August 27th, 2011 by Hasham

You are 10 weeks pregnant.

At this point of your pregnancy, the crown-to-rump length of your developing baby is 1.25 to 1.68 inches. It is now easier to tell how much the baby weighs since he is beginning to put on some weight. Your baby weighs approximately 5 grams and is the size of a small plum! The baby has grown an incredible amount during these past few weeks, but you still are not showing too much yet.

This week is somewhat of a landmark for your developing baby. By now, your babys complete body plan is laid down. Your baby will continue to develop and grow for the remainder of the pregnancy. The fingers and toes have separated and the tail has disappeared now. Your baby has taste and tooth buds at this point, which will continue to develop. The brain will continue to grow at an amazing rate and nearly a quarter of a million new neurons are produced every minute! The embryonic heart is completely developed. External genitalia are not apparent until next week, but the testes in baby boys will already be producing testosterone.

Because you have high hormone levels at this time, you may notice an abundance of emotional and physical effects. Most pregnant women find themselves getting distressed easily and have frequent mood swings. Common physical changes include the beginning of real weight gain, potential softening of the gums and slightly swollen thyroid glands. Common emotional changes include feelings of unattractiveness, feelings of inadequacy and concerns about what the future holds. Some women are not excited about their pregnancy at first and question the condition. Moodswings are not uncommon and many pregnancy women tend to get upset easily, cry at the slightest things, feel moody or drift on daydreams.

You may have gained a little weight already. Average weight gain during pregnancy is about 28lbs(13kgs), but most of that is gained in the second and third trimester.

Pregnancy Week 10…and MAJOR catch-up!
So, I never knew it was possible to be AS sick as I’ve been these past few weeks…I apologize for being MIA – I’ve been throwing a bit of a pity party for myself! I know it won’t last forever though and I realize it’s ridiculous to be focusing on that instead of the miracle life I have growing inside me. I’ve wanted this sweet baby for so long and he/she is worth all the physical misery in the world.

Just please let it end someday! LOL:)

I’m behind on posting my ultrasound pics! I’ve heard you only get a few at an OB’s so I know I’ve been blessed to be getting them every two weeks (5 weeks, 7 weeks, 9 weeks). At my last one our jelly bean was wiggling around like crazy. The sight of him/her was incredible – I had a strong urge to ask my doctor to never turn the machine off. I could have watched our little one forever and ever…

This ultrasound was especially exciting because our jelly bean is looking more like a baby! Can you tell? His/her head is at the top of the pic and arms are at the sides, with their wee little bum and legs at the bottom of the pic. Their little heart was beating at a strong, healthy 134 bpm.

Life is SO beautiful.

I don’t have a whole lot else to blog about, except for the fact that I have my very first OB appointment this Friday. I’m so excited! It’s also somewhat bittersweet though because my graduation from my fertility clinic was last Friday and I had no idea it was until I walked in there. I’m really looking forward to the next part of our journey though. That and getting a release schedule for my injections from my new doc!:)

Last week my belly looked about the same so I decided to skip a week. So here’s my 10 week belly pic instead:

How is your baby growing?

All your baby’s major organs are complete and the intestines are moving from the umbilical cord into the abdomen. Ears have formed, both inner and outer, and the lips are visible. Your baby’s genitals are starting to form, although fetal development week 10 at this stage they’re so tiny they won’t be picked up on an ultrasound. The neck is visible, giving your baby a more human-like appearance. However, the bulging forehead, which houses the swiftly growing brain, makes your baby look a bit like an alien! Head growth slows now, and during the coming months, body growth accelerates to give your baby a more balanced, human look. Nerves are sprouting from the spinal cord.
What’s happening to you?

You may start to feel friskier and want to have sex, as sickness and tiredness subside and the increase in blood flow throughout your body makes your breasts and vulva ultra-sensitive. Some pregnant women even report an increase in orgasms.
What’s normal, what’s not?

A thin, milky, odorless vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy, when blood flow increases to the vaginal area. Keep the area clean and dry, wear cotton underwear, avoid tight-fitting clothes around the area and stick to plain water instead of perfumed soaps when washing. But if the discharge becomes thick and creamy, smells and is accompanied by itchiness, it may be an infection, such as a yeast infection. If spotting or bleeding occurs it may signal a more serious condition, such as an ectopic pregnancy (where your pregnancy has implanted outside your womb), putting you or your baby at risk.

Spotting or light bleeding is surprisingly common in the first trimester. Up to a quarter of pregnant women experience it. It can be frightening but usually turns out to be nothing to worry about. Always call your doctor or midwife immediately, though. Bleeding may signify other problems that are fine with treatment and careful monitoring, such as an inflamed cervix or fibroids.
Your to-do list:

During your prenatal checkup, you may have an ultrasound that shows how big your baby is and confirms how many weeks pregnant you are. Your baby’s development and heartbeat will also be checked. If there are signs of any potential problems, such as Down syndrome, you may be offered further, more accurate, tests, such as an amniocentesis or CVS.

Your Pregnancy Week 10

Baby

My Pregnancy Week 10Your baby continues to grow steadily, gaining around half an inch in the last week! Now, about the size of a prune, your baby has reached an important developmental milestone. Week 10 is the beginning of the fetal period, in which your baby’s organs rapidly mature.

This week, his kidneys, liver, heart and intestines are forming tissue. Toenails and hair begin to grow and add detail to your baby’s body. Your baby’s limbs are now able to flex. His wrists can bend and his hands can meet over his heart. His legs may be long enough for his feet to meet in front of his body. He will even start swallowing and kicking this week, but don’t expect to feel anything yet, those movements are still too little.

Your baby is also less susceptible to certain birth defects and congenital malformations by the time he has reached the fetal period. It is important to remember however, that certain toxins, like second-hand smoke, are never good for your developing baby and should always be avoided!
Mom

By week 10 your uterus is the size of a grapefruit. To put that into perspective, just a little over two months ago, before you were pregnant, it was the size of a small pear. You may notice your midsection thickening a little by this week. And though it may not yet be time for maternity clothes, don’t be concerned if your normal wardrobe is beginning to feel a little snug!

Not ready for maternity clothes? Look for clothing with elastic waistbands. You may already own some forgiving pants and skirts, but shopping for clothing with elastic in the waist might be just what you need to accommodate your expanding midline.

Are you up and moving? As you may be experiencing morning sickness, midday sickness, nighttime sickness or fatigue, it might be easy to forget that depending on your level of fitness, you can most likely participate in a wide range of physical activities during your pregnancy. Swimming is an excellent option. No access to a pool? Don’t worry about it; walking is a great option too. Exercise can help you build muscle tone, strength and endurance, which can help you carry the weight you are about to gain and help prepare you for labor.

Not sure about exercise? If you have any doubts or questions about exercising during your pregnancy, be sure to check with your physician. Your doctor may even be able to help you decide on the type and level of exercise that is right for you.