3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> Your Body at 9-12 Weeks

Your Body at 9-12 Weeks

By now, you have probably got used to the idea that you are pregnant. You are likely to have had your first antenatal appointment with your midwife or doctor, you may have seen an image of your baby on an ultrasound scan, and even brought home a copy of the scan to show to everyone, once you decide to let on that you are pregnant.

You may not experience some of the more unpleasant symptoms of early pregnancy, however, even if you have had more than your fair share, you may not mind because they are all signs that indicate that you really are pregnant!

How you may feel

The reality of pregnancy may now be hitting home. Many women choose to tell friends and family about their pregnancy as they approach the twelfth week because the risk of miscarriage is much less. Other people's reactions - surprise from friends, concern from your family, who may be worried that you are too old or too young - can affect how you feel. By the end of this period, the tiredness and nausea should lessen although, for a small minority of women, it will continue. You may also feel very hungry at this stage.

Your changing body

Your breasts will now be bigger and you may find that your veins become more prominent. From 9 weeks of pregnancy, you might notice that your waist is getting thicker and that your clothes feel tighter, but this has nothing to do with the size of your baby. It is more likely to be the result of general congestion: your circulation is now more sluggish and you may also be suffering from constipation and wind.

You may notice an increase in vaginal discharge, which is normal during pregnancy. Meanwhile, your uterus has been expanding to accommodate your growing baby and, by 12 weeks, you should be able to feel it through the wall of your abdomen, just above your pubic bone.

Your health

Sinusitis You may be particularly 'snuffly'as a result of nasal congestion.
Gum problems Your gums become softer as a result of the pregnancy hormones and they may bleed.
Candida (thrush) An increased vaginal discharge is normal, but women are also more prone to this yeast infection, which produces a white itchy discharge and soreness.

I am 10 -weeks pregnant and I am being sick every day. It is really getting me down. Is there anything I can do?
A This is thought to be caused by the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and is sometimes made worse if your blood sugar levels fall. Try to eat little and often throughout the day. Ginger or peppermint is also thought to help nausea, and some women swear by travel bands. These apply pressure to the acupuncture points in the wrist that control sickness. Try sucking ice cubes if you cannot face drinking anything and see your doctor if you find yourself becoming dehydrated. In the majority of cases the sickness is a normal, if unpleasant, part of pregnancy and generally passes by 14 weeks.

Week Reminders 9-12
What you should be eating

Continue to take your folic acid supplements and make sure that you are eating enough iron-rich foods, for example, red meat, dried apricots, raisins, pulses, green leafy vegetables and dark oily fish. jobs to do Make an appointment to see your midwife or doctor if you have not done so already. They will need to take blood tests and may arrange a dating scan. If you decide to have a chorionic villus sampling (CVS), a prenatal screening test to detect genetic defects, it would be done around now. Ask your midwife or doctor for the appropriate certificate if you can claim free prescriptions and dental care.

Your weight gain
Up to 1 kg
Some women lose weight due to sickness.

Fundal height
The top of your uterus should be just above your pubic bone.

Your baby's position Your baby will be changing position all the time.