10 Weeks of Pregnancy
Highlights this week
Hearing the heartbeat
You may hear your baby's heartbeat on a fetal Doppler during your next prenatal visit. It's much faster than an adult heartbeat – it sounds like galloping horses. You may want to take your phone out and record it.
NIPT test
You can take the NIPT blood test (short for noninvasive prenatal testing) this week. It screens for Down syndrome and a few other conditions, and can tell you whether you're having a boy or a girl. Be sure to tell your provider if you'd rather not find out!
First ultrasound
More and more doctors are doing ultrasounds for their patients during the first trimester – as early as 6 to 10 weeks. Your provider may want you to have an early ultrasound if you've had a previous pregnancy complication, such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. At this early point in pregnancy, you'll probably have a transvaginal ultrasound.
Baby development at 10 weeks
Your baby's eyes
The main parts of the eye that enable your baby's vision – the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and retina – are fully formed. Eyelids cover your baby's eyes, and they'll stay shut until you're 27 weeks pregnant.
Early brain development
Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with their developing brain and sits very high on their head, which measures half the length of their body. Synapses in your baby's spinal cord allow them to move their limbs and fingers.
Your baby is about the size of a strawberry
Your baby has teeth!
Your baby's teeth are starting to harden and connect to the jaw bone. A few babies are born with a tooth or two, but most don't sprout a first tooth until 6 to 10 months old.
Pregnancy symptoms during week 10
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The thickening in your midsection is most likely due to slight weight gain and bloating. You're probably between regular and maternity clothes now, so pants and skirts with stretchy waistbands are must-haves.
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You may be salivating more than usual, especially when you're nauseated. It's common and normal to have extra saliva during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. If you're unable to swallow your saliva, spit it out. Drinking more water, chewing gum, and sucking on hard candy can help you swallow excess saliva more easily.
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You're not imagining it – you may have a lot more vaginal discharge during pregnancy because of higher levels of estrogen. Healthy discharge is odorless or mild-smelling and milky white. You don't need to do anything about it. But call your healthcare provider if you see a sudden change in the type of discharge (like if you're continuously leaking fluid); it smells strong or unpleasant; or it's gray, yellow, or green.
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You might be noticing blue, prominent veins across your chest, breasts, and belly. As your body produces more blood to support your pregnancy, your veins enlarge and are more visible. You may also develop varicose veins in your legs and lower body as your uterus grows. The good news: They often disappear or improve after you give birth.
Pregnancy checklist at 10 weeks pregnant
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Morning sickness – also called nausea and vomiting of pregnancy – affects different expecting moms at different times (and some not at all). It usually starts around week 5 or 6 of pregnancy. For some women, that telltale queasy feeling is one of the first giveaways that they're pregnant. There are safe ways to get relief from morning sickness, including changes to your diet and lifestyle, natural remedies, and medication. Be sure to talk to your provider if you're suffering.
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Your nausea and vomiting may be worse than ever: Morning sickness peaks around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy for many women. That's when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest (morning sickness is thought to be linked to rises in hCG and estrogen). The good news: Your morning sickness may soon start to fade. At 11 weeks, hCG levels start to fall, and by 15 weeks they've dropped about 50 percent from their peak. Many expecting moms get relief from morning sickness early in the second trimester.
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With 30 to 50 percent more blood pumping through your veins, your body is working harder than usual. Your nervous and cardiovascular systems mostly adjust to these changes without problems, but occasionally there may not be enough blood flow in your brain, making you feel dizzy or lightheaded. If this happens, sit or lie down right away and put your head between your knees if possible. If you're driving, immediately pull over and stop the car until you feel better.
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A new baby may require a new budget. You'll have more expenses, plus you may lose an income if you or your partner decides to stay home with your baby. Check out our guide to family finances for new parents. You'll want to look into life and/or disability insurance, make sure you have a will, consider how your baby will affect your taxes, and more.
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Yoga focuses on stretching and strengthening, awareness of the breath, and engaging the mind and spirit. Prenatal yoga is specifically tailored for expecting moms to provide safe exercise and help prepare for labor, birth, and parenting. You can find classes online, but some moms-to-be prefer in-person classes because of the built-in community of pregnant women.
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To soothe morning sickness, it can help to have five to six small meals a day, eat cold foods, and have someone else prepare your food. Some expecting moms find that cooking smells trigger nausea, and it's easier to get take-out from a restaurant or ready-to-eat foods from the grocery store. You can also ask your provider about safe medications for morning sickness.
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Studies have linked high caffeine consumption to miscarriage and other pregnancy problems. That's why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises expectant moms to limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg per day or less (that's about one large cup of coffee).
