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Ten weeks along, already Mom! As your pregnancy is starting to expand beyond the pelvis you may notice your abdomen looking a little rounder this week—though not exactly a baby bump yet. Here’s what else is happening with your baby and your body in week 10.
How Big is Baby?
Break out the ruler! Baby has passed the 1-inch mark—just barely. Little one is about 1 ¼ inches this week.
What’s New with Baby?
At the end of this week, baby gets a new title: No longer an embryo, that little babe is now called a fetus—the stage of development they remain until birth. By this week, most major structures have formed: the brain, eyes, noses, lips, heart, lungs, intestines, liver, kidneys, arms and legs. The process of sexual differentiation has begun, and if he’s a boy, he’s already producing testosterone.
What’s New with Mom?
Sure, you knew you might have some nausea while pregnant, but what about the other end of things? Who knew expecting could make it so hard to go? Constipation is a common symptom around this time, as pregnancy hormones relax the bowels. Increasing your fiber and water intake can help move things along.
Other uncomfortable symptoms are more of the same—sore breasts, fatigue, and food cravings or aversions. And if you find morning sickness really ramping up, try ginger as a first line of therapy.
Fun Fact
Dreaming of baby smiles? This week, the makings of that drooly grin are in the works: Teeny, tiny tooth buds developing under the gums.
What to Know About Your First Ultrasound
It’s finally here—your first trimester ultrasound, when you’ll get your first real look at your little one (or two, or three..!). It’s normal to feel a little nervous (albeit excited) about your first ultrasound, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Here’s what to expect.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the fetus. It’s perfectly safe for you and your baby. This first ultrasound might be done transabdominally (using a wand on the stomach) or transvaginally (where the wand is inserted into the vagina). If transabdominal imaging is unclear, a transvaginal approach is recommended, explains Dr. Christina Herrera, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Christina Herrera, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in imaging and placental pathology related to pregnancy complications such as hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
Your first ultrasound confirms pregnancy, determines the baby’s gestational age (also, your due date), and confirms the number of fetuses.
Your ultrasound technician will be checking several things to ensure a healthy pregnancy. “In a first trimester ultrasound, women can expect the sonographer to exam their uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes for any abnormality,” says Herrera. “This is to confirm the pregnancy is in the uterus, rather than an ectopic pregnancy (outside of the uterus), and to make the OB aware of any abnormalities that might impact the pregnancy.”
By 6 weeks along, you’ll be able to hear your little one’s heartbeat at this first ultrasound. Depending on how far along you are, your sonographer may also be able to make out the skull, umbilical cord insertion, abdominal wall, and arms and legs.
Occasionally dates are off and women come in too early for the fetus to be seen at an ultrasound. In this case, your doctor will likely recommend drawing a pregnancy hormone blood test and/or a repeat ultrasound.
Keep in mind, you probably won’t get that picture perfect sonogram at this time around—baby might look more like a bean or a blob at this point. In your next trimester you’ll get a better look at that sweet little face.
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild editor Amanda Collins Bernier with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
