Having a baby is a wonderful experience, but it can be difficult to know how big your baby will be at 12 weeks of pregnancy. Knowing how big your baby will be at 12 weeks can help you feel more prepared for what’s ahead.
Symptoms of pregnancy at 12 weeks
During the 12th week of pregnancy, you may start to notice changes in your body. You may be feeling less tired, have less morning sickness, and even notice a baby bump. You may even hear your baby’s heart beat for the first time.
You may also experience changes in your sense of smell. The cervix becomes more sensitive to smell. This is due to the hormone progesterone, which increases blood flow to the baby and reduces blood flow to the mother.
In addition, you may experience headaches. Headaches are a common symptom during pregnancy. They may be a result of straining your eyes, or due to the effects of stress. If you’re experiencing severe bouts, contact your doctor immediately.
You may also experience changes in your blood pressure. These can cause dizziness. You should lie down or sit down if you are feeling dizzy. This will help prevent further dizziness.
You may also notice that your areolas turn dark. This is because the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy may increase the pigmentation in your skin.
Placenta feeding your baby
During pregnancy, the placenta is a growing organ that helps keep your baby alive and healthy. Its main function is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your baby. It is also responsible for removing waste products from your baby’s blood.
The placenta also produces pregnancy hormones. These hormones help your baby to grow. They also help you get ready for childbirth. The hormones will eventually calm down once you give birth.
The placenta also produces other helpful substances for your baby. These include antibodies that stick with your baby for a long time. It also produces hCG, which stimulates the formation of progesterone.
The placenta may also produce a substance called a human placental lactogen, which increases the metabolic rate of your baby. This substance also helps to produce milk.
A healthy placenta will be able to perform all the important tasks required to ensure the health of your baby. This organ will grow from a few cells to one pound.
Development of baby’s body
During the 12 weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s body begins to develop. It is still small and tadpole-shaped, but it’s developing quickly. By the end of the 3rd month, it’s about 4 inches long.
The fetus’s skin is very thin, and it’s covered with a waxy substance called the vernix. This helps protect the baby’s skin. It’s also starting to turn red, and it’s wrinkled.
The eyes and mouth are beginning to form, and electrical activity starts in the developing brain. The ears are also starting to develop.
By this stage, the fetus weighs about 18 grams, and it’s about the size of a passion fruit. The head is about half the size of the body. The nose is beginning to form. The eyes are beginning to look more human, and the facial features are starting to become more distinct.
The baby’s limbs are developing rapidly. By this stage, it’s possible to distinguish the feet from the hands. In addition, its fingers are starting to form.
Increased risk for chromosome abnormalities
During pregnancy, there are several antenatal tests that can help determine whether a baby has a chromosomal anomaly. In the case of Down syndrome, the test can help determine the risk of the baby having the chromosomal disorder. However, it’s important to note that these tests are not 100% effective.
The main type of screening test used in pregnancy is the 12-week ultrasound. This is a non-invasive procedure that creates pictures of the baby. It can also be used to screen for serious fetal abnormalities.
If the 12-week ultrasound finds an abnormality, you’ll need to take a blood test. Blood tests measure the levels of two hormones in the baby’s blood. These hormones are used to estimate the risk of chromosomal anomalies. If the results are high-risk, you may need to have a diagnostic procedure.
Among the most common chromosomal abnormalities are trisomies 18 and 13. These two trisomies have relative prevalences of one to three. The risk of having one of these chromosomal disorders is estimated at 1 in 1800 for women 35 years old at 12 weeks of gestation.
