The first trimester takes you through to week 13. Our step-by step guide takes you through what to expect at each step.
What's happening now
You are now 12 weeks pregnant (about 70 days since conception) and at the start of week 13. This time marks the end of the 1st trimester (the first 3 months of pregnancy) and the beginning of the 2nd trimester (the second 3 months of pregnancy).
Your baby now measures about 7.6 cm (3.04 inches) from crown to rump and weighs approximately 20 grams (0.7 ounces).
Your baby's bones are changing from being soft and flexible (made mostly of cartilage), to hardening and being mostly bone. He or she is now capable of making creeping and climbing movements, although for most women their baby is still too small to feel. Very fine wisps of hair start appearing on your baby's upper lip and eyebrows.
Your baby's bowels are now able to expand and contract (called peristalsis) filling with a black-green, tar-like substance called meconium. Babies pass meconium as their first bowel motion after birth.
Your 12-week baby bump
You probably don’t have much of a bump to show off just yet, but your womb is now about the size of a grapefruit. It’ll push itself above your pelvic bone soon, so expect the first vague outlines of a baby belly. On that note, your jeans, trousers and skirts are probably becoming quite snug, so it’s time to invest in a belly band, which you can put over your pre-pregnancy clothing until you stock up on your maternity wardrobe.
As your uterus moves from the bottom of your pelvis to the front of your abdomen, you’ll hopefully (finally) lose the need to constantly wee! That said, you might start feeling dizzy as a replacement, as progesterone causes your blood vessels to relax and widen to increase the flow of blood to your baby. Remember, if you feel dizzy or faint, lie down with your head lowered between your knees, take deep breaths and keep snacking to keep those blood sugar levels up.
Common symptoms to look out for:
Physical changes
- Feeling healthier and stronger
Many women start to feel healthier and stronger within themselves now, compared with the earlier weeks of pregnancy. Perhaps signs of tiredness and morning sickness are starting to subside. However, around 15% of women continue to feel nauseous (or vomit) until 20 weeks of pregnancy, or even beyond this time.
If you are feeling more energised you may wish to resume (or begin) some physical activity to support your changing body.
- Glowing
Others may comment on how you are glowing with pregnancy. Many women find their skin, eyes and hair are shining with good health. You may also notice your hair growth is stronger, due to increased levels of oestrogen.
Emotional reactions
Many women seem more balanced with their feelings at this stage often with a sense of calmness and an acceptance of their pregnancy and everything that goes with it. This may follow feelings of ambivalence and the amazing hormonal, physical and emotional adjustments that often accompany the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is also common to feel more relaxed, now that the 'magic' 12 weeks has passed and the chances of miscarriage have lessened. However, miscarriage after this time is still possible.
Other considerations
- Diet
You may begin to notice your appetite returning. Looking after yourself, eating healthy meals and being aware of good nutrition still remains important for both you and your baby.
Women with a vegetarian or vegan diet also need to be mindful of what they eat to make sure they receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals they require.
- Folic acid and Iron
After 12 weeks of pregnancy, you no longer need to take folic acid supplements. More about this here. Generally, iron supplements are not routine at this stage of pregnancy.
- Calcium
During pregnancy, your developing baby needs plenty of calcium to grow their own bones. If you do not have enough calcium in your diet, your baby will still obtain the calcium they need, but take calcium stored in your bones, which may lead to inadequate calcium levels for your own health.
-Foods to avoid
You may be wondering about certain foods to avoid during pregnancy. Listeria can be present in some soft cheeses and other foods.
A few types of fresh fish can also contain high levels of mercury and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Natural therapies
Massage and Shiatsu
Massage is one of the most popular natural therapies and is often incorporated into other forms of health treatments. Massage aims to deeply relax the body to reduce tension and stress and relieve depression, fatigue, insomnia as well as health problems such as back pain, headaches, muscle strain, digestive and circulatory disorders. You can read more about massage here. Shiatsu is a form of massage originating from Japan. It works on the same principles as acupuncture, but is less invasive, using acupressure instead of needles.
What you should be doing this week
At 12 weeks, will the ultrasound reveal my baby's gender?
At 12 weeks, it's usually too early to work out whether you're having a boy or a girl, and this isn't what the sonographer will be focusing on during the scan. At 12 weeks, they're checking to make sure your baby is healthy and normally it's not till your 20 week scan that you find out the gender. That said, some people believe in nub theory, which is where you determine the sex from the first ultrasound photo.
At 12 weeks pregnant, is it a bump or am I bloated?
Every woman is different and starts to show at different times. By week 12, you probably won't have much of a bump to show off, but your womb will start to rise above your pelvic bone soon. Bloating is a very normal side-effect of being pregnant, and to avoid the uncomfortable feeling, experts recommend slowing down when you eat.
Is it normal to experience cramping at 12 weeks pregnant?
Cramping is normal during early pregnancy, especially around week 12. A lot of women report feeling sharp pains on one or both sides of their groin as they stand up or twist. This is normal, and is caused by the ligaments supporting your womb stretching as it grows. That said, if the cramping is really painful, it's a good idea to contact your GP to check.
Is it normal to experience headaches at 12 weeks pregnant?
Another very normal symptom of pregnancy, caused by low blood sugar levels. Remember to keep snacking and ask your doctor for any pregnancy-safe pain killers should you need.
What's happening now
You are now 12 weeks pregnant (about 70 days since conception) and at the start of week 13. This time marks the end of the 1st trimester (the first 3 months of pregnancy) and the beginning of the 2nd trimester (the second 3 months of pregnancy).
Your baby now measures about 7.6 cm (3.04 inches) from crown to rump and weighs approximately 20 grams (0.7 ounces).
Your baby's bones are changing from being soft and flexible (made mostly of cartilage), to hardening and being mostly bone. He or she is now capable of making creeping and climbing movements, although for most women their baby is still too small to feel. Very fine wisps of hair start appearing on your baby's upper lip and eyebrows.
Your baby's bowels are now able to expand and contract (called peristalsis) filling with a black-green, tar-like substance called meconium. Babies pass meconium as their first bowel motion after birth.
What is my body doing at twelve weeks pregnant?
Your 12-week baby bump
You probably don’t have much of a bump to show off just yet, but your womb is now about the size of a grapefruit. It’ll push itself above your pelvic bone soon, so expect the first vague outlines of a baby belly. On that note, your jeans, trousers and skirts are probably becoming quite snug, so it’s time to invest in a belly band, which you can put over your pre-pregnancy clothing until you stock up on your maternity wardrobe.
As your uterus moves from the bottom of your pelvis to the front of your abdomen, you’ll hopefully (finally) lose the need to constantly wee! That said, you might start feeling dizzy as a replacement, as progesterone causes your blood vessels to relax and widen to increase the flow of blood to your baby. Remember, if you feel dizzy or faint, lie down with your head lowered between your knees, take deep breaths and keep snacking to keep those blood sugar levels up.
Common symptoms to look out for:
- Headaches: Another one caused by low blood sugar levels, if you ever needed an excuse to snack, it’s pregnancy! If your headaches are really bad, talk to your doctor about pregnancy safe pain relief.
- Fatigue: You’re nearing the end of your first trimester, but your body is still exhausted from growing your baby. Rest up when you can, and get ready for that energy burst that’s expected during trimester two!
Physical changes
- Feeling healthier and stronger
Many women start to feel healthier and stronger within themselves now, compared with the earlier weeks of pregnancy. Perhaps signs of tiredness and morning sickness are starting to subside. However, around 15% of women continue to feel nauseous (or vomit) until 20 weeks of pregnancy, or even beyond this time.
If you are feeling more energised you may wish to resume (or begin) some physical activity to support your changing body.
- Glowing
Others may comment on how you are glowing with pregnancy. Many women find their skin, eyes and hair are shining with good health. You may also notice your hair growth is stronger, due to increased levels of oestrogen.
Emotional reactions
Many women seem more balanced with their feelings at this stage often with a sense of calmness and an acceptance of their pregnancy and everything that goes with it. This may follow feelings of ambivalence and the amazing hormonal, physical and emotional adjustments that often accompany the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is also common to feel more relaxed, now that the 'magic' 12 weeks has passed and the chances of miscarriage have lessened. However, miscarriage after this time is still possible.
Other considerations
- Diet
You may begin to notice your appetite returning. Looking after yourself, eating healthy meals and being aware of good nutrition still remains important for both you and your baby.
Women with a vegetarian or vegan diet also need to be mindful of what they eat to make sure they receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals they require.
- Folic acid and Iron
After 12 weeks of pregnancy, you no longer need to take folic acid supplements. More about this here. Generally, iron supplements are not routine at this stage of pregnancy.
- Calcium
During pregnancy, your developing baby needs plenty of calcium to grow their own bones. If you do not have enough calcium in your diet, your baby will still obtain the calcium they need, but take calcium stored in your bones, which may lead to inadequate calcium levels for your own health.
-Foods to avoid
You may be wondering about certain foods to avoid during pregnancy. Listeria can be present in some soft cheeses and other foods.
A few types of fresh fish can also contain high levels of mercury and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Natural therapies
Massage and Shiatsu
Massage is one of the most popular natural therapies and is often incorporated into other forms of health treatments. Massage aims to deeply relax the body to reduce tension and stress and relieve depression, fatigue, insomnia as well as health problems such as back pain, headaches, muscle strain, digestive and circulatory disorders. You can read more about massage here. Shiatsu is a form of massage originating from Japan. It works on the same principles as acupuncture, but is less invasive, using acupressure instead of needles.
What you should be doing this week
- The 12-week scan: It’s finally time to clap eyes on your baby for the first time, but what really happens at the 12-week scan? This can take place any time between 11 and 13 weeks. In order to get a clear view of your baby, try and drink a pint of water an hour before the scan – this will push your uterus into a better position. The scan will last between 15 and 30 minutes, and will show you a black and white image of your baby. The sonographer is looking and listening for the heartbeat, and measuring your baby to give you a better idea of your due date.
- Start those pelvic floor exercises: Squeeze for up to 10 seconds, 20 times a day. Not only can these muscles help during childbirth, they reduce your chances of bladder issues and can help with postpartum symptoms.
What will my 12 week-scan be like?
The scan will last between 15 and 30 minutes, and will show you a black and white image of your baby for the first time. The sonographer will listen for the heartbeat and measure your baby for the first time - this will give everyone a better idea of how old your baby is, and help work out your due date.
The scan will last between 15 and 30 minutes, and will show you a black and white image of your baby for the first time. The sonographer will listen for the heartbeat and measure your baby for the first time - this will give everyone a better idea of how old your baby is, and help work out your due date.
At 12 weeks, will the ultrasound reveal my baby's gender?
At 12 weeks, it's usually too early to work out whether you're having a boy or a girl, and this isn't what the sonographer will be focusing on during the scan. At 12 weeks, they're checking to make sure your baby is healthy and normally it's not till your 20 week scan that you find out the gender. That said, some people believe in nub theory, which is where you determine the sex from the first ultrasound photo.
At 12 weeks pregnant, is it a bump or am I bloated?
Every woman is different and starts to show at different times. By week 12, you probably won't have much of a bump to show off, but your womb will start to rise above your pelvic bone soon. Bloating is a very normal side-effect of being pregnant, and to avoid the uncomfortable feeling, experts recommend slowing down when you eat.
Is it normal to experience cramping at 12 weeks pregnant?
Cramping is normal during early pregnancy, especially around week 12. A lot of women report feeling sharp pains on one or both sides of their groin as they stand up or twist. This is normal, and is caused by the ligaments supporting your womb stretching as it grows. That said, if the cramping is really painful, it's a good idea to contact your GP to check.
Is it normal to experience headaches at 12 weeks pregnant?
Another very normal symptom of pregnancy, caused by low blood sugar levels. Remember to keep snacking and ask your doctor for any pregnancy-safe pain killers should you need.
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