Congratulations! Your embryo has graduated and is now considered a bona fide fetus. While not as cute as baby, it sure beats zygote, which is what it was for Pregnancy Weeks 1 through 4. By then end of Week 8 and beginning of Week 9 the bulk of your baby’s features are already developed and now he or she will spend the next five to six months growing and developing.
In case you missed it, here is a glimpse at what happened to your baby and your body during:
Now we’ll continue with the important developmental milestones for both your fetus and you during the third month.
Your Third Month of Pregnancy: What’s Going On in There Now?
If this were a movie, the third month might be the time when audience members get up to stretch, get some popcorn or visit the restroom (bet you’re doing more of that these days, eh?). Compared with the first two months, when your hormone levels were kicking into gear and the embryo’s brain, spinal column and vital organs were rapidly forming, the third month can seem like a bit of a sleeper month.
Image courtesy of duron123 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
At the beginning of the month, your baby will be about the size of a peanut. If you are getting ultrasounds, you’ll notice the difference between the head and neck now, and you’ll probably even see your baby move a little, even though you can’t feel it. The arms and legs are starting to grow longer and more distinguished. You’ll notice this more distinctly around Week 10.
By Week 11, your fetus’s heart is large enough and pumping enough blood for you to hear the swishing sound that is the heartbeat via your doctor’s Doppler stethoscope. Even though your baby is only slightly bigger than a peanut this week, he or she is pumping about 25 quarts of blood per day through the circulatory system – that’s 100 cups of blood. Good work, baby! At the end of this week, your baby’s genitals are also developing, but the sex can’t be determined for another several weeks.
At the end of the third month, Week 12, every single part of your baby is formed from head to fingers and toes. Even little nails are starting to bud. Reaching Week 12 is a major milestone for many mamas because after this week, your risk of a miscarriage decreases significantly. By now, your baby will be about the size of a pack of Lifesavers.
What’s Going On With Your Body?
Odds are, while you are very aware of the physical changes caused by your growing baby, most people won’t notice any physical difference…yet. For most mothers, Month 3 means an ever-thickening waistline with no discernable “baby bump.” If you are prone to morning sickness, you may find that it starts to wane this month (yahoo!) and tired mothers-to-be often notice their energy starts to come back. That being said, it’s still important to get plenty of rest, drink water like crazy and eat nourishing meals and snacks to keep you and your baby healthfully fueled.
Your breasts will begin to grow a little bigger, if they haven’t already, so you might want to shop for some comfortable nursing bras. This is also a good month to schedule an appointment with your dentist and let them know you’re pregnant. The fluctuating hormones in your body make you more prone to bleeding gums, so brush and floss regularly, but gently. Also, make sure you are adhering to your OB/GYN or Midwife’s nutritional guidelines and/supplementation recommendations to keep the calcium in your teeth. If you aren’t getting extra calcium, your body will leach it from your teeth and bones to make sure your baby gets what it needs.
Are you looking for a caring prenatal care provider for you and your baby? Schedule a consultation with Overlake OB/GYN. We have an amazing team of doctors and nurse midwives who can’t wait to keep you informed and provide the best care you can find. In the meantime, stay tuned to our blog to find out What’s Happening in Month 4.