Week 12 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 12

• By week 12, your baby's internal systems have developed the majority of their capabilities. The kidneys are functional and may convert any amniotic fluid consumed into urine. That little abdomen is now big enough to accommodate the intestines, and the digestive muscles are tightening in preparation for the ability to feed and digest after delivery. The liver is now also manufacturing blood cells, which helps to expedite growth

• At week 12, your baby's vocal chords are maturing, ready for smiles, gurgles, and the inevitable sobbing when you meet

• By week 12, your baby's profile will be seen on a sonogram, revealing all of their facial changes

• The corpus callosum is forming. This is a bundle of 200 million axons or nerve fibres, that coordinates motor, sensory, and cognitive activities on the right and left sides of the brain

• Your baby is developing and has progressed beyond the embryonic stage. Eight weeks after fertilisation, the embryo has progressed to the foetus stage. Time is passing quickly!

• If you are in Week 12 of your pregnancy you are in your first trimester and in the third month

• 28 more weeks remaining in your pregnancy

Baby's Movement and Development at Week 12

Your foetus is almost finished growing its body's major systems and components. They have all of their bones, muscles, limbs, and organs, as well as fully functional digestive, urinary, and circulation systems. This indicates they're already drinking and urinating (don't worry, it's just amniotic fluid!). From now on, it's all about becoming larger and more mature. Yes, the baby is going to start the development and maturation period, during which organs and tissues develop fast.

Baby at 12 weeks is flexing their fingers and curling their toes, and their brain is rapidly growing! Seriously, at this time, their face has a distinctive profile with a developed nose and chin.

Baby is also developing reflexes; if you poke your tummy while gazing at the baby on an ultrasound, you will most certainly see movement. If you're pregnant with twins, they're growing at the same pace as singleton infants. Later, they will expand at a somewhat slower pace.

• Baby Weight- Around 14 grammes

• Baby Length- 2 and 2.5 inches long

• Baby Size- Comparable to a lime or a plum

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

Here's some good news regarding symptoms: Morning sickness and exhaustion may subside as your hormones normalise. Headaches and dizziness may replace them. Here are additional indications about what happens to your body during 12 weeks of pregnancy:

• Burping, bloating, and gas are among the negative effects of pregnancy hormones that affect the digestive system. Avoid beans, carbonated beverages, candies, and fried meals

• Pregnancy hormones cause your blood arteries to expand, increasing blood flow to your baby, but slowing its return to you, resulting in reduced blood pressure and lightheadedness

• You may be creating an excessive amount of saliva. You can try chewing gum to find some relief from this symptom.

• Your sex desire may decrease significantly. It's perfectly natural at this stage, given how many tricks your body is pulling on you both physically and mentally

• Headaches are common at this stage and are caused by hormonal fluctuations.

• You may start to feel what's termed round ligament discomfort. This pregnancy symptom, which feels like acute jabbing pain in your abdominal or hip region, is caused by the increased strain on your ligaments as your tummy swells and stretches. Certain workouts could help. Just be sure you acquire approval from your doctor first

• Vaginal discharge will occur throughout your pregnancy

• Your skin may be changing. The "mask of pregnancy," also known as chloasma, may emerge on your face and neck as brownish blotches. These often lessen or vanish once your baby is delivered

Your Baby Bump at Week 12

• Your tummy is most likely starting to show by now. This is one of the reasons why many expectant mothers begin to notify people about their pregnancy around 12 weeks. (Of course, if you're pregnant with twins, you may have been showing for weeks already, since you're carrying twice as many babies!)

• If you haven't already, start photographing your pregnant tummy. Trust us: after pregnancy, you'll want a reminder of how drastically your body transformed

12 week ultrasound

You may get another prenatal visit before the end of your first trimester. The decision to get a 12-week ultrasound may be influenced by your doctor's recommendation as well as the coverage provided by your insurer. If you receive an ultrasound at this stage, you'll find that you can see your foetus more clearly, which may encourage you to start telling people you're expecting.

The earliest a boy or girl may be detected on an ultrasound is between 12 and 13 weeks, although the anatomy remains difficult to determine with confidence. Your doctor or technician is considerably more likely to be able to see the baby's sex at the mid-pregnancy anatomy scan, which will occur around week 20.

Around week 12, you may wish to learn more about your baby's health, so you may undergo genetic testing to identify the likelihood of birth abnormalities or other issues. This may be a bit scary and confusing, so be sure to ask your OB plenty of questions, and remember that the baby is far more likely to be okay than anything else.

Tips for Week 12

Being 12 weeks pregnant is a significant milestone for both you and your baby. Here's some additional professional advice on how to transition to this new stage while keeping you and your baby safe.

• Give aching breasts some TLC- Your hormones are preparing you for nursing, which may cause your breasts to feel uncomfortable or sensitive. Wear comfortable garments that do not irritate the skin, switch from underwire bras to pregnancy or nursing bras with gentle support, or use ice packs for temporary relief.

• Wear sun protection.- Melasma, often known as the "mask of pregnancy," is a common pregnancy symptom in which dark patches emerge on the face. Melasma is produced by active hormones, however, sun exposure may exacerbate the condition. Protect your skin with sunscreen (most experts suggest mineral-based for pregnancy) and a wide-brimmed hat, and try to remain in the shade or inside throughout the day.

• Do not succumb to junk food cravings- If your hunger returns as morning sickness subsides, avoid eating too much sugar, fat, or processed foods. Healthy nutrition is beneficial to both you and your baby, as well as achieving healthy weight gain in the long run. While it's quite normal to not gain any weight in the first trimester (or perhaps lose a few kgs), women with normal pre-pregnancy weight should count on gaining more weight per week during the next trimester.

• Think about becoming active- You'll soon have more energy, so speak to your doctor about a safe workout plan for the remainder of your pregnancy. Regular exercise may help control weight gain, strengthen your heart and lungs, reduce discomfort, and perhaps lower your risk of gestational diabetes.

• Get all your vaccinations: Check with your doctor about any vaccinations you may need.

Checklist for Week 12

• Learn which foods to avoid
• If you haven't already, give up alcohol
• Choose some loose-fitting garments
• Determine how you will share your pregnancy news with friends and family
• It's time to start thinking about names and creating an initial list

Medically approved by Dr Pratibha Singhal, Director- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Noida

Frequently Asked Questions on Week 12 of Pregnancy

1. How does your stomach feel at 12 weeks pregnant?
   As your tummy starts to round out, you may notice that your garments' waistbands become tighter. When your baby reaches 12 weeks, your uterus expands to make space for the developing baby. The stretched uterus might also generate a tight sensation in your stomach because it exerts strain on your body's surrounding tissues. Gas or constipation are other major causes of stomach problems.
2. How does my chance of miscarriage alter as I near the end of the first trimester?
   By the end of the 12th week, the baby will have finished most of their vital development, and your chances of miscarriage will have decreased dramatically. Approximately 80% of early pregnancy loss happens during the first trimester.