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Pregnancy Week 12
How big is your baby?
Your baby is now measuring about 5.4cm, which is 2.13 inches and weighs about 14 grams, which is about 0.49 ounce.
Your baby's development
Few Few new structures are formed during the course of this week but those that are
already forming will continue to grow and develop.
At your 12 week check up you may be able to hear the sound of your baby's heart beating with the aid of a doppler, which is a special listening
device. It magnifies your baby's heart beat so that you and your partner can hear it.
If you dont hear the heart beat then dont be alarmed. There may be some
situations where you wont hear the heart beat, such as if the
placenta is lying
accross the from of the stomach.
Your baby's skeletal system now consists of mainly bone as ossification has occurred in most of the bones
already. Also the fingers and toes have separated and even already have nails
which are now growing. Even scattered rudiments of hair are present on the body.
The external genitalia are also beginning to show signs of either the male or
female sex, and although your health care provider may hazard a guess at the
sex, there is still a good chance of him/her being wrong.
Your babys digestive system is now developed enough that it is even capable of producing contractions
strong enough to push food through the bowels and is even able to absorb glucose.
The base of your baby's brain, know as the pituitary gland, is also beginning to make hormones
this week.
During your pregnancy you may begin to notice some changes in your skin. In many pregnancies women develop a dark line from their belly button down. This dark line is known as the linea nigra.
You shouldnt be surprised if you dont develop this, as not everyone does.
Occasionally women also develop dark patches on the face and neck, and this is called chloasma, or the
mask of pregnancy. However these will disappear or get lighter once your pregnancy is over.
<< Pregnancy Week 11 | Pregnancy Week 13 >>
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