By your
seventh week, the embryo has doubled in size from just the week
before. It’s about as big as a small bean. Already, it resembles a
microscopic baby with a brain, heart, and limbs. Its head is nearly as
big as its body, which has some catching up to do. Your health care
provider may suggest an ultrasound; this procedure is considered to be
safe for the developing fetus. In addition, an ultrasound done today
may even be able detect fetal heart motion.
Although
you may not feel your best, none of your symptoms will make the baby
uncomfortable. In fact, your indigestion has a positive effect on your
baby-to-be. Food slows down as it travels through the body, which may
result in gastrointestinal problems for you, but allows nutrients to
be more readily absorbed by the baby. Wearing loose fitting clothes,
and eating frequent, small meals may help to decrease your discomfort.
By nine
weeks, your baby has grown to between one half an inch to an inch. It
now weighs in at a whopping one gram. Even though you won’t feel the
baby move until the second trimester, he or she is very active at this
point. It is, in truth, a "he" or "she" as testes
and ovaries have formed. An ultrasound cannot identify gender yet, as
external genitalia still appears sexless.
Because
most miscarriages occur in the first trimester, you may be feeling
nervous and be eager to advance to the second trimester. One good sign
is the identification of the heartbeat, either by the practitioner’s
doppler, or by ultrasound.
As you
approach the end of your first trimester, your baby is three inches
long and weighs in at 14 grams. It has the ability to swallow, absorb,
and discharge fluids. Hands are formed and fingernails are in
progress. Your baby even has tooth buds. The 12th week is an important
one as the placenta takes over hormone production. By the 13th week,
vocal cords are nearly formed, although it will be some time before
your little one blurts out the word, "mommy."
The
first trimester can be trying, both physically and emotionally.
Appreciating that your body is responsible for this incredible feat of
baby development, from organ formation to complex brain circuitry,
makes it all worthwhile. In just a few weeks, you’ll be reacquainted
with two old friends: energy and enthusiasm!
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