10 Weeks Pregnant - Saudi Mums

Baby development at 10 weeks

The vision components crucial for your baby’s eyesight, such as the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and retina, have fully developed. Eyelids are now covering your baby’s eyes, and they will remain closed until you reach 27 weeks of pregnancy.

Teeth are emerging!
Your baby’s teeth are in the process of hardening and attaching to the jawbone. While a few babies are born with one or two teeth, the majority will not develop their first tooth until they are between 6 to 10 months old.

Early stages of brain development
At this stage, your baby’s forehead shows a temporary bulge due to the ongoing development of their brain, which is positioned high on their head, measuring half the length of their body. Synapses in the spinal cord enable your baby to move their limbs and fingers.

Your baby is about the size of a kumquat

Pregnancy symptoms during week 10

Changes in Body
The increase in thickness around your midsection is likely a result of slight weight gain and bloating. At this point, you may be transitioning between regular and maternity clothing, making stretchy waistbands in pants and skirts essential. To help your regular clothes last longer into pregnancy, here are some fashion hacks for maternity wear.

Excessive Saliva
Experiencing more salivation than usual, especially when nauseated, is common during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. If you find it challenging to swallow the excess saliva, it’s okay to spit it out. Increasing water intake, chewing gum, and sucking on hard candy can make swallowing excess saliva more manageable.

Vaginal Discharge
An increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy is normal due to elevated estrogen levels. Healthy discharge is typically odorless or has a mild scent, appearing milky white. Generally, there’s no need for concern. However, contact your healthcare provider if you observe a sudden change in discharge type (continuous fluid leakage), a strong or unpleasant odor, or if it appears gray, yellow, or green.

Visible Veins
The emergence of prominent blue veins on your chest, breasts, and belly is a result of increased blood production to support your pregnancy. As your uterus grows, you may also develop varicose veins in your legs and lower body. The positive news is that these veins often disappear or improve after giving birth.

Mood Swings
Experiencing a spectrum of intense emotions, ranging from elation to sadness, is normal during pregnancy. Stress, fatigue, hormonal changes, and the anticipation of parenthood can influence neurotransmitter levels in the brain, leading to mood swings. If negative feelings persist, it’s essential to discuss them with your healthcare provider and seek assistance.

Morning Sickness
Nausea and vomiting may be at their peak around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy due to elevated levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The good news is that morning sickness often starts to fade around 11 weeks, as hCG levels decrease, dropping approximately 50 percent from their peak by 15 weeks. Many expectant mothers find relief from morning sickness early in the second trimester.

Dizziness
With 30 to 50 percent more blood circulating through your veins, your body is working harder than usual during pregnancy. While most systems adjust smoothly, occasional insufficient blood flow to the brain can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. If this occurs, sit or lie down immediately and, if possible, put your head between your knees. If driving, pull over and stop until you feel better.

Pregnancy checklist at 10 weeks pregnant

Review your financial situation
Welcoming a new baby into your life may necessitate a reassessment of your budget. With increased expenses and the potential loss of income if you or your partner opts to stay at home with the baby, it’s essential to evaluate your financial outlook. Refer to our guide on family finances for new parents, where you can explore topics such as life and/or disability insurance, ensuring you have a will, understanding the impact on your taxes, and more.

Consider prenatal yoga
Prenatal yoga offers a targeted approach to exercise for expectant mothers, focusing on stretching, strengthening, breath awareness, and mental and spiritual engagement. Designed to provide safe exercise and aid in preparing for labor, childbirth, and parenting, prenatal yoga classes can be found online. However, some moms-to-be may prefer the in-person experience for the sense of community among pregnant women.

Manage morning sickness
Combatting morning sickness involves adopting strategies such as consuming five to six small meals a day, opting for cold foods, and having someone else handle meal preparation. For those sensitive to cooking smells, take-out from a restaurant or ready-to-eat grocery store options might be more appealing. Consult your healthcare provider for advice on safe medications to alleviate morning sickness symptoms.

Be vigilant about UTIs
During pregnancy, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more prevalent. Inform your healthcare provider if you experience pain during urination or intercourse, pelvic discomfort, lower abdominal pain, a frequent urge to urinate with minimal output, or if your urine appears cloudy and has a foul odor. A course of antibiotics is typically prescribed to clear up a UTI.

Decide on your pregnancy announcement timeline
The timing of your pregnancy announcement is a personal choice. Whether you’ve already shared the news with loved ones or prefer to wait, the decision is yours. Some women choose to inform family and friends first, delaying the announcement at work. While there’s no strict rule about when to disclose your pregnancy to your employer, notifying them within a reasonable timeframe allows for better planning regarding your maternity leave.

10 weeks pregnant bellies

At the 10-week mark of pregnancy, you might observe a rounder appearance in your belly, particularly if this is not your first pregnancy or if you are expecting multiples. However, it’s entirely normal if there’s no visible change, as the size of your bump varies based on factors such as your body type.

By this point, you might have gained a few additional pounds. Although experts suggest a pregnancy weight gain of 1 to 5 pounds in the first trimester, individual variations exist, with some women gaining more or less.