During the third month of pregnancy the mother's eagerness to see her baby and hold it gets more intense but there are a few more weeks to go before she can. All the mother can do at this point is care for her health and regularly see her physician watching her baby's development and growth.
Nine Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is now the size of a peanut. Its head is now slightly lifted off the chest and the neck is starting to take shape. When you go for an ultrasound you may be able to see your baby's movement even though you may not feel it yet.
The uterus is growing but unless you tell your friends the good news, they may not notice your pregnancy. You may start noticing a slight weight gain around the waistline.
Increase your intake of food that is rich in calcium such as cheese, sardines and broccoli. You and your baby both need it.
Ten Weeks Pregnant
Your fetus is still tiny but it starts acting like a baby. The limbs are longer and it can bend them at the elbows and knees.
At this stage, you may not experience weight gain but you will feel more comfortable in looser clothes. The fatigue, tiredness and moodiness may persist but you should not experience such symptoms for much longer.
If you were planning to naturally breastfeed the baby, you may want to consider shopping for nursing bras now. They will be needed quite soon.
Eleven Weeks Pregnant
Your doctor can now hear your baby's heartbeats using a Dobbler. The genitals develop but the sex of the baby cannot yet be determined.
Due to the increased hormones, the mother-to-be may start noticing some changes like rapid hair and nail growths, oily skin and face acne.
You may want to add dentist appointments to your schedule as your teeth will need to be checked at least once during the nine months of pregnancy. Keep high oral hygiene, brushing and flossing daily. Increase calcium intake to keep your teeth strong. Your gum may bleed due to hormonal increase and thicker blood volume, and therefore we recommend using a soft bristle toothbrush.
Twelve Weeks Pregnant
All parts of your baby's body are developing from gum to toenails. You may experience some energy buzz in the next few weeks. A weight gain of 1-2kgs is also expected.
The father-to-be may also experience some symptoms similar to those the mother has such as nausea, stomachaches and a changed appetite.
Do not worry about the stretch marks, it is normal that they start appearing on the chest and abdomen. They will fade out after labor but they will not totally disappear.
Thirteen Weeks Pregnant
The fetus grows fast. The eyes move closer together and the hands develop. The head is still disproportionately large.
The size of the mother's abdomen gets bigger as the uterus grows upwards. The mother feels generally better and nausea dissipates.
When you visit your doctor's office, you can now hear the baby's heartbeats more clearly.
During this month your baby is more developed and you are in more need of proper nutrition and to stay healthy as it reflects on your baby. Have you noticed any of these symptoms in those weeks?