What To Expect In Month 3 Of Pregnancy

(weeks 12-16: After your last period)

YOUR BABY

  • Your baby measures about 6 inches long and weighs about 1/4 of a pound by the end of this month.
  • The amniotic fluid around your baby equals out to be about 1 cup.
  • Your baby swallows amniotic fluid and it's tiny kidneys return the fluid back into the amniotic sac.
  • The umbilical cord is now well formed and blood is circulating between your baby and the placenta.
  • Your baby can move, but it is still too early to be felt by the mother.
  • It's heart beats 120-160 beats per minute.
  • Your baby's vocal cords are formed.
  • The sex of the baby is easy to tell now, if you could see inside the uterus.
  • By the end of this month, your baby's ears, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes will be completely formed.
  • Reflex movements allow your baby's elbows to bend, legs to kick and fingers to form a fist.
  • It's taste buds are forming.
  • It's neck is well defined and it's head(still the largest part) can be held erect.

YOUR BODY

  • Your weight gain has been small so far-probably only 2-3lbs.
  • Your appetite may begin to increase by this time.
  • Your nausea begins to be more infrequent.
  • You may notice some tendency to constipation as hormones of pregnancy cause your bowel activity to be more sluggish.
  • You may sweat more easily than usual.
  • Your uterus is now big enough to be felt above the pubic bone; you may even notice it gets hard from a contraction.
  • The placenta is now completely formed and hormones are produced in amounts needed to keep your pregnancy healthy.
  • You'll begin to feel more energetic by the end of this month.
  • Pregnancy may seem like a more stressful time of feeling all sorts of emotions; you may be happy and sad without any good reason that you can think of.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Get your prenatal check-up this month.
  • Continue your well balanced diet.
  • Continue avoiding things containing alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.
  • Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water every day.
  • Continue your daily exercise routine.
  • Avoid using paints(accept latex), pesticides, and aerosol sprays during your pregnancy.
  • Examine your budget, and begin to set aside some money for baby items.
  • Ask about any changes in your body that you may have worries about. 1