Welcome to the last week of the first trimester! You’ll be glad to know that after this week, the chances of a miscarriage drop significantly. Yay! And, if you’re expecting twins, your little bump will be showing too. Here's everything you need to know at 12 weeks pregnant.
12 Weeks Pregnant is How Many Months?
At 12 weeks pregnant, you are entering the end of your first trimester and transitioning into the second trimester. In terms of months, 12 weeks pregnant corresponds to approximately three months. This milestone signifies an exciting time as your baby continues to develop and grow rapidly
Pregnancy Week 12: Baby
Most women have their first prenatal visit at this time, and many women are given a glucose test to screen for gestational diabetes. You might also see your doctor or midwife for other tests—like an ultrasound—and they'll ask you questions about your symptoms, like morning sickness or fatigue.
Baby's brain and spinal cord are forming. The circulatory system is forming, and blood vessels are beginning to form. The heart is now beating regularly, as well as the kidneys and other organs. The baby's hands, feet, and face are starting to take shape. Your pregnancy symptoms will be getting worse at this point.
Baby’s Growth
At 12 weeks, your baby is as big as a rambutan. They are about 5.3cm and weigh 13.8g.
Your baby's skin looks more like that of a newborn than an embryo—it's almost transparent, with a bluish hue. The hair on your baby's head is starting to grow in and his or her eyelids are beginning to form. The brain continues to develop at an incredibly rapid rate, and kidneys and bones are developing as well.
This week, your baby is starting to grow hair!
The first layer of their skin has formed, and the outer layer of the skin is growing fast. The eyebrows are also forming this week!
The heart is now beating at a rate of 150 beats per minute. The bones are hardening, and their eyes have grown from their sockets to a grape size. The baby’s brain will continue its rapid growth over the next few weeks.
Baby's Development
Great news! You'll be happy to know that your baby's vital organs and body parts are in place, and they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy. Makes all those days of nausea so worth it. In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:
- Your baby is preparing for yet another rapid growth phase focusing on organs and tissues.
- At 12 weeks, they are beginning to develop reflexes.
- They now flex their tiny toes and hands, which may look like they're waving back at you during ultrasounds!
- They can now curl their fingers and toes and even open and close their tiny hands.
- Their tastebuds are quickly maturing.
- Their fingernails and toenails start forming.
Baby’s Hearing
You may not always be able to hear your baby's heartbeat, but they hear yours! At this point in the pregnancy, your baby's hearing has developed enough that they can start to hear your voice and other sounds around them. They start to recognise those sounds and learn how they relate to the world around them. This week is important for your baby's development, so ensure you're talking to them often!
Baby’s Teeth
At pregnancy week 12, the baby's teeth are beginning to form in the gums, although they aren't visible yet.
Your baby’s taste buds are also forming now. They're so tiny that you won't be able to see them, but at this stage, they are beginning to develop. Your baby will use these new taste buds to help her decide whether or not she likes the food you eat while you're pregnant. As a result, you must eat healthy foods during this time!
Baby’s Movement
Can you feel the baby at 12 weeks?
You may be feeling your baby move by now. If not, don't worry—that doesn't mean anything is wrong! Some babies are quieter than others. Your baby will probably start moving around more later in the second trimester.
What does it feel like? That depends on your baby's mood, but here are some descriptions from mums who have had it happen to them:
"Like a little butterfly flapping its wings."
"Like a tiny waterfall."
"Sort of like bubbles in my belly."
It's normal for babies to move in different ways at different times!
12 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
You are in week 12 of your pregnancy! You're probably feeling pretty excited about that but maybe a little worried too. No matter what stage of pregnancy you're at, it's normal to worry about the health of your baby and yourself.
But don't fret: Everything is going great with your baby. At 12 weeks pregnant, your placenta is still working hard to provide nutrients to your growing baby and remove waste products from his or her body. The placenta also helps to regulate blood flow between mum and baby, so neither of you gets too much or too little blood.
What does all this mean? It means your baby is getting all the nutrients he or she needs for healthy development—and so are you! However, some changes in your body may be confusing or worrisome if you don't understand them…
At 12 weeks pregnant (and beyond), many mothers begin noticing changes in their bodies—and it's not always easy to know what those changes mean or when they'll stop happening!
12 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What are the signs of a healthy pregnancy at 12 weeks?
The honeymoon phase of pregnancy is fast approaching, and unwanted bouts of morning sickness have started to subside. Some of the symptoms you may experience during this week are the following:
- Hormones may also cause your skin to break out or itch, leaving you insecure. Fret not, off-the-shelf options such as calamine lotion can help zap them. For more severe cases, seek treatment from your gynaecologist.
- The “mask of pregnancy” or chloasma (also referred to as melasma) may be slowly creeping up on you.
- Your stomach muscles are becoming less active, causing harder stools and making you release more gas than usual. Drink more fluids and eat more fibre-rich foods to prevent constipation.
- You may still be getting headaches, which is a common symptom this week. Try to avoid them by eating small meals frequently, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and staying active.
- 95 per cent of pregnant women experience fatigue, especially during the first trimester. Don't hesitate to slow down and rest. Hopefully, you'll have more energy in the coming weeks.
- Aside from getting exhausted, you might be having shortness of breath. This is normal, as the hormone progesterone expands your lung capacity so you can take deeper breaths. However, if you have chest pains and rapid or irregular heartbeats, contact your doctor immediately.
- Thanks to the growing bump, your stomach might start to feel a little stretched, and some clothes might feel a little tighter around the waist. Breathe easier by donning comfortable clothes. Stay comfortable and stylish throughout your pregnancy journey with the Belly Band, made from soft cotton material and adjustable in size to accommodate your growing bump.
- Now for some good news in this week-by-week pregnancy guide: you may start to glow, and that’s a happy thing! Shine on, mama and enjoy pregnancy week 12!
12 Weeks Pregnant Belly
Should I have a belly at 12 weeks pregnant?
At this point in your pregnancy, you may start to notice some changes in your belly. While it is still early in the pregnancy, some women might experience a slight rounding or fullness in their lower abdomen. However, it's important to keep in mind that every woman's body is unique, and the size and shape of the belly can vary greatly.
Factors such as body type, muscle tone, and whether it's a first pregnancy or subsequent pregnancies can all contribute to differences in belly size. It's also worth noting that the baby is still relatively small at this stage, so any noticeable changes in the belly may be more due to bloating, hormonal changes, or changes in the uterus rather than the actual baby's growth.
Maternal Weight Gain
You might be wondering what to expect for this week. Well, it's time for your doctor to start talking about weight gain. They'll probably ask you about when you started gaining weight in the first trimester, and how much you've gained so far.
They'll also go over the recommended guidelines for weight gain during the next few months—and what happens if you go above or below those recommendations.
Your weight gain during pregnancy is important for your and your baby's health. Your doctor may have given you a certain amount of weight to gain, but it's important to know that gaining too much or too little can be harmful.
You should gain about 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy.
How much weight you gain depends on your pre-pregnancy weight and height, your health, how many babies you're carrying, whether you're pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets) and if there are complications such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Nutrition
Mothers need to eat well during pregnancy because it can greatly impact their health and the baby's health. A healthy diet will help you grow a healthy and strong baby!
The best thing you can do is eat lots of fruit and vegetables. They are full of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. They are also low in calories and won't make you gain too much weight. Berries are especially good because they contain antioxidants that help prevent birth defects.
In addition to fruits and veggies, you should eat whole grains like brown rice or whole wheat bread instead of white bread or pasta. Whole grains contain more nutrients than refined grains (like white flour). They also contain more fibre which is important for digestion as well as helping with constipation issues common with pregnancy (which can lead to haemorrhoids).
It would be best to drink plenty of water daily (at least 8 cups daily). This will help keep your body hydrated so it can function properly during pregnancy!
12 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound
At this stage, the baby is typically located in the lower part of the mother's abdomen, just above the pubic bone. Although the baby is still relatively small, about the size of a lime, it has begun to form distinct features and organs. You may start to get a better glimpse of your baby through an ultrasound.
An ultrasound can provide valuable information about the development and well-being of your baby. This ultrasound, often referred to as a dating scan or nuchal translucency (NT) scan, is typically performed to determine the baby's gestational age, confirm the due date, and assess the risk of certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.
During the scan, the healthcare provider uses sound waves to create images of the baby in the womb. At this stage, the baby's organs and body systems are forming, and the ultrasound may reveal the presence of a heartbeat, the size of the baby, and the position of the placenta.
It can be an exciting and reassuring experience for expectant parents to see their baby for the first time and gain insights into their development.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 12 Weeks Pregnant
- If you are one of the lucky few with nary a loss of appetite or nausea, you are indeed fortunate! In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, know that weight gain during the first trimester should be slow and steady, but if you’ve been overindulging, do take heed of the recommended weight gain by your gynaecologist.
- If you have been losing your appetite and are constantly tired, it’s common to lose weight or gain minimally. By the end of the first trimester, once all these symptoms clear, you’re well on your way to the honeymoon period of your pregnancy.
- As your uterus expands, you may occasionally experience mild cramps when there’s a sudden change in movement, e.g. coughing or moving from lying to a sitting position. Muscle cramps are normal but do take note if the cramps are severe and prolonged causing major discomfort.
- Your breasts may be screaming for space at this point. It’s time to get fitted with comfortable support bras to tide you over the next few months (until you get bigger). Head to the lingerie department to get measured.
- If you have been living in pants, jeans, and shorts, it’s about time to get maternity clothes that accommodate your growing belly. Make sure they are comfortable enough to accommodate movements such as sitting, especially around the hips and thigh areas.
- You may want to start hunting for a confinement nanny as early as now to give an allowance for the actual search and hiring process.
Second trimester, here we come!
Your next week: 13 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 11 weeks pregnant
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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