Middle of my 12th week!

So, I was out of town in Atlanta when my 12th week started, so I'm a tad late on posting this. I'm now in the middle of my 12th week, and here are the stats:

Fetal development in pregnancy week 12:fetus in third month Even though your little Einstein’s body is still growing quite rapidly 2 inches long right now, the overall super-speedy growth of their amazing brain continues to leave the head proportionately larger than the body— and is actually slightly more than one third of their total body mass! The head and neck are still straightening at this point as can be seen by their little chin lifting off of the chest. Your baby is also actively rehearsing “breathing” by using amniotic fluid to prepare the lungs for future air respiration.

The big news: your little pooper is now officially going to need diapers! Although a majority of the waste produced is transferred to the mother’s system for discharge (to avoid having it linger in the amniotic sac), some urine is released to the amniotic fluid and your baby will actually breathe it in before it passing it on to your for discharge. Not to worry, urine--in this particular form, is completely harmless to your baby.


And how's mom doing? Logically, as your baby is growing bigger, so must your uterus. By now, your once-flat and relatively small uterus is stretched to the size of a softball (12-14 cm), but that’s nothing: by the time you deliver it will have grown to 15 – 17 inches (37 – 42 cm). Your uterus is slowly increasing at a rate of approximately one centimeter per week. If you've got a burning sensation that extends from your breastbone to your throat, you've got heart burn or acid indigestion. To lessen this unpleasant experience: eat smaller meals and avoid fried, spicy, and fatty foods. Otherwise, there's always TUMS, but check with your healthcare provider first

As your pregnancy becomes more physically visible, you’ll have to adjust to people asking you when you’re due and giving lots of unsolicited advice from women who’ve “been there.” Additionally, this is probably the right time to share your pregnancy news (if you haven’t already) with close family and friends and anyone you want to have involved in your pregnancy. Allowing your friends and family to have role in your pregnancy encourages participation and support for the future—when you’re really going to need it! - This information is from baby-gaga.

I have also really enjoyed American Pregnancy and found this information there:

What changes are occurring with your body?
Your uterus is continuing to grow, and your healthcare provider can now actually feel it in your lower abdomen. You may not need maternity clothes at this point, but you may have noticed that things are not fitting as well. If this is a subsequent pregnancy, you will most likely need maternity clothes sooner than a woman who has never been pregnant before.

You may have also noticed that your skin is changing, such as the darkening of the areola. Other changes you may have noticed include irregular dark patches on your face and neck. These are called chloasma or mask of pregnancy. These patches normally disappear or become lighter shortly after delivery.*

What is happening with your baby?
This week your baby will begin to take on more of a normal appearance as the eyes move closer together and the ears move closer to their final position. The intestines have grown so fast that they actually extend into the umbilical cord, but they will begin to move back into the abdomen. The kidneys can now secrete urine, and the nervous system is continuing to mature. Your baby may have developed more complicated reflexes such as sucking.

How big is your baby?
Your baby is 3 inches long and weighs 1 ounce by the end of this week.*

What should you plan for this week?
Now is a great time to really look at your diet and make sure both you and your baby are receiving all of the nutrients you need. It is important that you realize that just because you are pregnant, this does not give you a go ahead to eat all you want. Weight should be gained throughout your pregnancy. You can avoid gaining excess weight by:

Avoiding fast food/junk foods
Avoiding late night snacks
Limiting fats and sweets
You can learn more about what you should eat at Eating for Two: Weight Influences on Pregnancy.

Tips for making your pregnancy better:
Many women benefit from Kegel exercises before, during, and after pregnancy. Kegel exercises are for strengthening the vaginal muscles. Pregnant women who perform these exercises find that it helps with birth and tones the muscles for after delivery.