Your Guide to Being 10 Weeks Pregnant:
How your baby is growing
All your baby’s major organs are complete and the intestines are moving from the umbilical cord into the abdomen. Ears have formed, both inner and outer, and the lips are visible. Your baby’s genitals are starting to form, although at this stage they’re so tiny they won’t be picked up on an ultrasound scan.
The neck is visible, giving your baby a more human-like appearance. However, the bulging forehead, which houses the swiftly growing brain, makes your baby look a bit like an alien! Head growth slows now and, during the coming months, body growth accelerates to give your baby a more balanced, human look. Nerves are sprouting from the spinal cord.
What’s happening to you:
You may start to feel friskier, as sickness and tiredness subside and the increase in blood flow throughout your body makes your breasts and vulva ultra-sensitive. Some pregnant women even report an increase in orgasms.
Normal niggle:
Discharge. A thin, milky, odourless discharge is normal during pregnancy, when blood flow increases to the vaginal area. Keep the area clean and dry, wear cotton undies, avoid tight-fitting clothes around the area and stick to fresh water instead of perfumed soaps when washing.
When to check it out:
If the discharge becomes thick and creamy, smells and is accompanied by itchiness, it may be an infection, such as thrush. If spotting or bleeding occurs it may signal a more serious condition, such as an ectopic pregnancy (where your pregnancy has implanted outside your womb), putting you or your baby at risk. Spotting or light bleeding is surprisingly common in the first trimester – up to a quarter of pregnant women experience it. It can be frightening but usually turns out to be nothing to worry about. Always call your GP or midwife immediately, though. Bleeding may signify other problems which are fine with treatment and careful monitoring, such as an inflamed cervix or fibroids.
‘To do’ this week:
Attend your first antenatal visit. You may have a ‘dating’ ultrasound scan which shows how big your baby is and confirms how many weeks pregnant you are. Your baby’s development and heartbeat will also be checked. If there are signs of any potential problems, such as Down’s Syndrome, you may be offered further, more accurate, tests, such as amnocentisis or CVS.
