Another week in the first trimester, another week of probably feeling sick and tired: that’s the unfortunate truth of the third month of pregnancy, and week 10 is smack dab in the middle of it! This month of pregnancy really is peak morning sickness time for most women, so do know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, because this is almost certainly the worst of it and you’ll feel better soon. Here’s what else you should know about being 10 weeks pregnant. 

Baby at ten weeks pregnant

Get out the ruler: this week your babe’s charting at  1.25-1.75 inches crown to rump. Combine that with a weight of about .18 ounce, and your baby’s about the size of a prune.

Within that tiny embryo, all of the vital organs have begun to form (and s/he even has functioning elbows!). Bones are forming from cartilage and buds for teeth are developing. And your baby is getting wildly smarter as his or her tiny brain produces 250,000 new neurons every second.

The sex of your baby was decided at conception, although it’s too soon if you’re having a boy or a girl. If it’s a boy on board, his tiny testes have begun producing testosterone already! Another wow: your baby is moving around inside of you, courtesy of woman’s awesome ability to grow another human. Nope, you can’t feel those movements yet (mark your calendar for six weeks from now), but it’s still cool to know, right?!

Although it’s not something you might post about on social media, the end of week 10 is kind of momentous for your baby. It marks the end of the embryonic period of development, during which developing life is most susceptible to harmful behaviors. Said another way, that’s when most birth defects occur, and rarely form after s/he develops beyond the embryonic period. But of course your unborn child can still be harmed by substance use like drugs and alcohol, or things like X-rays, so continue on with your healthy pregnancy lifestyle.

Your body at 10 weeks pregnant

Most women are experiencing very real early-pregnancy symptoms at this point, although it’s unlikely most people could tell you are pregnant from looking at you. While your breasts might be swollen, your stomach is likely showing only a very slight peek-a-boo pot belly by this point.

Big changes are happening within your body to grow your baby. Your lungs are adapting to take in more air, to meet the increased demand for oxygen. You might notice that veins seem to be appearing here there and everywhere, particularly on your breasts, legs, and ankles. Those aren’t new veins, just existing ones expanded to support the increased blood flood to your baby. They’ll retreat again after pregnancy. 

Dental care is important when you're pregnant at 10 weeks and throughout pregnancy, because hormones and increased blood flow make your gum tissue softer than normal, setting you up for bleeding or swollen gums. Additionally, pregnancy changes in your body also result in more plaque being produced in your mouth, which could lead to tartar buildup. So if you have a regular dental cleaning scheduled, don't skip the appointment. Make sure to tell your dentist that you're pregnant, however, since he or she will need that info to advise you on getting X-rays (chances are they’ll recommend going without until your baby arrives).

Ten weeks pregnant ultrasound

At ten weeks, it’s possible your doctor might be able to locate your baby’s rapidly thumping heartbeat using a handheld fetal Doppler. This device is kind of like a microphone placed on the belly. If you don’t hear it, don’t panic: there are a number of reasons why the fetal Doppler might not be picking up the heartbeat. It could be the location of your baby or the placenta is preventing it, or your due date might be slightly off. Having a little extra padding on your belly can make it tough too.

How big is my baby at 10 weeks pregnant?

At 10 weeks pregnant, your baby is the size of a grape, on average measuring at 1.2 inches long and weighing on average at 0.4 ounces.

Ten weeks is how many months pregnant? 

At this stage in your pregnancy, you're two months, two weeks pregnant (2m2w), and about three-quarters of the way through the first trimester.

Common symptoms at 10 weeks pregnant

• Nausea and morning sickness: If you’re having a hard time eating large meals, try to eat smaller, more frequent snacks, with the goal of always keeping something – even if it’s just soda crackers – in your stomach, which will help with nausea. Take tiny sips of lemonade and suck on popsicles to prevent dehydration. 
• Fatigue: All the development and changes your body is going through in the first trimester can leave you seriously exhausted or even fatigued. The good news is your energy is almost certain to return during the second trimester.
• Frequent urination: Your expanding uterus is perched directly on your bladder, so if you find yourself needing to go, now, and again, blame pregnancy anatomy! Good news: by week 12 or 13 your uterus will have expanded beyond your pelvis and into your abdomen, relieving the pressure on your bladder (for now, anyway!).
• Abdominal pressure and mild achiness: It's not uncommon to experience various aches and pains when you're pregnant at 10 weeks. You might feel some abdominal pressure from your uterus growing, and the increased blood flow. The muscles and ligaments around your uterus are also stretching to make room for your baby. Slight cramping is normal, but if your pains are severe, call your doctor right away. Serious pains can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
• Constipation: The pregnancy hormone progesterone slows digestion so your body can better absorb nutrients to nurture your growing baby. With your colon absorbing more water and your potentially-erratic pregnancy eating habits, things can seemingly come to a standstill in your intestines. This can also be the source of gas and bloating. Check out these tips for getting things moving and avoiding constipation in pregnancy. 
• Breathlessness: As your baby’s oxygen requirements go up, you might experience some shortness of breath. Your body is adapting to these new demands, but since they are considerable, don’t be surprised if you get winded easily!
• Congestion: Pregnancy rhinitis – stuffiness and nasal congestion as a result of your pregnancy – is a super common symptom, and one that’s likely to stick around. Try natural methods for relief, and speak to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications for guidance on which are ok to take during pregnancy.
• Headaches: The changing hormone levels in your body have been known to cause headaches and even migraines throughout early pregnancy. If you want to take something for it, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is believed to be a safe choice for occasional use; ask your doctor what is acceptable usage and dose. Don’t take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin, or naproxen (Aleve), which are not recommended to take at any time during pregnancy.

Pregnancy checklist at ten weeks pregnant 

• Rest and relax: There’s a good chance you don’t feel like doing much on a checklist this week – unless that list includes lying on the couch or sipping ginger tea. That is totally fine. Your body is working overtime, so getting a lot of rest should be your top priority.
• Get the flu vaccine: While catching a cold isn’t a big deal in pregnancy, getting the flu can be dangerous for pregnant women. That’s why experts recommend the flu vaccine as one of the few vaccinations that all pregnant women should receive. If it’s flu season where you live, talk to your practitioner about getting the vaccine.
• Hydrate: While you might feel like you're always running to the bathroom, make sure that you're staying hydrated when you're pregnant at 10 weeks. If you're growing tired of water, consider infusing your water with fresh fruit or choosing fruit with a high water content like watermelon or cantaloupe. Smoothies can also be a great way to increase your fluid intake and they can be packed with nutrients. Learn more about delicious smoothie recipes.
• Talk to your doctor: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening, aka noninvasive prenatal screening, is a form of genetic testing available as early as the tenth week of pregnancy. This test is used to screen for genetic problems, such as Down’s syndrome, and it can also provide early knowledge about your baby’s gender. Talk to your doctor about whether this genetic test is right for you. 

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