Your Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide: What to Expect at Every Stage

First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)

The first trimester is a period of rapid development. By week 6, your baby's heart begins beating. Morning sickness, fatigue, and breast tenderness are common. Register with a Paramitha obstetrician before week 12 for early screening, folic acid supplementation, and your personalised care plan.

Key milestones

• Week 8–10: Dating ultrasound to confirm due date
• Week 11–14: NT scan and dual marker blood test for chromosomal screening
• Week 12: First trimester anomaly assessment

Second Trimester (Weeks 13–27)

Often called the "golden period" — energy returns and baby movements begin around week 18–22. Your anomaly scan (TIFFA) between weeks 18–22 checks all major organs and structures.

What to expect

• Visible baby bump and first kicks
• Glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes (week 24–28)
• Iron supplementation if anaemia is detected
• Antenatal classes at your Paramitha branch

Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40)

Frequent monitoring increases as delivery approaches. Growth scans every 2–4 weeks assess baby's size and amniotic fluid. Discuss your birth plan, pain management preferences, and hospital bag checklist with your obstetrician.

Preparing for delivery

• Pack your hospital bag by week 36
• Finalise your birth plan with your obstetrician
• Know the signs of labour: regular contractions, water breaking, bleeding
• Save your branch emergency number: 040-40108108

When to call your doctor

Contact Paramitha immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, sudden swelling, severe headache, reduced fetal movements after 28 weeks, or fever above 100.4°F.