You are 12 weeks pregnant or in your 13th week of pregnancy (counting from the first day of your Last Menstrual Period). This is the last week of your first trimester.
Keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. For variations and details, please talk to your doctor.
What’s happening to the baby?
- All the baby’s organs are in place and now the baby essentially needs to grow and gain weight.
- The baby’s body has grown and the baby’s head is getting more proportional to the body.
- The baby has fingerprints that are unique to the baby (just like us adults).
- The baby’s skin is covered with fine hair called lanugo.
- Your baby maybe able to suck her thumb this week.
- Your baby is about 6 centimetres long (Crown to rump length) and weighs about 14 grams.
What’s happening to mom?
- All the dramatic changes in your baby, are definitely affecting you. Your uterus is growing rapidly. Your doctor can now feel it with her hands during a physical examination.
- Your skin and hair feel smooth and great - products of your pregnancy hormones and the increased blood volume in your body. Even your nails are growing faster than before.
- Pregnancy hormones can however play havoc with some women and cause irregular dark patches on the face and the neck (called chloasma or the mask of pregnancy). These patches will vanish or lighten after you deliver the baby.
- Also, many Indian women might see a dark line of pigmentation (linea nigra) extending from their belly to their pubic bone. This linea nigra will disappear a few weeks after delivery.
- Although you might not need maternity clothes as of now, you will notice that your clothes (especially the tight ones) are not fitting as well as before.
- You will see the nausea subside as pregnancy hormones start to stabilise. However, nausea will continue in some women.
Checklist for mom
- Start planning your maternity wardrobe. Even though it might be too early for you to wear maternity clothes, you need to start planning. It is important for you to feel crisp, confident and comfortable even if you are pregnant. Check out the Parentree article on maternity clothes.
- Between weeks 11 - 13, you will have a doctor's visit for a comprehensive ultrasound scan to confirm the due date and to check for twins and the position of the baby in the uterus. This is also called the "dating scan".
- If you have decided to inform friends and family after the first trimester, the time has arrived. Prepare your lists so you can call, SMS and email the joyful news to all of them.
- If you have an older child, decide when you want to communicate the news about the baby. Read Parentree's tips on how to manage this sibling rivalry.
Ideas for dad
- Mom needs extra care and even some pampering at this time. A gentle massage (a foot rub for the tired feet, a back massage) might be a good idea to bond together and make mom feel better. Try some aromatic massage oil - it will relax you as well.
- You too might feel overwhelmed. Support mom. But take some time off to relax and unwind as well - go out with the guys, read a good book, go for a jog, get a professional massage etc. and rejuvenate so you are ready for the next few months.
- If you have an older child, decide when you want to communicate the news about the baby. Read Parentree's tips on how to manage this sibling rivalry.
Other tidbits
- Do not be in a hurry to buy a whole maternity wardrobe as of yet. First take stock of your current wardrobe and do not hesitate to raid your husband’s closet as well for some shirts and kurtas.
- Continue with your regular personal grooming or beauty treatments (hair cuts, facials etc.). Read what’s safe and what’s not during a pregnancy. Typically, doctors advise moms to stay away from strong chemicals like hair dyes etc. especially in the delicate first trimester when the baby’s organs are being formed.
Useful Parentree articles for this stage of pregnancy
Pregnancy - Week by week
See what's happening with baby and mom
Checklists - things to do, shopping, tests, scans, doctor visits
Ideas for dad
Interesting information and facts
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