Week 12 of pregnancy: the genitals are formed

The arrival of week 12 is reassuring and encouraging news.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
14 March 2023 Tuesday 03:07
4 Reads
Week 12 of pregnancy: the genitals are formed

The arrival of week 12 is reassuring and encouraging news. It is the last of the third month of pregnancy, so the first trimester is about to end. A reason for joy for mothers, since it is during this initial and critical stage when the risk of spontaneous abortion is highest. Successfully overcoming it will be comforting, from here on, the pregnancy will be more enjoyable.

In the days following this exciting period, the mother's body will begin to experience the first noticeable changes, she will notice an increase in weight and belly. And the fetus will undergo rapid growth, acquire a more defined face, and it may even be possible to determine her biological sex on her first ultrasound.

Goodbye nausea, finally. In week 12 they usually disappear in most cases. Although we must not forget that in this phase the evolution of pregnancy manifests itself differently in each pregnant woman. The activity of hormones, estrogen and progesterone, causes all kinds of changes. And it may be that in some women they are more evident than in others, for example, in relation to the size of the belly. Regardless of your volume, starting this week it is recommended to start wearing loose and not tight clothing.

The blood system experiences an increase in its flow, which gives rise to two main consequences: the formation of spider veins and possible small nosebleeds. In turn, the body will suffer cramps, especially in the leg area, and muscle discomfort. To counteract it, it is advisable to practice physical exercise, such as walking or swimming, maintaining adequate hydration and adopting a healthy diet full of nutrients.

As far as the skin is concerned, it will acquire a brighter appearance due to the increase in sebaceous production. The counterpart is that acne can be generated. It is also convenient to maximize the protection of the skin due to the possible appearance of sun spots, photoprotective creams of 50 will be essential. As for the breasts, they will grow in size and become more sensitive.

A 12-week fetus, which typically measures between 5 and 6 centimeters and weighs around 8-14 grams, has much more defined facial features. Although the biggest change has to do with the growth of all its organs, since most will gradually acquire their final place. In this phase of maturation, the rate of development increases considerably. There are cases in which it is possible to determine the biological sex of the fetus, because the genitals are more formed. But you can't always tell for sure.

The arms will grow more than the legs, but both hands and feet will develop small nails and hair will gradually appear. During these days, the baby will move and be more active, will stretch its limbs and even open and close its mouth. It may still be early for the mother to perceive it, but it will be visible on the ultrasound.