Pregnancy Calendar Overview

Pregnancy calendars typically map out the weekly, monthly, or trimester expectations of pregnancy. This information is meant to answer many of the questions you may have between regular prenatal visits, not to replace the expertise of a trained physician or midwife.

Pregnancy Calendar Overview

What to Expect at Prenatal Exams

As you progress through your pregnancy, your visits to the OB health professional will vary. During the first visit, you can expect:

• Pregnancy confirmation;
• Comprehensive physical exam and pelvic exam;
• Complete personal and family history;

Later during your pregnancy term, additional procedures might be scheduled, such as ultrasounds, additional blood tests, urine tests, and electronic fetal monitoring. During these visits is also the perfect time to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about your pregnancy or health with your health care provider. With a pregnancy calendar, you can easily keep track of what to expect from your prenatal visits as your go along.

What You May Be Feeling

In nine short months, your body will go through numerous changes. With these changes, you can expect to experience certain pregnancy symptoms, such as:

• Fatique;
• Itchy abdomen;
• Heartburn or indigestion;
• Food cravings and aversions;
• Breast changes;
• Weight gain;
• Mood swings and sometimes depression;
• Stretch marks;
• Appetite changes;

While no two pregnancies are exactly the same, many of these symptoms will follow a cycle, which you can track with a pregnancy calendar.

Fetus Growth

With a pictorial pregnancy calendar you can view ultrasound views of the fetus at different stages. Fetal growth information may also include:

• Information about when to expect to feel movement;
• When fingers and toes develop;
• Size and weight of the average fetus;
• How your waistline may change.

You will learn when the highest chance of Miscarriage has passed and what are the signs that your baby has dropped, or moved into the pelvic cavity.

To Do Lists

As you progress farther along in your pregnancy, you will need to think about life after the birth of the child. Many pregnancy calendars will include checklists of things to do prior to the birth of your child. Checklists may include:

• Childproofing your home;
• Sending out announcements;
• Setting up a nursery;
• Tips for buying an infant car seat.

In Conclusion

The major benefit of a pregnancy calendar is it keeps you on track with what to expect from your pregnancy, thereby relieving some of the stress associated with the bodily discomforts, mental anxiety, and natural uncertainties that come with bringing a life into this world. While these calendars cannot map out your exact prenatal experience, they can cue you in on what is normal and what concerns you may want to address with your health care provider.

As excited as you may be about the new addition to your family, try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Let a pregnancy calendar keep track of the details while you take care of yourself and your baby.