Week 12 Of Pregnancy

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• QWhat is the size of my baby during week 12?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  By week 12, your baby is around three inches long. This is about the size of a large lime. Even though length is still the best way to determine your baby's size, your baby weighs almost an ounce this week!
• QWhat changes will I experience during week 12 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  During week 12 of pregnancy, you may continue to notice changes in your body. At this point, your uterus is large enough that you may be able to feel the top of it sitting right above your pubic bone. This may lead you to feel pretty uncomfortable in your regular clothes, and you may be considering switching to maternity clothes (if you haven't already). You may notice a little weight gain affecting your waist, thighs, and sides, although at this point you've probably only gained a few extra pounds. Around week 12, your main symptoms are probably changing from nausea and vomiting to heartburn and constipation, although some women don't experience these symptoms till later in pregnancy. Some women may start to notice changes in their skin, especially on their faces. These dark or red patches often go away after pregnancy, so they're nothing to worry about.
• QHow will I feel during week 12 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  By week 12 of pregnancy, you're probably feeling less nauseated but may be experiencing other symptoms like heartburn and constipation. You may also be feeling uncomfortable in your regular clothing, if you haven't already switched to maternity clothes. This is due in part to the fact that your uterus has gotten so large that you may now be able to feel the top of it above your pubic bone! Even though you may be feeling heavier, you're probably also feeling more energetic than you have for a few weeks. If you're concerned about how you're feeling during week 12, talk to your doctor.
• QAre there tests or procedures I should have during week 12 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  You'll probably have your next prenatal doctor's appointment during week 12. During that appointment, your doctor may perform certain blood tests in addition to checking your weight and asking about any symptoms you have. Your doctor may also use a Doppler machine to listen to your baby's heartbeat, which can be a very exciting procedure for you and your partner. Doctors may also be able to perform ultrasounds at this point. Ultrasounds may look for genetic abnormalities and can identify how far along your pregnancy really is. At this appointment, you may want to discuss with your doctor any questions you have about amniocentesis and other procedures that may be performed at your next appointment in a few weeks.
• QHow is my baby growing and developing during week 12?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  In week 12 of pregnancy, your baby's brain and nerves are developing quickly. This means that your baby now has reflexes - your baby can curl its fingers and toes, and the mouth can make sucking motions. Even though you can't feel this movement yet, it shows that your baby's brain and nerves are becoming more active than ever. In fact, the brain is already starting to produce hormones. Your baby is also looking more human - the eyes and ears are in the right places on the front and sides of the head, respectively.

• QWhat prenatal care do I need during week 12 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  In week 12, you'll probably have your next prenatal doctor's appointment. At this appointment, your doctor will ask about any symptoms you're having and may perform some of the same tests that were done at your first appointment, although it will be a lot less extensive. Your doctor may also recommend additional procedures like ultrasounds or certain screening procedures to look for genetic abnormalities. If you have any questions about prenatal care this week, now is a great time to discuss them with your doctor.

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• QWhat will I look like during week 12 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Even though you may be wearing maternity clothes by week 12, you probably won't look too pregnant. This is especially true if it's your first pregnancy - women may begin to show earlier after they've already had one child. At this point in pregnancy, your uterus is much larger but you've probably only gained a few pounds. In week 12, you may also start to notice some changes in your skin. Some women develop dark patches on their face (called the "mask of pregnancy"), and others may develop red bumps or patches. These changes in your skin go away after pregnancy, but it's a good idea to protect your skin using clothing and sunscreen since it may be extra sensitive while you're pregnant.

• QWhat are common problems that may occur during week 12 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  By week 12 of pregnancy, you're probably feeling less nauseous than you have been in the past weeks. However, new symptoms like heartburn (a burning feeling in your throat and chest) and constipation may start to affect you. Your uterus has also been growing and expanding, and by now it's too large to stay within your pelvis - you may feel your uterus sticking over the top of your pubic bone, which may make regular clothing feel uncomfortably tight. Other problems may be changes in your skin. Many women develop dark patches or red bumps on their skin, but it usually doesn't cause problematic symptoms and generally go away after pregnancy. If you're concerned about any problematic symptoms during week 12, talk to your doctor.

• QWhat should I discuss with my doctor during week 12 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  You'll probably have your next scheduled prenatal doctor's appointment in week 12. At this appointment, your doctor may do some of the same things that were done in your first appointment - for instance, you'll probably discuss your symptoms, measure your weight, and run any blood tests your doctor deems necessary. Your doctor may also use a doppler machine to hear your baby's heartbeat. In some cases, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound or other screenings or tests at this point. Talk with your doctor about the risks associated with any of these procedures before moving forward with them. Now is also a great time to ask any questions that may have come up recently.

• QWhat is important to know during week 12 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  In week 12, you'll probably have your second prenatal doctor's appointment. At this time, your doctor may want to discuss additional screenings or procedures used to test for genetic abnormalities, especially if you have certain risk factors or medical conditions. It's important to discuss the risks associated with these procedures before you make any decisions. Some more invasive tests, such as chorionic villus sampling, may have a risk of miscarriage associated with them. Though the risk for miscarriage associated with most procedures is generally small - about 1 to 3 percent - it's something to consider. However, these tests and screenings may be important if certain genetic conditions run in your family. You may want to talk with your doctor about other upcoming tests or procedures like amniocentesis. Although those tests aren't done for several weeks (usually around week 16), it's a good idea to start discussing them now.