Pregnancy Week 12: Fetal Development, Pregnancy Symptom Changes, Your Diet & Food Cravings Pregnancy Weekly

About Baby

You are at the end of the  first trimester! Congratulations, Mama! Baby is the size of a lime and is about 2 1/4 inches long. All of Baby’s body systems are in place – and some are even working on their own. The thyroid is now secreting hormones, the kidneys will begin excreting urine, the pituitary gland has started producing hormones and bone marrow is making white blood cells. The small intestine has moved inside of your baby’s abdomen (where it belongs!), but the biggest news is Baby’s reflexes. He or she will begin to move those little fingers, curl those toes, squint those eyes and even make sucking movements.

Photo: Fetus at week 12 of development

About Mom

The end of the first trimester is when your  uterus starts to move into up in your abdomen. This should be a little relief if you were constantly running to the bathroom. For many women, morning sickness starts to decline now, as well as breast tenderness, fatigue and those smell aversions.

Find yourself wearing a pantyliner? An increase in vaginal discharge is normal. The production of  leukorrhea, an odorless, white mucus discharge from the vagina, increases because of your higher estrogen levels. If the discharge is yellow, greenish, thick or cheese-like and has an off odor, call your midwife or OB-GYN. You most likely have an infection that will need to be treated.

The  progesterone your body is producing is causing your blood vessels to relax and get wider, which means more blood for Baby. What it means to you is lower blood pressure and blood flow to your brain, which could cause dizziness. To combat dizziness be sure to:

• Keep your blood sugar levels up by eating regular meals.
• Stay hydrated.
• Stand up slowly. 

If you feel dizzy, lie or sit down, put your head between your knees and take deep breaths. Be sure to tell your doctor if it becomes a problem.

Your Diet

Craving bubble gum ice cream?  Bread and butter pickles? Crispy fried chicken? Join the (pregnancy) club! Cravings are a common – and sometimes much anticipated – part of pregnancy. We discovered is that pregnancy cravings are as unique as the mom who has them:

• “Hot wings, pineapple and watermelon!!”

• “Neapolitan ice cream topped with grape jelly. Hate both!”

• “Baked beans and sweet potatoes.”

• “Anything sour. I loved eating lemons. Also, banana peppers.”

• "With my first, anything chocolate. Second, celery with Cheez Whiz. Third, cucumbers. Oh, and French vanilla coffee slushies with my second as well."

Read even more about cravings when  35 moms confessed what they craved during pregnancy!

But if you’re craving kitty litter or the ends of Uncle Ed’s cigarettes, you have a condition called  pica. Women will crave substances such as coffee grounds, baking soda, dirt, soap, ice, ash, baby powder or erasers. It’s not really known why these cravings occur, but one theory exists that it may develop from a zinc or iron deficiency in the mother or the mother strongly desires a certain texture in her mouth. The dangers of pica for Mom and Baby depends on the amount and type of substance consumed. Learn about the dangers of pica.

Make the most of your meals by selecting foods that are nutrient packed. Here are some foods to keep on your radar:

• Calcium: Build up those bones by including lots of foods with calcium in your diet. Think cheese, milk, seeds, yogurt, canned salmon, sardines, beans, lentils, fortified cereals – and ice cream (in moderation!).

• Protein: We’ve all heard that protein is the building block for muscle and other tissues, and this is true for your baby. Think lean beef and pork, chicken breast, beans, eggs, almonds, lentils, oats, broccoli, tuna, quinoa, brussels sprouts.

• Iron: Blood craves iron. Feed it with iron-rich foods like eggs, red meat, beans, spinach, quinoa, turkey, broccoli, tofu, dark chocolate (yes, you read right, but in moderation).

• Folic Acid: Folic acid prevents spina bifida, which makes it a pregnancy nutrient rock star. According to the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, all women who are of childbearing age should consume 400-800 micrograms of folic acid daily. To do this, include lots of green vegetables, oranges, beans, pasta, and fortified breads and cereals in your diet and take your prenatal vitamins.

“Stop saying, ‘We’re pregnant.’ You’re not pregnant! Do you have to squeeze a watermelon-sized person out of your lady-hole? No. Are you crying alone in your car listening to a stupid Bette Midler song? No. When you wake up and throw up, is it because you’re nurturing a human life? No. It’s because you had too many shots of tequila.” – Mila Kunis

The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.

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