3rd Month
Weeks 12 to 16
Your BabyYour baby measures about 6 inches long and weighs about 1/4 pound by the end of this month
Amniotic fluid around your baby equals about 1 cup
Your baby swallows amniotic fluid and its tiny kidneys return the fluid back into the amniotic sac
The umbilical cord is well formed and blood is circulating between your infant and the placenta
Your baby can move but it is still too tiny to be felt by the mother
Its heart beats 120 to 160 beats per minute
Your baby's vocal cords are formed
The sex of your baby is easy to tell now, if you could see inside the uterus
By the end of this month your baby's ears, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes will be completely formed
Reflex movements allow your baby's elbows to bend, legs to kick, and fingers to form a fist
Its taste buds are forming
Its neck is well defined and its head (still the largest part) can be held erect.
Your BodyYour weight gain has been small so far--probably about 2 to 3 pounds
Your appetite may begin to be more infrequent
Your nausea begins to be more infrequent
You may sweat more easily than usual
Your uterus is now big enough to be felt above the pubic bone; you may even notice its gets hard from a contraction
The placenta is now completely formed and hormones are produced in amounts needed to keep your pregnancy healthy
You'll begin to feel more energetic by the end of this month
Pregnancy may seem like a more stressful time of feeling all sorts of emotions; you may be happy and sad without any good reason that you can think ofYour Responsibility
Get your prenatal check-up this month
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein, fresh fruits, and vegetables
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day
Avoid using cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine and any unprescribed medication
Get some exercise every day--like walking 15 minutes each day
Avoid using paint (except latex), pesticides, and aerosol sprays during your pregnancy
Examine your budget and begin to set aside some money for baby items
Ask about any changes in your body that worry you
Allow yourself and your partner time to adjust to both negative and positive feelings about this pregnancy; besides your partner, you may want to have someone else you can share all of your feelings with who won't laugh at or judge you.
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