About You

Week 12 is the twelfth week of the 1st trimester . This week, the placenta has now become responsible for the production of hormones. You will get a great amount of relief once the placenta starts operating. Fatigue and nausea is pretty much gone and your appetite should be returning. Be careful what you eat, with all protein well cooked (no uncooked eggs, rare steak, cured meat products, etc.). The abdomen is keeping growing in size as the baby grows inside the uterus and you may find your belly all of a sudden “filling out”. You're probably wearing loose clothing, though it's because of your emerging bulge more than any real weight you've gained. You may feel that you need a new style to suit your new figure – whether it be clothes, makeup or hairdo.


You may experience light-headedness or a headache caused by increased blood volume. It is a good time to consult your mid-wife, gynaecologist or obstetrician to discuss your problems . Also, continue to take care of your teeth and gums, as they are more prone to disease during pregnancy – so remember to brush and floss.

About Baby

Baby is growing at a fast rate. In fact, each day, it is growing in size and gaining weight, and now weighing around 14 grams and measuring about 5.5 cm. Although, the baby still appears like a small structure of human, it has developed several different organs and still growing many. Reflexes have also been developed, the digestive tract is releasing bile, and the kidneys are secreting urine in the bladder. The face is beginning to look more human, with the eyes (which started out on the sides of the head) moving closer together, and the ears almost in their normal position on the side of the head.

Nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly and synapses (neurological connections in your brain) are forming. Also, more reflexes have been aquired: touching the palms making the fingers close, touching the soles of the feet making the toes curl down and touching the eyelids making the eye muscles clench.

Mostly, at this stage of pregnancy, the healthcare physicians make use of Foetal Doppler to detect the heart rate of the baby. The Foetal Doppler will help you hear the heartbeat of your baby that appears fast like a galloping horse.

This week's activities for the pregnancy to-do list

Splash out on clothes, makeup or hairdo, or p lan a “babymoon” vacation – as once you have had your baby, relaxation will be a thing of the past! Also, the upcoming s econd trimester is the ideal time to travel. It is not recommended to travel and move from one place to another in the first or third trimester

Be sure to stretch and warm up before exercise because your ligaments and joints are loosened up now. In fact, until you give birth, avoid any exercises that require you to lie flat on your back (crunches, Pilates, etc.) and tell your exercise instructor that you are pregnant

If you're having more than one baby, your doctor will be able to spot the extra babies at your next ultrasound

Note that this article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.

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