12 Weeks Pregnant

Baby's Development This Week

As you reach the end of your first trimester, your baby is now fully formed from head to toe. They are about the size of a plum, and their tiny fingers and toes are no longer webbed. The most exciting development this week is that the baby's kidneys are beginning to produce urine, and they are even starting to make small, spontaneous movements as their nervous system matures.

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  All organs and structures are formed — the rest of pregnancy is growth and maturation.
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  Reflexes develop: the fetus can open and close fingers, curl toes, and make sucking motions.
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  The kidneys begin producing urine.
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  Bone marrow starts making white blood cells.
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  The fetus is about 5.4cm — the size of a lime.

Your Symptoms at Week 12

The good news is that for many women, the intense morning sickness and fatigue of the early weeks start to subside around now. Your uterus has grown to the size of a large grapefruit and is starting to move up out of your pelvis, which might slightly reduce the pressure on your bladder, though you may still feel a bit more tired than usual as your body finishes the massive task of building the placenta.

Week 12 Checklist

• ✓NT scan is typically done between weeks 11-13 (recommended)
• ✓Many parents announce the pregnancy after this milestone (optional)
• ✓Begin researching pediatricians (optional)
• ✓Increase calorie intake by ~340 calories/day for the second trimester (recommended)

Frequently Asked Questions