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Track Your Baby's Development Week By Week
Track Your Baby's Development Week By Week
..where little means a lot

Note: The length, weight and size mentioned below are only a guideline, as these vary from baby to baby and from one pregnancy to another.

What is going on with your baby during week 12?

 
  • From crown to rump your baby measures at 6cm or 2½ inch, and weighs about ½ oz or 14g. Fetus is the size of a plum.
  • The end of 12th week marks the end of the first trimester - baby is quite active at this stage but you cannot feel the kicks and stretches yet.
  • Baby is already swallowing scant amounts of amniotic fluid.
  • Baby also passes urine which constitutes the amniotic fluid.
  • Baby has wrists and ankles and tiny finger and toe nails - baby is able to make a fist.
  • Baby's head is quite large in proportion to the rest of her body.


Week 12 Fetus

Changes in you at this stage Week 12

Key hormones are now being produced by the placenta - your risk of miscarriage drops significantly.

  • You may develop a hormone-related dark line on your abdomen called linea nigra which will fade after birth.
  • By this stage you may have put on about 10% of your total pregnancy weight. Conversely you may have lost weight if you had morning sickness.
  • The urge to urinate frequently may start now as well if not already. Bleeding gums are again due to hormonal changes - avoid brushing too vigorously.
  • You will find yourself worrying less about miscarriage but now your screening tests occupy your mind a lot. Discuss the options and the pros and cons with your doctor
  • Up to the 12th week of pregnancy, your uterus fits inside your pelvis. By the end of the month, your uterus will have expanded up out of your pelvic cavity so the pressure on your bladder will ease up.

Good to Know in Week 12

Amniotic Fluid

  • Your baby floats in amniotic fluid, which was formed by the placenta and your baby's own urine. Right now the fluid level is at 100 ml and the fluid level will be highest around week 34 averaging at 800 ml.

Breast Issue

  • The most rapid breast gain occurs in the first trimester and the last trimester with a break in between. Generally the breast weight gain for most women is one to two pounds (450-900 g) or one to two cups sizes. Some women get a lot bigger, 2 or more cup sizes and some don't at all.

Umbilical cord

  • Now that baby's hands are well developed she is able to use the cord as her first plaything; she will reach out and grasp it often.

Wholesome Advice in Week 12

  • If you feel your uterus is big and pants are tightening, make sure you don't forget to buckle your seatbelt when in a vehicle. Your uterus now holds the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid.
  • Buy a bra extender if the cup still fits but the bra feels tight across your back. That way you can wait and see how much your cup size will change before investing in new bras. Bra extenders are cheap and available at most maternity stores.
  • Invest now in the trendy, under-belly, low rise maternity pants and jeans with or without the foldable panel (it's a personal choice). Some prefer their jeans with the panel which can be rolled up and over the belly while some prefer without it.

Your actions can impact your baby's growth at this stage

Blood vessels

  • An average woman has 9 pints of blood; on the average a pregnant woman adds1.8 pints during pregnancy. Much of the excess blood is lost during childbirth.
  • Your entire circulatory system increases its capacity after a week into pregnancy.
  • The entire first trimester your body works to fill the extra room in your blood vessels and priority is given to providing blood to the developing placenta, nourishing the baby and removing waste.

The side effects to this process include these discomforts:

  • Dizziness when you stand or sit up too quickly - not enough oxygen to go around especially to your brain.
  • Frequent urination because your kidneys are working harder now to filter increased blood and make extra urine to flush out waste
  • Thirst and headaches from dehydration as your system retains water.
  • A sweaty, flushed feeling from the increased blood flow to your skin.
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Common Concerns in in Week 12

Can an ultrasound be able to tell at this stage if I am having a boy or a girl?

  • It will almost be too early to tell if it is a boy or a girl. The purpose of scanning right now is to date the pregnancy accurately, to check if you carrying a singleton or more, to check the heartbeat of baby and maybe to look at the nuchal fold.

Can my baby sense the outside world?

  • Your baby is beginning to respond to the world outside the uterus. If you try to press your abdomen your baby may respond by moving away.

How does my baby change during the first trimester?

  • This trimester is one of greatest change - your baby grows from a collection of cells the size of a head of a pin to a fetus the size of a softball. Organs begin developing and your baby begins to look more normal all in the first 13 weeks.

What is meant by a baby not changing much after the 12th week of pregnancy?

  • Very few if any structures are formed in the fetus after the first trimester. That is to say your baby forms all of its major organ systems by the end of this trimester. However growth and development of these structures continues until the birth.

Weekly Nutrition advice in Week 12

Some women think they can eat all they want just to increase their calories. Don't fall into this trap. It is unhealthy for you and your baby if you gain too much weight during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Carrying and delivering your baby becomes tough and shedding those excess pounds post pregnancy becomes an ordeal. Once the baby is out, most of you will want to return to 'normal' clothes at the earliest so don't let those extra kilos interfere with your goal.

Junk food:

Now that you are pregnant, break the habit of junking if you love junk food and skipping your first meal of the day, breakfast. Your dietary habits affect your unborn child as well. Proper nutrition takes some planning on your part but it can be done. It is easy to reach for something from the vending machine or visiting a fast food joint but think about the harm you are doing to your baby. Avoid foods that contain a lot of fat and sugar. If you work, take healthy foods with you for your lunches and snacks. Stay away from fast food and junk food no matter how tempting.

Late night snacking:

Late night nutritious snacks are beneficial for some women. However snacking at night is unnecessary. If you are used to ice creams and other goodies, you may pay for it during pregnancy with those extra kilos. Food in your stomach late at night is no good if you suffer from heartburn, indigestion or nausea.

Fats and Sweets:

Unless you are underweight, you may want to be cautious with fats and sweets. Many of these foods are high in calories and low in value. Eat them sparingly. Instead of munching on potato chips, reach for an apple, cheese slice or peanut butter and bread. You will satisfy your hunger without compromising on nutritional value. Some fats and sweets you may choose and their serving sizes are outlined below.

Sugar or honey - 1 tablespoon

Oil - 1 tablespoon

Jam or jelly - 1 tablespoon

Salad dressing - 1 tablespoon

Butter or margarine - ½ teaspoon or less

Disclaimer: Information contained on this Web site is intended solely to make available general summarized information to the public. It should not be substituted for medical advice. It is your responsibility to consult with your pediatrician and/or health care provider before acting on any advice on this web site. While OEM endeavors to provide up-to-date and accurate information, it is not liable for any advice whatsoever rendered nor is it liable for the completeness or timeliness of any information on this site.

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