12 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly Size & Ultrasound

12 weeks pregnant is a milestone to celebrate and savor. Find out what to expect when you’re 12 weeks pregnant, find out whether you can feel baby yet and what your uterus looks like. What size is a 12-week-pregnant uterus? What are the 8th week symptoms? When does baby start to move?

Your baby at week 12 of pregnancy

For your unborn baby, the completion of the first trimester is a significant milestone. Her main bodily systems are all functioning properly. Her tiny intestine is neatly tucked inside the abdomen and is no longer entangled with the umbilical cord in her digestive system.

Her brain is fully formed, and the unborn baby’s nervous system is still forming. Many of her organs are also beginning to function independently. Her thyroid, for instance, starts secreting hormones. She no longer qualifies as an embryo at your 13th week of pregnancy; instead, she becomes a fetus. She already resembles the baby you’re probably picturing more and more; she even has small fingernails.

The end of the first trimester is near! And if you have a prenatal checkup this week, you’ll probably be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat with a fetal doppler.

12 weeks pregnant is how many months?

When you are 12 weeks pregnant, you are officially in 3 months of your pregnancy. Just another 7 months to go! Congratulations, you’ve already made great progress!

How big is your baby at 12 weeks pregnant?

The entire length of your kid, from head to toe, is now around 2 inches (5 cm), making him or her about the size of a plum or a passion fruit. Its 0.49 oz (14 g) of mass is roughly equivalent to three grapes.

12 weeks pregnant: baby’s development

The fetus gains more than half its initial body weight in this week of rapid development. The fetus’s arms also start to seem more in line with the rest of his body, and his torso starts expanding more quickly than his head. Your baby’s intestines are fully developed, and they’re starting to change position, moving from near the umbilical cord into their rightful place, the abdomen.

This week, the fetus’ gut grows villi, which look like fingernails and increase the intestine’s surface area, allowing it to absorb more nutrients. Water and glucose have been absorbed by intestinal wall cells for almost a week, but the villi improve the efficiency of this process.

The sex organs are formed, although most scans will not be able to tell your baby’s sex until later. Your OB or technician is much more likely to be able to see baby’s sex at the mid-pregnancy anatomy scan, which will happen around week 20

The fetus displays goal-directed motions toward her own eyes and mouth as well as the uterine wall, as shown by ultrasounds of fetal movements investigated by scientists 12 weeks after conception. At this stage, the fetal motions are no longer jerky and ballistic, and the hands begin to calm down as they come closer to their target.

If the fetus is a twin, she may also aim some of her movements toward her sibling. The fetus also makes softer movements as she reaches for her sister’s face. In a similar vein, by 16 weeks postconception, the fetus will utilize her dominant hand to reach for her eyes and mouth with better speed and accuracy than her nondominant hand.

In the coming weeks, newborns will begin to develop at varying rates, with some developing more quickly than others. In spite of this, they all progress in the same way.

Your body at 12 weeks pregnant

If you’ve had a difficult time (with all the moodiness, exhaustion, and nausea), you’ll probably start to feel better as you enter your second trimester. That is, until you get to the end of your pregnancy and your extra weight starts to drag you down.

If you’ve recently experienced some strange dreams, it’s perfectly normal. Pregnancy affects you more than just physically. While pregnant, dreams appear to be more vivid. In their dreams, some women imagine they are preparing to give birth to a little animal or that aliens have seized control of them.

What is the subject of your dreams? To decode your pregnant dreams, keep a notebook and consult our A-Z guide. Most women will be experiencing a decrease in morning sickness this week.

Between your workstation and the women’s restroom, are you wearing a path? During your pregnancy, frequent trips to the restroom are normal. Your body requires more fluids to support your baby’s growth, which also means you’ll need to use the restroom more frequently.

The nausea you were experiencing throughout pregnancy should be less severe, if not gone altogether, which is a positive development. Although your clothes are getting tighter as your tummy gets bigger, most of your acquaintances still probably haven’t guessed the happy news (unless you’ve told them!).

12 weeks pregnant tips

Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is important. Your body uses more water during your pregnancy to fuel your increased blood supply (necessary to get your baby-to-be plenty of nutrients) and other body functions. Taken to extremes, dehydration can lead to preterm labor pains. So bring a water bottle to work with you—and drink it.

Use the bathroom—often

Drinking more water means more trips to the bathroom. Add to that, your kidneys are working overtime to filter impurities from your increased blood supply. To avoid stares from coworkers, plan discrete potty breaks. Go when you first get to the office and take a break on the way from meetings or other times when you’re already up so your trips will be less noticeable. Putting off a trip to the bathroom is a bad idea—it makes you uncomfortable and puts stress on your bladder, which can lead to bladder infections.

Bring light snacks

Food may not be appealing, especially if you’re experiencing nausea. Skip a full-blown lunch and opt for lighter fare throughout the day. Keep in mind that some pregnancy comfort foods are dead giveaways, such as crackers. If you’re trying to keep your pregnancy a secret, try less notorious foods that still comfort nausea but that don’t shout, “I’m pregnant!” Opt for foods high in protein, such as string cheese, almonds, or milk.

Wear comfortable clothes

You’ve probably packed away your tight-fitting pants already. If you haven’t, now’s probably the time to say goodbye to your hip-hugging ensembles until after your baby’s arrival. Avoiding tight clothes isn’t just about hiding your baby bump. Your body may be retaining water to fuel your increased blood supply, and constricting clothes are not only tight on your skin, but the blood that’s trying to flow underneath.

Watch your posture

Take time to get off your feet and walk around. Staying in the same position for too long allows the blood to pool in the lower part of your body, potentially making you light-headed. Put your feet up whenever possible to keep your blood flowing properly.

Early pregnancy symptoms at 12 weeks

The first trimester (0 to 12 weeks pregnant) of pregnancy is different for every woman, and every pregnancy is unique. Some women feel nauseous and tired right away, while others don’t begin to experience symptoms until later in the first trimester.

During this time, your body is getting used to the changes that are happening and preparing for the arrival of your baby. is different. You might feel great and hardly notice you’re pregnant, or you might have some symptoms like nausea or fatigue that can make you feel pretty lousy. .

This is the most variable and unpredictable phase of pregnancy, since it typically lasts the longest (and can last up to two weeks longer than other trimesters). It’s also a time when many women don’t know they are pregnant due to early miscarriages or even false positives on pregnancy tests.

Bleeding and sensitive gums

In addition to swelling, hormone levels may change as you age, leading to sensitivity in your gums, even bleeding when you brush and floss. It’s perfectly normal for this to happen, although it can be disconcerting. Keep brushing and flossing regularly, and speak to your dentist if necessary. Using a softer toothbrush and rinsing with salt water (a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water) can help.

Having lightheadedness

Your body produces more blood vessels during pregnancy, and your hormone levels change. There may be times when you feel dizzy or lightheaded as a result of this. To feel better, wear loose clothing, stay hydrated, avoid long periods of standing, and eat regularly. Avoid changing positions abruptly after sitting and stand up slowly after sitting. Should you experience abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding, or if you feel lightheaded, call your healthcare provider.

Sensitivity to smells.

During this phase of pregnancy, your sense of smell is especially sensitive. Avoid strong odors by eating cold or room-temperature food, using a fan when cooking, and having someone else take out the trash if certain odors bother you. You may also notice a metallic taste in your mouth, which is normal. Don’t brush your teeth too much or use flavored dental products; they can make the problem worse.

Feeling bloated

Bloating may be caused by hormonal changes and the growth of your uterus. Bloating may be relieved by eating slowly, which prevents you from swallowing air. You may find that a high-fiber diet helps to reduce bloating. Consuming plenty of water and avoiding carbonated drinks also can help. You can also try eating smaller portions and exercising regularly to help reduce bloating.

Spotting or bleeding

It is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider if you notice bleeding other than light spotting (which can occur after intercourse, for example) during or after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The bleeding might be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. You should also contact your doctor if you have vaginal bleeding after 12 weeks of pregnancy, especially if it is accompanied by abdominal pain or cramps.

An increase in hunger

You may feel hungrier than normal, so eat more snacks, keeping in mind that 300 calories is all you need to add to your daily diet. Your body may be craving certain foods, so try eating more of them. If you are bored with your routine, spice things up a bit by trying new foods or recipes. You can also try eating more protein, which helps you feel full longer.

No symptoms 12 weeks pregnant

That’s right, it’s possible to be 12 weeks pregnant with no symptoms whatsoever! Every pregnancy and every woman is different. For example, some women never experience morning sickness, so if you’re one of the lucky few, enjoy these nausea-free days without worry. However, if you do experience any symptoms, it’s important to pay attention. You should always see your doctor if you have any concerns about your pregnancy or health.

12 weeks pregnant belly size

You’ve probably noticed that your midsection is getting thicker. It will take longer for you to show signs of pregnancy if this is not your first pregnancy than if you have carried a child before. Any way you look at it, just remember that your hiccup is on the way!

As your belly grows, the muscles and ligaments supporting it will strain. This might cause discomfort. If this persists or worsens, see a doctor.

12 weeks pregnant ultrasound

Your doctor will likely do a first-trimester ultrasound sometime between weeks 8 and 12. Therefore, there’s a possibility that you’ve already had the ultrasound or that you will soon.

When you have a first-trimester ultrasound in the tenth week of your pregnancy, you can anticipate jerky movements and a heartbeat that is 2 to 3 times quicker than your own.

A good time to talk to your doctor about first-trimester screening is about week 10 of pregnancy. Although this form of screening is not required, doctors may advise it if you or your spouse have a family history of genetic disorders, have experienced past losses, or are older than 35.

Between weeks 10 and 14, a procedure known as a nuchal translucency screening, or NT scan, can be carried out. Your doctor will utilize ultrasonography to assess the likelihood of Down syndrome in your unborn child during this diagnostic procedure. Blood testing can be performed to evaluate the risk for further hereditary diseases. Gender determination during the first trimester might be done in addition to other testing.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Start your pregnancy out on the right foot by taking prenatal vitamins, consuming enough of orange juice (which is a good source of folic acid), and engaging in regular physical activity.

Do not drink alcohol, use drugs, or smoke cigarettes if you are trying to conceive; you may not know when you became pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether or not any medications, including those you use regularly, pose any risk to your unborn child.

The importance of prenatal vitamins during pregnancy

During pregnancy, you need a greater amount of folic acid and iron. Why? Here are some reasons:

Folic acid prevents neural tube defects

These defects affect the fetal brain and spinal cord in a significant way. Preferably, you should begin taking extra folic acid three months before you become pregnant.

The placenta and baby require iron to develop

The body uses iron to make blood to supply oxygen to the baby. Additionally, iron helps prevent anemia, a condition in which the blood lacks healthy red blood cells

It’s important to consult your doctor or healthcare provider to find out which are the best prenatal vitamins to take before pregnancy, and how to calculate your expected delivery date.