12 Weeks Pregnant
Relax! Most women will be experiencing a decrease in morning sickness this week. Here is what else you can expect. Get the Fetal Life App for Apple and Android endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.
Pregnancy Week 12: What changes are occurring with your body?
Your uterus is continuing to grow, and your healthcare provider can now actually feel it in your lower abdomen. You may not need maternity clothes at this point, but you may have noticed that things are not fitting as well. If this is a subsequent pregnancy, you will most likely need maternity clothes sooner than a woman who has never been pregnant before. You may have also noticed that your skin is changing, including darkening of the areolas. Other changes you may have noticed include irregular dark patches on your face and neck. These are called chloasma or mask of pregnancy. These patches normally disappear or become lighter shortly after delivery.
Pregnancy Week 12: What is happening with your baby?
This week your baby will begin to take on more of a recognizable appearance as the eyes move closer together and the ears move closer to their final position. The intestines have grown so fast that they actually extend into the umbilical cord, but they will begin to move back into the abdomen. The kidneys can now secrete urine, and the nervous system is continuing to mature. Your baby may have developed more complicated reflexes such as sucking.
Pregnancy Week 12: How big is your baby?
Your baby is 3.15 inches (8 centimeters) long and weighs 1 ounce (about 28 grams) by the end of this week.
Pregnancy Week 12: What should you plan for this week?
Now is a great time to look at your diet and make sure both you and your baby are receiving all of the nutrients you need. It is important to realize that just because you are pregnant, this does not give you the go-ahead to eat all you want. Weight should be gained steadily throughout your pregnancy. You can avoid gaining excess weight by:
- Avoiding fast food/junk foods
- Avoiding late-night snacks
- Limiting fats and sweets
You can learn more about what you should eat at Eating for Two: Weight Influences on Pregnancy.
Pregnancy Week 12: Tips for making your pregnancy better
Many women benefit from Kegel exercises before, during, and after pregnancy. Kegel exercises help strengthen the vaginal muscles. Pregnant women who perform these exercises find that it helps with giving birth and tones the muscles for after delivery.
Pregnancy Week 12: Tips for mom’s partner
Your partner’s body is going through many changes, and things that she once did easily may become more of a challenge. A good way to show that you appreciate and care for her is by rubbing her hands, feet, or back at the end of a long day. You can use her favorite fragrance of lotion or massage oil to make this time even more special.
[lastupdated]
