Sometimes time can do incredible things, but the greatest magic is experienced by expectant mothers. However, there is little reason to be upset – all the magic mostly happens inside a woman’s womb, so no one can see it. But we will try to describe in more detail all stages of the magic called “the conception and development of a child” from the moment of conception to the immediate birth. And right now you will find out what the tenth obstetric week of pregnancy marks.
The course of pregnancy, feelings
The 10th week of pregnancy is a relatively short period, but it is undoubtedly important for the baby and the woman herself. In general, the expectant mother’s sensations are normal, except for toxicosis, frequent urge to the toilet and other “little things”.
In the absence of pathologies, chronic diseases and other factors, the pregnancy is normal and without complications. In general, a pregnant woman may remain somewhat irritable, overly emotional, have special cravings for certain foods and the like. As a rule, the woman is still living her normal rhythm, except for some adjustments.
The 10th week of pregnancy is characterized by:
Frequent urge to urinate
One of the signs of pregnancy and anguish for a woman in an interesting position is the frequent urge to urinate. It would seem that the size of the fetus is still small to cause excessive strain on the body and the genitourinary system in particular. However, the pressure in the pelvis is large enough to put pressure on the bladder.
Such a manifestation does not bring comfort to a woman – it’s natural – but there is no obvious reason to worry. However, there are always and everything has a “but”, and frequent urination is no exception. If during the very process of urination you feel the threads and pain, as well as other unpleasant symptoms, you should consult a doctor, because it may indicate a disease or infection.
Pulling pains in the lower abdomen
In the absence of constancy and severity of pain sensations, intermittent cramps in the lower abdomen should be considered quite normal. This can be attributed to the fact that the uterus is actively growing and changing its structure, becoming more plastic. Regarding the location of the uterus in the 10th week of pregnancy, the organ is still in the pelvis, only the size has increased slightly.
Changes in the nipple area
In addition to the active growth of the mammary glands, a woman can observe striking changes in the nipple aureoles. The aureoles become more pigmented and also larger – this can be attributed to the high melanin content. It is also worth noting that the nipples themselves also increase.
Rapid fatigue
Sleepiness and fatigue during the first trimester are the result of high progesterone levels. The same hormone promotes a more active metabolism, so the energy of a pregnant woman runs out quickly. However, there are many factors that affect the body and manifest themselves in the form of fast fatigability, and in each separate case the reasons will be different.
Changes in hormonal background
Hormones in pregnant women can work wonders – this should be understood both literally and figuratively. But by the time of pregnancy at 10 weeks, all the obvious abnormalities are not so noticeable, because the body is already used to a large amount of accumulated hormones. Gradually all the processes in the body are adjusted, the nervous system is normalized, etc.
What’s going on with the baby?
During this time, the fetus is quite advanced in development. The baby at 10 weeks of pregnancy has already reached a height of 40-60 millimeters, and its weight is plus or minus 10-13 grams. Regarding the development of internal organs and systems, the following points can be noted:
- The nervous system was formed, and there was a division between the central and peripheral systems;
- The brain has already begun its work almost at full capacity, producing neurons and controlling all body systems in the little fetal calf;
- The rudiments of the immune and lymphatic systems appeared;
- The diaphragm began to form, and the muscle tissue and bone system continued to develop;
- The receptors that are responsible for the sense of taste and smell have already completed development.
As for the changes to which the fetus’s appearance has undergone, there is also much to note. The most important thing is the fully formed face, which already “shows” quite lively facial expressions. Also, the legs and hands have already finished forming, as well as the fingers, on which the rudiments of the nail plates have begun to appear. By the way, the fetus has begun to actively move its limbs, but these movements are chaotic and insignificant enough for a woman to feel them.
The torso and limbs will continue to develop (lengthen). The head is still proportionally larger than the rest of the body. The fetus is just beginning to learn to move its limbs, to bend and unbend its joints. It moves inside the fetal egg, pushing away from its walls.
What’s going on with mom?
There are no special and dramatic changes in the body of a pregnant woman at this stage, because the fetus is still very small. The abdomen may remain fairly flat by the 10th week of pregnancy, except in cases where pregnant women experience bloating or a sudden weight gain due to an increase in food intake.
Virtually the only symptom that is noticeable not only to the lady in the pregnancy, but also to others, is a sharply increased breast (usually by 1-2 sizes by this date). It can also be noted that the hips are slightly forward when walking, but this does not always happen. It should also be noted that a dark pigmented stripe may appear on the abdomen (in the center) as a result of the active production of melanin in the body of a pregnant woman.
Feeling at 10 weeks of pregnancy:
Blood vessels in the pelvic area are dilated
Due to the fact that during pregnancy the intensity of blood production increases and the fluid moves more actively through the circulatory system, such a phenomenon as dilation of the pelvic vessels can occur. Some doctors associate this phenomenon with the disease varicose veins, but not all expectant mothers are at risk. Most of the processes associated with changes in the blood vessel system are related to the emergence of the third circle of circulation (uteroplacental circulation), which is responsible for nourishing and breathing the fetus.
Indeed, because of the greater activity of blood flow in the upper part of a woman’s body, the lower bony girdle and consequently the pelvic organs receive less blood circulation. To improve the circulation process, the body changes some properties of the vessels, the cavity of which expands, ensuring optimal blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Toxicosis in the 10th week of pregnancy
At this stage, most women’s toxemia begins to subside or completely recede, which makes the life of the expectant mother more joyful. This can be explained by the fact that most of the restructuring in the woman’s body has passed, at least everything seems and feels more familiar.
Specific reactions to certain foods, dishes or smells may persist, but this can be avoided. However, if there is an alarming symptom in the form of incessant vomiting or severe nausea for a day or more, the doctor may diagnose a severe form of toxicity, which is called the scary word “hyperemesis. Only a specialist can help you deal with such complications.
Changes in hormonal background
A major restructuring in the body of a woman expecting a child begins on the first day after fertilization by the sperm of the egg. In the 10th week of pregnancy the processes of rearrangement continue, but in some cases they go almost unnoticed by the woman herself.
But in most cases, changes in the hormonal background affect a woman, her well-being, the work of internal organs and even her mood. Because of the production of the hormone progesterone, constipation and discomfort in the intestines can occur. It is the “frenzied” hormones that make an adequate before pregnancy woman a vulnerable and irascible person who does not know what she wants – at least, this can be seen by others.
The problem with hormones does not only come from the pregnancy itself. Many things “came” into a pregnant woman’s life due to the absence of menstruation, which is necessary to regulate hormones. Since there is no period, all of the hormones stay inside the woman’s body.
As for the tearfulness, acute reaction to stimuli and similar emotional abnormalities in pregnant women, they also do not occur without reason. However, you should not blame only the large number of “floating” hormones in the body. All emotional abnormalities and reactions should be considered a response of the nervous system to these very hormones. By the way, hormones secreted by the adrenal glands and ovaries, contribute to the growth of the uterus (at 10 weeks of pregnancy, its size is 122x66x95 mm) and breasts.
Breast enlargement
Breast growth due to changes in the size and structure of the mammary glands is one of the most obvious, and for many expectant mothers the first sign of pregnancy. Hormones produced by the adrenal glands, pituitary gland and ovaries are also responsible for this process. Changes with the breasts in most women cause painful sensations, which in most cases go away by the end of the first trimester, but for some women discomfort in the breasts remains until delivery.
Breasts can change in different ways – in some intensive growth is observed in the first couple of months of pregnancy, then the increase is gradual, and others’ breasts are growing gradually throughout the pregnancy.
The usual models of bras can become uncomfortable or even cause considerable discomfort. During pregnancy and lactation you will have to wear special underwear. Many women note that during active growth of the breasts are more comfortable seamless bra models with wide straps. However, each woman must choose, guided by their own feelings.
An expectant mother may have trouble sleeping
Healthy sleep is necessary for everyone, and pregnant women are no exception. Expectant mothers may already experience some discomfort while sleeping – this can be the result of improper sleeping position, poor quality bedding, etc. – there are many reasons.
It is possible to correct this situation or somewhat reduce discomfort if you know a few important points. First, the expectant mother should get enough sleep, for this purpose it is necessary to allocate at least eight hours. Secondly, you should not eat heavy food and overeat before going to bed.
Thirdly, you should take care of a high-quality and as comfortable sleeping place as possible. Sometimes it can spoil all sleep, but a simple pillow, stiff, too big or too small. Causing perceptible discomfort can be poor-quality bedding, which can be corrected relatively easily by buying and putting on sleepwear. It is also worth thinking about the mattress or base on which you sleep – you may need to think about buying a new and better quality.
Some pregnant women, even at such a young age and without a protruding belly, have trouble finding the best position to sleep. Specialists in such cases recommend buying a special pillow, but sometimes you can limit yourself to a curled up sausage blanket, forming a kind of a nest, where it is comfortable to sit.
It is absolutely not recommended to resort to sleeping pills while you are pregnant, because it is bad for the health of the baby and the mother. You can use relatively harmless, but quite working methods – for example, warm drinking (herbal infusions) before going to bed, listening to soothing music or breathing exercises.
Tests and ultrasounds
As a rule, an ultrasound scan by 10 weeks of pregnancy is already done and the doctor has made all the necessary conclusions. However, in some cases, the expectant mother just becomes registered at the antenatal clinic. In this case, the list of tests that will need to be done is quite extensive, and among the most important are:
- Blood tests – general, biochemical, clotting, and more. In order to fulfill all the requirements of doctors, it is worth to ask in detail and remember everything;
- Urine must be given for general analysis;
- It is very important to be checked for hepatitis, syphilis, AIDS and other serious diseases;
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) is performed on a mandatory basis;
- If there are individual health problems of an expectant mother, additional tests may be performed.
In addition to the obstetrician, who will directly monitor the pregnancy, you should be examined by a general practitioner, ENT, dentist and ophthalmologist. Naturally, if necessary, an ultrasound scan at 10 weeks of pregnancy may be performed.
Regarding ultrasound and the opportunity to see the baby, it is not yet possible – at 10 weeks of pregnancy fetal size is still not significant, but a specialist can assess the overall condition of the fetus and its location in the uterus, as well as tell the number of babies in the womb. And it is also at this term that a specific blood test is performed, which is called biochemical screening. The purpose of this study is to detect fetal abnormalities and abnormalities at an early stage.
Mommy Nutrition
There are no strict and categorical recommendations for expectant mothers to follow any special diet. However, this does not mean that you can eat and drink anything. Food for pregnant women should be both light, nutritious and healthy.
It is important to include in your diet foods containing a sufficient amount of calcium, because it is at the beginning of the 10th week of gestation that the fetal bone buds begin to harden, that is, cartilage tissue becomes bone-like. If you understand that your own body is not getting enough calcium, and therefore unable to transfer it to the fetus, it is worth taking special dietary supplements. This advice is also valid for other vitamins, minerals and so on, but their use should be coordinated with your doctor.
To get rid of abdominal heaviness and bloating, you should avoid eating foods that contribute to gas in the intestines. You should also divide the daily amount of food into 5-6 meals, and during these meals, give up the habit of overeating. In this case the last meal should be arranged at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. If you feel acute hunger, and it is time to go to bed, it is worth limiting yourself to some fruit, a glass of kefir or milk.
There is a whole list of foods that should definitely be included in the diet of a pregnant woman:
- Vegetables in raw, boiled or stewed form;
- Fruit – preferably fresh, but juices are allowed, but jams and preserves should be excluded;
- Porridge, which can be a great and nutritious breakfast;
- Dairy and fermented milk products;
- Meat – it should be stewed or boiled, baked is allowed, but fried steaks should be avoided;
- Fish and seafood – a whole treasure trove of nutrients and vitamins, but with their proper and healthy cooking;
A categorical ban for pregnant women, except for fried and spicy, are various smoked foods. Especially harmful should be considered as prefabricated and ready-made products. For the health of the baby and his mother will be healthier if preference is given to home-cooked properly.
Dangers and possible problems
Many people think that the most dangerous thing is abdominal pain in the 10th week of pregnancy. However, you should not assume that this symptom indicates an abortion, because there are many reasons for abdominal pain and they need to be analyzed, and this can only be done by a specialist.
Stabbing pains in the groin area and lower abdomen are the result of increased tension in the uterus, but usually these sensations are not constant. You should start to worry when the pains become frequent and constant. And in addition to this there are other signs of danger – for example, purulent, bloody or brown discharge during pregnancy at 10 weeks. Generally, a woman should pay attention to the condition of vaginal discharge (its consistency, color, smell) not only during pregnancy.
Threatened miscarriage 10 weeks
The scariest thing that can present itself to a pregnant woman is the danger by the 10th week of pregnancy in the form of a threatened abortion. This problem does not come out of nowhere and is not asymptomatic. A clear sign of danger is vaginal discharge colored with blood (red, pink or brown). In addition, a woman may feel general weakness, body aches and pains in the lower back.
Having all the signs, you should not wait for them to be over. The most reasonable solution would be to see a specialist, and immediately.
Ectopic pregnancy
This pathology consists in the fact that the fetus (aka embryo at the beginning) began its development not in the middle of the uterus, but outside it (for example, in the cavity of the Fallopian tube). The symptomatology of this problem is expressed by severe stabbing pain in the groin area, which extends to the lower back. Often there is bleeding or blood stained discharge.
It is absolutely impossible to delay with this problem, because the fetus is in an active stage of development, so it is constantly increasing in size, and this threatens to rupture. These circumstances are life threatening for the woman. That is why you should have an ultrasound scan at an early stage and get registered.
