12weeks
pregnant

Highlights this week

Your baby has reflexes: You might see them curling their fingers and toes at your dating scan.

Girl or boy? Take our fun gender guessing quiz.

Brilliantly creative ways to announce your pregnancy.

Baby development at 12 weeks

How your baby's growing.

Your baby's face is changing. The eyes, which started out on the sides of their head, have moved closer together and their ears are almost in their normal position. This is when the tissues and organs that have already formed in their body rapidly grow and mature. Your baby's intestines, which start out as a large swelling in the umbilical cord, will begin moving into the abdominal cavity about now. Read more information on your baby's development this week.

Your baby's reflexes are working now
Facial features are becoming more human
Touch pads are developing on your baby's fingers

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Your baby is the size of a lime

length

5.4

head to bottom

weight

Pregnancy symptoms at 12 weeks

With luck your nausea will be on the wane and you'll soon be feeling more energetic. You're probably also feeling relieved because your risk of miscarriage has now dropped dramatically. It might seem hard to believe if you're still in the throes of morning sickness, but you'll soon regain your appetite. Just make sure any meat that you eat is thoroughly cooked to reduce any chance of toxoplasmosis - no rare steaks for you - and take care at barbecues.

Your teeth and gums can be more prone to disease during pregnancy so plan a dental check-up while you're pregnant; make sure your dentist knows you’re pregnant so they can decide whether to give you an X-ray. You may notice that your gums bleed more now. Floss as well as brush.

If you're worried or unsure about using over-the-counter remedies go to your GP for advice, ask your local pharmacist or call the Mothersafe helpline on 02 9382 6539 (in Sydney) or 1800 647 848.

You may be able to hear the heartbeat with a Doppler

How your life is changing

You're probably wearing loose clothing, though it's because of your emerging bulge more than any real weight you've gained. Get some tips on how to dress your pregnancy shape.

If you've had to consign your favourite jeans to the back of the wardrobe, find out what to look for in a new pair of maternity jeans.

There are plenty of maternity-wear ranges to choose from, either from local retail stories or online. One or two good-quality basics should see you through most of your pregnancy. You may also want to invest in more comfortable tights now.

For special occasions, you can choose from some of the smarter, more sophisticated styles that will set off your growing bump beautifully.

Find out how other BabyCenter mums' baby bumps are growing at 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy tip: Take an extra pillow to bed tonight

"I found it so much easier to sleep on my side when I hugged a pillow and wrapped my legs around it. In fact, two years after the birth of my child, it's still my favourite way to fall asleep."
Clare

Things to consider

Don't worry if your first scan shows up a low-lying placenta -- 90 per cent move up by the 28th week.
Try to arrange for your partner to meet your midwife or doctor so you can talk through your pregnancy together -- help them to share your pregnancy.
Stretch marks can appear as early as three to four months, particularly on your breasts -- wearing a supportive bra may help prevent or minimise them.
Think twice: what illegal drugs can do to your baby.

Megan Rive

Megan Rive is a communication, content strategy and project delivery specialist. She was Babycenter editor for six years.

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