How Your Body Changes Each Trimester.

What changes will I see during the 1st trimester?
You will see very little change in yourself, although your baby is growing and changing quite rapidly. You may not even realize you are pregnant until the middle or close to the end of this trimester! You will experience very little weight gain during this time probably no more than 5 pounds (2.25kg) for the entire 13 weeks. Your abdomen will grow a little you may be able to feel your uterus about 3 inches (7.6cm) below your bellybutton. You won't feel the fetus move during this time.

What changes will I see during the 2nd trimester?
Others will be able to tell you are pregnant during this trimester. You will be able to feel your uterus about 3 inches (7.6cm) below your bellybutton at the beginning of this trimester. By the end of this trimester, you will feel your uterus about 3 inches (7.6cm) above your bellybutton.
Average weight gain for the 2nd trimester is a total (including weight from the 1st trimester) of 17 to 24 pounds (7.65 to 10.8kg). You will also begin to feel your baby move during this time.

What changes will I see during the 3rd trimester?
You will experience a great deal of change because your baby is growing so much. You will be able to feel your uterus about 3 inches (7.6cm) above your bellybutton at the beginning of this trimester. By delivery, your uterus is 6-1/2 to 8 inches (16.5 to 20.3cm) above your bellybutton.
Your baby gains a lot of weight during this time, even though you may not. Total weight gain by delivery is 25 to 35 pounds (11.25 to 15.75kg) for the average woman.

What can I do about the changes I go through during pregnancy?
The most important thing you can do for yourself is to get good prenatal care. Keep all your prenatal appointments and establish good communication with your doctor. Follow his or her recommendations about nutrition, medication and exercise. Ask any questions you have, and discuss any situation you are concerned about.

My cousin said that with her second and third pregnancies, her body started to change much earlier than with her first pregnancy. Why?
The way a woman's body responds to pregnancy is influenced by her previous pregnancies. Skin and muscles stretch to accommodate the enlarged uterus, placenta and baby. Stretched muscles and stretched skin are never exactly the same again. They may give way faster to accommodate the growing uterus and baby with subsequent pregnancies, which causes a woman to show sooner and to feel bigger.

I'm 11 weeks' pregnant, but I don't even show yet. Should I be concerned?
No. A lot has been happening with the development of your baby's organs and organ systems. However, friends are probably not yet able to tell you're pregnant. You may be able to feel your uterus down by your pubic bone or your clothes may be getting a little snug.
If this is your first pregnancy, it often takes longer to see a change in your tummy. If you have had other pregnancies, you will probably show sooner. Don't despair—you'll be getting larger soon, then everyone will know you're pregnant!