How does my baby grow at 12 weeks?

You are now coming to the end of your first trimester, and your baby is now just over 5cm long, around the size of a plum. Their skeleton is made up of cartilage, the same substance that makes up your nose. Over time, it will harden into bone.

All the organs, muscles, limbs, and bones are developing quickly and will now mainly grow and mature.

The placenta will now be providing most of the nutrients to your baby.

Although your baby has started moving, it’s still too early for you to feel it.

What are the pregnancy symptoms at 12 weeks?

Welcome to the end of the first trimester! Your body has been through a lot, and now you’ll start seeing symptoms like morning sickness and tiredness slowly start to fade away. Hurray!

You might notice bleeding gums, which can be a result of your body’s hormones inflaming your gums. Make sure you’re brushing regularly—ideally using an electric toothbrush!

To practice good dental hygiene, follow this advice:

Clean your teeth and gums gently and carefully twice a day for 2 minutes using fluoride toothpaste.

Floss once a day to remove any small bits of food trapped between teeth and gums.

A smaller brush head with soft bristles is recommended.

Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol or any sugary drinks, including sweet tea or coffee, and acidic foods.

Opt for fruit, vegetables, cheese, or yoghurt as a snack between meals. These foods are less acidic and harmful to teeth.

For sore gums, a daily rinse of salt water can help reduce inflammation. Just be careful not to swallow the salty water.

If you suffer from morning sickness, wait at least 20 minutes before brushing. This allows the saliva in your mouth to break down any harmful acids. You should also wait 20 minutes before brushing after meals and snacks.

Speak to your doctor or hygienist if your gums are sore, swollen, or bleeding.

Constipation can also be fairly common around this time, so eat foods that are high in fibre (such as wholemeal grains, fruit, and vegetables), drink plenty of water, and avoid iron supplements.

You may also still experience stomach pain or cramps. Constipation can be the cause of this, as well as your pelvic muscles growing or relaxing to accommodate your womb. If your stomach pain doesn’t go away, contact your doctor.

What else do I need to know about being 12 weeks pregnant?

By now, you should have had, or are planning to have, an ultrasound scan. A lot of people wait until after their scan to announce their pregnancy to friends and family. This can be as big or as small as you want it to be, from announcing it in person to posting on social media.

Some of your clothes might be starting to pinch now, so think about getting some maternity clothes or changing the types of clothes you wear.

What Does My Pregnancy Look Like at Twelve Weeks?

What does my pregnancy look like at 12 weeks?