12 Weeks – 3 Months

Fetal Development: 12 Weeks

Approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

Your baby’s face is beginning to look more human, even though he is only about 3 inches long and weighs slightly more than half an ounce. The eyes, which started out on the sides of the head, have moved closer together. The ears are almost in their normal position on the side of the head. The liver is making bile, and the kidneys are secreting urine into the bladder.

The fetus squirms if your abdomen is prodded, though you cannot yet feel movement. Fetal nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological impulses in your brain) are forming. The fetus has acquired more reflexes: Touching the palms makes the fingers close, touching the soles of the feet makes the toes curl down, and touching the eyelids makes the eye muscles clench.

Your healthcare provider can now feel the top of the uterus, also known as the fundus low in the abdomen. As you enter the second trimester, you may find yourself donning looser, less restrictive clothing. Soon you won’t be able to fit into your regular clothes anymore.

How your baby’s growing: Your baby’s face is beginning to look more human. The eyes, which started out on the sides of her head, have moved closer together on her face, and her ears are near their normal position. The baby’s intestines, which have grown so rapidly they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the fetal abdominal cavity about now.

How your life is changing: By this point your uterus is almost big enough to fill your pelvis. You might even be able to feel it above the middle of your pubic bone. Though you probably won’t need maternity clothes for several more weeks yet, you may notice that your waist is thickening. If you’re going to get stretch marks (this is genetically ordained) now’s about the time they’ll show up on your tummy, breasts, hips, or buttocks. No matter how much lotion you rub into them, they’re probably here to stay. At least they’ll be less noticeable after pregnancy, when they’ll fade to normal skin color.

***We have a appt with the midwife tonight*****and a ultrasound*****

Lvu Kell