Your baby’s
development
Your baby is now officially a fetus! At week 12, his
bone marrow is producing white blood cells which will help him fight against
germs and diseases in the playground. Your baby is just about the size of a
small plum and weighs half an ounce, and the growth of his head is at a slower
pace now to allow the rest of his body catch up. Fingers, arms, and legs are
also growing out to look more like that of a newly born, and your baby's posture
is becoming less curled and more upright.
How your body is
changing
Congratulations! You are now in the final week of
your first trimester, and you might be putting morning sickness and the
tiredness behind you now. You are gradually changing in size and should
consider getting maternity clothes, especially if this is not your first
pregnancy. If your doctor examines your lower abdomen, he can now feel the top
of your uterus (fundus), and as your uterus begins to migrate from the bottom
of your pelvis to center position in your abdomen, if you are lucky, this will
mean an end of your constant urge to urinate. You may begin to feel heartburn,
especially when lying down because gastric acid can easily sip up your pipe
causing an unpleasant burning sensation. The chances of having a miscarriage
drop significantly at the end of 12 weeks pregnant, so now will be an excellent
time to share the exciting news of your pregnancy with your friends, family,
and colleagues.
Tips And To-Do’s At
12 Weeks Pregnant
Vaginal discharge
during pregnancy
Don’t worry if your vaginal discharge is more than
usual; this is common at 12 weeks pregnant. The substance you are noticing in
your underwear is leukorrhea – an odorless or mild-smelling substance. Some
women have this discharge before pregnancy, but there's just a lot more of it
now, and this is partly because of increased production of estrogen and greater
blood flow to the vaginal area. The leukorrhea discharge consists of secretions
from the vagina and cervix, old cells from vaginal wall, and the normal flora
of the vagina.
Eat Regularly
Dizziness during pregnancy can be as a result of low
blood sugar level which occurs if you don’t eat regularly. So avoid running or
walking on an empty stomach. As a tip: whenever you feel dizzy or faint, sit
with your head lowered between your knees, or lie down and take slow deep
breaths. Also, loosen any tight clothing you have on or take them off if
possible. As soon as you start feeling better, get something to eat and drink.
Go For an Ultrasound
You should have your first ultrasound scan when you
are 12 weeks pregnant; this scan is often called ‘dating’ scan because it helps
confirm your due date. A cold gel will be applied to your stomach while the
sonographer rubs the gel all over your bump using an ultrasound probe to pick
up images of your baby and monitor his heartbeat. Measurements will also be
taken from your baby’s head to his bottom (known as crown–rump length). The fun
part is you get to take the first pictures of your baby home to show your
family.
For more info on what to expect when you are 12 weeks
pregnant, visit http://www.manyweekspregnant.com/12-weeks-pregnant/
