Does 10 weeks of pregnancy already mean a significantly enlarged belly and noticeable weight gain? Why does the first gynecologist visit need to be made no later than 10 weeks of pregnancy, and is an ultrasound mandatory at that time? What is the size of the fetus at this stage?
The tenth week of pregnancy marks the end of embryonic development and the beginning of the fetal phase, although the symptoms known from previous weeks often persist. The risk of miscarriage and of having a baby with malformations starts to decrease in the 10th week of pregnancy, but expectant mothers should still be careful. The 10th week is also the last moment for the first "pregnancy" visit to the doctor.
10 weeks pregnant: what month is it?
First, it's worth clarifying which month it is. The 10th week of pregnancy falls in the first trimester and falls in the middle of the third month. In a healthy pregnancy, the embryo develops regularly enough that its age can be determined based on the millimeter difference in length (CRL), and the date of conception can be determined almost to the day.
Ultrasound performed in the first trimester confirms or corrects the age of pregnancy, which until now was estimated on the basis of the date of the last menstruation. This is especially important information for women whose cycles are not regular.
The third month (and 10 weeks) may mean that, due to the growing belly of the expectant mother, her condition will begin to become more noticeable to those around her. It can be expected that in twin and multiple pregnancies , the belly will be more visible than in single pregnancies or primiparous pregnancies. Paradoxically, some women lose weight during this time due to sensitivity to smells and tastes and nausea, which may delay pregnancy weight gain.
First visit: at the latest in the 10th week of pregnancy
Ultrasound examinations are optional until the 10th week of pregnancy, but according to the Minister of Health's regulation on the schedule of medical checkups during pregnancy, the first gynecologist visit should take place no later than the 10th week of pregnancy. This is also a requirement for receiving the postnatal benefit, also known as the birth grant. Regardless, expectant mothers are advised to schedule their first appointment earlier than the 10th week – ideally at the end of the second month of pregnancy. Earlier medical checkups and ultrasounds are essential for women with high-risk pregnancies or other health problems (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, etc.).
During the first visit, the doctor will complete a pregnancy record and order laboratory tests. In addition to a complete urinalysis, a complete blood count (CBC) with blood type and Rh antibodies, it's also important to check glucose and TSH levels, as well as to rule out diseases that are dangerous to the pregnancy (rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, hepatitis B, C, syphilis, and HIV). During the first visit, the gynecologist will perform a breast palpation . Early in pregnancy, a breast ultrasound is recommended (if not performed within the past year) to rule out any abnormalities. Women should also self-examine their breasts monthly. It's best to collect and store medical records related to the pregnancy in one place, preferably in chronological order, so that the most recent results/data are easily accessible.
10 weeks of pregnancy on ultrasound pictures
Ultrasound reveals that the embryo is 23-31 mm in size , weighs 5 grams , and grows by up to 2 mm each day. Due to the contracted legs, the size of the fetus (or rather, the embryo) at 10 weeks of pregnancy is still determined by the crown-rump diameter (CRL).
The heart beats at a rate of 120-160 beats per minute. If the doctor doesn't detect a heartbeat during a 10-week ultrasound , a miscarriage may have occurred . A decreased heartbeat, on the other hand, may indicate fetal abnormalities. Ultrasounds at 10 weeks of pregnancy are still performed with a vaginal probe, not through the abdominal wall. This method also allows the expectant mother to see the embryo and receive images (printouts). An ultrasound at 10 weeks of pregnancy will already show:
- legs and arms with bent knees and elbows,
- a clearly shaped head, nose and mouth,
- fingers and toes.
In a twin pregnancy, the ultrasound image will show two embryos. This type of pregnancy occurs in one in 85 cases. The probability of triplets is 1 in 7225, and quadruplets is 1 in 614125.
What is not visible on ultrasound in 10 weeks of pregnancy?
What isn't visible in the images taken during the 10-week pregnancy scan are the palate, tooth buds, and increasingly hardened bones . The embryo already has all its systems and organs, and in addition to the sac, it is protected by the fetal membranes. The placenta takes over the function of the yolk sac, which is disappearing at this stage, delivering oxygen and nutrients from the mother's body. The embryo begins to move more and more, although it is still too small to be felt by the mother. The baby's fully developed reproductive organs cannot yet be clearly seen, but starting in the 10th week of pregnancy, it is possible to determine the baby's gender thanks to a test for so-called free fetal DNA in the mother's blood.
Symptoms and belly of a woman in the 10th week of pregnancy
For now, it can still be hidden under clothing, but for some expectant mothers, wearing a skimpy outfit or bikini, their belly will be clearly visible in the 10th week of pregnancy. The uterus is growing , and with it, you may feel slight pain in the abdominal area . By the 10th week of pregnancy, a weight gain of about 1 kilogram is normal, and this is due to the growing breasts, uterus, and abdominal area.
Week 10 is also a time when intestinal problems are quite common. Hormonal changes, along with a craving for unusual flavor combinations, can lead to indigestion. Additionally, the growing uterus in the abdomen during week 10 puts pressure on the intestines. These symptoms can be multiplied in a twin pregnancy.
Other common symptoms in the 10th week of pregnancy include:
- dizziness,
- vomiting,
- oversensitive gums
- frequent urination,
- tiredness.
In the 10th week of pregnancy, the above symptoms should not worry the mother-to-be. However, there are also some where it is worth being particularly vigilant.
What may be worrying about the 10th week of pregnancy?
Symptoms associated with miscarriage in the 10th week of pregnancy include sudden vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain . In such cases, prompt medical consultation is always necessary. The risk of miscarriage in the 10th week of pregnancy is still relatively high, but it gradually begins to decrease. One cause of bleeding occurring until around the 10th week of pregnancy is progesterone deficiency . To reduce the risk of miscarriage, a doctor may prescribe progesterone or its derivatives.
If nausea and vomiting become more severe in expectant mothers, it's important to avoid dehydration . During pregnancy, daily fluid requirements increase by approximately 0,3 liters compared to pre-pregnancy, reaching approximately 2,3 liters. This is due to increased blood volume, the development of fetal tissues, fetal membranes, and the growing uterus. Expectant mothers are advised to drink small amounts of good-quality water in small portions throughout the day. Excessive vomiting in the first trimester, especially when the pregnancy is short, increases the risk of anemia , which can have serious consequences for both the fetus and the expectant mother.
Consultation:
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
Źródła:
Fetal Size and Dating: Charts Recommended for Clinical Obstetric Practice, ULTRASOUND, August 2009, Volume 17, No. 3
Estimating Fetal Gestational Age, Radiology Key
