12th week of pregnancy: how the fetus develops and what happens in the body

At the twelfth week, the first trimester is almost completed. It would seem that only yesterday you learned about a happy event in your life, and almost three months have already passed from conception. What to expect in the twelfth week, what changes will occur in your body and how will the baby develop?

12th week of pregnancy - sensations

When you reach the twelfth week of pregnancy, you will feel much better if up to this point you have suffered from nausea and dizziness. The corpus luteum, which previously provided the baby with nutrients, has already completed its functions. Now the placenta is responsible for the life support of the child. Therefore all the signs toxicosis will remain only in memories. But if you have twins or triplets, then you will have to say goodbye to dreams of a quiet life for a while. Your toxicosis will continue for some time. And along with nausea, an emotionally unstable state will remain due to hormonal changes.

Starting from this time, body weight will gradually increase. Considered normal weight gain up to half a kilogram weekly. A child actively developing in the mother’s womb requires full dedication from her body. In this regard, the volume of blood in your body increases, it circulates faster throughout the body, your heart rate increases, and your kidneys and lungs work actively. At the same time, the excretory system returns to normal. Because of this, urination becomes normal and you no longer want to run to the toilet so often. But instead of this, problems with digestion may arise. You may experience constipation because your enlarged uterus puts pressure on your intestines and slows down their work.

12 weeks of pregnancy - what happens to the baby

This week the child continues to actively grow and develop. Its weight is approximately 14 grams, and its height increases to 7 centimeters. It is still disproportionate: the head is much larger than the child's body.

The baby tries to straighten his back and lift his head from his chest. He even tries to make breathing movements. He has already developed tactile sensations and has finally developed sexual characteristics.

By the twelfth week the placenta is approximately 15 centimeters thick. It supplies the baby with all nutrients through the general blood supply system. Through her, the fetus senses all changes in the mother’s emotions.

The baby’s brain at this stage is a miniature copy of the adult’s brain. It has two hemispheres, a cerebellum and a pituitary gland. The heart of a baby is also very similar to the heart of an adult. It actively pumps blood throughout the small body.

The child’s skeleton gradually strengthens and turns from cartilaginous tissue into real bones. At the same time, further development and maturation of bone tissue occurs. By this time, the baby’s arms and legs had formed quite well. The membranes between the fingers have already disappeared, marigolds have formed and clear papillary lines are gradually emerging. A fuzz of hair appears in place of eyebrows and eyelashes.

At the twelfth week, part of the intestine that did not fit in the abdominal cavity before returns to its rightful place. He is already ready to actively work and push food. The thyroid gland, like the pituitary gland, is already producing hormones and iodine in full swing. Other systems are also being developed. Facial features are formed, vocal cords and salivary glands are formed.

The baby in your belly is actively moving around. The eyes, while tightly closed with eyelids, are already able to react to external stimuli. The child already knows how to roll over, sucks his fist, opens his mouth and makes faces. He is even able to express his emotions with facial expressions.

12 weeks of pregnancy - what happens to mom

Your body is also constantly changing. Some symptoms and signs are replaced by completely different ones.

You may also experience some not-so-pleasant sensations:

• Due to the increased pressure of the uterus on the pelvic bones, pain in the pubic area may occur.
• The uterus grows, it no longer has enough space in the pelvic bones, so it gradually moves up into the abdominal cavity.
• The mammary glands gradually enlarge. This can cause you to develop stretch marks and itching. Now you need to choose the right one bra, not squeezing the chest and preferably without pits.

• Due to the movement of the uterus into the abdominal cavity, compression of the surrounding organs occurs. Therefore, you may experience heartburn. To reduce the symptoms of heartburn, you need to eat small portions, using the principles of a balanced diet.
• Your body is already accustomed to changes in hormonal levels, so your emotional state improves. You become calmer, irritability almost completely disappears.
• At this time, the tummy begins to noticeably increase.

• The process of “construction” of the placenta is completed.
• Constant drowsiness gradually recedes. You are no longer so tired.
• Now the liver, kidneys, and heart are functioning in an enhanced mode. Therefore, an exacerbation of any chronic diseases may occur.
• Amniotic fluid is constantly renewed. In this regard, it is important to carefully monitor your water-salt metabolism.
• Small swelling may occur.
• Due to the rapid growth rate, the skin on the abdomen stretches. Itching is often observed and stretch marks may appear.