Month 1: 40 miraculous weeks

Your pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each with its own challenges and things to marvel about.

Congratulations! In the run of 40 weeks, your body is going to do something incredible. Two cells – one of yours and one of the child’s dad – will grow inside of you and become a unique little person… your baby. While you’re reading about the growth and development of your foetus, also allow yourself some time to think about the big life change that’s coming. You’re going to be a mom. This thought will no doubt have you all excited sometimes, and at other times almost panic-stricken. It’s normal. The emotional rollercoaster is also made worse by your hormone levels and all the physical changes you’re going through. Chat to your partner about everything, and ensure enough quiet time and rest so that your body and soul can prepare for what’s to come… the biggest challenge and adventure of your life.

First trimester WEEK 6

YOUR BABY The nose, mouth and ears develop. The embryo has black dots where the nostrils will be and small dimples for ears. Arms and legs start taking shape as small protrusions.

YOU Symptoms vary, but if you’re feeling nauseous, tired and slightly grumpy, welcome to your new pregnant world.

WEEK 7

YOUR BABY Hands and feet grow from the protrusions and look like strange amphibian fins, but of course you already think your baby’s beautiful. Small veins become visible under a paper-thin skin. YOU Your uterus has doubled in size. About 100 percent more blood is now coursing through your veins, and you have to wee all the time.

WEEK 8

YOUR BABY The “tail” running from the embryo’s coccyx is almost gone. Respiratory tubes run from the throat to the developing lungs. You feel nothing, but your baby startles and stretches spontaneously.

YOU Take a brisk 20-minute walk every day. This will help against the tiredness caused by rising progesterone levels.

WEEK 9

YOUR BABY The heart completes its division into four chambers. Heart valves take shape. A sonar should pick up a bouncing heartbeat. Small bumps form under the gums where the teeth will go. YOU Stay away from warm baths, spas and saunas. If your body temperature remains raised for too long, it can damage the embryo.

WEEK 10

YOUR BABY No longer an embryo, your baby is now officially a foetus. The most critical part of development has now passed. The hands are bent at the wrists and come together in front of the chest. YOU The foetus, placenta, breasts and uterus need amino-acids for growth and recovery. Take 170g every day, which is a cup of milk or yoghurt.

WEEK 11

YOUR BABY The baby is almost completely shaped and formed and looks more like a person. Elbows, knees and joints are already visible. The face becomes rounder and eyes move forward. Hair follicles start to take shape.

YOU Finger- and toenails grow quicker or can be very fragile and brittle. Don’t stress. It’s not permanent.

MONTH 1 (1 TO 4 WEEKS) Your foetus is smaller than a blueberry, in fact, it’s the size of a drop of blueberry jelly. MONTH 2 (5 TO 9 WEEKS), and your foetus is first a gooseberry and then a biggish mulberry. By MONTH 3 (10 TO 13 WEEKS), things speed up and Baby goes from a loquat to a litchi to a guava. MONTH 4 (14 TO 18 WEEKS) ,a nd Baby is the size of a mango. Your baby grows at a phenomenal pace and by MONTH 5 (19 TO 22 WEEKS) , he or she is already the size ofabigg rapefruit. By MONTH 6 (23 TO 26 WEEKS) the grapefruit has become a large melon and by MONTH 7 (27 TO 31 WEEKS) your belly bulges tofitthel arge pineapple inside. MONTH 8 (32 TO 36 WEEKS) is the month of the big papaya, just before your final stretch for that watermelon that arrive tween we .