By week 12, your baby is 3 inches long and weighs 1 ounce

Your baby is still only around the length of your thumb, but all the major organs and limbs are fully formed. Fingers and toes have fully separated and there are even tiny fingernails. The baby is kicking and stretching a lot, but you won’t be able to feel it for a few weeks. This week your baby will begin to take on more of a normal appearance as the eyes move closer together and the ears move closer to their final position. The intestines have grown so fast that they actually extend into the umbilical cord, but they will begin to move back into the abdomen. The kidneys now secrete urine, and the nervous system is continuing to mature.

Usually you’ll have your first official antenatal appointment around week 12. At this stage you should be thinking about your birth plan – your ideas about how and where you would like to give birth. You can find your ‘Birth Plan’ on your profile page; this can be edited during your pregnancy and printed off.

Your uterus is continuing to grow, and your healthcare provider can now actually feel it in your lower abdomen. You may not need maternity clothes at this point, but you may have noticed that things are not fitting as well.

You may notice that your skin is changing, such as the darkening of the areola. Other changes you may have noticed include irregular dark patches on your face and neck. These are called chloasma and normally disappear or become lighter shortly after delivery.

Make sure you look at your diet and make sure both you and your baby are receiving all of the nutrients you need. Avoid fast food and avoid snacking at night.

Many women benefit from Kegel exercises before, during, and after pregnancy. Kegel exercises are for strengthening the vaginal muscles. Pregnant women who perform these exercises find that it helps with birth and tones the muscles for after delivery. Your pelvic-floor muscles act as a sling for the bladder, uterus, and rectum. Kegal exercises play an important role in helping you heal and recover after labor. Kegels help keep your pelvic-floor muscles strong during pregnancy, help get them back in shape after delivery, and possibly prevent urinary incontinence.



3 REASONS TO DO YOUR PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES
Having stronger pelvic floor muscles will help you push your baby out

Doing exercises regularly, will help reduce the chances of developing stress incontinence after birth. Tense the muscles around your vagina and anus as if you were stopping yourself passing water.

You and your partner will appreciate your more toned muscles when you make love.