Weeks 10 - 12

Week 10

Overview

With the tail now gone, your baby’s webbed fingers and toes have now formed into normal ones, without the webbing! Your baby has now gotten to the point where the critical part of his or her development is completed. He or she should be around 3.1 centimetres (1.22 inches) from rump to crown, and weighs about 4g (0.141oz).

 

Your baby's development at this stage

Your baby is a little over the size of a kumquat (a little smaller than a prune) and has now begun the period known as the foetal period. This is the time where the organs and tissues are rapidly growing and maturing.

Your little one has started to swallow fluid and should be moving and kicking quite a bit by now. The important organs, being the intestines, brain, liver and kidneys, the liver is now producing red blood cells to take the place of the yolk sac that will soon disappear, are in their right places and beginning to function. All of these organs will also continue to develop as your pregnancy progresses.

There are also tiny nails that are forming on the toes and fingers and your baby is starting to grow some hair on its skin.

Some other developments include your baby now being able to bend his or her limbs, with the hands being in a flexing position from the wrist. Through the skin, as it is still translucent, you can see the outline of the spine, as well as the spinal nerves that are stretching out from the spinal cord.

There may also be temporary bulges on the baby’s forehead and the brain, which is still developing and is not sitting very high up in the head.

Changes in your life as your baby grows

You may need to start shopping for some maternity wear as your uterus is starting to increase in size. Elastic waistbands in pants and skirts will often be the most comfortable to wear right now. You may want to also do some research into bras for pregnancy and possibly invest in some breastfeeding bras (or start saving to).

Tests and what to do at this stage

During your next prenatal check-up, you will probably be able to listen to your baby’s heartbeat as your doctor will use a special handheld ultrasound machine known as a Doppler. This will be placed on your belly and you will now, for the first time, be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat.

Remember to also keep at your regular exercise routine (which you should have developed and been sticking to by now). Exercise during pregnancy helps promote strength, endurance and muscle tone.

Try to also drink enough water and eat a lot of fibre in order to prevent constipation.

Speak to your doctor and do some research in your own time on infections that can develop during pregnancy. The three most common ones to watch out for are:

• UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) – These are very common bacterial infections that can develop during pregnancy, a UTI is also known as a bladder infection. Doctors have noted that the high amount of progesterone that is present in the body during pregnancy may be a contributing factor to the infection developing. The common symptoms of these bacterial infections are often marked by a burning sensation when urinating and unusual lower abdominal pain. You may also need to go to the toilet more frequently.
  • Because some of these symptoms are to be expected when pregnant, it is vital that you speak to your doctor should you suspect any infections may be present as these can pose a risk for both your own and your baby’s health. It is best to always be one step ahead and stick to the regular check-ups set up for you by your doctor and discuss any concerns you may have with him or her.
• BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) – This is a genital tract infection and is caused by large amounts of bacteria being present in the vagina. These bacteria are normally found in smaller numbers, however, when there is an overgrowth it can result in an infection. The symptoms of BV often go unnoticed, however, signs of a milky white or grey discharge that has a foul smell (often apparent after sex), can be a sign of the infection. You may also experience some irritation, as well as itching in the region of your vagina or vulva. This infection has been known to increase your risk of preterm labour, therefore it is best that should you notice any of these symptoms, you speak to your doctor and get treatment.
• Yeast infections – Yeast infections (also known as vaginal thrush) are extremely common infections of the vagina and your risk of developing them is increased if you are pregnant. Yeast infections are caused by microscopic fungi which are found in nearly a third of women. However, these fungi only become an issue when they grow in rapid numbers and overwhelm the other microorganisms in the vagina. When you are pregnant your oestrogen levels are elevated and this can result in the vagina producing more glycogen, which makes your vagina a more compatible environment for yeast to grow. Bear in mind that a yeast infection does not pose a risk for your developing baby, however, when the baby is born you may pass the infection to your baby as he passes through your vagina.

Week 11

Overview

Your baby is now becoming extremely active in your womb, however, you can’t quite feel any of these movements just yet! He or she is now forming in such a way that the body and head are becoming a little more proportional. Your baby is about 4.1 centimetres (1.6 inches) from his or her rump to crown.

Your baby’s development at this stage

Now roughly the same size as a fig and weighing in at 7g (0.247oz), your baby is nearly fully formed, not in size, however. His or her little hands will soon close and form into fists, with small buds of teeth starting to appear under the gums. Some of the bones are hardening and he or she is actively kicking, stretching and moving about in effortless motions.

As your baby grows and develops these movements will appear more frequently and you will be able to feel them in the next month or so. 

Changes in your life as your baby grows

You may be experiencing some more energy than usual at this point and your morning sickness is likely to be dying down (hooray!). However, there are some other setbacks that may make an appearance, one being constipation which is a result of the changes in your hormones and their impact on your digestion system, and another being heartburn. Heartburn is a common occurrence for pregnant women as the hormonal changes in the body can relax the valve between the oesophagus and the stomach which allows for stomach acids to come back up the oesophagus which results in acid reflux. Your uterus pushing on your stomach later on in your pregnancy may also cause the acid reflux to worsen.

Tests and what to do at this stage

An ultrasound is typically done between your 11th and 13th week. In some countries, and especially if you have private healthcare cover, an ultrasound may be done at every gynaecological visit. 

In public healthcare settings, an ultrasound may only be done if your doctor thinks your baby may be at risk of any chromosomal abnormalities, such as Downs Syndrome, we discussed this earlier in the first-trimester screening tests. Otherwise, your first official ultrasound will be done between week 18 and week 20, however, if you want to know your due date sooner, then you can have one before week 12. This will, however, often come at an extra cost.

You may also want to start thinking about taking birthing classes at this stage.

Week 12

Overview

You are nearly at the end of your first trimester, and with this, your risk of a miscarriage will significantly decrease. It may also be a safe time to tell friends and family that you are expecting too. You may have also put on a little bit of weight at this stage and your baby is starting to look like a mini person, being 5.4 centimetres (2.13 inches) from crown to rump, being a similar size to a lime, and weighs about 14g (0.494oz).

 

Your baby’s development at this stage

Your baby’s biggest development at this stage will be its reflexes. His or her little fingers will soon start to close and open, the little toes will begin to curl and the eye muscles will also clench. In addition, the mouth will also start to make a sucking motion, and in actual fact, if you prod your belly a little bit, your baby may give a little squirm in response, but alas, you will still not be able to feel it, yet!

His or her intestines are now growing at a rapid pace, and in doing so, will begin to protrude into the umbilical cord and move into the abdominal cavity at this stage. The kidneys will also begin to excrete urine into the baby’s bladder.

In the meantime, the nerve cells are starting to swiftly multiply, and with this, the synapses are also forming in the brain. The eyes have now also moved to the sides of the head.

Changes in your life as your baby grows

Your uterus would have grown quite a bit by now, to accommodate your growing foetus. Your maternity clothes will certainly start to come in handy now and heartburn is something you may also be used to at this week in your pregnancy. It helps to sit up after eating as lying down allows for the stomach acid to resurface more easily. The discomfort of acid reflux or heartburn (these terms can be used interchangeably) can often range from mild to severely uncomfortable. Speak to your doctor about foods to eat and avoid as well as what to take to treat acid reflux.

Remember, being pregnant means that there are a number of medications you can no longer take, certain, stronger painkillers being one of them. Always be sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about what options are available to you.

Due to the hormones in your body now being in full swing, you may also be suffering from pregnancy acne. This is completely normal and should subside in your later months of pregnancy or once your little one is born.

What to do at this stage

Now is a good time to think about a baby budget. You will need to assess how you will handle items such as new baby clothes, the nursery, toys, diapers and other baby gear. It is sometimes best if you start saving now (if you haven’t already) for all that comes with having a new baby. Think about possibly opening a college and car fund for him or her.