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Reaching week 10 of pregnancy means that you’re a quarter of the way there. Hooray! Your baby is getting bigger and stronger each day, and you only have a few more weeks left of your first trimester.
Starting your third month of pregnancy, your baby’s vital organs have formed. It’s time for your 10-week fetus to grow and gain strength. Although there’s still a long way to go until your baby is ready to meet you, it’s looking more and more like a tiny human baby each day.
There are many 10th-week pregnancy symptoms that you could be experiencing, and it could also be time to look for some maternity clothes. Read on to learn more about what to expect when you’re 10 weeks pregnant:
Your baby at week 10 of pregnancy
Week 10 of pregnancy is the time when almost all vital organs and tissues have formed. Now, they are beginning to function and grow rapidly. Your baby can swallow amniotic fluid and move their arms and legs. The skin is getting covered with small hair and the fingers have tiny nails. Testes in boys have already started to produce testosterone.
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Your baby might be getting bigger, but your due date is still far away. That means that your baby still needs to grow a lot until it’s ready to meet the world. The great news is that your body is providing all the nutrients the baby needs at this stage.
How big is your baby at 10 weeks pregnant?
At 10 weeks, a baby is as big as a strawberry or a kumquat! It’s grown a lot since the earlier weeks of pregnancy when it was only the size of an apple seed or a lentil. And it still has to grow a lot more!
By week 10 of pregnancy, your baby weighs approximately 0.14 ounces (4 g) and measures 1 to 1.2 inches (2.54 to 3 cm) from crown to rump. In the coming weeks, your baby will double in size, just like it’s been doing until now.
Pregnancy week 10 fetal development
Week 10 of pregnancy brings a lot of development! The baby’s ligaments and bones are starting to form – which is why your calcium intake is so important now. Their joints are working, too, which allows them to move their arms and legs freely.
By week 10 of your pregnancy, the baby’s vital organs have developed and are starting to work. The baby’s liver is producing red blood cells. Your baby’s tiny hands and feet are no longer webbed, and small nails are starting to appear on each finger.
The baby’s skin is translucent and its spine is visible. Nerves are also starting to grow from the spine. Its head is large in comparison to its body since the baby’s brain is developing quickly. Under the baby’s gums, tiny teeth are beginning to form. The baby is digesting and peeing large amounts of amniotic fluid, which means that the kidneys are working too.
At 10 weeks, the baby’s facial features are more defined than ever before. Its eyes can react to light, and its eyelids are nearly fully formed now. They will shut completely soon, and they’ll open up again during the second trimester.
Your body at week 10 of pregnancy
Week 10 of pregnancy is probably a good time to start thinking about your maternity apparel. Although your bump is still tiny, you’ll probably be thicker in the middle already. It’s normal to have gained some weight by this point in your pregnancy, although most of the weight gain will come later.
10 weeks pregnant belly
Before you were pregnant, the size of your uterus was similar to a pear. Now that you’re on the 10th week of pregnancy, your uterus is around the size of an orange.
Although you might be showing a bit, your uterus is still small enough to be contained by your pelvis. By week 12, it will grow out of the pelvis and continue upwards as the pregnancy progresses.
10 weeks pregnant symptoms
At 10 weeks pregnant, you’re probably still experiencing some first-trimester pregnancy symptoms. In some cases, these symptoms might be decreasing already, while other women will have to wait a little while longer to find relief.
Some of the most common 10th-week pregnancy symptoms include:
- Growing breasts: by now, it’s very likely that your usual bras don’t have room for your breasts. They’re getting ready to breastfeed your baby, and it’s a good idea to look for new bras at this point.
- Frequent urination: since your uterus is getting bigger, there’s more pressure on your bladder. Hormonal changes also increase the blood flow to your kidneys, making you need to urinate more often.
- Morning sickness: this symptom can be on the way out at this point in your pregnancy. But for others, relief will come with the second trimester.
- Mood swings: your hormones are working overtime to maintain your pregnancy, which explains why your emotions might be taking a toll on you.
- Vaginal discharge: your hormones and increased blood flow can cause leukorrhea, which is simply a clear, odorless vaginal discharge. Don’t worry, this discharge is your body’s way of getting rid of bacteria and keep your baby safe.
- Larger veins: you could be seeing blue lines on your breasts, abdomen, hands, and even legs. Your blood volume increases up to 50% during pregnancy to ensure that the baby gets all the necessary nutrients.
- Fatigue: oh yes, it’s still normal to feel tired on your 10th week of pregnancy. This symptom should decrease around your second trimester.
10 weeks pregnant ultrasound: do you need it?
Under normal circumstances, your doctor will probably perform your first-trimester ultrasound around weeks 8 to 12. So, there’s a chance that you’ve either already had the ultrasound, or that you’ll be having it soon.
If your first-trimester ultrasound is scheduled for your 10th week of pregnancy, expect to see jerky movements and to hear a strong heartbeat that’s 2 to 3 times faster than your own.
Week 10 of pregnancy is also a good time to discuss first-trimester screening with your doctor. This type of screening isn’t mandatory, but doctors can recommend it if you or your partner have a family history of genetic defects, if you’ve suffered from previous miscarriages, or if you’re older than 35 years of age.
A procedure called nuchal translucency screening or NT scan can be performed between weeks 10 and 14. During this diagnostic test, your doctor will use ultrasound to determine your baby’s risk of Down Syndrome. Blood tests can also be used to assess risk for other genetic disorders. First-trimester screening gender determination can also be performed alongside other tests.
10 weeks pregnant lifestyle
You might still be on your first trimester, but now is a good time to think about making some changes to ensure your comfort through the rest of your pregnancy.
- Adapt your wardrobe to your changing figure: pants with elastic waistbands, leggings, and flowy dresses or skirts that you already own will probably still fit you at this point. Get a maternity bra and start thinking about buying some maternity pieces.
- Keep a healthy routine: eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can make your first trimester much more comfortable.
- Get plenty of calcium: you should still be taking your prenatal vitamins, which contain calcium. Additionally, eating foods that are rich in calcium (such as pasteurized dairy, yogurt, lentils, salmon, seeds, almonds, and some leafy greens) can help ensure that your baby’s developing bones get all the necessary calcium.
- Indulge your cravings within reason: cravings are very common during pregnancy, and as long as you’re not going overboard there’s nothing wrong with indulging them. Remember that “eating for two” is a myth, but there’s no harm in eating that piece of dark chocolate that you’ve been craving for days. Try to find a healthy alternative to your cravings (baked instead of fried, dark chocolate instead of a candy bar, fruit instead of gummy candy).
Sex at week 10 of pregnancy
Many women are experiencing fewer symptoms once week 10 of pregnancy rolls around. Combined with increased libido, this means that you could be desiring more sex right about now. It’s totally safe to have sex throughout your pregnancy.
If you’re dealing with sore breasts or abdominal cramps, have an honest discussion with your partner and tell them you’re not in the mood right now, or try to find something that works for you – mutual masturbation can also provide tons of fun!
What to expect at 10 weeks pregnant – checklist
- Think of potential baby names
- Wear or buy comfortable, stretchy clothes
- Confirm your due date with your doctor
- If necessary, schedule your first-trimester screening
- Start looking at nursery ideas!
Reaching week 10 of pregnancy basically means that you’re done with 25% of your pregnancy. That might not seem like a lot, but now all of your baby’s organs are in place and developing quickly. Your body is starting to really show some changes, and it won’t be long until your due date is here!