---

Your Baby’s Growth and the Physical Changes You May Experience During Pregnancy

---

Finding out you are pregnant is an exciting moment and a time of growth and change for you and your developing baby. Below is an outline of some of the key changes for you and your baby which will help you know what to expect throughout the pregnancy journey.

How Pregnancy Affects You and Your Baby

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each bringing important changes for both you and your developing baby. Below, Dr Peter Jurcevic, Melbourne Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, guides you through your baby’s growth at each stage, along with the physical and emotional changes you may notice along the way.

You’ll also find practical insights and trimester-specific tips from an obstetric perspective to help you feel informed, prepared and supported throughout your pregnancy.

The First Trimester (Week 1–12)

Your Baby

Your fetus grows rapidly during the first 12 weeks of life. By the end of the first trimester your baby will have grown from a microscopic embryo to around the size of a lime 6-7cm.

• Formed all major organs
• Your baby will have developed all arms, legs, fingers and toes
• Your little one’s facial features will start to become more defined
• Your placenta will start to nourish your baby
• Your baby’s heartbeat will be detectable

Changes You May Experience

For some women, they may not detect any noticeable changes in the first trimester. For other women, hormonal changes can make this trimester feel intense.  Both experiences are normal.
You may experience:

• Nausea or vomiting (morning sickness)
• Fatigue
• Breast tenderness
• Heightened sense of smell and taste
• Mood fluctuations
• Increased need to urinate

Peter’s Top Tips for The First Trimester

• Start or continue a Prenatal Vitamin with Folic Acid
• See your local GP for a check-up, have any vaccinations you may need to have and get a referral for your obstetrician if you are choosing the private care model
• Ring Peter Jurcevic’s receptionist to book in, and attend your first antenatal appointment
• Discuss early screening options
• Prioritise rest and gentle movement
• Book your 12-week important ultrasound

 The Second Trimester (Week 12-27)

The second Trimester is often coined ‘The Honeymoon Trimester’.

Many women find the second trimester the most enjoyable, as early symptoms ease and energy returns. Your baby is growing rapidly and reaches around 28cm by week 27, the size of a large eggplant.

Your Baby

• Your baby will develop fine hair (lanugo) and fingerprints
• Your baby’s ears will develop, and they can start to hear sounds
• You may begin to feel ‘flutters’, little baby movements, from around 18-22 weeks
• Your baby will begin to move, rolling, kicking, stretching
• Your baby will start forming fat stores and strengthening their little bones

Changes You May Experience

As your uterus is expanding, you may start to ‘show’. During the second trimester you may experience the following:

• A visible baby bump
• The ‘morning sickness – nausea’ may start to ease and your energy levels may start to increase
• Backaches
• Changes in skin pigmentation
• Ligament pain
• Increased appetite

You’ll also start attending more regular antenatal visits and ultrasound checks, including the important 20-week morphology scan.

Peter recommends in the second trimester you:

• Maintain regular check-ups
• Continue healthy nutrition and exercise
• Begin pelvic floor exercises
• Discuss birth preferences and hospital preparation
• Book your 20 week ultrasound

The Third Trimester (Week 28 – 40)

The final trimester is all about growth, refinement, and preparing both your body and your baby for birth. It can be a time of great excitement and nerves may start to show as your due date draws closer. It is normal to feel very tired and uncomfortable during this trimester

Your Baby

During the Third Trimester, your baby may:

• Rapidly gain their body fat
• Respond to voices, light and touch
• Practice breathing movements
• Your baby may turn into a head-down position in preparation for birth
• Reaches approximately 3-3.5kg and 50cm at full term

Their organs, especially the brain and lungs, will continue their development right up until birth.

Changes You May Experience

Your body is preparing for labour and birth and as your baby grows you may become increasingly more uncomfortable. You might notice:

• Shortness of breath
• Braxton Hicks Contractions
• Trouble sleeping
• Pelvic pressure
• Swelling in hands and feet
• More frequent urination
• Emotional readiness and sometimes anxiety about birth

Your regular check-ups will increase as Peter monitors your baby’s growth, your wellbeing, and your labour preparation.

Peter’s recommendations for the Third Trimester

• Discuss our birth plan choices and any questions you may have about labour and the birth of your baby
• Attend the Parents You’ve Got This and Frances Perry House Antenatal classes
• Finalise your Birth Plan
• Pack your Labour & Hospital Bags
• Learn about early labour signs
• Discuss the use of an Epi-no to prepare your perineum for birth
• Save the Frances Perry House and the Royal Women’s Birth Suite numbers in your phone
• Book your Frances Perry House or Royal Women’s Hospital Birth Tour

Every pregnancy is unique, and milestones serve as a guide to help manage expectations. Staying informed and connected with your care team makes all the difference. It is OK not to love all aspects of being pregnant and it is recommended to seek early support if you don’t like how you are feeling.

If you have questions about your pregnancy or would like personalised guidance at any stage, Peter and his team are here to support you throughout your journey and into parenthood.

---