Key stages of pregnancy monitoring: what you need to know

The good news has arrived! You will be a mother in 9 months! Whether this is your first baby or not, their arrival is an exceptional moment for expectant parents. However, you should know that the 9 months ahead will be particularly rich in emotions and surprises! Knowing the different stages of this journey is therefore essential for a healthy and fulfilling pregnancy.
Here is a detailed trimester-by-trimester guide to help you follow your little one's growth and prepare well for the birth.

1st Trimester: discovery and adjustment

The first trimester of pregnancy marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of expectant parents. It begins on the first day of your last period and ends at the close of the 13th week of pregnancy. During this period, emotions mingle with numerous physical and hormonal changes.

Confirmation of Pregnancy

This is the first prenatal examination. After sharing the good news with the father, it is advisable to confirm the pregnancy with a blood test. This is in fact the most reliable test. The expectant mother can have it done at any time of day, with or without a prescription.

First Prenatal Examination

This is a key stage of pregnancy. This compulsory consultation primarily serves to establish the expectant mother's profile, and lays the groundwork for the medical pregnancy monitoring to come. It takes place before the end of the first trimester, generally between the 10th and 12th week of pregnancy. A first scan will be prescribed by your GP, gynaecologist, or midwife.

Adjusting Your Lifestyle

During your 1st trimester of pregnancy, you must follow a few new lifestyle guidelines to support the baby's healthy development. This includes dietary adjustments. For example, you should reduce excess sugar, fat and salt, and drink at least one and a half litres of water per day. You must also completely cut out alcohol and tobacco.

In addition, particular attention will be paid to your physical and mental health, and to managing the first symptoms such as fatigue or the dreaded nausea, and even vomiting.

2nd Trimester: growth and preparation

Considered the most pleasant period of pregnancy, the second trimester is a time rich in changes, during which expectant parents become fully immersed in the reality of motherhood and fatherhood. The foetus develops at an impressive rate. Its presence becomes more tangible. Its first movements become perceptible and your bump grows visibly before your eyes.

Furthermore, this period also marks the beginning of monthly prenatal examinations until the birth. In the 4th month, the following are also on the agenda:

a urine examination;

a vaginal examination;

and monitoring of the foetal heart rate.

During the 5th month, a 2nd scan must be carried out. This is the morphological examination that will allow you to find out the sex of your baby. During the 6th month, the 4th monthly prenatal examination will take place. This is the perfect time to sign up for antenatal classes.

3rd Trimester: between anticipation and apprehension

This marks the final stretch of pregnancy, before the long-awaited meeting with the baby. Beginning from the 7th month of pregnancy until the birth, the 3rd Trimester is, for most expectant mothers, the most exhausting time. Fatigue and physical discomforts become increasingly noticeable. This is all perfectly normal: your baby is taking up more space and your body is preparing for the birth.

In the third trimester, pregnancy monitoring consists of certain examinations, including a blood test, urine and glucose analysis, ferritin levels, toxoplasmosis screening, an anti-globulin test, and a scan (between weeks 28 and 32).
In addition to these, other necessary checks may be required, namely:

• Hepatitis B and HBsAg;
• Vaginal and rectal swab;
• Coagulation tests;
• Cardiotocographic monitoring.

An appointment with an anaesthetist and seven antenatal preparation sessions are also recommended.