Pregnancy Timeline

During pregnancy your body will go through a tremendous set of changes to help your baby grow inside you. Use this pregnancy timeline to find out how your body will change and how your baby will grow, as well as what you should be doing when.

Remember, though, that all pregnancies are different so you may find that your experience isn't exactly the same as described here.

 

 

0-4 weeks

See how your baby grows
Week 4
  • If necessary do a pregnancy test
  • Start/continue taking Folic Acid
  • Discuss any prescription drugs with your doctor
  • Stop smoking
  • Stop or cut down on alcohol
  • Avoid recreational drugs and drugs bought over the counter

5-8 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 5
 Week 6
 Week 7
 Week 8
  • Visit midwife or doctor to discuss care during pregnancy
  • Arrange for any special tests you would like to have
  • Planning a holiday?  Check if vaccinations are needed as some cannot be given during pregnancy
  • Consider safety at work issues
  • Make an appointment with your dentist

9-12 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 9
 Week 10
 Week 11
 Week 12
  • Book antenatal classes
  • May have dating ultrasound scan
  • Start pregnancy exercises and/or consider modifying existing exercise program
  • Some tests such as nuchal fold and chorionic villus sampling can be done now

13-16 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 13
 Week 14
 Week 15
 Week 16
  • Stop taking Folic Acid now unless your doctor advises otherwise
  • Blood tests may be done now
  • Amniocentesis is usually done week 16-18
  • Find out about maternity rights and benefits

17-20 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 17
 Week 18
 Week 19
 Week 20
  • Buy maternity clothes if needed
  • May have anomaly ultrasound scan

21-24 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 21
 Week 22
 Week 23
 Week 24
  • Think about where your baby will sleep and start making preparations.
  • Collect  MatB1 form from your midwife
  • Notify employer in writing about your pregnancy
  • Arrange to hire birthing pool now if you want a water birth
  • Check out childcare options if returning to work

25-28 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 25
 Week 26
 Week 27
 Week 28
  • Antenatal classes usually start now
  • May have blood test for anemia and blood group antibodies
  • Start buying baby equipment
  • It may help to start buying baby clothes, toiletries and nappies now to spread the cost
  • Week 27 last week to travel by air without note from doctor

29-32 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 29
 Week 30
 Week 31
 Week 32
  • If you are working, week 27 is the earliest you can start maternity leave
  • Book TENS machine if necessary
  • If having your baby in hospital start planning what to pack for your labor and stay in hospital
  • Start thinking about who your birth partner will be

33-36 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 33
 Week 34
 Week 35
 Week 36
  • Make sure you have basic baby things ready to hand
  • Buy nursing bra
  • Start writing birth plan
  • If possible stock up on food and household shopping
  • Plan who will be around to help you at home in the early weeks with your baby
  • If having your baby in hospital, visit to see the labor and postnatal wards

37-40 weeks

 See how your baby grows
Week 37
 Week 38
 Week 39
 Week 40
  • Cannot travel by air after 36 weeks
  • Discuss your birth plan with your birth partner and midwife
  • Make list of phone numbers
  • Find quickest route to hospital
  • Make sure you can contact your partner easily