WEEK 12
How does the baby grow?
The strongest growth of the baby this week is reflexes: baby’s fingers will soon begin to open and grip; the toes are bent; the eye muscles close tightly; the mouth makes some movements like sucking. The baby’s intestines have grown very rapidly, started to move into the abdominal cavity; the kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder.
Meanwhile, nerve cells multiply rapidly, and in the baby’s brain, synapses are formed intensely. The baby’s face look like a human: the eyes are moving from the sides to the front of the head, and the ears are in the right positions. From head to butt, the baby is just over 5cm and weighs about 15 grams.
Changes occurring in the mother’s body during the 10th week of pregnancy
Moms’ uterus has grown so much that the doctor can see the end of the uterus just below the abdomen, just above the pubic bone. Moms may have to wear clothes designed specifically for pregnant women, especially if it is not the first pregnancy. Moms’ waist is getting thicker, and moms only feel comfortable in loose clothing.
This week, moms may experience more heartburn – a burning sensation that extends from below the sternum to below the throat. During pregnancy, the placenta produces many progesterone hormones, relaxing the valves that separate the esophagus and stomach. Especially when moms are lying down, stomach acid may go up the esophagus, causing an uncomfortable burning sensation.
