Pregnancy week by week

Congratulations! You’re making a tiny human. Buckle up as we take you week-by-fabulous-week through the incredible world of pregnancy. From week 5 to 40, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about nutrition, baby development and the oh-so-interesting pregnancy symptoms that come along with growing a tiny human inside you.

Nutrition plays a vital role in supporting your baby's growth and keeping you healthy throughout pregnancy. In our pregnancy week-by-week guides, we'll provide you with expert advice on what to eat, which nutrients are essential for you and your baby, and tips for maintaining a well-balanced diet. From satisfying the weird and wonderful cravings, what foods are high in protein, all the way to navigating food aversions, our guides will be able to help you.

Now, let's dive into the magical world of baby development. From the teeny-tiny embryo to a full-fledged mini-human, we'll walk you through each exciting stage. Find out when your baby's heart starts beating, when those cute little fingers and toes form, and when they'll start practicing their ninja kicks in your belly. Get ready to be amazed as we uncover the wonders of each stage of pregnancy week-by-week.

Of course, pregnancy comes with its fair share of not-so-glamorous symptoms and changes. We'll discuss the common discomforts you may encounter, such as morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings. Don't worry, though - we'll also provide practical tips and advice to help you navigate these challenges to help you find some relief during all this change.

Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, this week-by-week pregnancy guide aims to provide you with the knowledge and support you need to make the most of your pregnancy journey.

First Trimester

5 Weeks pregnant: pregnancy cravings

It’s official – you’re going to be a mum. Now’s the time to find out what’s going on inside you and how your 5-week foetus is growing, one cell at a time.

6 Weeks pregnant: pregnancy diet and pregnancy nutrition

This is a week of big milestones. Your baby’s tiny organs are forming and now it’s all about ensuring you’re following a balanced pregnancy diet and pregnancy nutrition plan to help them grow and ensure you have a healthy first trimester.

7 Weeks pregnant: baby’s brain is developing

So many clever changes are happening. Your baby’s brain development is well underway, growing faster than their body at the rate of about 250,000 nerve cells per minute. Genius.

8 Weeks pregnant: hormonal changes in pregnancy

Baby has done a lot of growing this week. Baby’s head has formed, their optic nerve is developing, and baby even has skin. But while they’re taking these big steps, don’t forget to keep taking a few yourself.

9 Weeks Pregnant: Your baby’s eye development

Wondering about your baby’s eye colour? Will they have your eyes? Colour is starting to appear in them, and baby’s eyelids are developing. They’ll be shut most of the time though, it’s way too early to wake up.

10 Weeks pregnant: pregnancy weight gain

Congratulations. Baby is no longer an embryo but has graduated to a proper little foetus prepping for life in the big wide world.

11 Weeks pregnant: pregnancy hormones

Baby’s heart is now beating at a fast and furious pace – twice as fast as yours in fact. It must be love.

12 Weeks pregnant: time for your first pregnancy scan

Baby is about the size of a lime and getting cuter by the day with tiny eyes, nose, mouth and cheeks forming and soon you’ll get to see baby at your first pregnancy scan.

13 weeks pregnant: the second trimester

You’re into the 2nd trimester and baby is learning some very important skills like swallowing and yawning. Baby’s not able to flutter their eyelids at you just yet though, they’re still fused shut.

14 Weeks pregnant: sensory development for babies

Coming along this week is sensory development. Baby’s ears are developed enough to hear all those ‘I-love-you’s’ and if you can’t wait to introduce baby to your favourite music, you can start now.

A brunette woman who is 15 weeks pregnant in a yoga position on a blue matt and grey clothes

15 weeks pregnant: goodbye morning sickness, hello morning exercise

Baby’s sense of smell is already developing. By the time they’re born they’ll recognise your unique scent. Even without seeing you, baby will know you’re there.

A pregnant woman sat cross legged in blue jeans, holding a bowl of yoghurt, granola and fruit

16 weeks pregnant: tips and nutrition

Tickles? Twitches? Flutters? It’s hard to find the words to describe that magical feeling of your baby moving inside you for the first time.

17 weeks pregnant: Pregnancy tips and nutrition

Your 17 week pregnancy bump may begin to show, but it may not. Every woman is different and it can be weeks before some mums are showing. Slow and steady weight gain during pregnancy is best, so for tips on keeping a healthy weight, read on.

A pregnant woman sat on the sofa in leggings, sports bra and blue shirt looking at a baby scan

18 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

There’s no baby like yours and to prove it those teeny tiny fingers are starting to develop unique baby fingerprints. This week, your baby’s muscles are really starting to grow, making baby bigger and stronger day by day.

19 weeks pregnant: tips and nutrition

Congrats! You’re nearly halfway through your pregnancy already. Your little darling is starting to respond more and more so enjoy every flutter, kick and wriggle.

A pregnant woman in a white top and nude coloured bottoms holding 2 blocks with number 20 engraved

20 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

A 20-week foetus’ body can do amazing things. Insulin production is already underway to regulate blood sugar long before any baby dreams of ice-cream.

A pregnant woman wearing a sports bra and leggings with a white shirt holding onto her lower back.

21 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Things are getting more interesting as your baby’s senses start to develop. Baby’s taste buds and sense of smell are detecting the same things as you through your amniotic fluid. Maybe you love curry? Maybe they will too.

A black couple on the sofa, with the man wrapping his arms around his pregnant wife

22 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Your baby’s eye colour is developing now, but even if they’re born with blue eyes it can take months after birth for their true colour to appear.

A group of 5 pregnant women and 2 men, attending a baby class learning how to change a nappy

23 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Your baby’s brain is working harder than ever and nerve cells are spreading through the grey matter. Clever girl. Or boy? You can find out by week 23… if you want to.

A woman in a bikini that is 24 weeks pregnant swimming in a pool with lanes.

24 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

At 24 weeks, your baby is really in tune with you now, which means they can be affected by your pregnancy mood swings. The happier you are, the happier baby will be.

A pregnant woman in a pink coloured top sat in a grey armchair holding onto her belly

25 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Your little one’s senses will now be developed enough for them to reach out and touch your hand when it’s on your bump. This can be an incredible time to start bonding with your baby.

A woman who is 26 weeks pregnant sat upright in bed reading a book.

26 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

This week your baby’s hair, nails and lashes are growing and baby’s able to open their eyes. See all the other amazing developments this week and learn how you can cope with a bigger bump.

A 27 weeks pregnant woman in front of a white kitchen work top making a bowl of fruit

27 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

At week 27 you’re coming to the end of your second trimester. The day when the two of you meet face to tiny face is getting closer and closer.

A pregnant woman in a grey sports bra and black bottoms, sat in a yoga pose holding onto her belly

28 weeks pregnant: it’s the final countdown

It’s week 28, welcome to trimester three! Labour day is in a matter of weeks and life can start feeling intense and exciting all at once.

A woman who is 29 weeks pregnant sat at a desk looking at her laptop holding onto her belly

29 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

So far baby’s eyes have been shut tight. But now at 29 weeks they’ll open and close and those new eyelashes will make their first flutters.

A couple on a sofa, the pregnant woman lying on the mans lap both with their hands on her belly

30 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Getting to know your baby is becoming easier. That’s because they’re able to respond much more to your touch and voice.

A pregnant woman in a nude sports bra looking at a reflection of her pregnant belly in the mirror

31 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

After a long day your bump might seem to weigh a ton. In terms of final birth weight though, they’re still just halfway. Your baby’s weight will have doubled by the time they’re actually born. Gulp!

A pregnant woman wearing a pink dress preparing her hospital bag whilst writing down a checklist

32 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

In week 32 your baby will produce larger than usual amounts of cortisol in preparation for labour. Pregnancy hormones like this may make your digestive system slow, but there are ways you can cope.

A couple sitting on the floor both holding onto the pregnant belly surrounded by cardboard boxes

33 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

By now, baby has learned to swallow properly and has been drinking plenty of your amniotic fluid. They’ve also learned to wee. A trick they will have mastered by the time they enter the real world.

A pregnant woman in a white top sat on the bed with a tray of healthy food, also holding an apple

34 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

The big day is fast approaching and baby is slowly moving into place getting ready for that big push into the world to meet everyone. How exciting!

35 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Baby’s little lungs are now fully developed, so they’re ready to breathe all that fresh air in the big wide world.

A 36 weeks pregnant woman in a white top looking down at her baby scan, holding onto a teddy bear

36 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Baby will be a hefty 2.7kgs (or nearly 6lbs) by now and growth will start to slow down. It might not feel that way though, so take it easy.

A 37 weeks pregnant woman wearing black underwear sleeping while holding her baby bump

37 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Congrats! Baby has reached full-term pregnancy status. That means if they were born today they wouldn’t be considered premature. They’re ready for the world and can’t wait to meet you.

A woman who is 38 weeks pregnant, sat on a mat in a yoga pose.

38 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Only two weeks to go before your due date. Make the most of the limelight and that big, beautiful bump because it could be any day now.

A pregnant woman in a white top and linen shirt holding a pair of pink knitted, newborn booties

39 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

Baby’s putting the finishing touches to their imminent arrival. Meanwhile, you should try to rest and be on the lookout for signs of labour.

2 newborn feet held by both parents hands.

40 weeks pregnant: Tips and nutrition

This is it, your last week of pregnancy. Officially anyway. The thing is, babies don’t keep a diary, or have notifications turned on, so it’s perfectly normal to deliver either side of your due date.

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