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 Week by Week Pregnancy Diary


Pregnancy diary week by week with ExpatWoman

WEEK 9

Mum:
Your life is changing, you may not even look pregnant at this point, but certainly your baby is making his presence felt. You will most likely have morning sickness to deal with, but are probably now on an emotional rollercoaster… MOOD SWINGS are common, its perfectly normal to feel totally elated, or filled with dread in equal amounts. Give yourself a break, this should ease up for the second trimester.

Baby:
Your baby is about the size of an olive and has grown to about an inch in the last week. The eyelids, nose and muscles are beginning to form and she will soon be making small movements although you won’t feel them just yet. Your placenta is now doing most of the work in producing vital hormones she needs to help her grow. Baby’s digestive system is developing well and her internal reproductive system is also starting to form. Her heart finishes dividing into chambers this week and the valves are developing.

Your embryo is growing at an astonishing rate now, and will have started to take on a very distinct shape. Your embryo is about the size of a sesame seed now. The neural tube, which will ultimately form the spinal cord, brain, backbone and nervous system, is starting to develop. The heart and circulatory system have also begun forming.

During this week, your baby’s heart will divide into chambers and may actually start beating; although it is unlikely to show on any scans at this point. The placenta and umbilical cord are now providing nourishment and oxygen to your baby.


WEEK 10

Mum:
Dealing with morning sickness and making sure you are eating well for your baby’s development is often a challenge. Fear not… your body does indeed know what its doing! Try eating mini meals, full of nutrients, that you may be able to hold down, and will not make you feel bloated.

Do not be tempted to skip eating, its easier to keep your stomach ‘happy’ if there is something in there. Focus on foods that you find inoffensive. Try soothing your self with ginger, or herbal teas.

Baby:
Around this time your baby will start to take on what we consider to be a more human appearance. His fingers and toes are separating and looking less webbed, his arms now have elbows which can bend and move. Your baby’s vital organs have now been formed and are starting to work well together. Although they will continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

He is also developing tiny tooth buds inside his mouth. He is now producing red blood cells and urine. Your baby is about the size of a prune, if you are having a boy he will now start producing testosterone.

WEEK 11

Mum:
If you are working, you may have to now look at whether your job is overly strenuous, or potentially dangers, you may want to let your employer know about your pregnancy. It could be that you will want to tell your employer, and possibly alter your job responsibilities to suit. If have confidence that your employer will handle the news well, telling them about your pregnancy early means you can take advantage of any employer-provided services that can help make your pregnancy healthier and less stressful.

Baby:
From now until about 20 weeks your baby will be growing at a rate of knots more than doubling in size. She will be about 2 inches long now. Your placenta will grow proportionately to accommodate the increasing demand for nutrients.

At this stage you wouldn’t be able to see if you are having a boy or girl, although the reproductive organs are developing well at this stage they look very similar. If you are having a girl this is when her ovaries start to develop. Around week 14 you will be able to get a true sense of your baby’s sex. Your baby’s head accounts for about half of her overall length and look rather disproportionate but don’t worry this will soon change.


WEEK 12

Mum:
By now you are settling in to your pregnancy, and may find that you often just need a nice long nap, and for good reason: Your body is working really hard getting ready for motherhood as it develops the placenta, your baby's lifeline.

At the same time, your metabolism and hormone levels are surging, this triggers a decrease in blood sugar and blood pressure. The result of all this: pregnancy fatigue. Relief is around the corner as your energy level increases (and morning sickness decreases) over the next few weeks once placenta construction is completed.

Baby:
You have now reached the end of your first trimester and you should start to feel more energized. Your baby’s kidneys are now functioning and your baby is producing lots of white blood cells to help combat germs when he is born. His pituitary gland at the base of her brain has also started to produce hormones.

Your baby is now swallowing amniotic fluid and passing urine. His intestines will now start to move into the abdomen as there is now more space for them. He can now open and close his fists and although you still can’t feel movement he will respond to a gentle poke.



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