10 Weeks Pregnant
There's lots of kicking and moving going on inside, though you can’t feel anything yet. Your baby’s head is still quite large in proportion to the rest of the body; lips, nostrils and jawbones are all in place now (complete with the buds of future teeth!) Developing wrists and knees mean your baby's limbs can now bend. Your womb is now about the size of a grapefruit. A little more pregnant every day!
You'll probably notice that your breasts are bigger; if your bra is starting to get uncomfortable, it's a good idea to get fitted for a new one that's soft and supportive. You might be starting to gain weight (although some women feel so sick in early pregnancy that they lose weight at first). If you are at all worried about weight gain or loss during your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will be able to advise and reassure you.
The first scan!
If you haven't had your first antenatal visit yet, it'll be coming up soon. Ask the midwife if she can use a Doppler stethoscope to let you hear your baby's heartbeat – you'll be amazed at how fast it is!
Even more exciting for many parents is the first ultrasound scan, which usually happens between 10 and 14 weeks. This is the most reliable way to predict the baby’s due date, but it's also an amazing moment when you get to see your baby for the first time – so make sure your partner or a close friend comes along to enjoy the moment with you!
What it’s like for the mum-to-be in week 10
Things will have calmed down a bit for you by now, and you’ll be happy to know that the risk of a miscarriage is getting smaller.
You probably won’t feel nauseous anymore, and all the other typical symptoms of pregnancy, such as pulling pains in your abdomen, will slowly be disappearing.
You'll gradually be feeling a lot better, and the joy about your pregnancy will be increasing every day – sometimes you’ll hardly believe it, other times you’ll be over the moon. Your drive and creativity will increase, and you’ll soon start making concrete plans and thinking about how you can prepare your home for when the baby comes.
Over the next few weeks, your body will start becoming increasingly round and you’ll experience the normal weight gain that pregnancy causes. A healthy, balanced diet is crucial during pregnancy, both for your baby’s development and for your own health.
Expecting double the joy – or even more?
You might discover at your first scan that you're expecting more than one baby! This is exciting, of course, but it can also come as quite a shock. Luckily, you're not alone; the Multiple Births Foundation has lots of practical advice and support to offer parents of twins and multiples.
