You and your baby are on an exciting and rewarding journey, let us help you get ready. Keep scrolling to find advice and essentials you need throughout your pregnancy and for your babies first key milestones.

How many weeks are you pregnant for?

40 weeks is the usual estimate, and how your due date will be calculated. Remember this is only a guide, and a typical pregnancy can last from 37 to 42 weeks. To start counting your pregnancy in weeks you need to start from the first day of your most recent period.

Pregnancy stages

What to expect during your first, second and third trimester.

These early stages cover the first 3 months of your pregnancy, starting from the first day of your last period, through to week 12.

Signs that you are pregnant

First symptoms that you are pregnant can include feeling tired or nauseous - but these aren't always experienced and could just be a bug you've picked up.

For most women the first thing they notice is that their period doesn't arrive - but again this doesn't necessarily mean you're pregnant. Taking a pregnancy test is the most reliable way of finding out for sure.

If you think you might be pregnant, book an appointment with your GP or a maternity service to start your pregnancy care.

Weeks 5-8

By now you may have missed your period and just found out you're pregnant (congrats!). That tiny embryo is growing at an amazing rate, with organs and systems already forming.

Weeks 9-12

With hormones in overdrive to help grow your dot into a more baby-like foetus, fatigue and sickness are common side effects now. Often these symptoms settle in the second trimester.

Just found out you're pregnant? Here are some helpful resources

Emma's diary hase handy articles that cover every stage of your pregnancy - check out their handy app and podcast too.

 

- The NHS and Start4life websites have lots of info about keeping fit and healthy through your pregnancy, including guidance on stopping smoking through your pregnancy