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Week 12
How Big is the
Baby?
At 12 weeks pregnant your baby is just about two and a half
inches long and weighs up to half an ounce!
Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your
baby continues to grow and develop tremendously during pregnancy week 12. You'll
be amazed at the pregnancy week by week changes that start occurring within your
baby in the upcoming months.
Your baby's genitals will start showing
signs of being either male or female soon. During pregnancy week 12, your baby's
brain is starting to make hormones, and nerve cells are multiplying at a rapid
rate. Your baby may be sucking as early as this week, and your baby's kidneys
may even be producing urine.
By pregnancy 12 weeks if you stimulate
certain points of your uterus your baby may move in response, though you won't
be able to actually feel your baby moving for another few weeks!
Your Growth and Development
You are
growing and expanding! By the end of pregnancy week 12 your uterus will pop out
of your pelvis, and appear just above the pubic bone. It will continue to grow
into your abdomen. While it may take nine months for your uterus to grow large
enough to hold your baby, it will return to its pre-pregnancy size just weeks
after delivery!
Your uterus will also weigh more and more as your
pregnancy at 12 weeks continues to progress. By the end of your pregnancy your
uterus will weigh up to 2 pounds, compared to 2.5 ounces prior to your
pregnancy!
Changes in
You
You might be noticing some skin changes during pregnancy 12
weeks. If you have a lot of freckles during pregnancy, they may start to darken
after pregnancy week 12. Some women form a dark vertical line that runs the
length of their abdomen during pregnancy. This is called the linea nigra. It
usually appears sometime during the second trimester. It will gradually fade
within a few weeks of delivery. The skin surrounding your nipples and areolas
will likely darken as well.
Other women have patches of brown skin that
form on the face and neck. These are commonly referred to as the mask of
pregnancy, and usually disappear completely or become lighter after you deliver.
You should always wear sunscreen during pregnancy to protect your skin, which
may prove more sensitive throughout your pregnancy. There are many chemical free
versions of sun block available on the market today, which are perfectly
suitable during pregnancy.
Some women religiously use wrinkle creams and
other skin firming lotions prior to pregnancy. If you typically use a product
with high concentrations of Vitamin A, you should stop during pregnancy. Too
much vitamin A can be harmful to you and your developing fetus. Vitamin A is
found in prenatal vitamins up to 5,000 IUs. This is a beneficial dose for
helping promote bone growth and support and strengthen the teeth. Larger doses
of vitamin A however can cause liver damage and jaundice. If you aren't sure
whether or not a product is safe, be sure to consult with your healthcare
provider before continuing its use.
You may find that you are
experiencing more heartburn than normal at 12 weeks pregnant. Heartburn is a
burning sensation in the throat, chest and upper abdomen. This is a very common
complaint during pregnancy at 12 weeks. It is caused by an increase in the
hormone progesterone during pregnancy. Progesterone relaxes the valve between
your stomach and esophagus. This relaxation allows stomach acids to enter the
esophagus and cause severe irritation, which gives you the sensation of a
burning feeling.
Some great suggestions to relieve and prevent heartburn
are as follows:
- Eat less at each meal and have six meals a
day instead of three.
- Chew your food adequately and eat slowly.
- Drink liquids before and after your meals
and not with them.
- For heavens sake stay away from fatty and
greasy foods which will only make the problem worse.
- Stay away from fizzy drinks, citrus juices
and spicy meals.
- Do not eat before going to bed.
- Raise the head of your bed or prop yourself
up with pillows which will help minimize heartburn.
- Consider liquid antacids… they work much
better than the tablet forms
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