Pregnancy signs 10 weeks

10 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy

When you're pregnant, you have lots of questions. Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is packed with lots of useful information. From what's happening inside your body, to how your baby is developing, and tips and advice on having a healthy pregnancy – this is your one-stop pregnancy guide!

• 1st trimester
• 2nd trimester
• 3rd trimester

Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is full of essential information. From early pregnancy symptoms to how your baby is growing and developing, you'll find it all here.

• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11
• Week 12

Welcome to week 10. Pregnancy is divided into 3 chunks, called "trimesters". You are nearly at the end of your 1st trimester. By the 2nd trimester you will probably have lots more energy and all those signs of early pregnancy will gradually fade away.

Around now, you may have a booking appointment with a midwife. You'll be asked lots of questions about your health and medical history. You can ask lots of questions too.

What's happening in my body?

You may be struggling to do up your jeans. Your uterus (womb) is around the size of a large orange, while your baby is more like the size of an apricot.

You may be feeling bloated and you might find yourself burping or passing wind – this is due to your hormones. The female hormone progesterone is just doing its job – relaxing the muscles in your womb so that it can expand along with your growing baby. However, in the process, the muscles in your digestive tract also become looser and this can lead to symptoms such as heartburn.

How to beat the bloating

You can help digestive problems such as bloating and burping by changing what you eat. Try making yourself 6 small meals a day and avoid eating late at night.

Eat slowly, sip fluids and avoid smoking and alcohol. A short stroll after meals may help. Some people find their symptoms happen after drinking coffee or eating rich, spicy and fatty foods.

Read NHS advice on dealing with indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy.

Early pregnancy symptoms (at 10 weeks)

Your pregnancy symptoms may include:

• extreme tiredness
• nausea
• mood swings
• a metallic taste in your mouth
• sore breasts
• indigestion and heartburn
• headaches
• dizziness
• new likes and dislikes for food and drink
• a heightened sense of smell
• a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina
• light spotting (see your doctor if you get bleeding in pregnancy)
• cramping, a bit like period pains
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches - this is known as chloasma or the –mask of pregnancy–
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair
• bloating and the feeling of being bloated (read ways of dealing with bloating on week 10's page

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

If any symptoms are worrying you, talk to your midwife or doctor.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is now around 30mm long from head to bottom, which is about the size of a small apricot. The baby will be making jerky movements and baby's movement can be seen on a scan.

Your baby is going through another huge growth spurt. The head is still too big for the body, but the face is more recognisably in proportion. The eyes are half closed but can react to light. The ears are starting to form, the mouth now has a delicate upper lip and the nose has 2 little nostrils. The jaw bone is shaping up too, and contains tiny versions of your baby's milk teeth. The heart is beating extremely quickly at 180bpm – that's about 3 times your heart rate.

Action stations

You might have started thinking about where you'd like to have your baby. Would you prefer a hospital or a midwife-led birthing centre? Start doing some research into your local options.

This week you could also:

Share the news with your GP or ask for an appointment with a midwife at your doctors' surgery. Alternatively you can refer yourself to your local hospital – look for contact details on their website.

You'll need to arrange a booking appointment. This usually takes place between weeks eight and 12 and takes around an hour. You can talk about the options for your pregnancy and the birth. Plus you'll be offered screening tests for infectious diseases, and conditions such as Down's syndrome. You could ask about the Maternity Transformation Programme and how it could benefit you.

You will be offered your first dating scan at 8 to 14 weeks.

If it's your first pregnancy, you will probably have around 10 appointments and 2 scans in total. Ask if it's possible to see the same carer for your entire pregnancy, to give you continuity.

Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.

Antenatal classes will give you the chance to meet other people and prepare you for parenthood. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.

Take prenatal vitamins. You're advised to take 400 micrograms of folic acid, every day, until at least week 12. This helps your baby's nervous system to form and offers some protection from conditions such as spina bifida.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

There's no need to eat for 2. If you pile on the pounds, you could put you and your baby at risk of health problems such as high blood pressure. Eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

If you have a long term health condition, then let your specialist or GP know that you're pregnant as soon as possible. Don't stop taking any regular medication without discussing it first with your doctor.

How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.

You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. Don't keep it to yourself. It's important to ask for help if you need it.

Want to know when the baby's due?

Use the NHS's pregnancy due date calculator. You'll get a more accurate date from your doctor or midwife when you have a dating scan (usually at 8 to 14 weeks).

Go back to week 9

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10 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and Baby Development

You’ve made it to 10 weeks pregnant, and that means you’re nearly at the end of your first trimester—time flies! Some of your pregnancy symptoms might be starting to subside, while others might be right around the corner. We’ve got more information about what to expect at 10 weeks pregnant in terms of signs and symptoms, plus things to think about and questions your healthcare provider can answer.

Highlights at 10 Weeks Pregnant

Below we’ve highlighted some of the ways your baby is growing and changing, and how you might be feeling at 10 weeks pregnant:

• Your little one is starting to look more and more like a baby, with a rounder head and lots of little developments, like eyes, fingers, toes, and tooth buds.

• With internal organs in place, your little one is just about 1 inch long.

• Though pregnancy symptoms might be at their worst this week, know they’ll soon start to ease.

• Since your belly bump might start to show in the coming weeks, now is a good time to consider starting a baby bump photo series!

10 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Development

Your baby is making some big strides this week! Here are some of the exciting developmental steps happening inside your belly:

• That little head is taking on a rounder, more human shape, and by now all the internal organs may be in place and starting to work together.

• Tiny tooth buds have begun to develop, too.

• Your baby’s fingers and toes are growing longer, and the webs that had been between each finger and toe are starting to disappear.

• At the moment, your baby’s eyes, eyelids, and ears are continuing to develop, but they’ve still got some growing to do before they’re fully formed.

What’s in store for both you and your baby? Check out our Pregnancy Guide; it contains tips and insights to help you get through the rest of the first trimester and beyond. And even though it’s still too early to know your baby’s gender, you can have some fun with our Chinese gender predictor.

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How Many Months Is 10 Weeks Pregnant?

Weeks or months? You’ll probably hear your pregnancy described in both ways, though weeks are more common. Though there are various methods of assigning the 40 weeks of pregnancy into months, at 10 weeks pregnant you’re likely in your third month of pregnancy, even if you haven’t noticed any belly bump or symptoms! “If I'm 10 weeks pregnant, when is my due date?” It's thrilling to think about the day you'll meet your new baby! Your healthcare provider will help you come up with this date, but in the meantime, try our Due Date Calculator to get an idea of when your little one may join the world.

How Big Is a Baby at 10 Weeks Pregnant?

Your little one is still growing very quickly! At 10 weeks, the average fetus is about the size of a strawberry, and your baby will likely measure approximately 1 inch long.

Your Baby: What Does 10 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Check out the illustration below for a look at how things are shaping up inside your belly as you head toward the end of the first trimester.

Your Body at 10 Weeks Pregnant

At 10 weeks pregnant, your uterus is about the size of a large orange, whereas before you became pregnant it was about the size of a small pear. Around this time, you likely have had or will soon have an appointment with your healthcare provider that includes an internal and external abdominal exam to determine the size and position of your baby.

Your healthcare provider might also perform blood tests to find out if you have any infections, determine your blood type and Rh factor, and check whether your own immunizations are up to date. There’s a lot to do, but your provider will be able to walk you through the details and schedule future appointments and tests.

10 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

“Why is week 10 of pregnancy the worst?” This may or may not be a question that's on your mind, but it’s not unusual for pregnancy symptoms to peak around this time, especially when it comes to nausea. The good news is that morning sickness and some other symptoms tend to lessen after the first trimester, giving way to a more comfortable and pleasant second trimester. At 10 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Morning sickness. You’re not alone if you’re 10 weeks pregnant and still experiencing stomach pain, nausea, and other symptoms of morning sickness. Remember, there’s light at the end of the tunnel, but if you experience a more severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum, consult your healthcare provider.

• Round ligament pain. This is one of the more uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Round ligaments are bands of tissue that support the uterus, and they stretch and soften as your baby grows during pregnancy. At 10 weeks pregnant, you might feel lower back pain or pain on your side when these ligaments tighten, such as when changing positions in sleep. Light stretching and gentle movements may help relieve the discomfort, but if it doesn’t go away on its own, or if you also have a fever, talk to your healthcare provider.

• Minimal weight gain. Even though your clothes may be tighter, you may not have gained much weight—or you may have lost a little if you've been dealing with morning sickness. Read up on pregnancy weight gain and be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned. You can also try using our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator tool for an estimate of healthy weight gain based on your pre-pregnancy weight.

• Exhaustion. You might feel like napping at every opportunity. This could be thanks to the increased levels of the hormone progesterone in your body. Sleeping while pregnant isn’t always easy, though, so be sure to consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. Sleep is important!

• Headaches. Pregnancy could trigger the occasional headache. If you're experiencing this symptom, try to rest in a darkened room and apply an ice pack to your head or neck to help relieve the pain. Contact your healthcare provider if the headache persists or is severe.

• Mood swings. Hormonal changes may play a role in the highs and lows you feel when you’re about 10 weeks pregnant. You may find it helpful to distract yourself by chatting with friends, watching funny TV shows or movies, or treating yourself to a massage—just be sure to choose a trained massage therapist who knows about safe massage techniques for those who are pregnant.

• Discharge. You might be seeing more vaginal discharge than before, which is caused by your increased blood supply and higher hormone levels. This normal discharge is clear to milky-colored, nearly odorless, and may appear slightly yellowish on your underwear. At ten weeks pregnant or later, contact your healthcare provider if you notice a strong odor or color changes in the discharge, or if you experience spotting, bleeding, or itching in the vaginal area.

• Acne. If you’re experiencing acne now and didn’t before you got pregnant, or if your acne is worse now than before, it may be one of your pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy acne is a hormone-related symptom and will likely clear up soon after your baby is born.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 10 Weeks?

At 10 weeks pregnant, are you showing or just bloated, you may wonder? It’s possible that your pregnant belly’s size will increase at 10 weeks, but a baby bump doesn’t usually show until around weeks 12 to 16, even if you're pregnant with twins. This is when your uterus starts to move outside your pelvis area. Keep in mind that right now, your little one is only as big as a strawberry! Whether you're showing or not, you may be curious to know if you can feel your baby move at 10 weeks. Though your little one is probably moving around inside your uterus, they’re likely too small for any movements to be felt. Around 18 to 20 weeks you may experience what's known as quickening, meaning that you feel your baby move for the very first time.

What Does 10 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

For a better idea of what your belly might look like around 10 weeks pregnant, when you’re in your third month of pregnancy, check out the image below.

10 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

As you make your way through pregnancy, there are plenty of important things to consider, from adjusting your diet to caring for your body. Check out our list below.

• Reduce your caffeine intake, if you haven’t already done so. Many healthcare providers recommend reducing or eliminating caffeine from your diet so that you’re not having more than 200 mg per day (the equivalent of one 12-ounce cup of coffee). Cutting out caffeine can also help you sleep better.

• As your pregnancy progresses, the weight of your growing uterus can hinder blood flow to the lower parts of your body. When this happens, the veins in your legs can become swollen, sore, and blue. Varicose veins are not preventable, but you can take steps to ease the discomfort and prevent them from becoming worse.

  • Don’t sit with your legs crossed or stand or sit for long periods of time.

  • Try wearing support hose and propping your legs up whenever you can to help improve blood flow.

  • Also, stay active, move around, and add some safe pregnancy exercise to your daily routine if your healthcare provider approves.

• As you anticipate your belly showing, 10 weeks is a good time to start taking pictures and starting a baby bump progression photo series, if this is something you might like to do. You could start as soon as you start showing, or even a little earlier. The series is easy to do:

  • Pick a day of the week, where you’d like to stand, and what to wear. Some wear a tight-fitting top, while others roll their top up to reveal their belly.

  • Stand to the side and either take a selfie or have someone take a full-length photo of you.

  • Once your baby is born, you can even take a few postpartum shots with your baby in your arms. You’ll love being able to look back on how your belly grew as your pregnancy progressed.

10 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Remember that your healthcare provider is always there for you, so feel free to consult them about any questions or concerns you have now and in the weeks to come. Some common questions at 10 weeks pregnant include:

• When can I hear my baby’s heartbeat, if not at 10 weeks?

• When will I be able to know if I’m pregnant with twins?

• Are any genetic screening tests recommended? If so, when would these take place? Keep in mind that genetic testing is completely optional, and your healthcare provider can help you understand what risk factors or family history might impact your baby.

• What is chorionic villus sampling and is it recommended?

• Is a nuchal translucency ultrasound recommended?

10 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

As you start to settle into your pregnancy and get used to the various emotional and physical symptoms, consider the following to-dos:

• Get a professional bra fitting and buy comfortable underwear and well-fitting bras if needed.

• Start to plan a second trimester babymoon! You’re nearly in the trimester that's sometimes called the “honeymoon” period of pregnancy, when you may get your energy levels back, so this could be the right time to take a short break. Besides, after the second trimester, you may not have the chance to get away for a while, so this might be the perfect time to book a relaxing trip.

• When you have a minute, read up on pregnancy warning signs you should not ignore. You shouldn’t worry unduly, but it helps to be informed so you know what signs to look out for.

10th week of pregnancy: sensations, signs, fetal development

Pregnancy

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By the 10th week of pregnancy, the sensations caused by hormonal changes in a woman's body usually subside. Morning sickness, dizziness and weakness may still bother you, but gradually give way to the "honeymoon" of pregnancy, which comes in the second trimester. The embryo continues to actively grow, develop, and at the 10th obstetric week of pregnancy acquires the status of a fetus. nine0003

8 min. for reading By Oksana Negrich Feb. 17, 2022

10 week fetal development

At 10 weeks pregnant, the baby is about the size of a strawberry or a little cream. Now his height is 30–40 mm, and his weight is about 5 grams. The body of the child is covered with thin fluffy hairs - lanugo. nine0003

All the vital organs of the baby are already formed, but they continue to grow and improve. The head, still large in relation to the body, is rounded, the neck appears, the brain and nerve endings are actively developing.

By the 10th week of pregnancy, all the facial bones appear, so the facial features become clearer. Eyes and eyelids have already formed, eyebrows are starting to grow, ears have acquired lobes. The rudiments of milk teeth appear, which erupt in the first year after the birth of a child. nine0003

The bones of the skeleton, previously more like cartilage, harden. Therefore, the crumbs during this period need more calcium. The limbs become stronger, the membranes between the fingers disappear, the nails begin to grow. Muscles develop intensively, the baby learns to bend and unbend his arms at the elbows and wrists. Along with this, the umbilical cord becomes longer, which allows the child to move inside the amniotic sac, starting from its walls. Already at the 10th obstetric week of pregnancy, the fetus is actively moving, but the expectant mother does not yet feel it. nine0003

Muscle tissue appears not only on the limbs, but also in the oral cavity, which allows the baby to swallow. The tiny tongue is covered with taste buds.

The child's intestines, kidneys, liver and pancreas are already working. The heart is still beating very fast - up to 160-170 beats per minute.

10th week of pregnancy: well-being and changes in the mother's body

At the 10th week of pregnancy, the belly is still little noticeable, but the figure is gradually rounded: the breasts noticeably increase, and the hips move forward when walking. The uterus during this period reaches the size of a large orange and can put pressure on neighboring organs, provoking frequent urge to urinate. Sometimes this can be accompanied by incontinence, which manifests itself during strong exertion, laughter, sneezing or coughing. nine0003

Despite a slight increase in the waist, during the 10th week of pregnancy, the sensations in the abdomen are not very pleasant. The round ligaments that support the growing uterus are stretched, causing pain in the lower abdomen. Discomfort is aggravated by turning while lying down or during heavy physical exertion.

Important!

Normally, round ligament tenderness resolves on its own. But if the discomfort is too strong, accompanied by fever or strange discharge, be sure to consult a doctor. nine0038