Your pregnancy timeline
Browse our pregnancy timeline to find out what screenings tests you are eligible for, and what stage of development your baby may be at.
Just enter how many weeks pregnant you think you are, and press go!
Conception
About you
Start to take your folic acid supplements as soon as possible. Look at our dietary and physical activity recommendations.
Weeks 1-4
About you
- By the end of the first week after conception, the fertilised egg, called a blastocyst, has made its way along the fallopian tube and attached itself to the womb lining.
- If you haven’t already started, you should start taking a folic acid supplement now to protect against neural tube defects. Keep taking it until you are 12 weeks pregnant.
- The outer cells of the embryo start to link into your blood supply so that they can start getting nourishment from it. This link will develop into the placenta, which is attached to the baby by a cord.
About your baby
- The sex of your baby and all sorts of other things such as hair colour have already been decided — they were genetically determined from the moment of conception.
- Your baby is growing at a faster rate than at any time in pregnancy but would be difficult to see without a magnifying glass.
Week 5
About you
- You may feel very tired.
- Your breasts may feel tender, as if you are starting your period. This is because the tissue is being prepared to store milk.
About your baby
- The embryo is still tiny — about the size of an apple pip — but is growing very quickly.
- The heart and blood vessels are just beginning to form.
Screening information
At some point between now and week 10 you will have a blood test for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia disorders.
Sickle Cell disease is a lifelong hereditary condition which causes health complications and Thalassaemia is a genetic disease which causes mild anaemia in children and adults.
Week 6
About you
- If you haven't already started to feel sick, it could start now, although some women go through pregnancy without feeling sick at all.
- Pregnancy hormones are kicking in and you may be very emotional.
About your baby
- There are three layers of cells in the embryo now. The first will become the nervous system and brain, the second will be the major organs such as the digestive system and lungs and the third will be the heart, blood system, muscles and skeleton.
- The embryo is starting to look like a little tadpole but the ‘tail bone’ will disappear and become the coccyx.
- At this point, the embryo is the size of the nail on your little finger.
Week 7
About you
- Foods may taste different and your likes and dislikes may change.
About your baby
- Your baby's heart is already beating and her lungs have just started to form.
- She may start to move around now but you won't feel any movement for a while yet.
- Your baby has tiny hands and feet with webbed fingers and toes.
Week 8
About you
- Your hair may be getting thicker.
- You may need to go to the toilet more because your uterus has doubled in size and is putting pressure on your bladder.
About your baby
- Your baby is about 1.6cm (about half an inch) from the top of her head to her bottom. She will be measured this way until around week 20 when the measurement includes the legs.
- She's floating inside the amniotic sac (bag of waters) which will protect her throughout pregnancy.
- Tiny buds are developing on the embryo that will become arms and legs.
Screening information
- From now on you should start having routine blood tests
- To check your haemoglobin level is sufficiently high.
- To determine your blood group.
- To check for Rhesus disease (where the mother’s antibodies attack her baby’s blood cells).
- To check for antibodies you may develop which could cause Rhesus disease in a future pregnancy.
- To check for Syphilis, Hepatitis B, HIV and Rubella.
- You will have your first ultrasound scan to determine your due date.
Week 9
About you
You don't look pregnant yet, but your waistline may be starting to thicken and your breasts are probably getting larger. Get measured for a new bra to ensure you're getting enough breast support.
About your baby
- Your baby is about 2.5cm (almost an inch) long from the top of her head to her bottom.
- She has eyelids, but they will stay close for a few weeks yet.
- The ends of her arms and legs are starting to look like hands and feet though they are not yet fully formed.
Screening information
Between now and week 13 you’ll have a Nuchal Translucency scan and a blood test to check for Down’s Syndrome. If the results say there is an increased risk you can choose to have a more accurate test called chorionic villus sampling.
Weeks 10-11
About you
- You'll probably be feeling hungrier than usual — your body is busy growing a baby.
- All the activity going on inside you is probably making you very tired, but you may find it hard to sleep.
About your baby
- Your baby's heart has developed fully and is working, but still can't be heard by your midwife.
- She's about 4cm (about 1.5 inches) long from head to bottom and weighs as much as a large grape.
- Her head looks big compared with the rest of the body, but don't worry, her body will catch up.
- Toes and fingers are beginning to lose their webbing and nails are forming.
- Her arms and legs are getting longer and her elbows can bend.
Week 12
About you
- Your waist may be getting a bit thicker and some women begin to develop a small bump at this stage.
About your baby
- Your baby is moving her legs and she can curl her fingers and toes, but you won't feel this yet.
- She has 20 little buds, which will eventually become teeth.
Weeks 13-14
About you
- You may start to develop a dark line from your tummy button (navel) to your pubic hair. This is called the ‘linea nigra’. It is caused by increased pigmentation in your skin. It will fade after childbirth.
- Your nipple might go a darker colour too. This is also caused by increased skin pigmentation.
- You should not be feeling as sick as you were (although for some women sickness can go on longer).
- Although birth is still many months away, your breasts may already be making colostrum — the fluid that will feed your baby for her first few days.
About your baby
- Your baby is about 7cm (almost 3 inches) from her head to her bottom.
- Her ears have developed but she can't hear yet. The fetus looks like a tiny baby.
- The placenta is now your baby's source of nourishment.
- The liver, kidneys, digestive system and lungs are maturing.
Weeks 15-16
About you
- You may have that pregnancy ‘glow’ — your hair looks thicker and your skin more plumped out.
- Your ‘bump’ is probably starting to show, and your waist is disappearing.
- Your ordinary clothes are feeling a bit tight.
- Hopefully you're feeling less sick and your breasts may be less tender.
- It's just possible you've begun to feel the fetus inside you, although this may not happen for weeks yet.
About your baby
- Your baby is becoming sensitive to light.
- She's sucking her thumb and all her joints and limbs can move.
- Fine, downy hair called lanugo has started to grow on your baby's body, but this will disappear before birth.
- Her body is growing faster to catch up with the size of her head.
Screening information
Between weeks 15 and 20, there’s a second blood test to check for Down’s Syndrome.
Weeks 17-18
About you
- You may feel her move round — but it's nothing to worry about if you don't feel anything yet.
- You may be able to hear your baby's heart beating when you're examined.
- Your baby can kick and move around and is probably doing it a lot, particularly at night when your movement isn't rocking her to sleep.
- You could be feeling hungrier — carry healthy snacks like fruit to deal with those pangs.
- Your back may be sore, you may feel more tired and you could feel slightly breathless.
About your baby
- Your baby is about 13cm (a little more than 5 inches) from the top of her head to her bottom.
- Her kidneys have started producing urine, most of which travels through the placenta for your body to deal with.
- Her tastebuds are beginning to form.
- You may feel her move round — but don’t worry if you don't feel anything yet.
Screening information
At some point between weeks 18 and 21, you will have your third scan to check for any developmental problems in the fetus. The doctor will check the brain, spine, heart, kidneys and limbs. Not all problems are life-threatening and some rectify themselves before your baby is born.
Week 19
About you
You’re about halfway through your pregnancy term: you may feel excited or scared or both.
About your baby
- Your baby's beginning to form her second teeth, behind the first ones.
- At about this time your baby's body starts being covered with ‘vernix’, a greasy substance which coats her skin, forming a waterproof layer.
Week 20
About you
- You may be able to feel your baby move now — although probably nobody else can.
About your baby
- Your baby is about 16.5cm (6.5 inches) from her head to her bottom. She's 25.5cm (10 inches) from head to toe.
- She is very active — soon she will be too big to turn over in the uterus.
Week 21
About you
- Disturbed sleep may make you a bit absent-minded and forgetful.
- You may start getting indigestion.
About your baby
- Your baby's eyebrows and eyelashes are growing.
- Your baby can hear sounds both inside and outside your body — if you chat to her she will get to know your voice. Some parents like playing soothing music for their baby.
Screening information
You may have a second routine ultrasound. Some areas only offer a second scan if there appears to be a problem.
Week 22
About you
This may be the time when it really sinks in that you and your partner are going to be parents.
About your baby
- Your baby has probably reached the grand weight of one pound (about 500g).
- Your baby will probably be pretty active and may kick in response to certain sounds, such as your voice.
- She can grasp with her hands and may grip the umbilical cord.
Week 23
About you
You may be suffering backache, varicose veins or leg cramps.
About your baby
- Your baby has skin but no fat so she looks a bit wrinkly.
- Her hearing is well established and she can make out certain noises such as a rumbling stomach, your heartbeat and noises such as the vacuum cleaner.
- Your baby will gain weight rapidly over the next 4 weeks.
Weeks 24-25
About you
- You may be feeling less tired and more energetic.
- If you are constipated, eating fibre-rich food such as wholemeal bread, having lots of fruit and drinking plenty of water can help; so can a bit of exercise — try taking a brisk walk.
About your baby
- Your baby's lungs aren't completely mature yet, but she is practising making breathing movements.
- Your baby is viable — that is, some babies born this early have gone on to survive.
Weeks 26-27
About you
- At week 27 you are officially into your third trimester — late pregnancy.
- You are walking differently because your centre of gravity has changed.
- You may find your ankles and fingers swelling — sit with your feet up whenever you can.
About your baby
- Your baby's chances of surviving outside the uterus are growing by the week.
- She may begin to open and close her eyes.
- She is gaining fat and muscle and looks a little less skinny and more baby-like now.
Week 28
About you
- As well as swollen ankles you may develop leg cramps — try not to stand for long periods and drink plenty of water.
- You may start feeling so-called Braxton Hicks or practice contractions.
About your baby
- Your baby can turn her head towards a bright continuous light.
- Her brain is developing at a great pace.
Screening information
You’ll be given lots of information about screening and test the midwife will carry out after your baby is born, like blood tests, hearing tests and physical examinations.
Weeks 29-30
About you
- You may be a little forgetful. You could also be a bit clumsier than usual.
- Good posture can help relieve the strain on your back as can gentle massage.
- You may find it hard to sleep — try sleeping with a cushion between your knees, or at your side to make yourself comfortable.
About your baby
- Your baby is about 38.5cm (a little more than 15 inches) from head to toe.
- She's making breathing movements more regularly — she may surprise you if she has the hiccups.
- The lanugo (fine hair covering your baby's body) may be starting to fall out.
- She is getting on for 1.5 kilos (about 2.5 pounds). She is growing fast.
Weeks 31-32
About you
- You may notice stretch marks if you haven't already done so.
- You may be panicking about how much you still have to do.
- You may be getting indigestion because of the pressure from your baby on your stomach.
About your baby
- Your baby is about 42cm (16.5 inches) from head to toe.
- She can now close her eyes in response to bright light outside your abdomen.
- Her lungs are formed and maturing and she is still putting on weight.
- You may notice your baby moving less. Don't worry – she's just running out of space.
- There's some evidence that your baby dreams while she's asleep.
- Even when you feel a bit breathless your baby is getting all the oxygen she needs from the placenta.
Weeks 33-34
About you
- Your tummy button may be sticking out.
- Your breasts may start to leak colostrum in preparation for breastfeeding. This doesn't happen to everyone.
- The puffiness may be getting worse — if your face is swelling too, check with your midwife or GP.
- Drinking plenty of water can help with fluid retention.
- Resting, with your feet up, will help deal with the varicose veins and swollen ankles.
About your baby
- Your baby's lungs are now fully developed.
- Your baby may be lying head down in preparation for being born.
- Her skin is getting smoother.
- She can do all sorts of baby things such as suck and grab — not that there's much in there to get hold of.
Week 35
About you
- Try to rest as much as you can — you'll be tired and there won't be much time for rest after the birth.
- Take some gentle exercise — for example a walk or a swim. It'll help you relax and make it easier to sleep.
- If you haven't thought of a name yet, visit your library to borrow a book on baby names.
- Your feet are bigger — slip-on shoes are easier to get on and off.
About your baby
- Your baby's toenails and fingernails could almost do with a trim!
- She weighs around 2.3kg (a little more than 5 pounds) and is still gaining weight rapidly.
Week 36
About you
- You should feel movements each day, however small.
- Her head may be ‘engaged’ — which means the widest part of the head has passed below the pelvic brim (known as ‘engagement’). That doesn’t mean you will give birth early.
- Your bump is getting lower — called lightening — as your baby is preparing to be born.
- Your antenatal appointments will probably be more regular now.
About your baby
- You baby probably weighs about 2.7kg (about 6 pounds).
- She is still moving, but her movement is reduced (there's not much room in there).
Week 37
About you
- You should have your bags packed.
- You'll be getting curious about what she will look like.
- Take plenty of rest — labour and childbirth will take it out of you.
About your baby
- Your baby is putting on weight at about half an ounce (14g) a day.
- If it hasn’t already happened, your baby’s head will most likely engage around this time.
Week 38
About you
- Although week 40 is your due date, remember that most babies are either late or early.
- Your Braxton Hicks contractions could be more frequent and stronger.
- Taking a gentle walk may ease some of your aches and pains.
About your baby
- Your baby is fully developed and ready to go — at her own pace, that is.
- Your baby is making movements every day. If she isn't, inform your midwife straight away.
- She's still covered in vernix, but the lanugo has gone.
Weeks 39-40
About you
- You could go in to labour any day now.
About your baby
- Your baby is getting ready to greet the world!
- It's hard to say how big your baby will be — each newborn varies — but it's likely she measures at least 20 inches and weighs around 7 pounds or more.
After birth
About you
- You may feel overwhelmed and daunted at first. It can be an emotional time.
- You’ll be tired while you’re getting used to being a parent and some babies can wake several times during the night for a feed — rest when you get a chance.
- Don’t feel guilty if you don’t slip easily into parenting. It can take a while.
- Bonding with your baby builds with constant contact over the first months of pregnancy, so enjoy it!
About your baby
- Newborn babies always look a little squashed, wrinkly and possibly bruised. But don’t worry, it won’t last long; and she might be a little blue while her circulation is settling down.
- Your baby can’t see colour for the first few weeks and she can’t focus beyond about 25cm away.
- Her hearing is fully developed and she can already recognise your voice.
- She can grip objects with her hands.
- Your baby’s sense of smell has developed — she can recognise you that way.
- Not surprisingly, she’ll love being cuddled and close to you. It’s similar to being in the womb. Enjoyable for you too!
- The plates in your baby’s skull will not join up for several months.
Screening information
In the first week your baby will have routine examinations:
- The Apgar test which the midwife carries out in the first few minutes, checks for
- Skin colour
- Heart rate
- Reflex response
- Muscle tone and breathing
- Your baby will also be weighed and measured so that you can begin keeping records to monitor her progress as she grows.
- She’ll also have a full physical examination including her heart and lungs.
- Your baby will also be given a hearing test.
- At one week old she will have a blood spot test where a tiny pin prick is made in her heel to draw a spot of blood. This tests for:
- Phenylketonuria, an enzyme deficiency.
- Congenital thyroid deficiency.
- Sickle Cell disorders.
- Cystic fibrosis, where the body produces a thick mucus in the lungs or intestines.
- MCADD, a rare condition which affects the way the body converts fat into energy.
After 8 weeks
Your health visitor will carry out a full examination of your baby again at this point to make sure she’s growing and developing normally.