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Week 10
How Big
is the Baby at Ten Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is getting big... in
fact, by pregnancy week 10 your baby is big enough to start being weighed! By
pregnancy week 10 your baby will measure between 31 and 42 mm or a little more
than an inch and a half! Your baby is about the size of a lime, maybe slightly
larger by now.
Your Baby's Growth and
Development
By the end of pregnancy 10 weeks your baby will have
moved past the embryonic period, and will begin the 'fetal' period. The fetal
period is the time when your fetus will grow rapidly. By week ten your baby is
less at risk for congenital malformations, which usually occur during the first
nine weeks of pregnancy. You should breathe a big sigh of relief by the end of
pregnancy week 10 now that this important developmental stage is past!
It is important however that you know that any exposure to toxins even
during this time or throughout your pregnancy week by week can be damaging or
harmful for your fetus. Your baby's health and well being depend in large part
upon your ability to take care to protect them during the duration of your
pregnancy.
One of the more common exposures that women may not consider
during pregnancy is second hand smoke. Second hand smoke can be harmful
particularly during pregnancy. If you find yourself in an environment where
people are smoking, remove yourself as quickly as possible. Don't hesitate to
address your needs or assert yourself during this all important time. Most
people will certainly understand your concerns and will be more than happy to
accommodate any requests to avoid exposing your baby to unnecessary toxins.
By the end of pregnancy week 10 your baby's organ systems are growing
quickly. Now internal organs are starting to form and the vital organs including
the liver, kidney, intestines and brain will start functioning. In the next
three weeks alone your baby's length will grow exponentially. Tiny details will
start appearing on your baby's body, including items such as toenails. If you
were to look really closely you might even notice some peach fuzz growing on
your baby's skin! By now your baby will be consumed with swallowing and kicking.
That's right, your baby will swallow amniotic fluid during your pregnancy.
Consider it a practice run for breathing once she is born!
Spinal nerves
are also visible at this point in pregnancy, and your baby's liver is busy
making blood cells.
Pregnancy Medical
Facts!
Pregnancy Weight Gain and the Health of Your Newborn Baby
Either excessive pregnancy weight gain or inadequate weight gain is
associated with adverse infant outcomes. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has set
guidelines for weight gain in pregnancy. Pregnancy weight gain above the
recommended IOM guidelines is more common that pregnancy weight gain below the
guidelines. Unfortunately, women who gain weight in pregnancy in excess of the
recommended guidelines give birth to babies with more problems than babies born
to women who gained weight within the recommended guidelines. It is also know
that inadequate weight gain during pregnancy clearly places your baby at an
increased risk for problems at birth. Weight gain in pregnancy both over and
under the recommended Institute of Medicine guidelines will increase the changes
of your baby having problems at delivery and after. The better controlled your
pregnancy weight gain is the healthier your baby will be at birth.
Breastfeeding
The evidence continues to mount regarding the value of
breastfeeding for both mom and baby. Human milk provides developmental,
nutritional, and immunologic benefits to the infant that cannot be duplicated by
formula feeding. With the development of iron-fortified formula in the late
1950s, breastfeeding rates began to decrease as formula feeding gained
popularity. Since that time breastfeeding have been increasing but they have not
yet reached the goal set by the U.S. Public health Service for 75% of mothers to
initiate breastfeeding after delivery.
Your Growth and Development
You may
think you are starting to show by pregnancy 10 weeks, but most people still
probably can't tell that you are pregnant yet. That is ok! After pregnancy week
10 and in the next few weeks you will start seeing some changes in your profile,
your partner may have already commented on your ever so slightly more rounded
belly.
Changes in You
Hang
in there, now that you are 10 weeks pregnant just a couple more weeks and you
should start realizing some significant relief from morning sickness!
By
10 weeks pregnant you are probably starting to feel more and more positive about
your pregnancy. You have probably had the opportunity by now to hear your baby's
heartbeat for the first time at your doctor's office. The sound of your baby's
heartbeat for the first time will probably send you and your partner to the moon
and back.
If you haven't invited your partner to accompany you to your
prenatal visits by pregnancy at 10 weeks, you might consider doing so now.
Though many are 'run of the mill' checks, your partner will feel more a part of
your pregnancy week by week and more helpful and supportive if they are invited
to your prenatal visits. During your visits your partner and you will also have
the opportunity to discuss any questions and concerns you may be having about
your pregnancy. Your partner may even think of a few questions you may never
have even considered.
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