Congratulations! You have entered into the second trimester. If you haven’t announced your pregnancy, now is a good of a time as any. Some women may feel a sense of relief as they enter into the second trimester because the risk of a miscarriage after this twelfth week is lower. You may relax more and start to enjoy being pregnant. Some women may have started to show while others may not. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see any physical changes, the important thing is that the changes within your body are progressing normally
Physically, you will start to feel less nausea and have an increase in your energy levels. However, do not be tempted to over-exert yourself—just pace your activities and do what feels good. Now would be a good time to implement an exercise program such as walking or prenatal yoga. By starting a moderate exercise program you can stay healthy during the pregnancy. Exercise during the pregnancy will also help your body recover quicker than someone who did not exercise. Working out is also a great way to get your partner involved—ask them to come along with you for a stroll down the street a few evenings per week. Just remember to keep your body hydrated with plenty of water.
Baby’s Development
As you enter into the second trimester, the baby is growing quickly. The brain will start producing hormones and the nerve cells are multiplying very quickly. He or she will start to suck and swallow food, and the intestines will begin to move as digestion begins. The kidneys will start to actually produce urine, and the amount of amniotic fluid will begin to increase as well.
Muscles are beginning to respond to the brain as tiny arms bend and move, and hands open and close their fists. Baby’s features may be more clearly seen as the baby puckers their lips or furrows their eyebrows. The umbilical cord will start to circulate blood during this time, and baby’s eyes and ears will start to become more proportionate to the baby’s face.
As the weeks and months go by you will see some really special changes. Some women are expecting to feel movement during this time, and while you may think you feel a flutter, it’s still easy to mistake these feelings for gas. Most women don’t have movements that are easy identify until around the 16th week.
Changes To Your Body
During the twelfth week of pregnancy, the uterus is continuing to grow as the baby gets bigger. This will soon cause mom to show off her baby bump. Your weight will increase another 2 to 3 pounds and your appearance can change in other ways as well. Hormones can cause skin pigmentation changes that can lead to darkening of freckles, or what is termed as “the mask of pregnancy” also known as cholasma—which will disappear after delivery.
You may be experiencing more heartburn in the twelfth week of pregnancy. You can help alleviate this by eating smaller and more frequent meals and sitting upright for a few minutes after eating. Try eating lightly or not at all in the evenings and more substantially during the day. Ask your doctor what foods they can recommend that will not cause heartburn.
What To Expect
Now you are going into the second trimester, the risk for miscarriage has reduced significantly. Symptoms such as morning sickness, fatigue and nausea have all but gone away. You will notice that you are starting to feel better both physically and mentally. You hormones are adjusting to the baby’s growth and things should be progressing nicely.
You can expect to see that your skin may become extremely sensitive to sunlight. You can develop freckles or dark patches on the skin. If you are going to out in the sun, make sure to wear sunscreen and take along a hat.
Urinary frequency may begin to lessen as the uterus moves up and out of the pelvis and the hormones that made you run for the rest room begin to ease off. Your frequent stops will return later in your third trimester though as the uterus presses on the bladder—so enjoy this break.
A doctor may recommend that you take some prenatal classes, these will help you find support from other pregnant women who may have similar fears and concerns. Sometimes it is comforting to talk with someone who knows what you are going through. You should have already been scheduled to see your doctor monthly, and you will continue on this path until your 28th week, when visits will increase.
Tips/Advice
Now is the time to start enjoying the pregnancy to its fullest. Not only will you not have morning sickness anymore but you will be feeling up to more activity.
If you haven’t shared the big news with those around you, it’s probably safe to do so now. Once family and friends find out that you are pregnant, it will make the experience all the more special.
June 3rd, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Thank You Jesus! 12 weeks I feel soooooooooo much better can I get a witness.
June 21st, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Finally 12 weeks i can breath a sigh of relief i am going to make it full term!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
June 25th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
I am super happy. I have not have any bag symptoms at all. Now I feel that i get full too quickly, maybe i am eating too much….
I just wish that time flies and i can have my baby soon
July 5th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
I made it to twelve weeks also!! I am so terrified I could lose my little baby at anytime…I cant even imagine. I am truely blessed and I thank god for this miracle.
July 5th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
I made it to 12 weeks!!!!!
July 8th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
i too feel relief to make it to 12 weeks! xD
July 12th, 2010 at 5:14 am
im having terrible heartburn..and one side headache..my eye ball is killing me…and yesterday i threw up 3 times after food.. i tried ginger tea.peppermint looks like nothing helpingme..could someone help me..please i am 12 week in 2 days time
July 18th, 2010 at 9:48 am
I am 3 months preggy now and im happy that i can feel my uterus grow when i press my belly.their is something feels hard…i have blighted ovum last year and im happy that eveything now is doing great….No bleeding or any signs of miscarriage,,,so happy for the coming of our baby
July 19th, 2010 at 4:05 am
Hey girl,
Congrats for making it to week 12! Its a great feeling! I do feel your pain though.. I was severely sick my first 3 months.. It was so bad! In my 12th week I am finally starting to feel better. My doc actually prescribed me the dissolvable Zofran for nausea. Witch is safe for you and the baby. It does cause constipation and headaches though. I didnt throw up at all or feel sick anymore everytime I took it! For the constipation my doc told me to use MiraLax (or the off brand SmoothLax). As for the headaches you can take Tylenol. All is safe durring pregnacy but ALWAYS talk to your doc before taking anything! I hope all this helps. It sure helped me make it threw and enjoy my pregnacy the way it should be enjoyed.
Brandy =D
August 1st, 2010 at 4:42 am
I was so worried I was going to lose the baby. Now that I have made it to 12 weeks, I feel a lot more relieved. I am still terrified of giving birth and raising a child. I have the confidence that it will come naturally! I can't wait to see the ultrasound!! So excited!
August 2nd, 2010 at 2:55 am
I am happy too that I made it to 12 weeks!! I have to get some tests done in the next few weeks because I am 43 years old!!! I hope everything goes ok
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:30 pm
YAYYYYYYYYY. I MADE IT TO 12 WEEKS… SO PROUD OF MYSELF
August 3rd, 2010 at 5:43 pm
try zophran. Also, small meals consisting of bagels, breads, fruit, stuff like that helps. Ginger ale. Chips help but are unhealthy so use sparingly. Bagels and cream cheese has helped me a lot. also eat crackers before you get out of bed. Dont eat anything with tomatoe sauce or creamy sauces. Ice chips help. Try to eat every hour or two. Eat more when you feel better and less when you know you are going to feel worse. I feel worse at night so eat as much as i can during the day,eating every hour or so a small snack. Good luck! Hopefully we will not be in pain in another month!
August 6th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
I am 12 weeks today!!!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! I feel so blessed! Congratulations to all of you!
August 7th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
CONGRATS…EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE DONT WORRY! IM ONLY 27 AND IM JUST TWELVE WEEKS ON THIS WEDNESDAY….ILL BE PRAYING FOR U, AND GOD KNOWS BEST…YOU'LL BE FINE. (AND IM NOT A PERSON TAHT RESPONDS TO ANY OF THESE THINGS BUT I GOD PUT IT IN MY SPIRIT TO SHARE SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND WORDS FROM HIM WITH YOU)
August 10th, 2010 at 4:05 am
Dear Moms to be,
Hope all is progressing well. I have just entered my second trimester, and suddenly feel nothing. There is a pricking sensation which I feel around my Naval, but apart from that , the fatigue seems to have decreased. I also had mild nausea and sometimes worry and hope that all’s well in there … I really want to have this baby (there are previous memories of a MC which haunt me on and off) … Really pray for everything to be fine. All the best to all of you too.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I turned 12 weeks yeaterday
August 13th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
i am going on twelve weeks couple of days away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im so bless and grateful
August 16th, 2010 at 5:39 am
don’t like “liking” things because like you said it then links it to my facebook page and then anyone looking at the “liked” page who is my friend can see my name and that I “like” it and I just don’t like that. Wow, way too many likes in one sentence.
August 25th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Why does it say 2nd trimester? 2nd trimester doesn’t start until 14 weeks…
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I will be 12 weeks on Sunday!!!! Thank you Jesus! I pray everything will continue to go well with me and all of you! Good Luck!
September 6th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
I had morning sickness since the day the sperm looked at the egg! LOL Nothing is 100% But salty things help pretzels, sunflower seeds, saltines. Tums is great for heartburn, you may have to eat 3 at a time but they have calcium which is good for you and baby! The dr says you can only have tylenol for the headaches use extra strength and you might be getting headaches from being hungry if you cant keep anything down! Hope this helps. Congrats and goodluck!
September 14th, 2010 at 6:19 am
Dear moms to be..
I cant b’leave that I’m preg. abt this time last year my Gynae. said that the was a problem with my tubes! infact they are both damaged, but GOD, our GOD is good…this is for a reason tht I’m pregnant so he’ll walk with me through this pregnancy!! so proud…take care Ladies.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
I am 43 as well and just had testing done which showed everything was A OK! I am feeling less stress that I made it this far but it is hard not to get anxious. Like the mention of the molar pregnancy above, my goodness, when do the scary things end!
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:33 am
We are enjoying our miracle too! God is amazing!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:45 am
I am 12 wks today and I have been sick just about everyday since wk 5. I use tylenol for the headaches and there is this stuff you can get at a pharmacy, its coke syrup and you put about a teaspoon over a glass of ice and sip on it…it helped me tremendously!
October 4th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Ask ur doc to prescribe u medicine to help wid nausea.. I did too!
October 14th, 2010 at 2:06 am
I am 12 weeks 2 days pregnant. Because of my previous miscarriage, I had my scan at at 7 weeks & then again 10 weeks & the baby was doing great. Little heart beat & growing rapidly..So amazing.. I' have a tiny bump now.. Must be having a big baba
Wondering, Is anyone else getting twinges in their belly button & around their belly?
Thanks
CONGRATS too all us lucky moms
October 14th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Amen!! I had a miscarriage last year at 9 wks. So relieved and blessed to make it to 12 wks.:)
October 17th, 2010 at 9:52 am
each trimester is 3 month.. roughly 12 weeks each.
October 29th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
i am so bless that i made it to 12 weeks,, i am only 20.. and i got to see my baby heat beat,, god bless everyone and hope everything go well 4 yall good luck:):)
October 31st, 2010 at 10:30 am
I have the same problem! I can't keep anything down. I talked to my doctor and she prescribed me Zofran. Very safe anti-nassea medicine. She said it wouldnt harm the baby but it was crucial to take them because i am anemic and i have to keep my iron pills down. I have no nassea anymore….I can finally function through out the day
November 18th, 2010 at 3:09 am
Hi im 12weeks tom. My dr also gave m zofran 4mg i cant find any 4mg so i bought 8mg and cut it into 2. Are you guys taking 4mg or 8mg?
November 22nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
thank you god IM 12 WEEKS TODAY
November 27th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Amen. Amen
December 11th, 2010 at 10:15 am
This is my third time around..i have two daughters 9&7 and im now 12wks& 3days..i had a bit of a scear yesterday..i had to go to the hsp for on and off spotting & bleeding..however they said the baby looks great and has a nice strong heart beat..so thank god for that..however i must take it easy because there are still risk for the next 2wks..but GOD is good and he will make sure me and my unborn are ok…have anyone else experience the spotting or bleeding?
December 11th, 2010 at 10:23 am
hello Trinket..i have also had MC in the past..so i can totally understand how your feeling..i just had a scear yesterday..im now 12wks 3days and had some spotting and bleeding..so im really sceared at this point..doctors state the baby looks great but they dont know why im bleeding..and need to take it easy for the nxt 2wks..do to still being in the danger zone..but i hope all is well with you and coming along in your pregnancy…
January 13th, 2011 at 5:56 am
i'll b 12weeks preg 2morrow, we didn't expect it 'coz i'm already 40. i have 2 children 14 & 11 yrs old. we are really blessed to have a new member of our family. i kept on throwing up & always not feeling well. i'm hoping & praying that evrything will be ok! last sunday 'til yesterday there was blood spot on my undies i started 2 take duvadilan last monday thank God i didn't see any blood spot 2day.
January 13th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I’m 12 weeks and 3 days today. I’m really excided to make it this far. I’m 18 and i have had 2 or 3 MC before this. So god will walk me threw this one and keep my baby safe. And he will do the same for all of yalls. Amen and God Bless You All!!!!!
February 26th, 2011 at 9:34 am
I made it to my 12th week but they say morning sickness leaves you by the 12th week and it did w/ my son, but it has yet to leave me w/ this one. Good luck to all.
February 28th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Im exactly 12 weeks today…Yaaaaaaay words can’t express my happiness. !!!
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:49 pm
ok heres a crazy question…PLease Help……I have now missed my peroid for 3 months i always have it on a 28 day cycle never have i mised one before….i took several urine tests all of which came back negative also i had 2 blood tests done which came back negative…Me and my mother both seem to think that I am pregnant I have all the symptoms and my stomache is growing if any one has any advice it would be greatly appreciated….I dont know if i can just call up a dr and request an ultasound or not please help me if i am pregnant i want to do everything possible to start this lil one off with a healthy life
…..Thank You All So Much
March 4th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
i am 12 weeks2 days. still really sick and taking zofran. i havee a tilted uteris, im having some weird pains. and but i havee ibs so they say its normal with tthat and the growing of our baby. i am so happy that i am 12weeks yay
March 5th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
This is a subject that actually interests me, thanks very much for such an interesting article that is perfectly written.
March 5th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Aw, this was a very nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and on no account appear to get one thing done.
March 6th, 2011 at 7:36 am
You could try a crisis pregnancy center. They might be more willing to work with you than a medical doctor. They also don't charge for visits. It does sound like you are experiencing pregnancy symptoms. Tests are not always right. Try taking a home test first thing in the morning. Your reading would be more accurate in the morning. I think you should go with your instincts. If you feel pregnant, you probably are. Good luck!
March 8th, 2011 at 9:21 am
I am 12 weeks to and i still feel sick .i have 2 other girls 3years and 11 months old. I think im beginning to show now.
April 18th, 2011 at 5:16 am
hi there,
i am 12 weeks pregnant but i dont have any signs of pregnancy. by meaning that i am not tired, not vomiting, no nausea no cravings all that you can see is the fact that i am pickiking up weight…. where is everything going to??? to the father maybe???
April 29th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
I AM SO MUCH CALMER WITH THIS BEING MY FIRST PREGNANCY READING THE EXPERT ADVICE AND HOW ALOT OF OTHER PREGNANT WOMEN FEEL CALMED ME ALOT I AM 12 WEEKS PREGNANT HAVE NOT HAD NO MOURNING SICKNESS, HEART BURN OR ANYTHING REALLY JUST ALOT OF WORRYING ABOUT IS MY BABY OKAY, SHOULD I SIT A CERTAIN WAY, DID I NOT EAT ENOUGH, DID I EAT TO MUCH??? WANTING TO LIVE IN THE HOSPITAL SO THEY CAN MONITOR MY BABY EVERY SECOND TIL MY DU DATE!!!
May 10th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
I had a friend that had the same thing happen. She had a tubule pregnancy and the baby, unfortunately had to be removed. If she hadn't thrown a fit they would have never found the pregnancy though and it can be very serious. You need to get into a doctor and hopefully get some answers. P.S> The only way they found the pregnancy was an ultrasound.
May 17th, 2011 at 10:12 am
This is my first pregnancy. 12 weeks yesterday, heard the heartbeat for the first time today, ultrasound tomorrow! Busy week for me and mine!
August 10th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
I’m requesting for more respond from good experience woman that most have gone through the stage of 12weeks pregnancy.i sometime feel pains in my stomach now i am 12weeks pregnant why do i feel that pains? is that normal or what? please i need you advice on this or was it the food i am taken ?because i sometimes eat meal that contains pepper or what? please i need feedback thanks
Gloria
August 15th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I am 12 weeks today and I have an appointment tomorrow to hear the heartbeat. I am nervous because I am 39. I have a daughter that is 17 and son that is 15. But this is all like new to me. I hope this pregnancy goes well for us.
Congratulations all you moms
October 27th, 2011 at 12:07 am
Hello,
yesterday i went for my first appointment with the Gynae. It was just a good feel to see my baby kickng as a player soccer and heartbeat lyk loud music on the speakers. I cant stop smiling and looking @ the scan..the Doctor couldnt tell yet if its a boy or a girl. Am praying to be a boy. I cant wait to carry my 1st baby on my arms*smile*
January 1st, 2012 at 3:19 am
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