12 Weeks - Pregnancy

Baby

Your baby is now 2 inches long crown to rump and weighs about ½ of an ounce. Her face is starting to look more human, as her eyes have moved from the side of her head to the front. Vocal cords are beginning to form, gearing up for that first cry. Her ears have shifted to their normal place on the side of her head as well.

This week her liver begins to function, cleansing blood, storing nutrients, and producing chemicals for your baby’s body. Her pancreas has begun to produce insulin as well. Her intestines are beginning to move from the umbilical cord area to her abdominal wall and her kidneys have begun to secrete urine into her bladder. Brain development is rapid, as nerve endings make new connections daily.

And, if you want to know what baby is up to every day, check out the ExpectantSee Screensaver.

Mom

If this is pregnancy number one, you are probably starting to outgrow your jeans. Now is a great time to start looking at maternity clothes. Many women are feeling pretty yucky right now, with the morning sickness and the weight gain. You may just be feeling sick and fat, rather than pregnant. Buying maternity clothes will cheer you up and make you feel more pregnant, not to mention make you feel more comfortable.

Have you been having more headaches lately? Pregnancy can sometimes be a contributing factor for headaches. Many times, sinus swelling contributes to headaches, so be sure to use a humidifier in your home, especially at night. Eat regularly and get plenty of rest. For tension headaches, apply ice to the back of your neck for 20 minutes or so, and for migraines, rest in a dark room. If these techniques don’t help, ask your doctor about taking acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Remember that you are pregnant. Be sure to take care of yourself more now than you did before. If you are feeling bad regularly, you might want to take some sick leave from work. Just be sure to save some for late in your pregnancy. You will need it then too. Should you tell your boss you’re pregnant now? That depends on how you are feeling. Just be sure to tell her before she notices your blossoming figure.

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PLEASE NOTE

This should be used as a general guideline and is for general information and educational purposes only. Please remember that all pregnancies develop at different rates. If you have questions about your baby's development, please contact your doctor or midwife.