While pregnancy tests and ultrasounds are the only ways to determine if you’re pregnant, the body goes on to experience a wide range of changes from the first month of pregnancy and throughout pregnancy. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Each trimester is a little longer than 13 weeks. The first month of pregnancy marks the beginning of the first trimester.

Pregnancy timing is measured using “gestational age.” Gestational age starts on the first day of your last menstrual period. As Planned Parenthood puts it, “Gestational age can be confusing. Most people think of pregnancy as lasting 9 months. And it’s true that you’re pregnant for about 9 months. But because pregnancy is measured from the first day of your last menstrual period — about 3-4 weeks before you’re actually pregnant — a full-term pregnancy usually totals about 40 weeks from LMP — roughly 10 months.”

The earliest signs of pregnancy are more than a missed period. They may also include morning sickness, smell sensitivity, and fatigue. To prepare for what’s coming, there are other pregnancy signs to can look out for with our timeline of pregnancy symptoms by month.

Month 1

For a lot of people, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Other early pregnancy symptoms include feeling tired, feeling bloated, cramping, peeing more than usual, mood swings, constipation, nausea, slippery discharge, and sore breasts. Not everyone has all of these symptoms, but it’s common to have at least one of them.

Month 2

During the second month, pregnancy symptoms often become more noticeable. Common discomforts like breast tenderness, fatigue, peeing more often. It’s here where for some women, one of the most dreaded symptoms begins: morning sickness. Heartburn, nausea, and vomiting usually get worse. The body produces extra blood during pregnancy, and a woman’s heart beats faster and harder than usual to carry the extra blood.

Month 3

Some women have the radiant “pregnancy glow” in the first trimester, while others suffer from hormone-induced acne. The area around the nipple — the areola — may grow larger and darker.

The breasts — and belly — get bigger each week. The nausea may become more pronounced at this time. Women who are overweight or underweight may experience a different rate of weight gain. Each woman gains weight differently and carries baby weight differently, and that’s OK. Talk with a nurse or doctor about maintaining a healthy weight throughout pregnancy.

Month 4

By now, the belly looks undoubtedly pregnant — and the breasts have swelled up to prepare for breastfeeding. Expect to gain weight regularly until delivery (usually about one pound per week). A few stretch marks might appear as the pregnant woman quickly packs on the pounds. Some of the early side effects of being pregnant go away at this point. Nausea usually lessens. But other digestive problems like heartburn and constipation may continue. It’s common to have shortness of breath or to breathe faster. Increased blood flow may lead to unpleasant pregnancy symptoms, such as bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or nasal stuffiness. The pregnant person also may feel dizzy or faint because of changes in the blood and blood vessels. As the hormone relaxin loosens ligaments, the woman might also feel extra clumsy at this stage of pregnancy. It’s best to take extra care if this happens.

Month 5

Although the mom-to-be is constantly gaining weight, she may also notice other positive changes! Pregnancy often causes thick and shiny hair and fast-growing nails as the body stocks up on extra nutrients. But dry, irritated skin on the stomach can also become an issue since the skin is constantly stretching and expanding. Little movements may feel like flutters or butterflies in the stomach as the fetus starts to grow more — this is sometimes called quickening. The pregnancy symptoms continue, including heartburn, constipation, breast changes, dizziness, shortness of breath, nose bleeds, and gum bleeding. The breasts may be as much as two cup sizes bigger by now. And if a woman is feeling more forgetful than normal, blame the so-called “pregnancy brain” that many women experience.

Month 6

That shortness of breath may improve. The ever-growing belly can turn an “innie” belly button into an “outie” — but rest assured it will return to normal after delivery. While some women may still have high sex drives, others notice a dwindling libido. Sleep might not come easily toward the third trimester, whether it’s because of anxiety, leg cramps, or frequent urination. Itchy hands and feet might also be irritating. The breasts may start producing colostrum — tiny drops of early milk. This may continue throughout the rest of the pregnancy.

According to Planned Parenthood, Some women have Braxton-Hicks contractions when they’re six months pregnant. They feel like a painless squeezing of the uterus or abdomen. This is the uterus’ way of practicing for labor and delivery. Braxton-Hicks contractions are normal and not a sign of early labor. But check with the doctor if there are painful or frequent contractions or if they seem concerning.

Month 7

The uterus continues to expand at seven months, so back pain is common. As if backaches and leg cramps weren’t bad enough, some women get hemorrhoids during this time. Relieve pain and bleeding with witch hazel pads, ice packs, or sitz baths.

The itchiness, swelling, aching, and heartburn hasn’t subsided yet. Any stretch marks are probably getting more pronounced, too. These red, pink or brown (depending on skin color) streaks can’t be prevented, but they’ll fade significantly after delivery.

Month 8

Mama may feel tired and have a more difficult time breathing as the uterus grows upward. It’s common to urinate a bit when sneezing or laughing because of pressure from the uterus on the bladder. But on the plus side, hormones may make the hair appear fuller and healthier. Some of the first trimester symptoms may make a return but hang in there, the baby will be here soon!

Month 9

Mom only has a few more weeks to endure pregnancy symptoms, whether it’s backaches, constipation, breast leakage, hemorrhoids, blurry vision, fatigue, headaches, swelling, or heartburn. The baby will also regularly kick around inside the stomach.

Some little ones drop down into the lower part of the uterus during this month. This may relieve constipation and heartburn, which is more common earlier in pregnancy. But some babies don’t drop down until the end of pregnancy.

Month 10

Pregnancy symptoms in the 10th month largely depend on when the baby drops down into the lower part of the uterus. The little one’s new position might lead to pelvic discomfort and abdominal pressure.

Around week 37 or 38, most women lose their mucus plug. In other words, there’s a ball tissue that’s been blocking the cervix to protect the baby from germs. It gets released about two weeks before labor, and it looks like a thick pink or blood-tinged discharge.

The cervix will begin to dilate (open) to prepare for delivery. This may happen a few weeks before delivery, or it might start as the woman goes into labor. As the cervix dilates, it may cause sharp pains.

Signs of labor include wetness down the leg (“the water breaking”), as well as regular contractions, pelvic pressure, dull back pain, and a feeling of restlessness. Early labor tends to last for hours. Many doctors recommend women head to the hospital when contractions come every five minutes, last one minute, and continue for an hour (the 5-1-1 rule).

After the newborn is delivered, the placenta and other tissues also come out of the body. This is called the afterbirth.