10 Weeks Pregnant

While the physical changes in your body are still probably subtle, you might begin to notice a small baby bump around this time, particularly if this isn’t your first pregnancy.

If your first-trimester symptoms (such as morning sickness and fatigue) are getting on your nerves, try to stay positive. You’ve only got a little longer to go before the more troublesome symptoms usually ease up.

This is also a big week for your baby, who’s transitioning from the embryonic stage to the fetal stage. Read on to learn more about what’s happening with your little one, how you can look after her (and yourself), and what to expect as you enter week 10 of your pregnancy.

Again, at 10 weeks, your baby has officially become a fetus. While the embryonic stage is all about developing the major organs, the fetal stage is when those parts finish forming and shift to maturing.

Now measuring about 2 inches long and weighing about 7 grams—roughly the size of a prune or strawberry—your baby will nearly double in size over the next three weeks. 1 Her head is still quite large relative to her body, with a prominent forehead bulge to accommodate her continued brain growth.

Each day, your baby is becoming more and more recognizable. Noticeable changes this week include:

• Cartilage and bones: Your baby’s getting stronger every day, and her cartilage and bones are beginning to solidify.
• Limbs: Her tiny hands and feet are now fully shaped, complete with fingers and toes, and her fingernails are developing.
• Kidneys and digestive system: Your baby’s digestive system has begun producing digestive juices. The kidneys are producing urine, too. 2
• Sex: While it’s probably still too early to determine your baby’s sex, if you’re carrying a boy, he’s now producing testosterone.
• Movement: Your baby’s getting active in there! She’s practicing swallowing, bending her elbows, and making tiny kicks.

Can you feel your baby move at 10 weeks?

Although she’s already active in there, you can’t feel your baby’s kicks, jabs, or wiggles yet. At this stage, her movements are far too small. Most women begin to notice the first flutters (called quickening) when they’re 16 weeks pregnant or 20 weeks pregnant. In the meantime, an ultrasound can offer a preview of your little one’s movements.

At 10 weeks pregnant, your body is still adjusting to supporting your growing baby. You may still be feeling those uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms that most women get in the first trimester, although in the next few weeks, many of them will probably begin to fade.

Here are some of the most common symptoms at week 10:

• Cramping: You may feel mild abdominal aches or discomfort, especially when you change position or make sudden movements. This is known as round ligament pain. Your round ligaments, the bands of connective tissue that support your uterus, stretch to stabilize your expanding uterus. While it’s an important process, it isn’t a particularly comfortable one.
• Visible veins: You may notice visible veins when you’re pregnant. They usually appear on your chest, abdomen, or legs. These appear as your blood volume increases, but will typically fade after delivery.
• Tender breasts: Your breasts may feel fuller, and your nipples might become more sensitive as your body prepares for breastfeeding.
• Vaginal discharge: It’s common to see increased vaginal discharge when you’re pregnant, known as leukorrhea. This discharge helps protect your baby against infections, and should be odorless and either clear or milky white. Contact your doctor if the discharge changes color, develops a strong odor, or causes irritation.
• Morning sickness: The dreaded morning sickness tends to peak around the 10th week. Unfortunately, your emergency bathroom breaks aren’t going anywhere just yet, but sit tight—you’re almost there.
• Fatigue: It’s common to feel extra tired at this stage. Your body is focused on building the placenta, which will support your baby through the remainder of your pregnancy.
• Constipation: Feeling backed up? Hormonal changes can also slow down your digestive system and cause constipation.
• Mood swings: With your hormones in flux, you may get those characteristic pregnancy mood swings, feeling happy one moment and emotional the next.

If you want to keep track of how your symptoms, body, and baby are changing throughout your pregnancy, consider using a pregnancy tracker app.

When should you see a doctor?

While the symptoms listed above are normal during pregnancy, contact your doctor if you suffer from:

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain.
• Heavy bleeding or spotting with cramping.
• Fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms.
• Painful urination, pelvic pain, or signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Severe dizziness or fainting.

Those symptoms still aren’t any reason to panic, but they can indicate health problems that require medical attention.

Your pregnant belly at 10 weeks

You might notice subtle changes in your belly at 10 weeks. If this isn’t your first pregnancy, this week is when you might start showing, meaning your baby bump might already be making its debut. That’s because your uterus expanded during your last pregnancy, which will make it complete that process more quickly this time around.

On the other hand, if this is your first baby, it’ll probably be a few more weeks before you notice anything.

Either way, don’t worry if you don’t see any visible changes yet. The size of your bump (and when it appears) depends on several factors in addition to your pregnancy history, such as your body type and whether you’re carrying multiples.

Is now a good time to announce your pregnancy?

If you do have a little baby bump forming, maybe you’re considering sharing the good news with your family and friends. If so, you’re in good company. Many mothers-to-be announce around this time.

Of course, that’s always a personal decision. If you’re not ready to share yet, don’t feel pressured to do so. Many moms also choose to wait until the second trimester, when the risk of all types of miscarriages decreases significantly.

How much weight should you gain?

During the first trimester, most women gain between 1 and 5 pounds. If you’re pregnant with multiples, you might need to gain more to support the growth of your babies.

How many pounds you should put on varies from mom to mom, so always follow your doctor’s guidance.

As you go into your 10th week of pregnancy, you may be considering taking prenatal tests. These can provide information about your baby’s health and development (e.g., by screening for chromosomal abnormalities).

Common tests that many women undergo at 10 weeks include:

• Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT): This blood test screens for several conditions, including Down syndrome and trisomy 18. 3 If you’re interested in knowing your baby’s sex, it can also determine that for you.
• Nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound: Performed between 10 and 14 weeks, this screening measures the thickness of the nuchal fold at the back of your baby’s neck. 4 When combined with a blood test, your doctor can use it to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities with high accuracy.
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): This is another diagnostic procedure that involves taking a small sample of placental tissue. 5 Your doctor may offer it if your baby has a higher risk of conditions like Down syndrome based on your family history or other factors. This procedure is typically performed between 10 and 13 weeks.

Are these tests necessary?

Prenatal testing is optional. Whether or not you undergo these screenings is a personal choice, although it’s one you should make with your doctor after discussing any risk factors you have.

Note that some tests, like NIPT, are non-invasive and carry virtually no risk to you or your baby, while others, like CVS, involve slight procedural risks. Again, talk about all of this with your doctor before deciding.

If you’ve been battling tiring pregnancy symptoms for the past few weeks, you might be feeling worn out or overwhelmed. Here are some tips to help you manage your symptoms and keep yourself as comfortable and healthy as possible:

Eat well

To manage your nausea, choose bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as crackers, oatmeal, or toast. Ginger, which you can take in tea, candy, or capsule form, can help settle your stomach.

Fruits like mangoes and bananas are also solid options for easing nausea while keeping you energized. They’re especially good if you’re looking for a pregnancy-friendly breakfast.

Alongside maintaining a healthy pregnancy diet, take a daily prenatal vitamin that includes folic acid, iron, and DHA to support your baby’s development and reduce the risk of complications. To minimize the risk of an upset stomach, take your vitamins with food.

Stay hydrated

As your blood volume increases and your body adapts to pregnancy, staying hydrated will become more important than ever. Aim to drink 8–12 cups of water each day.

If plain water doesn’t do much for you, try adding a few slices of lemon, cucumber, or berries. You can also opt for pregnancy-safe electrolyte drinks, but avoid herbal teas; there’s limited data on most of them, meaning it isn’t possible to be sure they’re safe for pregnant women. 6

Get moderate exercise

Gentle activities like walking, yoga, or swimming can reduce your fatigue, improve your circulation, and lift your mood. If you’re dealing with morning sickness, try light exercises like stretching or deep breathing, which may be gentler on your stomach than actually working out.

Avoid overexerting yourself, and make sure you get enough rest. It’s a good idea to chat with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, too.

Take it easy

To manage your emotional ups and downs, make rest a priority. You can also try relaxing practices like deep breathing, journaling, or just sitting quietly.

If you catch yourself feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a support network, whether that means your partner, a friend, or a pregnancy group. Often, simply sharing how you feel is the first step to feeling better. 7

Plan for your upcoming second-trimester appointments

You’ll need to get a few tests done during your second trimester, which starts in week 14. Schedule any that your doctor recommends.

For instance, you’ll probably need to get an anatomy scan around the 20-week mark. And between weeks 18 and 22, you can finally find out if you’re having a boy or a girl, during your gender ultrasound (if you want to know, that is).

If you’re interested in prenatal classes or workshops, this is also a good time to ask for recommendations.

Stay alert for UTI symptoms and other red flags

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common during pregnancy. Watch for their symptoms, which can include:

• A burning feeling when you urinate
• Pelvic pain
• Cloudy, foul-smelling urine

Untreated UTIs can lead to complications, so call your doctor if you notice any of these signs.

Get your baby-related expenses in order

It’s not just your belly that will grow during your pregnancy—unfortunately, your list of expenses will grow, too. Review your budget and start preparing for the new expenses on the horizon, such as baby gear and childcare.

Now’s also a good time to research your options for health insurance, life insurance, and any other policies you may need.

Well done on making it to week 10! If your symptoms are getting you down, remind yourself that many women start to feel much more like themselves once they’re out of the first trimester.

Remember that every pregnancy is different. Don’t fret if you don’t have a baby belly yet or if there’s anything else that doesn’t match your expectations. Just keep an open line of communication with your doctor, and reach out to your partner, family, or friends if you need anything, whether it’s emotional support or just a little extra help with your chores.

You’ve done great so far, so take it easy—you’ve earned it!