The umbilical cord is lengthening and will continue to grow, allowing the fetus freedom to move. The 7th week represents a milestone in development: the embryo is now considered a fetus. At the 12th week of pregnancy, the placenta is much larger. It now produces the hormones needed to sustain the pregnancy. Your uterus is the size of a grapefruit and completely fills the pelvis. It rises up into the area of the abdomen, as shown in the image.
The fundus, the upper end of the uterus, is just above the top of the symphysis where the pubic bones join together. This upward growth of the uterus takes pressure off the bladder and decreases the need for frequent urination. The mucus plug, a barrier to protect the growing fetus, fills your cervical canal. The fetus is now about 3 inches long and weighs about 1 ounce. By this week, the fetus has fingernails and toenails and can open and close the fingers.
The fetus will start to move, but you will not feel it yet. By the 20th week of pregnancy, your uterus can be felt at the level of your belly button umbilicus. The pelvic colon and small intestines are crowded upward and backward. The ascending and descending colon maintain their usual positions. At this point, your uterus is especially enlarged where the placenta attaches to it usually on the front or back wall. This gives the uterus an uneven bulge.
The wall of the uterus, which lengthens and thickens early in pregnancy, stretches as the fetus grows, and becomes thinner now — just 3 to 5 millimeters thick. Your bladder moves up but not as much as your uterus, which straightens as it moves up. As your uterus moves up, it rests against the lower portion of the front of your abdominal wall, causing it to bulge forward noticeably by your 20th week.
The size of the bulge depends on how strong your abdominal muscles are. Uterus Size During Pregnancy: Third Trimester During your third trimester, the uterus will finish growing and be the size of a watermelon. After Pregnancy After birth, your uterus will gradually return to its pre-pregnancy size and position. Want to Know More? Can I get pregnant if…? Share this post:. Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter. Share on linkedin LinkedIn.
Share on email Email. Similar Post. Pregnancy Health and Wellness. Constipation in Pregnancy Constipation during pregnancy is a common problem and nearly half of all pregnant women get constipated at some point. A new study finds that epidurals do not affect child development in their later years.
A fetal arrhythmia is an irregular heart rate — too fast, too slow, or otherwise outside the norm. It's often benign. Postpartum diarrhea after a C-section is normal. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.
Stretching of the uterus. Gas or constipation. Ectopic pregnancy. Is it round ligament pain? How to manage uterus pain in early pregnancy. When to seek help. The takeaway. Parenthood Pregnancy. How Long Does a Miscarriage Last? Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.
Medically reviewed by Nicole Galan, RN. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Pregnancy screenings can provide valuable information before your baby is born about the risks for common birth defects. If your pregnancy is unexpected, you may be feeling scared or confused about what to do. It is important…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Recovering from Delivery Postpartum Recovery. Breast changes Your breasts may not be as tender as they were in the first trimester, but they will continue to grow.
Skin changes As your body grows, some areas of skin may become stretched tight. Common skin changes include: Dry, itchy skin, especially on the belly Increased sensitivity to the sun. This means you might burn more easily. Make sure you wear a strong sunscreen when spending time outside. Body changes Your body is changing quickly to adapt to the growing baby.
Leg pain. You may have leg cramps, especially when you sleep. These may be related to the pressure your growing baby puts on the nerves and blood vessels that go to your legs. Make sure you sleep on your side instead of your back. Another leg condition, deep vein thrombosis DVT , can be serious. DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein and causes pain and swelling in one leg. Contact your doctor right away if you have these symptoms. Your ankles, hands, and face may swell during the second trimester.
This happens because your body retains more fluid for the baby. You also have slower blood circulation. Aching back, pelvis, and hips. The job of supporting your growing belly puts stress on your back.
Your hips and pelvis may begin to ache as pregnancy hormones relax the ligaments that hold your bones together. Your bones move to prepare for childbirth.
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