At pregnancy week 12, you have reached a milestone in your pregnancy! This
is probably the week of your second prenatal visit (the first doctor’s visit should
have taken place around 8 weeks pregnant) and your first ultrasound scan. Are
you excited to see your baby for the first time?
During this ultrasound scan at 12 weeks pregnant, your baby will be measured
from crown to rump (the top of your little one’s head to his or her bottom), so that
the doctor can accurately date your pregnancy. You may also get to hear your
baby’s heartbeat for the first time!
Many new parents describe their baby’s heartbeat like the sound of galloping
horses or fast beating drums. By pregnancy week 12, your baby’s heart is
beating 160 beats per minute – that’s twice as fast as your own heart rate!
You may be given a printout of your baby after the ultrasound scan at 12 weeks
pregnant. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself staring at the printout over and
over again. You will be filled with love and joy at the sight of your little baby. After
this prenatal visit, you may want to share the wonderful news with your family
and friends (if you haven’t already!).
You are Finally Showing Around 12 weeks pregnant, your uterus will move up out of your pelvis. You will finally start showing as you enter the last weeks of your first trimester. If this is your first pregnancy, you will show very little. Women with previous pregnancies or those carrying twins may look further along than they actually are.
Your pregnancy weight gain at 12 weeks pregnant may be as high as four or five
pounds. (Keep in mind that if you’ve gained more than this, that’s perfectly fine
too! There is a lot of variability for different women.)
By pregnancy week 12, if you’re carrying twins, you may have gained up to 10
pounds. Don’t be too alarmed by this early weight gain. Doctors recommend that
pregnant women carrying twins gain between 35 to 45 pounds during pregnancy.
For triplets, you should gain between 50 to 60 pounds.
Strangers on the street may know that you’re pregnant by 12 weeks pregnant,
or they may just think you’re chubby. If you’re feeling a little subconscious this
week, consider wearing a funny t-shirt that says: “Yes, I’m pregnant. Not fat!”
Or “Baby on Board!”
Goodbye First Trimester Symptoms
Your morning sickness and fatigue should be decreasing at week 12 of
pregnancy. You’ll soon start to feel much better in the second trimester, because
your hormone levels tend to level off.
At 12 weeks pregnant and beyond, as your uterus shifts upward and out of
your pelvis, it may take pressure off your bladder so you won’t have as many
bathroom runs. This may be a relief for you, but keep in mind that this is only a
temporary break. In the third trimester, as your baby gets larger, your uterus will
start pressing on your bladder again.
Fetal Development at Pregnancy Week 12 At 12 weeks pregnant, your baby is over 2.1 inches long from crown to rump, and
he or she weighs over half an ounce! He or she is getting bigger throughout your
pregnancy week by week.
Though you won’t be able to feel your baby’s movements until the second
trimester, he or she is happily swimming around in your uterus. Your baby’s arms
and legs are now fully formed, so your little boy or girl is probably trying all sorts
of positions this week.
Your baby’s head has a more rounded shape. By week 12 of pregnancy, your
baby has little buds inside his or her mouth that will eventually form into teeth!
The mouth can also open and close now, so your little one is occupying his or
her time with swallowing and yawning.
Your little one’s heart is beating fast at pregnancy week 12 – around 167 beats
per minute, or twice as fast as an adult’s heart. His or her heart will start to slow
down as you enter your second trimester.
By week 12 of pregnancy, the umbilical chord is fully developed but it will
continue to lengthen throughout your pregnancy week by week. Your baby’s
umbilical cord will serve as a lifeline for your baby, carrying oxygen and nutrients
to the placenta.
Up until now, your baby’s intestines were located at the base of the umbilical
chord, but at 12 weeks pregnant, they have moved into the abdominal cavity.
Your baby’s nerve cells are rapidly multiplying at pregnancy week 12, and brain
synapses are quickly forming. This means that your baby has the ability to feel some types of pain.
Skin Changes in Pregnancy
Do You Have a Pregnancy Glow? Have you ever heard the saying that pregnant women have a special “glow”
about them? In some women, the increased blood flow and the increased levels
of estrogen give them a beautiful, rosy complexion, or a pregnancy “glow.”
Unfortunately, your skin can also change for the worse during pregnancy. At 12
weeks pregnant, you may have noticed that freckles, moles, and other dark spots
on your face have become more pronounced and even darker. Some of this skin
darkening will gradually fade after you deliver your baby, however these spots
may remain darker than they were before your pregnancy.
The Mask of Pregnancy (Chloasma)
At 12 weeks pregnant, you may have noticed discolored, brownish marks or
patches on your forehead, temples, cheeks, and chin. This is called the “mask
of pregnancy” or chloasma, and it is very common during pregnancy. In fact,
around 70 percent of all pregnant women experience these marks on their face.
Exposure to sunlight will make these patches darker. Chloasma is caused by the
increased production of melanin (a skin pigment which protects your skin from
ultraviolet light) in your body.
The “mask of pregnancy” is more common in the second trimester, but at
pregnancy week 12, some women can also develop these brownish patches.
There is nothing you can do to prevent chloasma, but limiting your exposure to
the sun can help. There are also skincare products on the market that are anti-
chloasma sunscreens. Anti-chloasma facial sunscreen by Belli Skin Care is one
of these products.
Acne During Pregnancy
Are you breaking out at week 12 of pregnancy? Acne is another common skin
change that pregnant women experience, due to the high levels of progesterone
in their body. If you experience breakouts during your regular menstrual period,
you may be more prone to acne during pregnancy. However, some women’s
acne may improve.
If your acne bothers you, you should cleanse your face regularly with a gentle
cleanser. Don’t use acne medications without speaking to your doctor first.
Certain acne medications, such as accutane, can cause very serious birth
defects in your baby.
Breast Changes in Pregnancy
During pregnancy 12 weeks, you may have noticed that the area surrounding
your areola and nipple has become darker. Urban legend suggests that this
happens so that your baby has a better chance of finding your nipple when
nursing. In reality, these breast changes are due to your pregnancy hormones.
Other breast changes you may notice during pregnancy are the little bumps
on your nipple or areola becoming more pronounced. These bumps are
called “Montgomery’s tubercles.” Almost all women have them, but they become
more noticeable during pregnancy due to your increased levels of pregnancy
hormones. At pregnancy week 12, as your breasts are enlarging, you may have
already noticed these bumps.
Linea Nigra Later in Pregnancy
Later in your pregnancy, you may also develop a dark line that runs from the
top of your belly down to the bottom of your pelvis. This dark line is called
the “linea nigra.” It is very common in the latter part of the second trimester,
however women with darker skin may notice the linea nigra as early as 12 weeks
pregnant.
The linea nigra will fade within a few weeks of delivery, but it may never go away
completely.
Pregnancy Stretch Marks
The most troublesome skin change during pregnancy has to be the development
of stretch marks. They are reddish or brownish lines that develop on your skin,
as your skin expands during pregnancy. They often appear on your abdomen,
breasts, and thighs.
At pregnancy week 12, it is probably too early for you to have stretch marks.
They are more common in the second and third trimesters. Between 70 and 90
percent of all pregnant women develop these unattractive marks.
Researchers don’t know why some women develop stretch marks and others
don’t. However, genetics may play a role. There is no proven way to prevent
stretch marks, but you can minimize your chance of developing them by rubbing
or massing your belly (or affected area) in a circular pattern. Oils or creams that
are rich in vitamin E may keep your skin supple, reducing your risk of stretch
marks. You may also want to invest in a stretch mark prevention oil, such as Belli
Skin Care Elasticity Belly Oil.
More Sensitive Skin During Pregnancy
At 12 weeks pregnant, you may have noticed that your skin is more sensitive and irritated than it was before your pregnancy. This is another very common
pregnancy change. You may find that your favorite soaps or detergents cause
irritation. To prevent irritation, you may want to use mild, unscented soaps.
If you have any questions or concerns about these skin changes, talk to your
doctor or healthcare provider.
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