Pregnancy Week 12
The 12-week point is a milestone most mums-to-be look forward to. The first trimester is ending, the risk of miscarriage has fallen significantly and if you haven’t already had your dating scan, you should be going for it very soon.
This is also the stage when lots of people choose to share the news that they are expecting a baby. Remember, there is no rule about when you tell people about your pregnancy so pick a moment that feels right for you. Some people like to announce their happy news right away, others wait for the 12-week scan and some will choose a point later on in pregnancy – there is no right or wrong!
At this stage of your pregnancy, you might find you no longer fit into many of your clothes. This could be a good time to start looking at buying some maternity clothes or at the very least, opting for some of your looser outfits.
Your baby has started to grow out of your pelvic area and you may have the start of a bump. This is a good point to start taking weekly pictures of your bump from the side if you haven’t already so you have a visual record of your changing body.
How large your bump is will depend on lots of different factors. If you have had children before, your pregnancy is likely to show earlier than if you are a first-time mum.
Your weight and shape before you became pregnancy and how strong your stomach muscles are will also have an effect on how big your bump appears.
The tiredness and nausea should hopefully be starting to lift and you may get a break from needing to go to the toilet quite so often. Enjoy this stage as the frequent loo trips and fatigue will come back with a vengeance towards the end of your pregnancy.
Make a conscious effort to drink lots of fluid as your body needs to stay hydrated so it can produce all the extra blood and amniotic fluid your baby needs.
What is my baby like at 12 weeks?
Your baby now weighs 18g and is 5.5cm long – a similar size to a plum. They will start to develop their startle reflex from now – something you will see plenty of when you meet your newborn.
The startle reflex is an involuntary reaction to a sudden sound or movement. Your baby will extend their arms and legs with their fingers outstretched before pulling them back.
Your little one’s bones will continue to grow and their digestive system will carry on maturing ready for life outside the womb. The placenta is now responsible for feeding your baby, once it has taken over from the yolk sac completely, your hormones should calm down but you may feel a bit weepy or even angry while the switch takes place.
Your baby’s sex organs have formed but won’t be visible on most scans and you’ll have to wait for your 20-week scan or arrange a private scan if you want to find out if you are having a boy or girl.
Is there anything I should be doing?
This could be a good time to start thinking about the future. Look into antenatal classes to see what is available in your area or check out our live online classes.
You might also want to think about what kind of birth you want and what you might include in your birth plan. There’s no rush to make any decisions but it’s never too soon to start researching hospital maternity units, midwife-led centres and home births to get a feel for which you would prefer.
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