Foetus
Your baby, now called a foetus, has obvious elbows, wrists, ankles and clearly visible fingers and toes. It measures between 3-4.5cm in length and its external sex organs have begun to form. The eyes and the inner ears have developed, though the eyes remain sealed. Its bones are forming, made of soft flexible cartilage, with muscles stretching
over the bones producing slight movement.
Placenta
The placenta begins to produce progesterone and by the end of the 14th week, should be producing enough to supply all your baby’s nourishment.
Your growing uterus remains hidden within your pelvic crest. More noticeable will be morning sickness, your larger breasts and disappearing waistline.
11 Weeks
Skin
The baby’s skin comprises two layers and is transparent, covered with a fine down called lanugo. All major organs have formed, including the testicles or ovaries. The genitals are unlikely to be visible on an ultrasound scan as yet. The baby’s digestive system is developing rapidly.
Relaxing
Fluctuating hormones may cause mood swings and irritability.
During pregnancy the amount of blood in your body increases 30-50 per cent to nourish and supply the baby with oxygen. The hormone relaxin softens the walls of your blood vessels allowing the flexibility to stretch and accommodate the extra blood flow. Consequently your blood pressure drops and you may at times feel dizzy or faint. Eat small amounts regularly to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
12 Weeks
Body Weight
This is the end of the first trimester considered the most intense part of the development of the pregnancy. By now you may have put on an extra 10 per cent of your body weight. You may not look pregnant to most people but your baby has made the miraculous leap from a mere cell cluster to a recognisable but tiny human being.
Eyelids
The baby measures about 6cm but weighs only 18gms or half an ounce. The head is more round, the eyelids have formed, and both arms and legs can move. The placenta is now fully-developed and takes over as the life support system, providing oxygen and nutrients from your blood supply. As your expanding womb pushes out above your pubic bone into the abdomen, pressure on your bladder eases. The extra blood circulating may raise your body temperature.