PREGNANCY WEEKLY Pregnancy weekly will take you through this journey of nine months to make you aware of all the changes taking place in you, your baby and your life. It is a journey full of experiences.

Pregnancy Weekly | Week 12

Fetal development - 12 weeks pregnant/10 weeks fetus

• How is my baby developing at 12 weeks?
• What will my baby look like?
• Movements
• What will be the changes in me?
• What should I eat at this time?
  

What is actually happening to your baby in these weeks? 

Note: Experts say every baby grows differently. This information gives you a general idea about fetus growth

• Your baby weighs 8-14 gms and is 6-7 cm long
• Your baby's face is beginning to look more human.
• Now you will be able to hear your baby’s heart beats with a Doppler.
• The eyes, which were laterally placed, that is on the sides have started moving towards the center.
• The ears have also reached their normal position now.
• The liver is making bile and the kidneys are secreting urine in the bladder.
• The fetus already can feel you if you prod your abdomen and squirms on touch of the abdomen, although you cannot yet feel the movement.
• Fetal nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly and synapses (neurological connections in your brain) are forming.
• The fetus has acquired more reflexes as the nervous system is developing further like touching the palms, closing the fingers, touching the feet, toes curling down and touching the eyelids makes the eye muscles clench and move.
• She has an unmistakable chin and her nose is more obvious.
• The skeletal system shows ossification centers.
• Scattered rudiments of hair appear on the body.
• The digestive system is able to absorb glucose and also show contractions
• Pituitary glands are making hormones.

APPEARANCE

Her skin remains thin and translucent with all the vessels showing. Tiny nails are growing on her fully formed. fingers. The external genitalia are also forming now.

MOVEMENTS

The movements of the baby increase as the muscles of the limb develops. she can clench and unclench her hands. In ultrasound, you may actually see her movements as ‘graceful’.
 

TESTING

You may be asked to go for an ultrasound.

NUTRITION:

Apart from the proteins, vitamins and minerals requirement in the body, you may need to be cautious with fats and sweets because these are low in nutrition and high in calories. Eat them sparingly. You can choose -

• Sugar or honey – 1 tablespoon
• Oil – 1 tablespoon
• Margarine or butter – 1 pat
• Jam or jelly – 1 tablespoon
• Salad dressing – 1 tablespoon