Week 12
Your baby now weighs around 14 grams, has reflexes and because of muscular development, can even move its limbs! You would now be able to hear your baby’s heart beat with the aid of a Doppler ultrasound, which your practitioner should have. Your baby’s heart rate will be very fast, at about 160 beats per minute. You’ll also now notice a face profile, complete with a tiny chin and nose. The baby is now able to swallow, and its tiny fingernails and toenails are forming.

At this stage of your pregnancy, you should start to feel a little better. You’ll feel less tired and your nausea will begin to subside. Expect compliments on your “pregnancy glow”; the increased blood volume and pregnancy hormones work together to increase oil gland secretion, resulting in flushed, plumper and smoother skin appearance. You’ll also notice the appearance of the linea nigra, a dark line drawn from your belly button.

The risk of a miscarriage is now greatly reduced and sits below 5%. Your placenta is now taking over the production of hormones.