10th week of pregnancy: The 10th week of pregnancy at a glance
Your baby slowly takes on human traits in the 10th week of pregnancy, in the ultrasound you can already see the forehead, the bridge of the nose and even the tip of the nose. In addition, the webbed feet, to which your child’s fingers and toes are still connected, are increasingly dissolving. Read here how your body changes in the 10th week of pregnancy and how your baby develops.
In the 10th week of pregnancy, it is important that you pay attention to your diet and anadequate supply of iodineso that your baby can develop in the best possible way. Infectious diseases such as salmonellaorlisteriosiscan be prevented by avoiding certain foods. What you are not allowed to eat now, you can find out in our article on the topic.
Index
ToggleDevelopment of your baby in the 10th week of pregnancy
In the 10th week of pregnancy, your child’s fingers and toes are still connected by webbed feet, but these are increasingly dissolved. So they can be extended. The head, which has straightened, is connected to the rest of the trunk via the neck. At the moment, the trunk still corresponds to half of the embryo. The embryo now has a human appearance, as the lips and nose can already be seen on theultrasound image.
Eyes and ears have also developed almost to their final shape. Part of the intestine is still located in a section of the umbilical cord, the physiological umbilical hernia. The external genital organs do not yet show the sex in the 10th week of pregnancy. However, elbows, knees and fingers and toes on the arms and legs of your child can already be distinguished. The first movements of arms and legs are now taking place. The tail bud has completely regressed. In the 10th week of pregnancy, the embryo is 25 to 32 millimeters in size and the step from embryo to fetus takes place.
Your body in the 10th week of pregnancy
Thoughts about the course of pregnancy and your life with your baby will probably come more and more into focus in the 10th week of pregnancy. So that you do not start pondering unnecessarily, you should talk to a midwife or gynecologist in good time about possible and individually necessaryprenatal examinations. However, that doesn’t mean doing a lot of research. Together with a person you trust, select the examinations that are important to you.
One of the first visible signs of pregnancy may be an altered complexion that is affected by elevated estrogen levels. The most diverse manifestations can be observed: from rosy soft skin to pimples and blackheads on the face and décolleté to the sudden improvement of acne disease. You may also feel an abdominal pull or abdominal pain. That’s nothing to worry about. Your body changes during pregnancy, the ligaments stretch and the uterus takes up more space. Nevertheless, it is advisable to discuss these symptoms with the gynecologist to rule out possible risks.
In general, you are more susceptible to viruses and bacteria during pregnancy – and you can catch a cold faster than usual. Because your immune system is busy protecting the baby during this time. But don’t worry! A cold in pregnancy is not uncommon and will not harm your baby.
Questions about the 10th week of pregnancy
Can I already have a belly in the 10th week of pregnancy?
The abdominal circumference is still small in most women in the 10th week of pregnancy, usually only slightly arched and feels harder than usual. The size of your belly depends on various factors, such as: how your baby lies, how heavy it is and how much weight you put on yourself. From when your belly will grow significantly, can therefore not be said in general and is different from woman to woman.
Some women already feel slight back pain in the 10th week of pregnancy, which can also intensify somewhat in the course of pregnancy. These are also related to the growth of your abdomen.
Does the nausea stop in the 10th week of pregnancy?
Between the 8th and 10th week of pregnancy, nausea is at its peak in most women. Odors that are normally perceived as pleasant trigger vomiting. This is due to the high concentration of the pregnancy hormone hCG in the blood. From the 12th week of pregnancy, this hormone usually decreases and you will also have to struggle significantly less with nausea and vomiting.
Are spotting normal in the 10th week of pregnancy?
In the first few weeks of pregnancy, it is not uncommon for spotting and mild abdominal pain to occur. Because the maternal organism adjusts to the new task and so some changes occur on your body. As a rule, spotting in the 10th week of pregnancy is no reason to worry. Nevertheless, you should always have them checked out by your gynecologist.
Decision for a first trimester screening?
Following the initial ultrasound screening, the doctor will talk to you about other prenatal diagnostic measures, such asthe first trimester screening. With some screenings, malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, and hereditary diseases can be ruled out almost certainly. Many pregnant women are very reassured by the results and let them look forward to the birth more relaxed. Other pregnant women consciously decide against screenings because for them a possible disability of their child does not play a role in the continuation of the pregnancy. No matter how you decide, your midwife and doctor are available for discussions.
What does 10th week of pregnancy mean?
If you are in the 10th week of pregnancy, your embryo is eight weeks old. Because there is a difference between the age and the week of pregnancy. The first two weeks of pregnancy only serve to calculate the approximate date of delivery. Thus, the calculation begins about two weeks before fertilization, with the first day of the last period.
It is counted as follows – if you are in the 10th week of pregnancy, you are in the ninth week and x days pregnant:
- 9+0= 1st day of the 10th week of pregnancy
- 9+1 = 2nd day of the 10th week of pregnancy
- 9+2 = 3rd day of the 10th week of pregnancy
- 9+3 = 4th day of the 10th week of pregnancy
- 9+4 = 5th day of the 10th week of pregnancy
- 9+5 = 6th day of the 10th week of pregnancy
- 9+6 = 7th day of the 10th week of pregnancy
Tips and hints for the 10th week of pregnancy
Infections through food
Various infectious diseases that cause little or no symptoms in adults can affect your baby’s development, such astoxoplasmosis. It is therefore important to clarify against which infections you have formed antibodies and against which there is no immunity. These examinations are not yet routine measures within the framework ofpreventive appointmentsand must be paid for themselves. However, it is important that you take care to avoid some foods during pregnancy.
The first major ultrasound examination in the 10th week of pregnancy
Around the tenth week of pregnancy, according to maternity guidelines, the first of the three majorultrasound examinationsshould be performed by the doctor. If you have a midwife accompany you through the pregnancy, she may work with a doctor’s office to which she will refer you or she may recommend a maternity clinic that performs ultrasound examinations on an outpatient basis. If you are cared for by a doctor, it may be that he has already clarified at your first visit by ultrasound whether there is an intact pregnancy. Then this is the second ultrasound examination for you, but the first in which the child is looked at in more detail.
The appearance of the skin changes
According to the changed appearance of the skin, it is important to adapt the care products. Treat yourself to a consultation with the beautician if you are unsure about the new care, so that you can find the right care product for you.
Passive smoking is also harmful
Your partner should definitely stop smoking, aspassive smokingis very harmful to you and your baby. Even cold smoke is dangerous and can get stuck in furniture, carpets and even walls and continue to contain poison!
Avoid iodine deficiency
Your iodine reserves are heavily stressed during pregnancy. However, it is very important for the thyroid gland that there is enough iodine so that it can produce enough thyroid hormones. After all, she has to form up to 50 percent more of it during pregnancy. The baby’s thyroid gland also begins to produce hormones and needs more iodine to do so. Support your iodine supply with iodized table salt and increased fish consumption. However, because many pregnant women cannot completely cover their iodine requirements through their diet, the doctor often prescribes a supplementary iodine supplement.