Pregnancy Week 12

What’s your baby up to?

By week 12 of your pregnancy, your baby is about the size of a lime, measuring about 5.4 cm long from crown to rump, and weighing around 14g.

The facial features are now well-formed, sex organs are well-developed, and all the other organs including the small intestine are in place. Your baby’s tiny arms and legs are developed, though the arms are longer than the legs. His soft cartilage skeleton is now beginning to harden into bone, and the cuticles – fingernails and toenails are also grown. In fact, your baby though as small as a lime is now fully formed. All your baby has to do for the rest of your pregnancy, is grow bigger and bigger.

As your baby’s brain keeps developing, reflexes are also developed: your baby can now make sucking motions, react if you tap your tummy, and close and open his hands. You may still not feel these movements until a few more weeks.

How are you doing?

Congratulations mom, you’ve made it to the end of the first trimester! The chances of a miscarriage from this point onwards are much lower. Most women report that they are beginning to feel much better and more energetic around now. Your numerous trips to the bathroom may have also reduced because your uterus has moved up to the front and center of your abdomen, therefore the pressure on your bladder is relieved.

Your waist continues to thicken and your bump is becoming slightly obvious. What else is becoming more obvious? Your hips! They are widening to accommodate your growing uterus. Not such a bad thing, is it?

Pregnancy hormones can still make you feel dizzy and light-headed. Always remember to get up from your bed or chair gently to avoid falling over.

Your heart rate may have also increased due to the extra volume of blood in your body. You may have also noticed you have an increased vaginal discharge.

What should you do this week?

At the end of the first trimester is when most women start sharing their pregnancy news. Will you be spilling the beans, or do you still want to keep it under wraps? It’s best to do what makes you comfortable.

Eat regularly to avoid low blood sugar. However be sure you are eating the healthy stuff. Though you are eating for two, you only need 300 extra calories per day in pregnancy.

Your growing bump means your clothes might not fit at the waist anymore. Consider wearing loose-fitting clothes or you can start buying maternity clothes.

Keep an active lifestyle and tone up your pelvic floor muscles.

Sign up for an antenatal class in your hospital or local area. These classes are so beneficial, and a good way of meeting other moms.

Finally, stay informed, healthy and inspired, by reading  Maternity Nest. Connect with other moms-to-be for moral support, by joining your Due Date Club in the The Nest.