Tenth week of Pregnancy
Development of the baby
Your baby has been growing at a rapid rate for the past 10 weeks and now is the size of a kidney bean! The crown to rump length or the CR length is approximately 1.25 inches to 1.68 inches at this stage. As the baby develops, it gains weight each week and by the 10th week, your baby may weigh up to 5 grams.
During this stage, the tail section has disappeared completely. The toes and fingers also get fully separated in this week and are no more webbed. Taste buds start to form at this time and the brain grows at an astonishing rate. In fact, you will be amazed to know that every minute, a quarter of one million new neurons are getting produced. In this week, the embryonic heart’s development is completed. The external genitalia do not come into view this week but may be detectable during the 11th week. In case of baby boys, the testes start to produce testosterone, the male hormone.
Changes in mother’s body
By now your body may start showing many symptoms and signs of pregnancy. You could start gaining a few pounds during this stage. At this point of time, the estrogen and progesterone levels are heightened. These hormonal secretions can cause breasts to get swollen and tender. A tingling or a sore sensation is usually noticed by most women. For some women, breasts could become fuller and heavier during their pregnancy. Tiredness, fatigue, nausea, slight spotting, constipation, mild headaches, abdominal pains or cramps are symptoms that women may experience during pregnancy. Due to the low blood sugar levels some women could feel dizzy or a bit faint. For some, there could also be an increase in the basal body temperature.
Remember, every woman has a different and unique experience while being pregnant and it is not necessary for you to have any or all the symptoms.
What to expect?
Pregnancy involves making some lifestyle changes so that your baby can develop and grow healthily. Accept and embrace these changes joyfully as this will be a challenging yet delightful phase of your life. If your pregnancy has been a planned one, make sure that you take care of yourself from day one. Have a nutritious and a balanced diet. Eat lots of vegetables and fresh fruits along with iron and calcium supplements. Exercise regularly by going for walks or doing yoga. You could also start doing some breathing exercises as they would be very helpful during child birth. Most of all, try to enjoy your pregnancy by having a positive frame of mind.
Visit your doctor regularly for your medical check ups. It is a good idea to maintain a list of any questions or doubts you may have before you go to your doctor. Discuss about your anxieties and fears with the doctor and get complete clarification on things you don’t understand