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Your pregnancy week by week

Your pregnancy week by week | Week by week guide to pregnancy

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Average rating: 4 out of 5 star rating

Want to know what's happening to you and your bump while it's growing inside you?

Check its progress with our week-by-week pregnancy guide...

Weeks 1-4

You: Blissfully unaware of what's about to happen, you get your period. Midway through your cycle, you release an egg and it starts its journey down the fallopian tube.
Your bump: Egg meets sperm, egg gets fertilised, and boom! The sex of your baby is already determined.
The fertilised egg carries on towards the womb, its cells dividing all the time. Once it implants itself in the wall of your uterus, you've done it - you're pregnant!
Top tip: If you're not doing so already, start taking a daily pregnancy vitamin and mineral supplement with folic acid - there's a selection of brands at all good chemists.

Weeks 5-8

You: Around now you'll probably pee on a stick and get the shock of your life! Whether you've been trying for ages or your pregnancy is a complete surprise, suddenly it's real and that can be a lot to take in. You might be feeling pretty sick right now, too, as all those hormones are going crazy, so try to take it easy.
Your bump: By week 8, your baby will be the size of a grape, with buds appearing that show the beginnings of arms, fingers, legs and toes.
Top tip: Contact your community midwife (ask at your GP's surgery) and book in your first antenatal appointment.

Weeks 9-12

You: You might be trying to keep your pregnancy under wraps until you hit the 12-week mark. It can be really difficult to keep such big news a secret, but if that's your decision enjoy the excitement and this special time along with your partner.
Your bump: Your baby's bones are forming, her facial features will appear and she's growing really fast. By 12 weeks, all her major organs and structures will be fully formed, and she's around the size of a large strawberry already!
Top tip: Feeling tired? Switch from white, refined foods to wholewheat bread and pasta, and brown rice, as these help to balance blood-sugar levels, which should help to relieve your fatigue.

- Read what happens in the second trimester

More help and advice

- Three reasons why you're not having sex
- What to eat during your pregnancy
- Foods to avoid

By Vicky Woollaston

Average rating:

4 out of 5 star rating

All pages in this article


Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below

andrea baker, 5 months

oh my god i have a 18 month old and i took me 9 months to fall pregnant with him decided to try for another baby 6 weeks ago and found out today im pregnant! only 6 weeks of trying im shocked!

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LISA TOOHEY, 7 months

HI TERRI-ANNE. YOU WONT BEABLE TO SEE THE BABY YET. @ 6WKS IT IS ONLY ABOUT THE SIZE OF A PEA

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lisa toohey, 7 months

NATALIE:i no how you feel. i was having problems with my periods for a while then found out i was pregnant. i fell pregnant in aug 2003 i did not no i was pregnant till i was 16.5wks. i had no symptoms of pregnancy atall. i did 6 tests in total. 4 home tests and 2 with the doctor. they all came back neg. i found out when my doctor decided to give me a blood test to see if i had polycystic ovaries and that is when it came back that i didnt have polycystic ovaries but i was pregnant. get your doc to do a blood test on you. it tests for oestrogen in the blood stream

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lisa toohey, 7 months

aretha: it is a possibility you are pregnant. get a home pregnancy kit first of all. there cheap and easy to use. then you can go to your doctors if you are.

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lisa toohey, 7 months

racel: you can do a test from the day after your period was missed. i did. i was due a period on 4th dec 2008 and did a test on 6 dec 2008 and found out then

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megan, 10 months

i've just found out i'm pregnant.i'm about three months.i heard it's heart beat,it's amazing. :)

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aretha, 11 months

it has been 11weeks since i have had a period at the begin i thought that i might be pregnant, but now i dont have any symptoms what do you supposed this means and when should i get a pregnancy test

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Natalie, about 1 year

hi all. me and my husband are now trying for our second baby, i have not had a period for 3 months but all the tests i have done are negative, now i dont know where to go from here, HELP!!xXx

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Ali, about 1 year

hi, im worried as last month i had a little bit of bleeding for two days and ive not come on this month,i feel really tied and sick,iv done a test but it came back negative. please can you help me x

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marlene, about 1 year

If you haven't taken any pregnancy test and wonders if you are pregnant, then these are the signs to watch: breast tenderness, frequent urination and implantation spotting. hey you can check this site, they have videos of experts explaining stuff

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Lotti, about 1 year

hey i have not come on my period yet i was due on 2wks ago ive been feeling sick every mornin for the past 4wks but i did a test and it come back negative can someone help ?

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Terri-Anne, about 1 year

Im about 6-7 weeks pregnant now. feeling really sick.Im relly worried because i went for a scan at 6 weeks and i couldnt see the baby not even slightly they could only see the birth sack, should i be worried? I am very happy and excited about having my baby and i cant wait til 12 weeks have past.

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kelly, about 1 year

enid try eating ginger nut biscuits they will take away the sickness feeling

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lisa, about 1 year

hi there, ive took 2 first response tests both came back positive think im about 3 weeks!!! scared to take a normal test incase its still negative - how long should i wait?? seeing the doctor next week though . fingers crossed

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enid chelley, about 1 year

Hi I took a test last night and it came back with two lines!! so i guess i'm pregnant. but i've been feeling sick all the time for the past 3 days, is there anything that i can take to settle the sickness without harming my baby?

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kate, about 1 year

Hi im about 9 weeks, and in having really bad problems sleeping, is there anything i can take to help me sleep. Kate x

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susanne, about 1 year

hi ive not come on my period and ive done a pregnancy test and its postive. im prob about 5weeks pregnant. but im worried caus i really dont fell pregnant no sickness or anything..... what should i do pls help

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lindsey, about 1 year

hiya i dont think u can find out if ya pregnant untill about 4 days before ur nxt period with the new tests that r out. i think it has something to do with ya hormones not being strong enough to pick up on.

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rachel, about 1 year

hi there. me and my partner are trying for a baby we slept with each other with no protection about 2-3weeks ago. i was just wondering when can i find out if i am pregnant will it show up now if i do a test? please let me know Yours Rachel xx

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diane wright, about 1 year

iv got milk coming out of my breasts can u tell me if that means im having a baby

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