12 Weeks Pregnant
Pregnancy Week 12 & Stage of Fetal Development

This is the beginning of pregnancy week 12. You will be a complete 12 weeks pregnant at the end of this week (see pregnancy chart).

You may be able to hear your baby's heartbeat at this month's prenatal check-up. Some may be able to hear it as early as 9 weeks. And some will not be able to hear it until later. It depends on many factors such as the position of the fetus, how accurate your estimated due date is, position of the placenta, and so on.

I still remember hearing the sound for the first time. I was so overwhelmed; tears started pouring down my face. I had many fears that something was going to go wrong. But, as soon as I heard the heartbeat, it was such a relief; so unbelievable.

So, if you don't hear anything by the 12th week of pregnancy, please don't worry-I know, easier said than done. If your doctor (midwife) feels the need, you may be given an appointment for an early ultra-sound scan to SEE the baby's heart beating. It's such a wonderful site, let me tell you.

What happens at 12 weeks pregnant

During pregnancy week 12, your uterus is about the size of an orange. You may now finally be able to feel a small bump just at the top of your pubic bone. The uterus has filled out the pelvic area and is starting to extend upward.

This may be the week that urinary frequency subsides some as the pressure from the fetus from inside the pelvic region is now in a higher position.

Some of you may even see nausea and vomiting ease up some this week. For some, the end of the 13th week is the light at the end of the tunnel. And still a small number of others will have this symptom for quite a while longer. But for most the end of the frequent bathroom trips is near.

Are you still really tired and sleepy? This is another symptom that will ease up by the end of 12-13 weeks pregnant.

As your uterus grows larger, the ligaments that are attached to the uterus (called round ligaments) will begin to stretch. So, as some pregnancy symptoms become less, other symptoms will be starting. You may feel sharp pains and aches around your abdomen and hips (called round ligament pain) as the ligaments are stretching.

Fetal Development at 12 weeks pregnant
Fetal age: 10 weeks

Your baby is about 2½ inches (6.1cm) and weighs about 1/2 ounce (14g).

The volume of amniotic fluid at 12 weeks is about one ounce (30ml), and your baby is moving around inside the amniotic sac quite a lot now rather than free floating in the fluid, though you will not be able to feel these movements yet.

The fetal reflexes are beginning. If his hand should brush against his mouth, the lips may purse (the beginning of the sucking reflex). And his eyelids also have a blinking reflex should they be touched.

Although your baby has jerk-like movements and reflexes, it is generally accepted that pain is not felt until about the 24th week of pregnancy.

By 12-13 weeks, the yolk sac is getting much smaller. It once generated the embryo's blood cells, a task that is now taken over by your baby's liver.

Fingers and toes are separated and his nails are growing.

The pituitary gland in the brain is starting to produce hormones.

Your are now 12 weeks pregnant. Only 28 weeks to go!!

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