The first three months of pregnancy are critical. This is when the embryo’s organs and nervous system are formed. Surprisingly, the sex of the child is already determined during implantation.

Between the fourth and eighth week of pregnancy, the embryo’s neck, head and extremities are formed, as are the structures for the inner organs, the brain and the nervous system. Towards the 12th week, the embryo's fingers, toes, eyes, ears and nose will be fully formed. Simultaneously, the muscles and nervous system have developed so the foetus can move.

Typical symptoms in the first trimester:

• Constant fatigue, irritability

• Constipation: The increase of progesterone can slow down the metabolism resulting in constipation.

• Nausea: The infamous pregnancy nausea is triggered by increased hCG levels in the blood. This symptom often appears around the 5th or 6th week of pregnancy.

• Dizziness: This is caused by blood being directed away from the brain and to the placenta to nourish the embryo.

• Mood swings: These come from massive hormonal changes.

• Sensitivity: This especially concerns smell and taste.

Luckily, during the fourth month of pregnancy, the unpleasant symptoms of early pregnancy usually disappear quite quickly. The basic parts of the foetus are now formed. Development in this next stage is on “precision work”: developing the metabolism, sucking and swallowing reflexes and respiration. The baby will become much more active in the uterus as it exercises its growing muscles and nervous system. The heart can now be heard clearly during examinations. By the end of the fifth month of pregnancy, the child’s sex can typically be determined by ultrasound.

Typical symptoms in the second trimester:

• The abdomen becomes visibly rounder and breasts grow much larger.

• The first movements of the baby are typically felt between weeks 16 and 18.

• Increased frequency of needing to urinate due to the uterus pressing on the bladder

• Shortness of breath due to increased blood volume.

• Heartburn due to the growing uterus restricting the stomach.

• Possible production of colostrum (the first formation of breast milk), triggered by increased levels of prolactin.

In the seventh month of pregnancy, the foetus is able to open its eyes and nostrils. The immune system begins to work independently: the foetus breathes amniotic fluid in and out to “practice” for life outside of the womb.

Thanks to developments in modern medicine, the child now has a good chance of survival in the event of premature birth.

From the eighth month of pregnancy, development focuses predominantly on growing a protective layer of fat; the weight of the foetus now increases by approximately 250 g per week. Since there is less and less space in the uterus, the baby finally assumes the typical foetal position with arms folded in front of the body.

Typical symptoms in the third trimester:

• The abdomen and breasts keep growing substantially.

• Increased frequency of urination, since the growing uterus presses on the bladder.

• Back pain, mostly due to loose ligaments and the additional weight.

• Numbness or tingling in the feet when the baby is in a supine position and presses against the spine.

• Sleep issues.

• First false labour pains may begin.