Pregnancy Week by Week Guide
Your complete pregnancy companion from conception to birth. Discover what's happening with your baby and your body each week, with expert tips and milestone highlights for every stage of your journey.
W4
Poppy seed
Week 4
🧬 Baby's Development
The fertilized egg has implanted in the uterine wall. The neural tube — which will become the brain and spinal cord — begins forming. The embryo is just 1mm long.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Missed period, breast tenderness, fatigue, mild cramping from implantation.
Start prenatal vitamins with folic acid immediately if you haven't already.
W6
Sweet pea
Week 6
🧬 Baby's Development
The heart begins beating at 100–160 bpm. Tiny arm and leg buds are forming. The brain is developing rapidly into five distinct regions.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Morning sickness begins (can occur any time of day), fatigue, frequent urination, food aversions.
Schedule your first prenatal appointment for weeks 8–10.
W8
Kidney bean
Week 8
🧬 Baby's Development
All major organs are forming. Fingers and toes are visible (though webbed). Your baby is now officially called a fetus. The face is taking shape with eyes, nose, and mouth.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Nausea often peaks, heightened sense of smell, mood swings, visible veins on breasts.
An early ultrasound can confirm the heartbeat and dating.
W10
Kumquat
Week 10
🧬 Baby's Development
Vital organs are fully formed and starting to function. Fingernails and hair follicles are developing. Baby can swallow and make small movements.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Nausea may begin to ease, waistline expanding, increased energy for some.
Risk of miscarriage drops significantly after week 10.
W12
Lime
Week 12
🧬 Baby's Development
Baby can open and close fists. The digestive system is practicing contractions. Reflexes are developing. End of the first trimester!
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Nausea often improves, energy returning, visible baby bump beginning.
Nuchal translucency (NT) scan is done at 11–14 weeks to screen for chromosomal conditions.
W16
Avocado
Week 16
🧬 Baby's Development
Baby can hear sounds from outside the womb. Eyes can move, though eyelids remain closed. Facial expressions are forming. Baby is about 4.6 inches long.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Round ligament pain, possible quickening (first movements), backache, heartburn.
You may feel the first flutters of movement (quickening) between weeks 16–20.
W20
Banana
Week 20
🧬 Baby's Development
Halfway there! Baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and producing meconium. Fine hair (lanugo) covers the body. Vernix caseosa protects the skin.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Belly button may pop out, Braxton Hicks contractions, swollen feet, stretch marks.
The anatomy scan ultrasound is done around week 20 to check all organs and structures.
W24
Corn
Week 24
🧬 Baby's Development
Baby has a chance of survival outside the womb if born now (viability). The brain is developing rapidly. Taste buds are forming. Baby weighs about 1.3 lbs.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Braxton Hicks more noticeable, backache, heartburn, possible carpal tunnel.
Glucose screening test is done between weeks 24–28 to check for gestational diabetes.
W28
Eggplant
Week 28
🧬 Baby's Development
Baby can open and close eyes and recognizes your voice. Third trimester begins! The brain is developing billions of neurons. Baby weighs about 2.2 lbs.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Shortness of breath, frequent urination returns, trouble sleeping, leg cramps.
Start kick counts — aim to feel 10 movements in 2 hours, once daily.
W32
Squash
Week 32
🧬 Baby's Development
Baby is practicing breathing movements. Gaining about 0.5 lb per week. Fingernails are complete. Most babies are head-down by now.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Pelvic pressure, heartburn worsens, fatigue returns, nesting instinct begins.
Prepare your hospital bag and finalize your birth plan.
W36
Honeydew melon
Week 36
🧬 Baby's Development
Lungs are nearly mature. Baby is shedding lanugo and vernix. Most babies are head-down in preparation for birth. Baby weighs about 5.8 lbs.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Pelvic pressure increases, frequent urination, nesting instinct strong, Braxton Hicks more frequent.
Group B Strep test is done between weeks 35–37.
W40
Pumpkin
Week 40
🧬 Baby's Development
Baby is fully developed and ready for birth! All organs are functioning. Baby weighs an average of 7.5 lbs and is about 20 inches long.
🤰 Mom's Symptoms
Cervical changes, irregular contractions, water may break, nesting instinct peaks.
Watch for labor signs: regular contractions every 5 minutes, water breaking, bloody show.