Pregnancy
Traditionally, pregnancy is divided into trimesters. Each trimester brings its own unique experiences and challenges.
FirstTrimester: The Silent Start (Week 1-16)
D uring these weeks, your body is quietly working a miracle: It is laying the foundation for your baby's organs. It's fascinating work, but it can leave you feeling exhausted and nauseous. Many mothers keep this period a secret, but we encourage you to seek support. You don't have to go through this intense time alone.
Second Trimester: Your Period of Clarity (Week 17-28)
The nausea subsides and your energy returns. It's like the sun is finally breaking through. Many moms call this their favorite trimester - and we understand why!
Around week 16, you feel something magical: your baby moving. It is your own secret conversation, an intimate moment that will color your day with joy. The 20-week ultrasound is another milestone. Seeing your baby on the screen.... it is a moment that will fill your heart with love and wonder.
Now that your energy is back, it's the perfect time for a "babymoon. Whether it's a weekend away or just quality time at home, enjoy it. It's also a good time to think about your delivery wishes. We're ready to discuss your thoughts and questions.
Third Trimester : The Delay (Week 29-42)
Your pace slows down now, which is just as it should be. You are carrying extra weight with you-a sign of your devoted care. Each step takes more effort, but think of it as an exercise in mindfulness. You learn to slow down, to listen to your body.
After week 34, you understand why we encourage early leave. Your world gets smaller, and that's a good thing. It helps you turn inward, rest and focus on meeting your baby.
Fourth Trimester: The Soft Landing (Day 1-12 weeks postpartum)
The fourth trimester is your soft landing into motherhood. These weeks are for bonding, recovery and reflection. You process your childbirth experience, whether it went as planned or not. And you get to know your baby - every smile, every sigh.
Your Body During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, almost every organ in your body is affected. This is not a cause for concern, but rather a sign that your body is working hard to provide you and your baby with oxygen and nutrients. It is a time full of changes.
1. Hormones in Action: Your hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, are more active than normal. This can cause symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and skin changes. These effects are normal and help your body prepare for motherhood.
2. Healthy Growth: During pregnancy, you gain weight. This is no surprise - it's healthy and necessary for your baby's development. At our practice, we help you find the right balance so you don't gain too much or too little weight.
3. Improved Circulation: Your body produces more blood to provide your baby with what it needs. This can lead to changes such as varicose veins or different blood pressure. It is a sign that your body is adjusting to its new task.
4. Skin changes: Your skin may show pigment changes and stretch marks. This is common during pregnancy and is experienced by many mothers. They are normal signs of your body expanding.
5. Managing Energy: Your energy level can vary. Sometimes you feel tired and have less oomph for work or sports. This is your body saying, "I need rest." Your nutritional needs may also change to provide both of you with the right nutrients.
Our touch points during your pregnancy
Congratulations, you are pregnant! Contact us to schedule your first appointment and first ultrasound . Do you have any questions before your first appointment? Then the midwife can answer them for you in advance.
Have you already started taking folic acid and vitamin D? Otherwise, start this as well.
If you are curious about what is happening in your belly and don't want to wait for the term ultrasound, you can get a ultrasound with us at 8 weeks.
The first meeting with the midwife! The midwife will give you information about the practice so you know how to reach us and what our methods are.
At this ultrasound , the baby is measured from the buttocks to the head. The length measured here determines the due date!
Want more information about the tests that can be done in pregnancy on the baby? We will explain them to you in detail.
This medical ultrasound assesses whether the baby's development is progressing well.
Are you curious about the sex of the baby? Starting at 16 weeks, we can take a look at this with the ultrasound !
The 20 weeks ultrasound is scheduled in week 19. This medical ultrasound is designed to detect any abnormalities in the baby. So an exciting ultrasound !
After the 20 weeks ultrasound you will have an appointment with the midwife. She will go over the results of the ultrasound with you again.
Everyone prepares for childbirth and the arrival of the baby in their own way. Attending a meeting on childbirth or breastfeeding can be of great help.
Most women feel their baby move for the first time between weeks 20 and 24. This may be very clear one day, but a little less so another day. By 27 weeks, your baby is heavy and strong enough to report clearly every day!
You will see your midwife more often now. This is important because we want to monitor your blood pressure and the baby's growth.
Not everyone gets a growth ultrasound in pregnancy. There are a number of indications when this growth ultrasound may be performed; the main reason is when the obstetrician has doubts about the baby's growth.
Childbirth is really getting closer now! You may have to work a few more weeks and then maternity leave starts. Some women have already prepared a birth plan; others still need to delve deeper.
Most babies lie with their head down in week 35. We check this with the ultrasound to be absolutely sure.
From week 37, your baby is ready to be born. However, most babies are still a little while away.
About 4% of children are born on the due date. The rest come a little earlier or a little later. Still, you probably live very much towards this day!
85% of women gave birth at week 41. That means there are still many children in the belly at week 41.
The midwife will call you when the contractions have started and you could use her support. We are there for you and carefully monitor the condition of mother and baby.
The first days with your baby at home! That takes some getting used to. There are often questions, concerns and queries about your physical recovery. The midwife will visit your home to discuss these.
The first few days after birth your baby will lose some weight, but by the end of the first week most babies are growing again. 2 weeks after birth, babies are back above birth weight.
ultrasound's during your pregnancy
Sometimes a small or larger amount of vaginal bleeding may occur early in pregnancy. Sometimes this is harmless, sometimes it is a sign that the pregnancy is not going well.
Anyone may come by our office for an 8 week ultrasound! The baby is still smaller than 2 cm at this term!
Are you curious if the baby is growing well? For this we have the heart consultation.
Between weeks 10 and 11, the term ultrasound is done. The baby is then larger than 3 cm.
This ultrasound falls under prenatal screening. This ultrasound is done if you choose this ultrasound, after you have had the informational interview about it. The baby is about 7 cm, this is the last time the baby is measured from buttocks to head.
Are you curious if you are expecting a boy or girl? At 16 weeks, we can tell.
The 20 weeks ultrasound also falls under prenatal screening. The baby weighs about 250-300 grams. The ultrasound is done between weeks 19 and 20.
During the 2nd half of the pregnancy, the midwife may request a growth ultrasound when she has doubts about the growth of the belly. Sometimes the growth ultrasound is used preventively, then it is usually done around 30 weeks.
This ultrasound is only performed, if a low position of the placenta was seen during the 20 weeks ultrasound . Was this not the case? Then this ultrasound is not made.
Not everyone has an indication for a growth ultrasound after the 20 weeks ultrasound . To make sure the baby's head is down, we make a ultrasound to check this.
Have you not yet given birth? Then during this ultrasound we measure the baby's growth again and we measure if there is enough amniotic fluid around the baby.
Listening to your body
We encourage you to listen carefully to your body. Are you tired? Then take extra rest - your body is doing a great job! Choose healthy, nutritious meals that support you and your baby. And keep moving in a way that's comfortable, whether that's a walk or pregnancy yoga.
In our practice, we see pregnancy as more than just a physical experience. It is a time when your body, mind and emotions work together. We offer not only medical care, but also emotional and psychological support. Whether you have questions about your changing body or just need a listening ear, we are here for you.
Your body is miraculously adapting to support a new life. It is important to accept these changes, listen to them and take care of yourself. With our personalized guidance, we strive to make your pregnancy not only a healthy, but also a truly positive experience.
We are here to support you through every change, every question and every milestone. Together, we'll make sure you can live this special time with confidence and joy. You're doing a great job, mom!
