You are nearing the end of the first trimester, and are probably feeling a little more settled. You may be having problems with morning sickness (which could well be all-day sickness!), and may have other niggling problems such as backache, need to urinate frequently, and mood swings. Take heart – things should get better soon.
Most doctors recommend a scan between the 10th and 13th week. This will establish whether everything is developing as it should, and help to confirm the due date. That first scan is magical! At last you can actually see your baby, watch his tiny heartbeat, and see him move and play in his own sheltered environment. There he is, alive, moving, and a very real person!
Let’s look at how your baby develops during this month. At week 9, he is about 2.5cm long, with a large head tucked into his chest. He has most of his major organs, and his eyes and ears are developing. His limbs are growing and his fingers and toes are almost fully developed. The eyelids are more pronounced, and you can see the external part of the ear. He is starting to look like a baby.
At 10 weeks, the baby’s brain waves can be recorded. He has facial features – eyes, a nose, lips and a tongue. The cartilage that formed his skeleton is hardening into bone. His muscles and nervous system are well developed – he can now respond to touch! He has long, thin arms and legs, and he can make a fist with his fingers.
By the 11th week he sleeps, wakes up and makes good use of his muscles. He can turn his head, curl his fingers and toes, and open and close his mouth. His fingerprints are fully formed and will not change for the rest of his life. The umbilical cord is now complete. It will provide him with all his needs for the rest of the pregnancy.
At the end of week 12, he is about 8cm long and weighs around 60g. He has fully developed vocal cords, and sometimes appears to be crying. He breathes in the amniotic fluid, in practice for the day when he will need to breathe to survive. He can suck and swallow. He has all his major organs. And by now the placenta is developing.
The most severe risks of miscarriage have now passed. This is often the time when mothers choose to tell their family and friends that the baby is on the way. It’s also a good time to start making plans and gathering information. What health care facilities exist in your area? Where will you have your baby? What will you need to buy, and what changes will you need to make in your life? What information and advice can you gather on the subject of child rearing? What method of childbirth wills you choose, and what antenatal classes should you attend? There’s still plenty of time, but now is the time to start evaluating your options.
Here’s the place to discuss your plans, your thoughts and your feelings with other soon-to-be parents.