Pregnancy calendar - week #12

Pregnant mothers - week #12

Your friend the placenta.

By now, you're looking good! You probably have an adorable little baby bump, increased energy (read: less morning sickness!), and a healthy 'pregnant glow.' It's as if spring has sprung all over your body. You'll soon be approached by doting (and sometimes annoying) strangers asking your due date.

So what's with that glow, anyway? There are many biological factors at work, giving you that vibrant, healthy look. First, there is increased blood flow in your body. In your cheeks, where blood vessles are close to the skin's surface, this is especially evident. Oil glands in the skin are increasing their secretions, giving you a lustrous shine. And just the fact that you're more emotional (which increases the heart rate) will make you look vibrant. Work it!

Your new and delightfully helpful organ, the placenta, is taking more and more responsibility every week. This means less stress on your body, as the placenta gradually takes over the hormonal duties that your body was responsible for. Along with this, you should also experience a decrease in morning sickness. Hallelujah!

Also, if you're scheduled for another prenatal visit, you may be able to hear your baby's heartbeat. This is a great milestone in your pregnancy, and is often very emotional for expecting parents.

When baby's heartbeat is detected and heard, your chances of having a miscarriage are greatly reduced.

Baby and fetal development - week #12

Listen to that pitter patter!

Your baby is focused on growing in these weeks. In fact, over the last three weeks, she has doubled in size. And she's scheduled to do the same in the next 3 weeks. Good thing we adults don't go through such a drastic transformation in a such a short period of time!

Your fetus is weighing in at less than a quarter of an ounce. You know those mini-sized perfumes? They weigh about the same as your baby does now. Despite the fact that she is still so tiny, most of the critical development of her organs is finished.

Other week 12 info:

• Digestive tract continues to develop
• Brain continues to develop
• Baby's tiny fingernails and toenails form

During your next prenatal visit, you'll most likely be able to hear your baby's heartbeat. While our heart beats an average of 60-100 times a minute, your baby's will beat between 145 and 165 times.

Pregnant dads - week #12

Strength in numbers!

Have you thought about joining a support group for fathers-to-be? Before you toss the idea aside, consider that there are many guys going through exactly what you're going through right now. You're all entering new territory, and it certainly wouldn't hurt to learn a little bit about what to expect. Hey, you might even meet a new golfing buddy!