Your changing body
While major changes are happening with your baby, things are going at a slower pace with you. As you are nearing the end of the first trimester, the Morning sickness may begin to subside and you may feel like you have a bit more energy and your appetite improves. Your Uterus is almost big enough to fill your Pelvis and may be felt in your lower abdomen, above the middle of your pubic bone.
Some women do notice changes in their hair, fingernails, and toenails, such as increased nail and hair growth. |  |
By the 12th week, your Uterus will start shifting upwards and forward as it grows, which will reduce the pressure on your Bladder a little, making trips to the bathroom less frequent for a while. Due to the increased blood volume in your body you might experience headaches.
By the end of first trimester, your Uterus becomes too large to remain completely in your Pelvis. You may feel it above your pubic bone. If this is your first pregnancy, your regular clothes may still fit you. But if you have had other pregnancies, you are likely to be into your maternity wardrobe by now.
Your growing baby
The 11th week is a period of rapid growth. Your little one’s urinary system is now fully functional and all the other major organs are now formed. This is the time where your baby’s tooth buds, finger nails and toe nails start to appear. On average, the baby will be about 4 cm in length and weighs around 7 g by the end of this week and is the size of a small rose apple.
The blood circulation starts to circulate between the Uterus and baby and Placenta will begin to function by this week or may be in the next week.
Around the 12 week, your precious little one is about 5–5.5 cm long and weighs around 14 g and is as big as a lime. His/hers organs continue to grow and develop. An amazing development is that your tiny one’s fingers will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench and the mouth will make sucking movements. Hair starts covering your baby’s body; finger and toe nails also begin to grow and the Kidneys start to function. Your obstetrician will be able to detect your baby’s heartbeat. Your baby responds to your touch, but you probably won’t feel it for a while yet.
Things to consider
By the end of week 12, you may experience more and more heartburn, a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of your breastbone to your lower throat caused by an increase in the Hormone Progesterone during pregnancy. Eating small and frequent meals, thorough chewing of food, avoiding fatty foods, etc., can help you to relieve and prevent heartburn.
Entering pregnancy with high blood pressure
If you have had high BP before getting pregnant, you have an increased risk of Preeclampsia. You may have to undergo more ultrasounds to monitor your baby’s growth also. If left untreated, high BP reduces blood flow to the Uterus and increases the risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Do not forget your medicines prescribed by your obstetrician. |