How are you feeling now that you’re 12 weeks pregnant? Hopefully any morning sickness will have started to subside so can finally enjoy your pregnancy. This week might be a good week to start thinking about doing some exercise, if you haven’t already (and if you’re starting to feel well enough).
12 weeks pregnant – development guide
Your body
Hopefully, if you have been one of the unfortunate 70 per cent of pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness, yours will soon start to subside now as you are reaching the end of the first trimester, allowing you to enjoy your pregnancy on a whole new level.
But, for some, morning sickness will continue and in severe cases – known as hyperemesis gravidarum – you may need to be hospitalised for a short period of time (perhaps periodically) to allow your body to be intravenously fed and to provide you with much-needed rest. Your healthcare provider will discuss the best options to suit your needs with you.
As well as a healthy diet and rest, it is also important for you to maintain a pregnancy exercise program that you can manage. Low-impact exercises with instructors who are trained in prenatal exercise are ideal. Explore the idea of yoga, aqua aerobics, swimming, Pilates and good old-fashioned walking. Always talk to your health care provider about what exercises would suit your own individual circumstances.
Your baby
Sized at approximately 5.6 cm (from head to rump), it is approximately just under 200 days until you meet your baby. Still seems like a while though!
You will have had a sneak peek at your baby during your ultrasound — does it all seem a bit more real now? It is amazing how detailed your baby looks considering he or she is still so small.
3 things to do when you’re 12 weeks pregnant
Make sure you’re exercising safely
There are many benefits to exercising when pregnant and the general rule is that you can continue with whatever exercise you did before you fell pregnant with a few exceptions and with some modifications as you progress through your pregnancy.
If you haven’t exercised much before pregnancy then now is a good time to start – you will reap the benefits now and forever. Remember to chat to your health care provider about how to start and what, if any, precautions you should take based on your individual circumstances.
Read our Ultimate Guide to Exercising When Pregnant for more information.
Vent about your pregnancy aches and pains
Are your complaints about pregnancy aches and pains starting to fall on deaf ears? If you want to chat with other women who are experiencing the same things head to our forum to talk about your pregnancy ailments and aches and pains.
Find a local pregnancy exercise class
Find a local pregnancy exercise class. It always helps to exercise with a group and you might even make some new friends too.
This content is meant as a guide only. If you find anything worrying or unsettling, or experience any bleeding or spotting, contact your local GP, obstetrician or an emergency healthcare provider immediately.