For many women, week 12 of pregnancy heralds the easing of early pregnancy symptoms. At this time, your uterus rises upwards and puts less pressure on your bladder. Hopefully, now your tiredness is also easing. Decidedly, around this time, you may have your first visit with your midwife or doctor providing pregnancy care. Having antenatal appointments lets you talk through any concerns and focus on healthy lifestyle choices. Also, you can discuss your pregnancy and birth options and decide where to give birth to your baby.

Artist Holly Priddis

How your baby is growing when 12 Weeks Pregnant?

Your baby is now 6cm and is still tiny and curled up. They now weigh about 18gm. Amazingly, your baby’s chest rises and falls as they practice their breathing. With fully functioning kidneys, your baby can now pass urine and swallow amniotic fluid. Indeed, this week, their entire body is preparing for life in the outside world.

What You May Feel

At this time, the top of your uterus may just be appearing above your pelvic bone. Moreover, the hormone melanin is higher in pregnancy, and as a result, you may notice brown patches on your face or neck called chloasma (sometimes called the mask of pregnancy). Also, some women develop a vertical brown line called a linea nigra on their tummy.

You are hopefully starting to feel a little bit more relaxed. Thus, your chances of miscarriage significantly drop with each milestone, such as hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. As early pregnancy symptoms ease, some women become worried that something is wrong. However, the lessening of these symptoms is usually because the placenta is taking over the role of sustaining the pregnancy from the corpus luteum, which produces hormones in the early weeks.

Tips for when you are 12 Weeks Pregnant

Celebrate the positives. You are almost in the second trimester of pregnancy. For this reason, make a note of milestones and celebrate each one. It helps you refocus on what’s important: this little life growing inside you that you will meet in six short months. In addition, before seeing your midwife, write down any questions you have in mind. Also, you might want to ask about birth and parenting education available in your local area.

Page Published on 7th February 2022