In 60 seconds
Your short plan for this week
Adjust one repeated strain: raise a screen, add back support, split lifting loads or change how long you stand at work.
Use the next visit to ask what aches are expected, what self-care is reasonable and what would need assessment.
Avoid breath-holding and unstable positions when lifting; ask for a workplace or physiotherapy assessment if pain is building.
What you may notice
Your body and how you may feel
A changing centre of gravity and looser joints make comfortable, steady movement important.
What is happening
Baby’s development this week
Bones and muscles continue developing; movements are becoming more coordinated.
Plain-language examples
What this means in real life
Pregnancy hormones and a changing centre of gravity can make familiar tasks feel different before the bump looks large.
A short checklist
What to do now
- Adjust one repeated strain: raise a screen, add back support, split lifting loads or change how long you stand at work.
- Stay active in ways that feel stable and are appropriate for your pregnancy.
- Learn what movement changes should prompt a call later in pregnancy.
Pause and check
What not to do—or what to ask first
- Avoid breath-holding and unstable positions when lifting; ask for a workplace or physiotherapy assessment if pain is building.
What may be coming up
Appointments, tests and decisions
Use the next visit to ask what aches are expected, what self-care is reasonable and what would need assessment.
For the support person
One useful thing a partner can do
- Take the awkward loads—heavy shopping, low laundry baskets or repeated carrying—before pain forces the conversation.
Contact your care team
Contact your doctor or maternity team promptly
Some concerns need advice before the next routine appointment even when they do not feel like an emergency. If a symptom becomes severe, sudden or frightening, use urgent care instead.
See when to contact careUrgent or emergency
Urgent signs during pregnancy or within a year after birth
Get medical care immediately for these symptoms. The list is not exhaustive; if something feels seriously wrong, seek help.
Open urgent warning signs