The 12 weeks pregnant to 13 weeks pregnant stage is an important and happy milestone for expectant mums.
Moving into the second trimester is significant as there are now more visible signs of a pregnancy, the happy news is more likely to be shared around this time and, most importantly, the time you are most likely to miscarry has now safely passed.
At 12 weeks pregnant your baby is around 2.5 inches/6cms long, weighs about half an ounce and is growing rapidly. At this stage the head is still about one third of the size of the rest of the body but the brain development is now slowing down and the rest of the body will catch up.
The head and neck are still straightening up her posture is becoming less curled up. Arms, legs, fingers and toes are elongating and tapering into more recognisable shapes. Your baby is practising breathing using amniotic fluid to prepare the lungs for air respiration.
She is also developing reflexes and will begin to open and close her fingers, eyes and mouth. Baby’s face now looks totally human as the eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the face.
Your uterus will have grown to the point where the top of it can now be felt just above your pubic bone.
It is quite common to be experiencing heartburn at 12 weeks pregnant. This is due to the high amount of progesterone in your body. Progesterone is responsible for relaxing the valve between your oesophagus and stomach and this then allows gastric acid to travel back up and cause a burning sensation.
Try to eat smaller meals and avoid spicy and highly seasoned food.
At 13 weeks pregnant your little peach-sized miracle is still growing rapidly and now weighs in at around 1 ounce with a length of 3 inches/8cm.
The proportions of head to body are now approaching normal.
Vocal cords and teeth are forming and the ears are now developed to a stage where the baby may be able to hear your voice; so start practising those lullabies.
The diaphragm is still being exercised and strengthened by hiccups and your baby’s bone marrow is busy making the white blood cells needed for fighting infection after birth.
Tiny hairs start to cover the body and the senses of taste and smell are further refined. Amazingly, your baby’s unique fingerprints are now perfectly formed. If you are expecting a girl she will already have around two million eggs in her ovaries.
At 13 weeks pregnant morning sickness and fatigue should now have passed and you will experience a more energetic phase with possibly an increased libido!
And although birth is still months away, colostrum may start to form in your breasts in preparation for your baby’s first meal.