Overview of that week

Completion of 12 weeks marks the end of your first trimester. During this week, you’ll start to get back your energy as the symptoms reside. Congratulations on successfully making it to the end of the first trimester.

You can’t feel it yet but your baby is swimming, kicking and stretching inside your womb. What you will be able to feel is a tiny bump on your lower abdomen although it might not be noticeable to someone else.

Baby development

By the end of the first trimester, the 2 inches long fetus fills up most of the space in your uterus. Your baby is busy learning to make fists with the newly formed hands and fingers. At this point in pregnancy, the sense of taste and smell has developed in the baby. One thing to be really happy about is that all of the vital organs of your baby have developed by this week. 

It might be great realizing that your baby is growing in the comfort of your belly. However, your baby is preparing for a life outside of it. Babies at week 12 start to practice breathing and inhaling amniotic fluid.

The swallowed amniotic fluid passes through the baby’s digestive tract and becomes urine. 

Body changes in mother

You might have a hundred things to take care of right now but there will be new changes happening in your body every week. These are just some that you might have to deal with:

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) :

Women are more prone to the risk of getting an Urinary Tract Infection or UTI during pregnancy. There is an interruption in the flow of urine during your pregnancy because of an increased pressure on the bladder. Don’t hold pee and relieve yourself as soon as you get the urge to pee to avoid the chance of bacteria build up.

Nosebleeds:

As you know there is an increased blood flow in your body during pregnancy. Your body now has almost 50% more blood than before you were pregnant. Due to this, the blood vessels in your body have become extremely sensitive. It is common for women to suffer from nosebleeds once in a while due to increased hormones and blood levels.

Darker nipples:

Along with the changes that happen in your breasts during pregnancy, your nipples will also change. They will normally grow darker in color and the areolas might also get larger. Don’t be surprised if you also notice a couple of small bumps around your nipples. These are noticeably more visible during pregnancy. They are known to serve a purpose of lubricating your nipples once your baby tries latching onto them.

What should you do and don’t

• Drink water frequently to keep yourself hydrated and also avoid catching a Urinary Tract Infection. 
• Avoid smells that are triggering and eat simple carbs that are easy to process for your body.
• A diet including healthy fruits and vegetables is recommended since they are rich in nutrients. Make sure that you wash the fruits properly before you eat them if you are consuming them raw.
• You are at the end of your first trimester so, if you haven’t already started a pregnancy journal, start it. If you have one, make sure to take pictures, write and record everything on it.
• Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising and taking your daily dosage of vitamins.
• In case you notice any signs of vaginal infection, contact your doctor and get treated immediately.