The first trimester takes you through to week 13. Our step-by step guide takes you through what to expect at each step.
What is happening now?
At 10 weeks of pregnancy, it is now 56 days since your baby was conceived and you are now starting week 11.
Your baby measures around 3.5 cm (1.4 inches) from crown to rump and weighs about 5 grams (0.18 of an ounce). By the end of this week all your baby's major organs will be in place!
Your baby's legs are now longer than their arms and large muscles have developed, forming thick bands of padding between their skin and underlying bones. Your baby's brain and nervous system are maturing and their muscles and nerves now work together to facilitate their first movements. Your baby has primitive reflexes and can respond to touch if stroked on the palm of their hands or the soles of their feet. Initially your baby's movements are small, jerky and uncoordinated and far too small for you to feel them just yet.
Your baby can open their jaw and stretch. Their body is now straighter and small ribs can be seen through their chest. Their digestive system is developing rapidly, and their anus is now fully developed.
Did you know? The earliest recording of electrical brain activity in an unborn baby is at 7 weeks, although the impulses are scant and disorganised. By 11 weeks, your baby's brain waves are increasingly regular, corresponding with the timing of their first real movements.
What is my body doing at ten weeks pregnant?
The surge of pregnancy hormones is really starting to affect your body – the muscles in your bowel have relaxed and this can often cause constipation. Eating lots of fibre, drinking lots of water and keeping up the exercise can help.
Time to take a look in the mirror as you might notice the first signs of that growing baby bump this week! Look out for a slight roundness in the lower abdomen as your uterus starts to grow (at the moment it’s about the size of an orange). That said, this totally varies person to person, so don’t worry if you’re not seeing signs yet – you will do in a couple of weeks.
The next physical change you might be noticing is your veins looking more prominent than they were before. These will be more obvious if you have fair skin, but can appear on the breasts and abdomen. Again, this is normal and nothing to worry about – it’s your body’s way of getting all that extra blood to your growing foetus.
Other physical changes to look out for are spidery red lines (medically referred to as spider naevi) in your upper arm and chest. These are caused by the pregnancy hormone oestrogen, which is working to dilate your blood vessels. They usually disappear post pregnancy, so try not to worry about them just now. Whilst we’re talking about pregnancy hormones, it’s very common for higher levels of progesterone to cause dry skin or spots, so look out for this too!
Other considerations
- Coughs, colds and sinus
Dealing with colds and flu during pregnancy is usually just a matter of resting, drinking fluids and putting up with your symptoms until your body recovers. However, sometimes you may need to take something if you have a fever or sinus.
- Lice and nits
For women with older children in preschool or at school, nits and lice tend to be something that is unavoidable at some point. The concern is that most outbreaks of nits and lice can be passed on to other family members very quickly. Some women try non-chemical control measures as safer alternatives to chemical solutions, particularly during pregnancy and/or while breastfeeding.
- Intestinal worms
Intestinal worms are not as common in industrialised countries as they are in developing countries, but they can be experienced by pregnant women, particularly if they have other children in childcare or at school.
Natural therapies
Aromatherapy
Essential oils have been used by pregnant women for many years, probably more liberally and indiscriminately than was actually safe. In recent years, the use of aromatherapy has become more cautious during pregnancy as their potent effects have become more recognised.
Autogenic training and biofeedback
Autogenic training is a form of relaxation therapy that was developed in Germany in the late 1800's. The trainer usually teaches 6 exercises to help relax the nerves and muscles, increase circulation and regulate the heart rate, using conscious breathing and creating warmth in the abdomen and coolness in the forehead. The aim of this technique is to reach a state of near hypnosis and deep relaxation to allow the body to deal with stress, tension, migraines, concerns and trauma.
What you should be doing this week
What is happening now?At 10 weeks of pregnancy, it is now 56 days since your baby was conceived and you are now starting week 11.
Your baby measures around 3.5 cm (1.4 inches) from crown to rump and weighs about 5 grams (0.18 of an ounce). By the end of this week all your baby's major organs will be in place!
Your baby's legs are now longer than their arms and large muscles have developed, forming thick bands of padding between their skin and underlying bones. Your baby's brain and nervous system are maturing and their muscles and nerves now work together to facilitate their first movements. Your baby has primitive reflexes and can respond to touch if stroked on the palm of their hands or the soles of their feet. Initially your baby's movements are small, jerky and uncoordinated and far too small for you to feel them just yet.
Your baby can open their jaw and stretch. Their body is now straighter and small ribs can be seen through their chest. Their digestive system is developing rapidly, and their anus is now fully developed.
Did you know? The earliest recording of electrical brain activity in an unborn baby is at 7 weeks, although the impulses are scant and disorganised. By 11 weeks, your baby's brain waves are increasingly regular, corresponding with the timing of their first real movements.
What is my body doing at ten weeks pregnant?
The surge of pregnancy hormones is really starting to affect your body – the muscles in your bowel have relaxed and this can often cause constipation. Eating lots of fibre, drinking lots of water and keeping up the exercise can help.
Time to take a look in the mirror as you might notice the first signs of that growing baby bump this week! Look out for a slight roundness in the lower abdomen as your uterus starts to grow (at the moment it’s about the size of an orange). That said, this totally varies person to person, so don’t worry if you’re not seeing signs yet – you will do in a couple of weeks.
The next physical change you might be noticing is your veins looking more prominent than they were before. These will be more obvious if you have fair skin, but can appear on the breasts and abdomen. Again, this is normal and nothing to worry about – it’s your body’s way of getting all that extra blood to your growing foetus.
Other physical changes to look out for are spidery red lines (medically referred to as spider naevi) in your upper arm and chest. These are caused by the pregnancy hormone oestrogen, which is working to dilate your blood vessels. They usually disappear post pregnancy, so try not to worry about them just now. Whilst we’re talking about pregnancy hormones, it’s very common for higher levels of progesterone to cause dry skin or spots, so look out for this too!
Common symptoms to look out for:
- Constipation: We’ve already spoken about this unpleasant side effect, but it’s a common one during the first trimester. Steer clear of foods that will make it worse like bread, rice and pasta and focus on packing your diet full of whole grains and fruit.
- Mood swings: Be warned, those pregnancy mood swings will be felt most during trimester one and for the final few months of pregnancy. You’ll have a break soon, but for now, get used to feeling rather over emotional.
- Fatigue: We’ve mentioned exercise being important this week, but so is resting. In about a month you’ll be feeling less tired, but for now, listen to your body and get an early night or two.
- Heartburn: Another one you’ve probably already experienced by week 10, but in order to prevent it, try not to lie down too soon after you finish eating, no matter how tired you may feel!
- Vaginal Discharge: Another one caused by those pregnancy hormones, expect a thin, white, milky discharge as more blood flows to your pelvic area. Another one not to worry about, it’s completely harmless.
- Feeling faint or dizzy: One side effect to all this extra blood pumping round your body is to feel faint or dizzy. Remember to sit down as soon as you feel light headed, and to keep your blood sugar levels up by snacking.
- Round ligament pain: This is a fancy way of saying ligament pain as your belly expands. This can be dull or sharp, but is very normal. The best thing to do is sit down and put your feet up, as it’s caused by the growing weight of your baby.
Physical changes
- Wind and constipation
"Whoops, excuse me!" Pregnant women often notice their bowel producing more gas through passing wind more frequently, sometimes associated with wind pain. Peppermint tea or peppermint water can help.
You may also suffer with constipation (difficulty passing motions), because the hormone progesterone slows the movement (or motility) of the gut, combined with pressure from the growing baby, especially during the final weeks of pregnancy.
With so many changes taking place in your body you'll have many questions to ask your caregiver. Take a notepad with you so you can jot them down wherever you go, rather than relying on your memory when you're in your appointment.
Emotional reactions
Some women begin feeling more accepting of their pregnancy if they weren't previously. For others the reality of having a baby is now truly setting in. You may be finding it difficult not to tell others, if you have not officially announced the pregnancy yet.
- Workplace
If working, you may need to look into your maternity leave entitlements. Partners may also want to consider paternity leave. Bear in mind that laws and entitlements vary between organisations, states and different countries.
- Occupational and environmental hazards
Pregnant women often express concerns about how their surrounding environment could affect their pregnancy and unborn child. Issues may relate to toxins, radiation, chemicals, infectious diseases, pesticides, electronic equipment and air pollution in either their work environment, or in their homes and neighbourhood.
- Wind and constipation
"Whoops, excuse me!" Pregnant women often notice their bowel producing more gas through passing wind more frequently, sometimes associated with wind pain. Peppermint tea or peppermint water can help.
You may also suffer with constipation (difficulty passing motions), because the hormone progesterone slows the movement (or motility) of the gut, combined with pressure from the growing baby, especially during the final weeks of pregnancy.
With so many changes taking place in your body you'll have many questions to ask your caregiver. Take a notepad with you so you can jot them down wherever you go, rather than relying on your memory when you're in your appointment.
Emotional reactions
Some women begin feeling more accepting of their pregnancy if they weren't previously. For others the reality of having a baby is now truly setting in. You may be finding it difficult not to tell others, if you have not officially announced the pregnancy yet.
- Workplace
If working, you may need to look into your maternity leave entitlements. Partners may also want to consider paternity leave. Bear in mind that laws and entitlements vary between organisations, states and different countries.
- Occupational and environmental hazards
Pregnant women often express concerns about how their surrounding environment could affect their pregnancy and unborn child. Issues may relate to toxins, radiation, chemicals, infectious diseases, pesticides, electronic equipment and air pollution in either their work environment, or in their homes and neighbourhood.
Other considerations
- Coughs, colds and sinus
Dealing with colds and flu during pregnancy is usually just a matter of resting, drinking fluids and putting up with your symptoms until your body recovers. However, sometimes you may need to take something if you have a fever or sinus.
- Lice and nits
For women with older children in preschool or at school, nits and lice tend to be something that is unavoidable at some point. The concern is that most outbreaks of nits and lice can be passed on to other family members very quickly. Some women try non-chemical control measures as safer alternatives to chemical solutions, particularly during pregnancy and/or while breastfeeding.
- Intestinal worms
Intestinal worms are not as common in industrialised countries as they are in developing countries, but they can be experienced by pregnant women, particularly if they have other children in childcare or at school.
Natural therapies
Aromatherapy
Essential oils have been used by pregnant women for many years, probably more liberally and indiscriminately than was actually safe. In recent years, the use of aromatherapy has become more cautious during pregnancy as their potent effects have become more recognised.
Autogenic training and biofeedback
Autogenic training is a form of relaxation therapy that was developed in Germany in the late 1800's. The trainer usually teaches 6 exercises to help relax the nerves and muscles, increase circulation and regulate the heart rate, using conscious breathing and creating warmth in the abdomen and coolness in the forehead. The aim of this technique is to reach a state of near hypnosis and deep relaxation to allow the body to deal with stress, tension, migraines, concerns and trauma.
- Get more vitamin D: As we mentioned above, your baby is growing her teeth this week! If your diet is low in Vitamin D, now’s the time to talk to your doctor about a pregnancy-safe supplement.
- Keep calm! What with keeping your mum-to-be status a secret for the next few weeks, battling morning sickness, tiredness and all the hormonal changes happening right now, it’s a good time to learn to relax. Exercise is a good way to release those feel-good endorphins, so unless your doctor has told you otherwise, joining a pregnancy yoga class this week could be a good idea. That said, if those overwhelmed feelings are creeping in when you’re not on the mat, try this simple yoga-style breathing exercise to help keep you stress free. Repeat the following a few times, then breathe as normal. It will help regulate the oxygen flow in your blood: Inhale to the count of two; exhale to the count of two. Inhale to the count of two; exhale to the count of three. Inhale to the count of two; exhale to the count of four. Inhale to the count of two; exhale to the count of five.
Comments
Post a Comment