How Your Baby Grows Inside You: Week 10

How Your Baby Grows Inside You: Week 10

22 Nov 2016 | 4 min Read

Sonali Shivlani

Author | 213 Articles

Woah! You are already inching towards the twelve-week mark! Your body  is getting used to the cute little visitor growing inside you and is doing everything to make her/him feel at home.  Almost the size of a plum, your baby  is about 4-5 cm long and weighs about 5 grams.

The little one’s sensory organs are now coming to life with the taste and tooth buds already developed! The nose and lips are completely formed and the little one can exhibit a wide range of facial expressions. This means that your baby can now smile, frown, grimace and even cry! Awe!!  

S/he continues to swallow amniotic fluid and is able to  move those arms and legs with vigour.

The baby looks completely formed by this week and the tiny details start filling in. If you could look closely, you would see fine hair on the body and nails forming on the fingers and toes. The baby’s brain continues to grow at an amazing rate with a quarter of a million neurons growing every minute!

 

Signs and Symptoms

While morning sickness and nausea are still around, they should subside over the next two weeks. Bloating, tender breasts and frequent urination will however, continue. You might also experience an increased vaginal discharge.

Ideally, you must gain 1-2 kgs in the first trimester if you have a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI value between 18.5 to 24.9). If you have severe morning sickness or aversion to certain foods,  you may not gain any weight at all, it’s also possible that you lose weight instead. Don’t worry, as long as the baby is developing well, s/he is absorbing enough nutrients from your reserves.

 

Emotional Changes

You might start feeling anxious now; especially so if you experience an injury or fall unwell. Don’t worry, it’s just you gearing up emotionally to be a mommy!

This week onwards, your doctor will check your baby’s heartbeat with the help of a Doppler at every visit. You might want your partner to be there at these visits, it can help develop an early father-child bond! Taking him along on prenatal visits will also help him understand your pregnancy better.

 

Physical Development

Your uterus is growing rapidly, however it’s still in the pelvic cavity and not prominent to others. You will definitely feel pregnant though, thanks to the nausea and bloating.

If you have always exercised then continue to exercise during pregnancy, provided your doctor approves of it! If you haven’t been exercising, then start with regular walks. Walking is best exercise for you to begin with as it needs no supervision.

 

Red Flags

At this stage, do not hold urine for long as it can lead to urinary tract infections (UTI). Pregnancy can make you prone to UTI as you have high levels of progesterone in your blood.

Avoid public toilets where you are unable to squat. The increased vaginal discharge makes your vagina more prone to infections. To maintain hygiene, use panty liners and change them frequently to stay fresh through the day.

 

Old Wives’ Tales

People might advise you to eat plenty of white-coloured foods such as milk and milk products to get a fair child. Yawn at this another popular myth!

Your baby’s skin colour depends on her/his genetic makeup and not on the food you eat. Have your white foods if you must, but as a dietary requirement.

 

For more information on Childbirth Classes and to book a package with  Sonali Shivlani in person, click here

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