Help your growing baby develop in your tenth week of pregnancy

Your growing baby is now looking like a human. See what features are developing this week.

What’s happening in Week 10 of my pregnancy?

Your ittle one now measures around 2.5 centimeters longi and is looking more like a human.

The ears are starting to develop on the sides of your growing baby's head, and inside the head, his or her ear canals are forming. The upper lip and two tiny nostrils in the nose are also visible and the developing jawbones already contain all your little one’s future milk teeth.

The heart is fully formed and beats 180 times per minute – two to three times faster than your own.ii

Your growing baby is making small, jerky movements, which can be seen on an ultrasound scan. Amazingly, your growing baby’s brain is active by now and has brain waves.

What can you expect in Week 10 of pregnancy?

Increased urine production is a common symptom at this pregnancy stageiii due to hormonal changes. Use these tips to manage this symptom and to maintain your pregnancy well-being:

  • Cut down on caffeinated beverages. Drinks such as coffee and tea have a diuretic effect, which compels you to head to the bathroom frequently.
  • Stay hydrated. Don’t be deterred from drinking plenty of water; it is important for a healthy pregnancy.

What can I do to support my pregnancy in week 10?

Continue to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and take a pre-natal supplement as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Your developing baby’s brain cells are multiplying rapidly. You can power the development of crucial regions in the brain by providing choline, DHA, and folate daily to your growing babyiv. Some food items rich in these nutrients that you may want to add to your diet are fatty fish, eggs, spinach, and beans.  

Remember:

  • Stay as stress-free as possible, mom-to-be, as your negative emotions may have a bearing on your developing baby.v
  • Engage in activities that help you feel calm, such as reading, gentle exercise, prenatal yoga, crafts, and other hobbies like indoor gardening.
  • A warm bath at the end of a long day can also help soothe you and wash away your anxieties.

 

Your growing baby’s development in week 11

 

 

References:
 
i    Pregnancy - week by week. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2017, from      
ii   You and your baby at 9-12 weeks pregnant. (2017, March 31). Retrieved April 12, 2017, from      
iii  Common physical changes first trimester | First trimester | Pregnancy - Kidspot New Zealand(n.d.). Retrieved February
iv  Georgieff MK. (2007) Nutrition and the developing brain: nutrient priorities and measurement. Am J Clin Nutr.
     85(2):614S-620S.
v   Weinstock, M. (2005). The potential influence of maternal stress hormones on development and mental health of the
     offspring. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity,19(4), 296-308.doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2004.09.006
vi   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,. Fats And Fatty Acids In Human Nutrition:      
      Report Of An Expert Consultation. Geneva: N.p., 2010. Web. 5 Apr. 2017. FAO Food And NutritionPaper.
vii  Pregnancy diet: Focus on these essential nutrients. (n.d.). Retrieved April 05, 2017, from      
viii  Murry, M. M. (2011, August 19). Pregnancy constipation: Seeking relief. Retrieved March 21, 2017, from        
       bgp-20055812