10 weeks pregnant

The standard gestational age is 40 weeks. The 10th week means that very soon it will be left behind a quarter of the time before the birth of the baby. Right now the foundation of all the organs and systems of the child is being completed. Mom now needs to be very careful and careful.

To the question of the term

Methods for determining the exact gestational age are different, with them you can read here. Any doctor will use the obstetric period, counting from the first day of the last menstruation. If you count from conception, then the tenth week means the twelfth obstetric.

What happens to mom and baby

At the 10th obstetric week, the placenta and the umbilical cord as a whole complete their development. Now the woman and her unborn child are especially firmly connected. Through the arteries and veins of the placenta and umbilical cord, from the mother to the baby, nutrients and oxygen come in, and from the baby to the mother, decay products (for example, carbon dioxide). Alcohol, nicotine, many drugs can penetrate the placenta. So the expectant mother still needs to be protected from all kinds of negative factors.

For a child, a gestation period of 10 weeks means the final formation of all organs and systems. This process is called organogenesis, and now it is close to completion.

Fetal development

Your baby in size is like

Now the unborn child is no longer considered an embryo. Medically, it is a fetus. And in appearance - a tiny big-headed man the size of a large strawberry. The length of the small body is approximately 31-42 mm, and the weight is about 5 g.

How is the fetus developing now?

1. The fetus does not yet have full bones, only cartilage. Its density begins to rise.
2. The face is already formed, but the muscles of the face, pharynx and neck are just beginning to develop.
3. The rudiments of future hairs appear throughout the body.
4. In the cerebellum, neural connections are developing that will later “command” reflexes.
5. The heart works in an enhanced mode and makes 150-170 beats per minute.
6. The kid is actively moving: bends, extends the limbs, may even begin to suck a finger. If the legs touch the walls of the fetal bladder, the baby is quite capable of pushing off. But this is not felt - the child is too small.
7. The small ears are almost complete.
8. The nervous system begins to divide into central and peripheral.
9. A diaphragm is formed - a special muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavity.
10. The rudiments of primary teeth gradually develop.
11. Usually the tail disappears.

Here is the fruit:

Woman's feelings

Toxicosis:

The main physical sign of pregnancy is still toxicosis. It can appear if it was not felt before. Or decline if it starts early.Here, the sensations of each woman can vary markedly. The main manifestations of toxicosis:

• nausea (in the morning or during the day);
• lump in throat;
• vomiting
• loss or increase in appetite;
• quirks of their own food taste.

Other sensations:

• hypersensitivity of the nipples;
• emotional instability, mood swings;
• insomnia, and after it - lethargy and drowsiness;
• aggravation of smell, rejection of individual and simply very strong odors;
• slight nasal congestion;
• frequent increase in temperature to 37.0-37.4 ° C (if higher, it may be a cold or some kind of infection);
• slight visual impairment.

External changes

Is the stomach visible at week 10?

It all depends on the complexion, the initial weight of women. In thin women, a small tubercle in which the baby is “hiding” may appear rather early. Owners of rounded shapes, even with a careful look in the mirror, may not see any changes. But if in the future mother’s wardrobe all the clothes are tight-fitting, the belts no longer fit or crush. Yes, and the chest probably already does not fit in the previous bras.

Photo of the tummies at the tenth week (clickable)

It is impossible to admit tightness in clothes. Pressing fasteners and various ties tighten blood vessels and can cause inconvenience. Lightheadedness, discomfort and a feeling of numbness are clear signs that the wardrobe should be updated a bit.

How else does appearance change during pregnancy?

• The skin can be incredibly smooth and soft. But pimples or age spots may appear on it. If this happens - do not get upset. A woman sometimes has to endure a lot for the sake of the baby.
• The skin around the nipples can darken noticeably. Tiny tubercles may appear there. These are Montgomery nodules, enlarged sweat glands. And on the skin of the abdomen a dark strip is clearly manifested from the navel to the border of pubic hair growth.
• The body weight of the future mother is an important indicator of her well-being or, on the contrary, any violations. If the scales show an increase in weight of 150-300 g per week, everything is in order. Against the background of toxicosis, weight may decrease slightly. If there is no severe weakness, this is also the norm.
• Weight gain was a kilogram per week? This is cause for alarm. Another 30 weeks before delivery, what will happen if the weight continues to grow this way? Extra pounds - a heavy load on the female body. This condition requires careful medical supervision.
• The same can be said about edema. Most often, their legs are affected, especially with “standing” professions. Usually, doctors recommend two methods: taking diuretics or reducing the amount of fluid consumed. The main thing is not to self-medicate.

Discharge

If a small amount of clear or whitish mucus appears from the vagina from time to time, this is normal. Unfortunately, pregnant women often have thrush (candidiasis) on their own. This disease is indicated by white, curdled discharge with an unpleasant odor. A doctor should treat thrush. This disease is sexually transmitted, so the father of the child will also need therapy.

Brown discharge is an alarming symptom. It is necessary to inform the doctor as soon as possible. And if bleeding has begun, it is best to call an ambulance.

In rare cases, even in the tenth week, small transparent discharge from the nipples may begin. It is colostrum. If fluid stains clothes, special bra pads will be required. You cannot express colostrum.

Possible complications

At the 10th week of pregnancy, the risk of a miscarriage or a dead pregnancy is slightly reduced. However, this does not mean that the expectant mother can again be on a stationary bike or in the sauna. Caution must always be taken.

If your belly pulls very slightly or your lower back aches a little, this is normal. After all, the tissues of muscles, ligaments and skin are really a little stretched. But when the stomach really hurts - you need a doctor.

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Any pain during pregnancy requires attention. After all, you can not take analgesics. So, you need to learn alternative methods of dealing with pain. First of all, it is desirable to identify and eliminate the cause. For example, a head may hurt due to anemia. In this case, protein nutrition and / or iron preparations will help.

During pregnancy, a woman may develop hemorrhoids. The uterus grows and presses on the intestines. There are only two preventative measures: proper nutrition (then the chair will not be difficult) and washing with cold water after each visit to the toilet.

At week 10, a woman still has the right to have an abortion without any indication. Every day, hundreds and thousands of women enjoy this right. Artificial abortion is a difficult procedure. Therefore, the decision on abortion should be made only by the woman herself and only for serious reasons. You should always remember that an interrupted pregnancy may be the last.

Doctor's supervision

If the expectant mother has not yet registered with the antenatal clinic, it is advisable to do so. A gynecologist will prescribe an examination of a pregnant patient with several specialists and laboratory tests:

• blood per group, general, biochemical tests, sugar, HIV, hepatitis and syphilis;
• urine for general analysis;
• smear from the vagina on the flora and infection.

Planned ultrasound is rarely performed at 10 weeks. But if, for some reason, a study is scheduled, this is an opportunity to look at your “wizard”. Depending on the equipment and the position of the tiny body, you can see an oblong white spot on a dark background or even the outline of your own little man.

Recommendations for future mom

There are two absolute prohibitions in the life of a pregnant woman: alcohol and nicotine. Passive smoking is also the enemy of the baby.

Sex

Oddly enough, expectant mothers are often not concerned with the issue of food or sports, but with another, more delicate one. Is it possible to lead a normal intimate life in the tenth week? There are almost no restrictions for this. If the sexual relations of the future parents are harmonious, and the woman has no discomfort during intercourse, everything is in order. And yet there are contraindications to sex:

• risk of miscarriage;
• increased uterine tone (determined by the doctor);
• the location of the placenta in the lower part of the uterus, placenta previa;
• pregnancies twins, triples (this is called multiple);
• an abnormally large amount of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios).

If a woman has previously had childbirth with Caesarean section, the doctor will definitely check the condition of the inner scar. If its inferiority is detected, sex life will have to stop.

In all matters related to the limitations of intimate life, frankness with the child’s father is especially important. This will prevent confusion and quarrels.

Nutrition

The nutrition of a pregnant woman should ensure the development of the baby, as well as the health and energy of his mother. The main rule is to eat often in small portions. Better to steam, food can be cooked or baked.The nutritional composition for the entire period of pregnancy remains virtually unchanged:

• lean meat and fatty (high in healthy acids) fish;
• fresh vegetables and fruits (30% of the diet);
• porridge;
• dairy products - from milk to cheese, to choose from.

Drinking during pregnancy also needs to be correct. Even with severe thirst, you should not pour a glass of water, juice or any other liquid into yourself at a time. So you can seriously overload the kidneys. You can drink only in small portions, but often, especially in the heat. The expectant mother, who always has a bottle of water with her, acts very wisely.

From food should be excluded: “empty” sweets (sweets, cakes, chocolate), canned food, smoked and spicy dishes. Tea and coffee will have to be limited.

If toxicosis is still tormenting, it is better to have breakfast in bed in the morning, and then lie down for a while. It is useful to carry a “yummy” with you, which will help fight nausea throughout the day. It can be mineral water, banana, a piece of cheese or carrot. Assistant product is identified empirically.

Now movement is really life. Therefore, you need to walk, walk (only not along the gassed freeways), do yoga and swim in the pool. There is one dangerous aspect to swimming. Pregnant women sometimes experience cramps in their leg muscles. In the first trimester, this is unlikely, but possible. Therefore, it is better not to swim alone in open, deep bodies of water.

Bans

• Lift and carry weights.
• To make repairs.
• Walking in a hotly heated bathhouse or sauna.
• Get nervous, allow negative experiences.
• Watch horror films, thrillers, psychologically heavy films.
• Read similar books. Literary texts can be perceived even harder than films. After all, when reading begins, imagination can dangerously run wild.
• Overwork.
• Lack of sleep.
• Walking in shoes with high heels, a large platform or wedges.

Waiting for a baby is a whole range of prohibitions. But at the same time - joy, the consciousness of its enormous role and the close happiness of motherhood.

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Video guide: 10th week of pregnancy: what happens to the baby and mom