This color 2D ultrasound scan shows a baby lying on its back with its head to the right. This is the ideal position when measuring the crown (head) to rump (bottom) length to accurately date the pregnancy: it simply measures in a straight line.
At 10 weeks and 3 days pregnant, your baby is about 1 1/2 inches long, roughly the size of a small prune. Your baby’s growth will happen rapidly at this stage of fetal development. Their tooth buds will begin to grow under the gums - although their teeth won’t emerge until about 6 months after birth!
Your baby is also making progress in developing their bones, ligaments, and cartilage. Their joints, including ankles, knees, and elbows, are also beginning to form. Your baby can even bend and flex their arms at this stage! This growth and development will continue across the 1st trimester.
By now, you’ve probably noticed some early pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy hormones and the growth of your baby can lead to many bodily changes for pregnant women, including morning sickness, indigestion, heartburn, weight gain, constipation, and vaginal discharge. You might also experience some less common, but still normal, pregnancy symptoms like dizziness, visible veins, headaches, or joint/ligament pain. Rest assured that these pregnancy symptoms are completely normal, but if you have any concerns you can always talk to your healthcare provider or obstetrician.
You might be starting to sport a baby bump at this stage, and wondering how big your 10 week pregnant belly should be. Well, everyone is different, so the size varies a lot from person to person! Some pregnant women will notice a slight rounding at their lower abdomen as their uterus stretches to accommodate their growing baby. Other pregnant women might not notice a bump until much later in their pregnancy.
Some gynecologists and healthcare providers will order noninvasive prenatal testing at around 10 weeks pregnant. Typically, this comes in the form of a blood test. This blood test can check for conditions such as Down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities. Your provider will also be able to determine the sex of your baby from this blood test, so it’s a good idea to think about whether you’d like to know the sex at this point or if you’d like to wait and be surprised!
Healthcare providers also tend to order an ultrasound scan around this time, though some may order an ultrasound scan earlier if you have a history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. This is an exciting time for many parents as you will get to hear your baby’s heartbeat during the ultrasound scan! Don’t be too concerned if it sounds much faster than you were expecting - the average fetal heartbeat is much faster than an adult’s heartbeat.
If you haven’t already started, now is a great time to start taking prenatal vitamins. If you have started taking prenatal vitamins but struggle to remember to take them each day, try to set up reminders or get into a routine so you take them consistently. For example, get into the habit of taking your vitamins with breakfast each morning or after you brush your teeth.
You may also want to think about when to tell people that you are pregnant, especially if you’re beginning to show. You may have already shared the news with family members or close friends, but you might want to wait a little longer to tell others, like your boss or co-workers. Either way, have a plan so that you can make sure your maternity leave is in place and that you feel comfortably supported throughout this stage of your pregnancy.
If your pregnancy symptoms are leaving you uncomfortable and nauseous, there are some things you can do about it. Try eating smaller meals each day, drinking lots of water, and even asking your healthcare provider for medication that can curb morning sickness.
You should also keep an eye out for symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are unfortunately quite common during pregnancy but are very treatable with a standard course of antibiotics. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider if you experience any of the common signs or symptoms of UTIs, including pain while urinating, pain during sex, a frequent urge to urinate that doesn’t produce much urine, pelvic discomfort, or cloudy and foul-smelling urine.
At just over 10 weeks pregnant, you may be starting to spot a baby bump! You are almost done with your first trimester and are quickly heading into your second trimester in a few short weeks. Although for many pregnant women, this is a happy and joyful time, you may also experience some pregnancy symptoms that leave you feeling crummy, like mood swings, morning sickness, and weight gain.
By now, you’ve probably noticed some early pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy hormones and the growth of your baby can lead to many bodily changes for pregnant women, including morning sickness, indigestion, heartburn, weight gain, constipation, and vaginal discharge. You might also experience some less common, but still normal, pregnancy symptoms like dizziness, visible veins, headaches, or joint/ligament pain. Rest assured that these pregnancy symptoms are completely normal, but if you have any concerns you can always talk to your healthcare provider or obstetrician.
You might be starting to sport a baby bump at this stage, and wondering how big your 10 week pregnant belly should be. Well, everyone is different, so the size varies a lot from person to person! Some pregnant women will notice a slight rounding at their lower abdomen as their uterus stretches to accommodate their growing baby. Other pregnant women might not notice a bump until much later in their pregnancy.
Some gynecologists and healthcare providers will order noninvasive prenatal testing at around 10 weeks pregnant. Typically, this comes in the form of a blood test. This blood test can check for conditions such as Down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities. Your provider will also be able to determine the sex of your baby from this blood test, so it’s a good idea to think about whether you’d like to know the sex at this point or if you’d like to wait and be surprised!
Healthcare providers also tend to order an ultrasound scan around this time, though some may order an ultrasound scan earlier if you have a history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. This is an exciting time for many parents as you will get to hear your baby’s heartbeat during the ultrasound scan! Don’t be too concerned if it sounds much faster than you were expecting - the average fetal heartbeat is much faster than an adult’s heartbeat.
If you haven’t already started, now is a great time to start taking prenatal vitamins. If you have started taking prenatal vitamins but struggle to remember to take them each day, try to set up reminders or get into a routine so you take them consistently. For example, get into the habit of taking your vitamins with breakfast each morning or after you brush your teeth.
You may also want to think about when to tell people that you are pregnant, especially if you’re beginning to show. You may have already shared the news with family members or close friends, but you might want to wait a little longer to tell others, like your boss or co-workers. Either way, have a plan so that you can make sure your maternity leave is in place and that you feel comfortably supported throughout this stage of your pregnancy.
If your pregnancy symptoms are leaving you uncomfortable and nauseous, there are some things you can do about it. Try eating smaller meals each day, drinking lots of water, and even asking your healthcare provider for medication that can curb morning sickness.
You should also keep an eye out for symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are unfortunately quite common during pregnancy but are very treatable with a standard course of antibiotics. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider if you experience any of the common signs or symptoms of UTIs, including pain while urinating, pain during sex, a frequent urge to urinate that doesn’t produce much urine, pelvic discomfort, or cloudy and foul-smelling urine.
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