Baby: As of this week, the embryo is called a foetus, which is a big step in development! Now the foetus is about 30 millimeters long from head to tail 📏

Development

The body of the foetus begins to take shape and the tail that was previously in the dorsal end of the embryo begins to disappear. Toes and fingers have until this week looked like little webbed paddles, but are now starting to grow out. The head has been given a neck and the depressions previously seen in the face are beginning to have eyes with eyelids. At the nose and mouth there has previously only been a common hole, but now both the nose and the mouth are beginning to have their own structure. The ears are starting to take shape and the heart will be fully developed during this week.

Organs of the foetus

All the major organ systems have been established in the foetus and the genitalia continue to develop. So far, the external genitalia look the same in all foetuses regardless of sex, but the internal genitalia (testicles or ovaries) are fully developed at this point. Depending on the sex, millions of egg cells are now formed, or the production of testosterone has started.

Amniotic fluid

The baby lies in the uterus inside what is called the sac along with amniotic fluid. The amount of amniotic fluid increases gradually until week 38 and is then approximately 1 liter, after which there is a gradual decrease in the amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid is produced in the amniotic membranes, which is constantly renewed every 24 hours. The amniotic fluid is also there so that the baby can move, exercise its arms and legs, as well as to insulate and help the baby maintain its temperature. The temperature in the uterus is the same as in the pregnant woman, i.e. 37 degrees.

Mother: Now you are in your tenth week and the foetus has been growing inside you for two full months! 30 weeks until you get to see each other 💜

At this point of pregnancy, the weeks can seem endlessly long. So, it can be nice to motivate yourself with various milestones. Find a way to reward yourself for doing such an amazing job at carrying a baby! Maybe you could make it a routine to do something special that you enjoy in the middle of each week, so that you have something else to look forward to other than going into the next week. Only you set the limits for what reasonable rewards are. See if you can get your partner on board and find something fun to do together!

What kind of parent do you want to be?

Now may be the time to let yourself dream and fantasise about who you want to be as a parent. Feel free to raise your thoughts and concerns with your partner and discuss together, but also with your loved ones, about your views on parenting.

Iron supplements

If you have started taking iron supplements, this can affect your gut making you feel sluggish in your stomach or constipated. There are different types of iron supplements that have different effects, so talk to your midwife if the supplement you’re taking doesn’t work for your gut.

Fluid and swelling

If you feel swollen, the main reason for this is an increase in blood volume, but the hormones during pregnancy can also cause fluid retention. As all women are unique, we also react differently to this hormonal change, which means that everyone is affected by this to a certain extent. Factors such as blood pressure, heat and how much fluid the pregnant woman drinks also affects swelling. One reason why you can become swollen is that you are not drinking enough! Try increasing your water intake and see if the swelling subsides.

Concerns and risks of pregnancy

Should there be any risks with your pregnancy, your midwife will offer you a visit to the doctor. If you are worried and need extra support, your midwife can help you with that too. You can talk about any thoughts and questions about almost anything, and the midwife will help you get on the right track! Remember that anxiety is a natural part of pregnancy for many. Pregnancy is long, so if you’re feeling anxious, it’s likely that it will dip and peak several times during those nine months. What you feel now may not be as noticeable in a couple of weeks.

Sex during pregnancy

It is not harmful either to you or the embryo to have sex if you have a normal pregnancy. On the other hand, if you’re not feeling well or because of all the hormones, your desire could be reduced, as both the feeling and the experience of sex can change. Some pregnant women have a higher sex drive and feel greater pleasure, while others experience the complete opposite effect. Of course, this can also change following pregnancy. Talk to your partner about your feelings and needs, and remember to validate each other and be responsive. Intimacy can happen in many more ways than through intercourse.

Partner: Right now, parenthood and meeting your child may feel very far away. You can use the time until the birth to think about what kind of parent you want to be!

How about having a target that you can visualise in front of you? Like the first time you hold your baby or the first time you see your baby laugh.

Parenting courses

There are several different courses you can take while waiting for to become a parent, if you want to feel more equipped for parenthood. Ask your midwife and she can tell you the different options available where you live! Today there are also lots of digital options – Google everything from courses to parenting or childbirth courses!

Here at Baby Journey, we also have lots of information to reassure, help and guide you as a parent-to-be.

Social life and socialising

If your partner is extra tired right now, that’s completely normal! Maybe she doesn’t have the desire or energy to see your loved ones like she usually would because of her mood, and this can feel boring for you. So, we would gently remind you that this is a phase that will (hopefully!) pass relatively soon.

It is important that she rests and recharges her energy at this stage. All the great activities you usually do or want to do together are still there! And it’s perfectly fine to do things on your own if you feel like a little more speed than she can handle right now. Intersperse this with time where you can give her a little extra attention, something she will definitely really appreciate.