1. How Big Is Your Baby?
Crown-to-rump length of your baby
is 1½ to 2½ inches (4.4 to 6cm). Fetal weight is about 0.3 ounce (8g).
Your baby is about the size of a large lime.
2. How Big Are You?
You’re near the end of the first
trimester! Your uterus is almost big enough to fill your pelvis and may
be felt in your lower abdomen, above the middle of your pubic bone.
3. How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing
Fetal growth is rapid now. The head is almost half the baby’s entire length. As the head moves
backward toward the spine, the chin rises from the chest, and the neck
develops and lengthens. Fingernails appear.
External genitalia are beginning to show
distinguishing features. Development into a male or female is complete
in another 3 weeks. All embryos begin life looking the same, as far as
outward appearances go. Whether the embryo develops into a boy or girl
is determined by the genetic information contained within the embryo.
By this time, the small intestine
begins to contract and relax, which pushes substances through it. The
small intestine is capable of passing sugar from inside itself into the
baby’s body.
4. Changes in You
Some women notice changes in their hair,
fingernails or toenails during pregnancy. Some lucky pregnant women see
an increase in hair and nail growth. Others find they lose some hair
during this time, or their nails break more easily. This doesn’t happen
to everyone, but if it happens to you, don’t worry about it.
Some experts believe these changes happen
because of increased circulation in your body. Others credit the hormone
changes in you. In any event, these changes are rarely permanent.
5. Pregnancy May Reveal Future Problems
Your body goes through many changes
during pregnancy, which begin almost at the time of conception. They
allow your body to accept and to tolerate the genetically “different”
fetus. Changes also help your body adapt to nourish and to support the
fetus and to prepare you for delivery.
Most healthy women don’t have problems
with changes; however, in some women, these changes result in pregnancy
problems. Pregnancy can reveal a woman’s likelihood for getting a
disease. It can give a woman a hint of what long-term health problems
might lie ahead. It may help you take steps now to help prevent serious
problems later.
Dad Tip
Remember that despite morning sickness,
headaches and a changing waistline, pregnancy is a miracle! Pregnancy
and childbirth happen only a few times in your life. Enjoy this special
time together. You’ll look back fondly at the challenge of becoming
parents and probably even say, “That wasn’t so bad.” We know that
because couples get pregnant again and have more kids!
One example is gestational diabetes. Women
who have pregnancy-induced diabetes are more likely to have diabetes
later in life. Another example is women who have pre-eclampsia; they are
at greater risk for stroke in later life.
Talk to your healthcare provider about any
changes you experience during your pregnancy. Discuss steps you can
take now and after pregnancy to help reduce your risk of problems in
later life.
By week 11 of gestation (fetal age—9 weeks),
fingernails are beginning to appear.
