Week 12

Good news & maybe time to spread the good news?

By this stage, the risk of you having a miscarriage has now dropped significantly. And if you haven’t already, now would be a good time to tell friends and family your amazing news.

What’s happening this week to you?

• Your uterus will shift now and not be pressing so much on your bladder (more good news).

• You may be overly emotional and find yourself crying over small things – this is all perfectly normally, so don’t beat yourself up about it.

• Your teeth and gums are more prone to disease during pregnancy, so plan a dental check-up (you’re entitled to free dental care and free prescriptions during pregnancy and up until your baby is 1-year-old). Make sure to tell your dentist that you’re pregnant, so they know not to give you an x-ray as there is a small risk it could harm your baby.

• You may notice that your gums bleed more, so it’s an idea to floss, as well as brushing.

• It may be the time to rethink your look – you are probably wearing loose clothes because of your emerging bump. You’ll find there are lots of stylish maternity ranges out there, so go on and make a statement!

• Around this time you will be going for your first ultrasound scan (each region offers different scan appointments, so check out with your midwife what your local hospital does).

What’s happening this week to your baby?

• The first major growth stage is coming to an end – incredibly, all the major body structures will be completed by now.

• Your baby’s face will change as the eyes move closer together, sex organs have formed, although it is still too early to tell if you are having a boy or a girl, the intestines which were outside the body will now move inside the stomach cavity, and your baby will even begin to wee.

• Your baby is moving, stretching and kicking, but you may not feel it yet.

Useful Tips

• If you haven’t already, then discuss antenatal screening options with your midwife or G.P.