The 10th week of pregnancy bears significance. This is the time when the embryo develops into a fetus as it prepares for the outside world (1). You will feel its presence and be able to notice its progress in your first OB/GYN visit during this week. So, if you are curious to know more about the 10th week, continue reading. In this post, we tell you all about the 10th week, including the care and precautions you need to take, foods to eat, and more.
How Big Is Your Uterus At Week 10 Of Pregnancy
By the tenth week of pregnancy, your uterus is likely to grow about the size of a grapefruit.
How big is your baby in week 10?
By the tenth week of pregnancy, your baby attains the size of a strawberry measuring about 1.2 inches in length (from crown to rump) and weighing about 0.14 ounces. Your baby has now moved from the fetal stage to the embryonic stage. Let’s have a look at the major developments happening in your baby in the tenth week.
Baby Development In Week 10 Of Pregnancy
Changes In Your Body In Week 10 Of Pregnancy
In the tenth week , pregnant belly starts showing up because your baby is growing faster by this time. The belly might not be noticeable for others, but you may find your clothes getting tight at the waistband.
Physical changes likely to happen during the tenth week of pregnancy
Emotional changes
Make sure to take out some exclusive time for yourself as it can help overcome the emotional changes you might be going through during the pregnancy phase. However, certain changes might require your doctor’s attention.
When To Call The Doctor?
You must see the doctor if you have:
abnormal vaginal discharge or foul odor bleeding or cramping chills fever severe abdominal pain pain while urinating severe nausea with vomiting
You should also consult the doctor if you have any infections. Do not take over-the-counter medication.
Can You Get Infections During 10th Week Pregnancy?
You are vulnerable to three most common infections in the tenth week: A UTI can also be caused when the intestinal bacteria from the rectum area travel to the urethra making their way into the urinary tract. This can lead to a bladder infection, also known as cystitis. The symptoms include pain or burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to pee, lower abdominal pain, and pelvic discomfort. Cystitis, left untreated, can cause a kidney infection. The tenth week is not just about changes and infections but is also the time to have the first glimpse of your baby.
Ultrasound At Tenth Week
You are likely to have your first ultrasound scan this week to check the growth of your baby. Ultrasound:
shows the baby’s head.
detects the heartbeat. In an ultrasound, it is possible to see the heart functioning and the parents may hear the heartbeat that resembles the sound of galloping horses.
shows the baby sucking the thumb (if you are lucky) (12).
shows the functioning of internal organs through the baby’s translucent skin.
The ultrasound is done as part of your visit to an OB/GYN, who will also take up other crucial diagnoses.
Other Likely Tests During Your OB/GYN Visit
At week-10 of pregnancy, your doctor might recommend a few special tests:
a woman has a family history of genetic disorders.
she is above the age of 35 years.
she or her partner has chromosomal rearrangement (14).
Note that these tests are not necessary for every pregnant woman but only for those who have a history of chromosomal diseases in their families or in the cases where the doctor suspects something to be wrong. In other safer cases, it is just the ultrasound and some comprehensive blood tests. Of course, you need to follow it up with some self-TLC.
10 Tips For A Better 10th Week Pregnancy
The first trimester is the most difficult phase of pregnancy. You may want to follow these tips to ease up the discomforts of the tenth week.
Nutrition In The 10th Week Of Pregnancy
On an average, a woman needs 2,200 calories a day. However, during pregnancy, it increases by 300 calories to 2,500 calories, if your weight is normal. In the case of twins or more, you need more calories. Here is the list of foods you may include in your tenth-week pregnancy diet. Here is the list of foods you may include in your tenth-week pregnancy diet.
1. Healthy snacks and drinks:
You feel hungry often. Keep some healthy snacks ready so that you can avoid the temptation of eating junk food. You may eat:
Rusks Whole grain crackers Sandwiches and pitta bread with grilled chicken or grated cheese Breakfast cereals, porridge with milk Fresh fruits Vegetable and bean soups Apricots, prunes, and figs
Healthy drinks:
Homemade jal jeera Lemonade Aam panna Ginger tea Homemade tomato soup
2. Vitamin B rich foods:
Vitamin B6 helps in the production of red blood cells (16). Vitamin-rich foods include:
Bananas Brown rice Lean meats Poultry, fish Avocados Whole grains Corn Nuts
Deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause anemia in you or neural birth defects in the baby (17). Vitamin B12-rich foods include:
Meat Dairy product Soya milk Breakfast cereals Yeast extract
3. Magnesium:
It helps in maintaining muscle strength and immune system. Magnesium-rich foods include:
Salad greens Nuts Soya beans Whole grains Weeds of pumpkin, sunflower, and melon Dried fruits such as figs, raisins, and apricots Green leafy vegetables such as radish leaves, spinach, mustard greens, lamb’s quarters, lettuce, and fenugreek leaves. Vegetables including bitter gourd, bottle gourd, peas and sweet corn. Whole wheat and brown rice. Pulses such as green gram and kidney beans. Dairy products including cottage cheese, milk, and curd/yogurt. Fish, poultry, and meat
Here is a diet chart that you may follow in week-ten of pregnancy (18): Good food should be clubbed with some good and safe physical activities to keep yourself active.
Exercises During The 10th Week Of Pregnancy
Exercise for 30 minutes every day to keep yourself fit and active. However, take your doctor’s consent before beginning any of these. Here are some exercises to consider:
Aerobics promote blood circulation, stimulate your heart and lungs, and tone your muscles.
Light weight lifting supports muscle tone, strength, and endurance. Do not strain your body by overdoing it.
Water exercises such as swimming help ease up stress.
Yoga offers flexibility, relaxation, and maintains posture. It builds strength and increases endurance.
Pilates improve posture and increase muscle strength and flexibility.
If you find exercising alone boring, then involve your partner. As a dad-to-be, he too has some responsibilities, doesn’t he?
Tips For Dad-to-be
Men can make the first trimester easier for their partners by letting them know that they are there for them. Here’s what you can do:
Your support means a lot to your wife. Ask her and find out what she wants from you.
Create a tranquil environment in your bedroom. You can replace the bright bulbs with dimmer light to make it pleasant for her.
Her mood swings can annoy you but try to deal with the situation.
Show your love for her during this phase to win her love for a lifetime.
Make her feel relaxed by giving her a good foot and neck massage.
Join her during exercises to encourage her.
She might cut her off from the social groups. Try to spend more quality time with her.
Plan maternal shopping and other pregnancy activities like shoots or babymoon.
