All about baby
Your baby is now officially a foetus, which means 'little one'.
Lots of changes are taking place this week — the embryonic tail disappears and all the organs, muscles and nerves are beginning to function. Your baby's heart has four chambers and its liver is producing red blood cells, which are pumped around the body.
The face is very human looking, although the eyelids are still closed tightly over the developing eyes. The hands can bend at the wrist and the feet begin to lose their webbed appearance. Your baby is very active, already moving his or her arms and legs, although you probably wont be able to feel it until around week 17 or later.
- Measures around 18 - 25mm crown to rump
- Weighs in at about 1 gram
Over to you
You're not ready for full on maternity frocks just yet, but you may notice your waistline expanding making your favourite jeans tighter than usual. If you are thinking about buying some maternity clothes, go for wrap tops and dresses that can expand with your bump. Of course you probably won't look any different to other people, so don’t be surprised if everyone else treats you the same as ever.
Although your baby is still tiny, your uterus is already growing and is now about the size of a grapefruit. This might not make you look pregnant but it might make you feel pregnant, as the pressure it begins to put on your bladder means more frequent trips to the loo. Your ligaments are softening to prepare for the growth of your baby, so take care to exercise gently.
Bleeding or spotting in pregnancy, although scary, is quite common and isn't necessarily a sign that something's wrong. If you notice any blood, speak to your midwife or doctor. They can advise you on possible causes and might be able to offer you an early ultrasound scan.
In the know
Pregnancy weight gain
Your growing baby, expanding uterus, increased fluids and fat stores, as well as your diet, all play a part in your overall weight gain during pregnancy, and the amount of weight you put on is related to your weight - or more specifically your Body Mass Index (BMI) - and health before you became pregnant.
Pregnancy weight gain can be anything from 20-35lbs‚ but it could be more or less depending on whether you were over or underweight at the outset. On average, women at their recommended BMI put on between 22-28 lb. Weight gain within this range is shown to have a lower risk of complications during labour and birth, and less chance of having a low birth weight baby. Everyone woman is different though, which is why you shouldn't worry if you're outside these average figures. Many women who put on weight outside this range go on to have healthy babies.
It is worth noting that being seriously overweight during pregnancy puts extra strain on your heart and can lead to back problems. It can also increase your blood pressure, put you at greater risk of pre-eclampsia and of developing pregnancy diabetes. Labour can be more difficult if you're less mobile, and research also suggests a link between excessive weight gain and needing to have a Caesarean birth.
Conversely, being severely underweight and not eating enough during pregnancy means you are more likely to have a small baby who is weak at birth, and this can have serious long-term effects on their health. Whatever your previous weight, pregnancy is not the time to go on a diet or try to prevent weight gain. Instead, eat a healthy, balanced diet and take regular exercise. Swimming is the perfect exercise to keep you fit during pregnancy as the water supports your body so there isn’t a risk of injury to loosened joints and ligaments. Three to four 30-minute swimming sessions a week will help to improve muscle tone and circulation. Many pools run antenatal swimming classes; contact your local pool for more information.
Where it all goes:
If you were to gain 27lb during your pregnancy, here’s an idea of where it would go. Remember, these are estimates only.
- Baby 7.5lb
- Womb 2lb
- Placenta 1.5lb
- Amniotic fluid 2lb
- Retained water 4lb
- Blood 3lb
- Breasts 1lb
- Fat stores 6lb
Total weight gain 27 lb
Speak to your midwife for advice if you have concerns about weight gain.
Go to next week's article: Pregnancy Week 10
Please note that the contents of this section are for information only and are not intended as medical advice or as a substitute to your doctor's advice. For medical care and advice, you should consult your doctor on a regular basis. If you have any problem which concerns you, consult your doctor immediately.
