9 Weeks, 2 Days - The Tenth Week

Here's my update for this week. I've already discussed most of how I'm feeling. Not really much has changed except that I now feel like I'm starting to expand (see previous post). I'm really looking forward to another doctor appointment in a week and a half, but feel like things must still be progressing, because I feel pretty yucky. Ok, so here is the what is happening inside post.

The Baby
By the 10th week of pregnancy, the crown-to-rump length of your growing baby is about 1.25 to 1.68 inches. At this time, we can start measuring how much the baby weighs. Before this week, the weight was too small to measure weekly differences. Now that the baby is starting to put on a little weight, weight is included in this section. The baby weighs close to 0.18 ounce (5g) and is the size of a small plum. The end of week 10 is the end of the embryonic period. At this time, the fetal period begins. It is characterized by rapid growth of the fetus when the three germ layers are established. During the embryonic period, the embryo was most susceptible to things that could interfere with its development. Most congenital malformations occur before the end of week 10. It is encouraging to know that a critical part of your baby's development is safely behind you. By the end of week 10, development of organ systems and the body are well under way. Your baby is beginning to look more human.

Your baby is no longer an embryo! Though she's barely the size of a kumquat — just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, she now has completed the most critical portion of her development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in her body rapidly grow and mature. Her vital organs — the liver, kidney, intestines, brain, and lungs — are now in place and starting to function (although they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy). Her liver continues to make blood cells, and the yolk sac, which previously supplied these cells, is no longer needed and begins to disappear. During the next three weeks, your baby's length will more than double to nearly 3 inches. Her head is proportionately smaller now than it was a few weeks ago, but it's still almost half the length of her entire body. Her forehead temporarily bulges with her developing brain and sits high on her head; it will later recede to give her a more human appearance. Each day, more minute details — including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair — start to appear on her body. Her fingers are now completely separated; her arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart; her legs are lengthening; and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. She is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking her legs. If you could take a peek at your baby this week, you'd be able to clearly see the outline of her spine through her parchment-thin skin. Spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from her spinal cord.

Boy or Girl? The external genitalia are becoming clearly defined. The embryo is moving but can’t yet be felt.

The baby now enters it's fetal period. The average size is approximately 27-35 mm crown to rump length (CRL), or 1.06-1.38 inches. S/he weighs in at 4 grams, or 4 paper clips. Tiny toes have formed. The eyes are largely open, but the eyelids are beginning to fuse, and will stay that way until 25-27 weeks. External genitalia is beginning to differentiate. External ears are completely formed, as well as the upper lip. The biggest accomplishment this week is the disappearance of the tail!

The Mom
Changes are gradual, and you still may not show much. You may be thinking about and looking at maternity clothes, but you probably don't need them just yet.

Your uterus has doubled in size by now. Before you got pregnant, it was the size of a small pear. By this week, it's grown to the size of a grapefruit. At your next prenatal visit, you may be able to hear your baby's rapid heartbeat with the help of a Doppler, a hand-held soundwave stethoscope that your practitioner will pass over your belly. Many women say that the beating of their baby's tiny heart sounds like the thunder of galloping horses and hearing it for the first time is one of the greatest joys of the first trimester.

Is somebody a little MOODY? Wild highs and truly horrendous lows, sudden mood swings, and "crazy" behavior are typical during pregnancy. Some of this is due to hormones, and some of it is because this is, truly, a VERY emotional time! Take time for some light and funny reading. Fatigued? Many pregnant women spend the first few months so exhausted they can barely hold their heads up. Try to take naps, go to bed early, and delegate as much work as you can to others. Remember that you’re working incredibly hard. Your body is growing another human being! Gaining weight? And what about those breasts? Time to support yourself! Get a bigger, more bountiful bra. Budget a little extra money -- you’ll be needing a still BIGGER one after baby is born!

You are still tired, and nauseated, hang on only a few more weeks for most of you! Your abdomen may begin to pooch out, but it will be more from bowel distension than the uterus. Your waistline is slowly disappearing! Remember to measure your waist and belly now! Comparing later can be a lot of fun!