First Trimester
10 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 1.2 inches long and weighs around 0.14 ounce, about the size of a prune. Baby starts opening and closing their fingers and curling their toes. Most of their critical systems are fully formed, and are about to enter the growth and maturation stage, in which organs and tissues will grow and develop rapidly. Baby’s kidneys begin to create urine, the liver begins to secret bile, and the pancreas begins to produce insulin. Tooth buds, hair follicles and nail beds are forming, and the brain is rapidly developing. Your baby’s body length will almost double in the next three weeks.
11 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 1.6 inches long and weighs around ¼ ounce, about the size of a lime. Baby is at less risk for congenital abnormalities at this point.
12 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 2 inches long and weighs around ½ ounce, about the size of a plum. The eyes and ears are moving into their normal positions on their head. Although the ears won’t be fully developed until about 24 weeks, it is believed that babies can sense sounds at this point through vibration receptors on their skin.
Common first trimester pregnancy symptoms include:
Fatigue, morning sickness, nausea, and mood swings. Remedies for morning sickness and nausea include: supplement 50mg of Vitamin B6 daily, magnesium supplementation, lemon water, eating crackers or toast before getting out of bed in the morning, and peppermint or ginger tea.
The need to urinate frequently. You uterus has not risen above the pubic bone, and puts pressure on the bladder. This will get better in a few weeks.
Mood swings, due to hormonal changes. These will even out in the next few weeks.
A dark line appearing down the center of your belly, called the linea nigra
What you should do:
Eat small portions frequently, with a protein source with each meal and snack, in order to keep blood sugar more stable. Blood sugar swings and waiting too long between eating can aggravate nausea. Nausea will typically get better in the next few weeks.
13 Weeks
How your baby is growing:
Baby measures about 3 inches long and weighs around 1/2 - 2/3 ounce, about the size of a peach. He or she is developing vocal cords and teeth and already has fingerprints. Baby starts to suck their thumb and wiggle their toes. Baby’s skin starts to grow lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over his or her body. Lanugo helps with temperature control and also protects the skin. The risk of miscarriage also reduces by 65% after week 12 and baby is at less risk for congenital abnormalities at this point.
Common pregnancy symptoms at 13 weeks include:
Cravings for certain kinds of food or food combinations
Constipation, due to increased levels of progesterone which cause muscles of the intestines to slow. Pressure from the uterus also can affect or inhibit bowel function. Drink enough water and focus on a fiber rich diet of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.
What you should do:
Now that morning sickness has likely subsided, focus on maintaining a good diet of around 2200 calories, with about 80g of protein per day. Eat a variety of different kinds and colors of vegetables and leafy greens. Be certain you are getting enough calcium, as your babies bones are developing and hardening at this point.