The first two months of your pregnancy have passed successfully. Now you are entering a very important and very exciting time. These 9-12 weeks mark the end of your first trimester. During this time, your little one is growing at an incredible rate. At the same time, your body is going through a lot of changes. So, let's see what exactly is happening during these few weeks?
Week 9: Your baby is now the size of a peanut!
What's wrong with the baby?
Imagine, your baby is now the size of a peanut, about 0.70 inches. But he is growing very quickly. Now the baby's head is a little straighter, and the neck is starting to develop well. The amazing thing is, the baby's skeleton is starting to form at this time. But these bones are still very soft .
The little eyelids are still closed. The nose is also starting to emerge. If you go for an ultrasound scan at this time, you will be able to see the baby moving around inside the womb. However, it will take a while before you can feel those movements.
How is mom?
As your uterus continues to grow, you may feel like your waistline is getting a little bigger. But it's still hard for outsiders to tell that you're pregnant. During this time , pregnancy hormones cause your digestive system to slow down a bit. This helps your body absorb as many nutrients as possible. However, as a side effect, you may experience things like constipation or bloating.
Also, hormones relax the muscles between the stomach and esophagus. This can cause some mothers to experience heartburn. You may not have gained much weight by now, so don't worry about it.
A little tip for you this week: Eat as many calcium-rich foods as possible. Include things like cheese, milk, yogurt, salmon, shellfish, broccoli, and spinach in your diet. This calcium is essential for your baby's rapidly developing bones, as well as for you.
Week 10: Your little one is now like a green olive!
What's wrong with the baby?
Your baby is still small, about the size of a green olive, about an inch long. But he looks and acts like a little human now. His arms and legs are a little longer now. He can bend at the elbows and knees. The fingers and toes are now clearly separated.
How is mom?
Your uterus, which was once the size of your fist, is now the size of a grapefruit. Your belly may still be barely visible, but you'll feel much better wearing looser clothes . You may still feel tired and moody during this time. But don't worry, these discomforts won't last much longer. Most of these will subside by the end of the first trimester.
A little tip for you this week: Now is the best time to think about a maternity bra. You'll need one soon. If you're planning to breastfeed, it's also a good idea to stock up on a few nursing bras that are specifically designed for that purpose.
11 weeks: Baby the size of a strawberry!
What's wrong with the baby?
This is another week of big growth. Your baby is now about the size of a strawberry, about 2 inches long. At this time, if your doctor uses a special device called a Doppler, you will be able to hear the baby's heartbeat, making the rapid "soo... soo..." sound. The joy you feel when you hear that is beyond words!
Tiny teeth buds are also starting to form inside the baby's mouth this week. The intestines are growing so fast that they are being pushed into the umbilical cord. Although the baby's genitals are starting to form, it's still too early to tell the exact gender of a baby from a scan.
How is mom?
You'll experience both the good and bad effects of pregnancy hormones during this time. You'll notice that your hair, fingernails, and toenails are growing faster than usual. At the same time, some moms-to-be may experience oily skin and acne. These are all hormonal changes, so don't worry.
The good news is that the nausea and vomiting you experienced should have largely subsided by now. However, even if you get a good night's sleep, you may still feel exhausted throughout the day.
A little tip for you this week: Make an appointment to see a dentist. See a dentist at least once during these 9 months. Brush and floss your teeth daily. Take the prenatal vitamin your doctor has given you. The calcium in it helps keep your teeth strong. Due to the increase in hormones and blood volume in your body, your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth. If this happens, use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
12 weeks: A baby the size of a garlic clove!
What's wrong with the baby?
Your baby is now about 2.5 inches long, about the size of a garlic bulb. From the roots of his teeth to his toenails, every part of his body is developing. When viewed from the side, he now has a complete facial profile with a distinct nose and chin. He will continue to grow, get bigger, and get stronger throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
Most importantly: As this week ends, the chance of miscarriage decreases significantly . This is a great comfort for both you and your father.
How is mom?
In the next few weeks, you will start to feel more energetic. The fatigue of the first trimester will be gone. By now, you may have gained 1.5 to 5 pounds (0.7 to 2.3 kg).
Your body produces more melanin, which can cause your eyelids, cheeks, and nose to turn brown. Your vulva may also turn blue due to increased blood flow. This is normal.
Surprisingly, sometimes fathers can also show pregnancy symptoms during this time. They may also experience things like nausea, stomach cramps, changes in appetite, and weight gain. This condition is called Couvade syndrome.
A little tip for you this week: Don't worry too much about stretch marks. Many women develop them on their breasts, stomach, hips, or buttocks during pregnancy. They don't go away completely, but they fade to a great extent after giving birth. Although there are various creams and oils on the market for this, they have not been scientifically proven to prevent them from forming. The extent to which they develop depends on the natural elasticity of your skin.
Development in the womb at the end of the third month
Simply put, by the end of the third month, or 12 weeks, your baby will be fully formed. Let's take a look at some of the amazing things that have happened so far.
| Body part/system | The development that has taken place |
|---|---|
| Hands and feet | The hands, palms, fingers, feet, and toes are fully formed. The little hands can even curl and stretch. |
| Nails | Fingernails and toenails are starting to grow. |
| Ears | The external ears are now formed. |
| Teeth | Teeth are starting to form inside the gums. |
| Main systems | The circulatory and urinary systems are now functioning, and the liver is producing bile. |
This is truly a wonderful time. A new life is being created inside your body. Even if you feel some discomfort, remember that it is all part of this wonderful process. If you have any concerns or doubts, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Weeks 9-12 are a time of very rapid growth, when all the major parts and organs of the baby's body are formed.
- The discomforts of the first trimester, such as extreme fatigue and nausea, will largely subside by the end of this period.
- It is very important to eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and drink enough water.
- Don't miss your clinic appointments. Talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.
- The risk of miscarriage decreases significantly after 12 weeks. This is an important milestone in this journey.
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