At pregnancy week 10, your baby is taking human shape and they even have a faint heartbeat that a doctor may be able to detect with a stethoscope. While your tummy is likely still not showing much of a bump for most to guess that you’re expecting, your clothes might start to feel tighter, especially around your waist due to bloating.
From now till the 13th week or so is also the ideal scheduled to have your first comprehensive antenatal clinic with your nurse midwife and gynecologist if you haven’t. You’ll get a full assessment of you and your baby’s well being as well as an estimated due date.
Your Baby’s Development Milestones at Pregnancy Week 10
The great news this week is that you are 10 weeks pregnant and your little munchkin may be the size of a prune but their first tiny tooth has started forming underneath her gum. You may however not be able to see it until they are about six or seven months old.
When you are 10 weeks pregnant your baby has now entered the fetal stage which is a vital phase in their development because it’s where the already-formed organs begin to grow and mature. Their liver, heart, brain and kidneys have not fully matured but they are all in place. In fact, if you listened to with a stethoscope, you may be able to hear her very faint heart beat which is beating two or three times faster than an adult heart.
Your little one is taking human shape and her features are gaining little details like toes and fingers. If it’s a boy, he is already producing testosterone in preparation for an aggressive manhood. His little eye lids are however fused shut and will remain this way until you get to the third trimester.
Symptoms and Body Changes at 10 Weeks Pregnant
Your stomach is still flat. The only thing that may give away the little one growing in your stomach is the bouts of morning sickness during pregnancy that you are likely experiencing. Certain habits, such as having a bedside snack before you rise or incorporating ginger can alleviate your morning sickness, but don’t be afraid to seek help if none of the remedies are working and you can barely keep anything down.
If this is your first pregnancy, your bump will start showing much later. But, you can keep a pregnancy calendar to keep track of the days and weeks. Your clothes and bras however are starting to feel a bit tight, especially at the midsection because of bloating. A diet high in vegetables as well as a high water intake can remedy this. Also stay away from foods that produce a lot of gas. If you’re not sure which they are, start by keeping a diary of the foods you eat and how your body feels afterwards.
You are still feeling queasy, exhausted and you are probably still experiencing emotional highs and lows. It might please you to know that in just two weeks, the hormones will even out and some of these symptoms will go away. In the mean time, try exercises with gentle stretches, such as walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga to keep your energy levels up and feeling better.
Tip: This may be the time to start shopping for maternity wear for comfort such as bras to give your breast adequate support. Your body will rapidly change over the next few months so remember not to shop for many clothes all at once.
Start Your Antenatal Clinic at Malaica
As you start your antenatal visits, you and your baby deserve a maternity care hospital that listens and answers every of your concerns. A team that goes beyond the routine clinical assessments to also provide community support via a moderated online groups of expectant moms, a virtual psychologist, and 24/7 access to a nurse midwife.
Learn more about our personalized maternity care and how we can empower your pregnancy journey by booking an appointment or calling +254 746 610643.