 12 week scan to look forward to during this month, and you might have started to tell some family and friends that you are pregnant too.
Second trimester: Pregnancy months 4 to 6
Between 13 weeks and 24 weeks, you're in your second trimester. This trimester you will be able to find out whether you're having a boy or girl too at your 18 to 20 week scan. You might even start to feel your baby move at the start of this trimester.
Month 4 of pregnancy - 13 to 16 weeks
At 4 months pregnant you'll have an established bump, and are probably feeling a lot more movement. You might have even started with pregnancy cravings.
Your baby will now be able to hear you when you talk, and they will also become sensitive to light outside your bump. Now's a good time to start looking into antenatal classes too.
Month 5 of pregnancy: 17 to 20 weeks
By 5 months pregnant you will start to feel kicks that your partner will be able to feel too, and your baby will even have their own sleep cycle.
You might also experience round ligament pain and increased congestion during this month.
Month 6 of pregnancy: 21 to 24 weeks
At 6 months pregnant you're in the last month of the second trimester and you might start to feel more tired now too. Your bump will be quite big by now, so you might also start to experience back pain.
Your baby's eyes are now developed, and they'll also be plumping up and storing fat.
Third trimester: Pregnancy months 7 to 9
It feels like it's taken a long time to get to the third trimester, and these last three months can feel like they're going slow. Your baby will be kicking a lot more now, and they now also have the strength to kick you harder!
Your baby will also be able to recognise your voices now, so reading to bump is a good idea too.
Now you're in the final months of your pregnancy, it's a good idea to start preparing your hospital bag and making sure you have everything you need before baby's arrival.
Month 7 of pregnancy: 25 to 28 weeks
At 7 months pregnant you might start with itchy skin as your skin stretches with your bump and it can also become dryer. You might start to feel like you're waddling when you walk now too!
Your baby's hearing will be fully developed now and responding to your voice, and they might even change position in preparation for birth.
Month 8 of pregnancy: 29 to 32 weeks
By 8 months pregnant you'll be starting to feel a lot more tired and might even find yourself a lot more emotional too. You might even start to experience leaking breasts at this stage of your pregnancy.
Your centre of gravity will have also shifted, so you might find yourself a little off balance. At this point, you might also start with Braxton Hicks contractions.
Month 9 of pregnancy: 32 to 36+ weeks
At 9 months pregnant you are officially at the end of your pregnancy journey! You're probably feeling a lot more impatient now, and might even start nesting in preperation for bringing your baby home.
You'll be going to the toilet a lot more and probably experiencing more backpain now.
By 39 weeks, your baby's organs will be fully developed, and they'll probably start to engage as your labour gets closer.
Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best and current trending products for little ones and for cute seasonal outfits.