10 Weeks of Pregnancy (Your Baby & Pregnancy)
How big is my baby?
This week your baby is between 31 and 42mm (1.25 - 1.68 inches) in length and weighs approximately 5 grams (0.18 ounces).
All organs are now present and most major structures have been formed. As your baby becomes fully formed, its weight gain will rapidly increase and its structures will continue to grow and develop to maturity. The head is still large compared to the rest of the body, but the body begins to lengthen and straighten.
Although your baby can now respond to touch, you won't yet be able to feel it move. Nutrients pass from your body into the placenta and umbilical cord to feed your baby and support his/her rapid growth.
What pregnancy symptoms will I be experiencing?
During pregnancy, hormonal changes may cause fluctuations in your moods. You may find yourself feeling more emotional, moody and teary. These fluctuations are normal, and will probably diminish later in your pregnancy.
In Week 8 of the Week by Week Guide, we provided you with information about special tests during pregnancy. If you are healthy, under 35 and have no hereditary or genetic problems in your family, it is unlikely you will need to undergo any of the special pregnancy tests. There are a number of special tests that may / can be performed:
if you request them
if your doctor suspects there is a problem, or
if you are over a certain age
Modern testing enables the early detection of abnormalities for those considered to be in a risk category. Early detection of serious abnormalities gives you the opportunity to decide whether or not to progress with your pregnancy. One of the special tests performed between weeks 10 and 12 is:
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - this test may be performed between 10 and 12 weeks to test for genetic / chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's syndrome, sickle-cell anaemia, thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis, Huntingdon's chorea, muscular dystrophy and haemophilia. One of the advantages of CVS testing is that it can be done before it is possible to do an amniocentesis, as the chorionic tissue develops earlier than the amniotic fluid, and is genetically identical to the baby. One of the disadvantages is the risk of miscarriage. When CVS testing is performed by an experienced doctor, the risk of miscarriage in one in 50. These stats include miscarriages that may have occurred anyway without the test. The test is performed by passing a tube through the vagina into the uterus, or a needle through the abdominal wall.
What negative influences can harm my baby?
It is up to you to give your baby the best start in life. There are things you can do to reduce the effect of negative influences. Things that you have direct control over include:
Alcohol consumption - alcohol passes directly from the mother to the fetus. Large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can cause malformations of your developing baby. Alcohol has been linked to various problems during pregnancy including a higher risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature births. In addition, babies affected by alcohol may experience slower growth before and after birth, defects to the face heart and other organs and mental disabilities (Research from CEIDA, NSW). "There is evidence to suggest that even regular, moderate use of alcohol (two drinks, three or four times a week) can affect a baby. Heavy drinking is known to be dangerous". (CEIDA, NSW) The National Health and Medical Research Council advise that it is best to stop drinking altogether during pregnancy. Since, your baby is at the greatest risk during the first three months of pregnancy when its limbs and organs are forming, the best way to avoid complications is to avoid alcohol altogether.
Smoking - Smoking during pregnancy is harmful to you and your developing baby. It can markedly slow down your baby's growth, especially the brain's growth. Smoking also increases the risk of complications when your baby is born. There is a higher risk that the baby will be premature and will be more predisposed to developing infections in the first year of life. There are programs available to help you quit smoking. Get advice form your health professional or call the Quitline on 13 18 48.
Drugs and pain killers - Discuss your use of painkillers and medications with your health care professional. He/she will inform you of which are safe to take during pregnancy. A pharmacist may also be able to assist with this information.
Illegal Drugs - amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or heroin are extremely harmful during pregnancy. The risks for the baby include death, very premature birth, being born very small and sickly, having heart, kidney and other physical problems, having brain damage and needing long treatment to help cope with withdrawal symptoms. If you think you have a problem with illegal drugs, seek help from your health care professional or the drug help line.
11 Weeks of Pregnancy (Your Baby & Pregnancy)
How big is my baby?
Your baby is approximately 44-60mm (1.75-2.4 inches) long and weighs about 8 grams (0.3 ounces). Rapid growth occurs during this time period, so it's not surprising that you're feeling tired!
The head is still large, and takes up almost half of the entire length of the body. The eyes are formed, although the eyelids remain closed while they continue to develop. The rest of the face is also formed. Your baby's body has straightened out, and bones and ribs appear.
Although your baby can now respond to touch, you won't yet be able to feel it move. Nutrients pass from your body into the placenta and umbilical cord to feed your baby and support his/her rapid growth.
What pregnancy symptoms will I be experiencing?
Your uterus may be palpable, or able to be felt, above your pubic bone.
You should be eating a healthy diet from all food groups. An extra serve of calcium per day is really the only extra intake that is needed during pregnancy. It is recommended that you avoid soft, unpasteurised or blue veined cheese or any pate to reduce the risk of infection. While it is important not to gain excessive weight (it can be hard to remove following the birth), pregnancy is definitely NOT the time to diet. Your baby takes all of its nutrition directly from you and extra fat stores is the best source of nutrition. The depletion of certain vitamins can affect your health, so it's important to maintain a balanced diet.
Dental problems can often occur during pregnancy so it is recommended that you have regular dental checks. Due to hormone changes in pregnancy, a woman's gums tend to be softer, which can lead to bleeding gums. Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent this problem. If you do need dental work, make sure your dentist knows that you are pregnant, and try to leave treatment until after 12 weeks of pregnancy if possible. Avoid general anaesthetic and X-rays, and consult your health care professional before having any dental work done, and before taking antibiotics or pain relief.
It is important to tell any health professional that you are pregnant before they start any treatment.
12 Weeks of Pregnancy (Your Baby & Pregnancy)
How big is my baby?
Your baby is approximately 60mm (2.5 inches) in length and weighs between 9 and 14 grams (0.3-0.5 ounces). The baby is moving about a lot but is still too small for you to be aware of the movements.
From this week onwards your baby is recognisable as a human being and is now called a fetus as opposed to an embryo. Now, or close to this time, you should be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a Doppler (a special listening device).
The fingers and toes develop, and nails and teeth are beginning to form. The skeletal system, which began developing earlier, now has centres of bone formation (ossification) in most bones. The external genital organs are growing. The amount of amniotic fluid is increasing.
The nervous system has continued to develop, and the digestive system is now capable of making the contractions that process food.
The end of week 12 marks the end of the first trimester of pregnancy.
Nuchal fold / nuchal translucency screening - this is an ultrasound screening assessment to detect a specific abnormality of the fetus that can be linked to Down's Syndrome. Nuchal fold / translucency screening is usually performed between 11 and 13 weeks and is becoming more routine. It is a fairly reliable, non-invasive way of assessing the risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome, and carries no risk of miscarriage. The test is conducted by measuring the appearance and amount of fluid that normally accumulates under the skin at the back of your baby's neck. The fluid accumulation tends to increase when the fetus has a chromosomal disorder. The pick-up rate is thought to be 70-80%, depending on your age.
At this point in your pregnancy you may start to notice signs that morning sickness is improving and will begin to feel much better. There will be a thickening of your waist as the fetus starts to move out of the pelvis. Your breasts may also be getting larger, and will most likely have been tender and sore for some time. It is not uncommon to experience an increase in soreness of the nipples too. You may also gain some weight in your legs and at your sides. For the first 12 weeks of pregnancy a weight gain of between 1.8-3.6 kg (4-8 pounds) is normal.
Haemorrhoids are a common disorder of pregnancy. They are usually caused by an increase in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and can later be affected by an increase in blood volume and the pressure of the uterus on the pelvic floor. Constipation during pregnancy and prolonged bearing down during birth are the main factors that aggravate haemorrhoids. To prevent constipation during pregnancy, eat a diet that is high in fibre and drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. Haemorrhoids will probably improve after pregnancy and birth, but they may not go away completely. Talk to your health care professional about the treatment method that is best for you.
13 Weeks of Pregnancy (Your Baby & Pregnancy)
How big is my baby?
This week you baby is approximately 65-78mm (2.6-3.1 inches) long and weighs about 14-20 grams (0.5-0.7 ounces).
This week your baby starts to grow rapidly, and his/her body is now growing faster than the head. Maturation of the tissues and organs continues. The heart is beating at about twice the rate of a normal adult heart and can be detected by using an ultrasonic device or Doppler.
What pregnancy symptoms will I be experiencing?
A pregnancy is divided into three parts, each of which is called a trimester. Week 13 is the start of the second trimester (weeks 13-28). The third trimester covers from week 29 to the birth of your baby.
You may notice slight weight gain as the baby and its support system grows rapidly. Your uterus now fills your pelvis and future growth will mean that your uterus expands up into your abdomen. Your fluctuating hormones may also start to settle down, allowing you to feel less emotionally unbalanced and sensitive.
Other hormone changes in pregnancy tend to increase the pigmentation of a woman's skin. Some dark skinned women can get a butterfly-shaped patch of pigmentation over their face, known as chloasma. All marks are a temporary condition and disappear soon after the baby's birth. Your skin may also become drier or oilier during pregnancy. Some women may also develop a linea nigra, which is a darkly pigmented line that runs from the umbilicus to the pubes. This is also due to hormone changes and disappears soon after birth.
Stretch marks occur when the skin becomes over-stretched and it loses its elasticity. Stretch marks can't really be avoided, although an excessive weight gain can increase them. Some women get no stretch marks at all and others get more than their fair share. The marks may appear on your abdomen, breast, hips or buttocks, and usually fade once the baby is born to thin silvery lines that hardly show. Using creams and lotions will help to relieve the itching and dryness associated with stretch marks.
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