The Six Trimesters of Pregnancy

You always assumed that each pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. But did you know that there are actually six trimesters? The six trimesters are roughly divided each into segments of about 3 months:

Pre-Trimester (preconception)
First Trimester (1-12 weeks)
Second Trimester (13-26 weeks)
Third Trimester (27-42, up to delivery)
Fourth Trimester (postpartum period)
Fifth Pregnancy Trimester (going back to work)

These six trimesters have each their own succinct different emotional and physical happenings that make them unique.

There are three trimesters of pregnancy. Each trimester lasts approximately three months or 40 weeks until the pregnancy due date. These trimesters are like goals for pregnancy. Make it to the second trimester and things are a bit safer. Make it to the third trimester and the pregnancy is nearing the exciting day of birth.

What is a term pregnancy?

For some time now, the ACOG definition of a "term pregnancy" has changed. According to the updated definition, a full-term pregnancy is a pregnancy between 39 weeks and 0 days to 40 weeks and 6 days:

Preterm: Before 37 weeks and 0 days
Early term: Between 37 weeks and 0 days and 38 weeks and six days of gestation
Full term: Between 39 weeks and 0 days to 40 weeks and 6 days
Late-term: the period between 40 weeks and 0 days to 40 weeks and 6 days
Post-term: the period at 42 weeks 0 days and beyond)

Each of these trimesters marks a pregnancy milestone and brings new and exciting changes for mom and baby. Let this page be your guide to those changes.

Pregnancy by trimester

The pre-trimester of pregnancy

First trimester of pregnancy

Second trimester of pregnancy

Third trimester of pregnancy

Fourth trimester of pregnancy: postpartum

Fifth trimester of pregnancy; going back to work

Let babyMed guide you through these six pregnancy trimesters!

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Preconception

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