PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK - WEEK 10

What is happening with your baby:
Even though your baby is just over an inch long, (crown to bottom), and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most important part of its development.  This is a time, referred to as the fetal period, where the tissue and organs in his/her body are growing very quickly.

Your baby is swallowing fluid and kicking like crazy.  The vital organs (kidneys, intestines, brain and liver) are now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac.  All of the vital organs are in place and beginning to function.  They will continue to grow and mature throughout your pregnancy.

Your baby's limbs now have the ability to bend.  The hands are flexed and meet over the heart.  The feet may be long enough to meet in front of the body.  The outline of the spine is visible through the translucent skin.  The baby's forehead has a bulge (but only temporarily), for the developing brain.  In the next few weeks, your baby will double in size.

How things are changing for mom:
When you go to your next prenatal visit, you may be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a doppler.  (A doppler is a hand held device used by your doctor to hear the ultrasonic activity)  Your health care provider does this by simply placing the dopper on your belly.

The size of your pre-pregnancy uterus was approximately the size of a small apple.  By this week, it is now the size of a large grapefruit!

You may be feeling those regular size clothes are getting to be a bit snug.  If you have not done it yet, now would be the time to go ahead and get a good pair of maternity jeans and a new bra (this is probably the places you notice expanding the most).  There are many maternity jeans that you can wear throughout pregnancy and even right after you have the baby.  You can't even tell they are maternity jeans and it is great to have something comfortable both before and after your baby is born.  It buys you some extra time to get back into that favorite pair of jeans, once you have had your baby!   And denim goes with everything!

Make sure when you buy a bra, to get one that will grow with you; especially if you are planning on breastfeeding.  Your chest will probably expand more throughout your pregnancy and your cup size will most likely go up if you do breastfeed.  Also, if you do plan to breastfeed, you may want to consider buying a nursing bra and just using it throughout your pregnancy (instead of just a regular maternity bra).  The recommended number of nursing bras to have is three.  One you are wearing, one that is clean (ready for a quick change if necessary), and one that may be in the dirty clothes.

By simply buying that new pair of pants and getting a more comfortable bra, you will be surprised at how much more comfort that will give you!