This test is performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The doctor inserts a needle through your abdomen or inserts a catheter through your cervix in order to reach the placenta. Your doctor then takes a sample of cells from the placenta. These cells are used in a lab to look for problems with chromosomes.

This test cannot find out whether your baby has open neural tube defects.

About 1 in 200 women have a miscarriage as a result of this test.

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Congratulations on your pregnancy! Your journey to motherhood has begun. Check out this article to read about the changes you are about to experience in your body and to see how your baby will develop and grow in your first 3 months of pregnancy.

Changes in Your Body During the First Trimester of Pregnancy

During the first three months of pregnancy, also known as the first trimester, your body will begin to undergo many changes. Your body will begin adjusting to the growing baby and because of this; you may experience nausea, fatigue, backaches, mood swings, and stress. Though some not pleasant, all are normal.

Each Woman Is Different, So Is Each Pregnancy

Most women will experience several of these pregnancy symptoms during the 1^st trimester, and some unlucky few might even get all of them. Some of these pregnancy discomforts will be alleviated as your pregnancy progresses into the second trimester, only to reappear again in the third trimester. While few women might not feel any discomfort at all. If this is not your first pregnancy, you might experience different symptoms this time around.

While your body begins adjusting to this change, you may need to make some changes to your normal routine, based upon how you’re feeling. If any activities during your normal, daily routine are now uncomfortable or even painful, stop. Don’t push yourself, especially during your 1^st trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is highest.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

Morning Sickness

Commonly referred to as “morning sickness,” nausea and vomiting are normal during early pregnancy and can actually happen during any time of the day. Although this period may seem like it lasts forever, nausea and vomiting usually subside at the end of the first trimester.

There are many suggestions for fighting off morning sickness and one may be right for you. Try one of the following ideas to lower your chances of morning sickness:

• Drink carbonated drinks like Ginger Ale or Seltzer Water between meals.
• Eat starchy snacks like toast, saltines, Cheerios, or other dry cereals.
• Ask your doctor about taking Vitamin B6
• Ask your doctor about a change in prenatal vitamins if they seem to make your nausea worse.
• Try to take your prenatal vitamin at a different time (i.e. you may have less nausea if you take your vitamin at night rather than in the morning).

Feeling Sleepy, Tired, or Even Exhausted

Most women find that during the first trimester, they’re exhausted. While normal, it’s just your body’s way of telling you that you need more rest. Remember, your body is working at creating new life and this requires energy.

To help fight the feelings of exhaustion:

• Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night
• Nap during the day when possible
• When you’re tried, don’t push yourself. Rather, relax or rest

If possible, you may want to try sleeping on your left side. Doing so will help to relieve pressure on major blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Should you have high blood pressure, it’s even more important to be on your left side when lying down.

Weight Gain

In the months ahead it’ll be vital to your baby’s development that you’re gaining weight, especially during the second and third trimesters. But in the first trimester, it’s more common that you only gain a small amount of weight. About 5 pounds total weight gain during the first trimester is average.

Also, it not necessary or recommended to increase your caloric intake during the first trimester. Continue to eat a normal, recommended daily diet for your size, age, physique and activity level. Only starting in the second trimester is it recommended to increase your caloric intake by 300 calories per day.

Frequent Urination

Visiting the bathroom all of the time begins in the first trimester and will last your entire pregnancy. The growing uterus presses on your bladder which causes the frequent urination. As your baby continues to grow, you’ll notice a more significant increase in bathroom visits too.

Changes in Your Baby During the 1st Trimester

By the end of the first trimester, your baby is about three inches long and weighs about half an ounce. Your baby’s eyes will move closer together into their positions. And your baby’s ears are in their position having made the move up from the neck. The liver is making bile, and the kidneys are secreting urine into the bladder. Even though you cannot yet feel your baby move, he or she is twisting and turning up a storm inside your womb! Your baby will also respond to pushing on your abdomen with movement, though it’s too early to feel.

Visiting Your Doctor or Midwife

Prenatal care, which are visits to your doctor or midwife, are especially important in the first few months of pregnancy. Make sure to choose a doctor who you meet and trust, and especially one who shares your views on pregnancy and birth. For example, some doctors perform more c-sections than others, while other Ob/Gyn’s prefer vaginal or natural births. Having a doctor who shares your pregnancy philosophy will allow you form a trustworthy and supportive partnership throughout your pregnancy, birth and beyond. And make sure you keep all the recommended appointments, every doctor’s visit during your pregnancy is important.

At your first visit, you can expect the following:

• Questions about your family’s medical history.
• Questions about your history of diseases, operations, and prior pregnancies.
• A complete physical exam
• A pelvic exam with Pap test
• Check of blood pressure, weight, and urine.
• Order of lab tests.
• Calculating your due date.
• Answer your questions.

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You have made it to your final week of the first trimester. As it comes to a close, your baby is about the size of a peach and about as long as a shrimp.

Your baby’s body is now catching up with the size of the head – but the head is still making up for about a third of the total body size now. If your baby is a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Fingerprints have formed on tiny fingertips and organs and veins are clearly visible through the still very thin skin.

Body Changes in the 13th Week of Pregnancy

As the first trimester comes to a close, a lot of women who were dealing with morning sickness, fatigue and a myriad of other pregnancy symptoms may notice these discomforts start to subside as the beginning of the second trimester starts to bring in more comfort.

Your breasts have started to make the nutrient-rich fluid, colostrum, that will feed your baby the first few days after birth but before your milk starts to flow.

Not feeling very sexy right now? It’s completely normal as you may start to notice a thin, mild-smelling milky vaginal discharge that protects the birth canal from infection and keeps the bacteria in your vagina in healthy balance. This discharge is completely harmless and is likely to increase in the coming weeks so we suggest keeping plenty of panty liners on hand.

Meanwhile, some women start feeling very sexy during their pregnancies – and their husbands tend to feel the same way. Generally, sex is perfectly safe during pregnancy, so if you’re feeling it, go ahead and do something about it!

Pregnancy Tip for Week 13

Some women are considering talking to their employers about their pregnancy now. Get our advice on all the details of telling your employer. Read about how to tell your boss you’re pregnant »

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At about the size of a large plum, your baby’s biggest development this week is reflexes. If you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm though you won’t be able to feel it just yet. The intestines have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord and are now starting to move into the abdominal cavity. The kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder and the pituitary gland (at the base of the brain) has started producing the hormones that your baby will need to make babies of their own one day.

Most of your baby’s systems are in place but there is plenty of maturing for them to do. The fetal digestive system is beginning to practice contraction movements so that your baby can eat someday and the bone marrow is busy making white blood cells, needed so that once out in the world, your baby can fight against germs.

Body Changes in the 12th Week of Pregnancy

Feeling a little dizzy? It’s a normal pregnancy symptom that lots of women experience. Progesterone which causes increased blood flow to your baby by relaxing your own blood vessels is helping to create those dizzy spells along with typically lower blood-sugar levels during pregnancy. To stay on balance, get adequate rest, stand up slowly, and eat regularly.

Your uterus has now grown enough that your doctor can feel the top of it (the fundus) in your lower abdomen, just above your pubic bone. You may also be in maternity clothes, especially if this is not your first pregnancy. But, if you have not yet taken the leap to maternity clothes, you’ve no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and you’re more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing.

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At nearly two inches long, your baby’s bones are beginning to harden this week. Hair follicles, fingernails, and ovaries (if she’s a girl) are also forming. The hands will soon begin to open and close into fists and your baby’s feet are now in front of the body making your baby look more human like and less like an alien.

Ears are nearly in their final shape, there are open nasal passages on the tip of your baby’s nose, a palate in the mouth, a tongue, an visible nipples.

Body Changes in the 11th Week of Pregnancy

If you’re feeling hungry, this is your first sign that morning sickness is starting to ease up and your appetite is gearing up to help you nourish your body… and baby. But, just because you’re feeling more up to eating these days, don’t over do it. Thanks to digestion slowing progesterone and your growing uterus, you’re more prone to gas now so try to stay away from gas producing foods: fried foods, soda and sweets.

Your goal should be to gain weight efficiently by choosing only the most nutritious foods and minimizing the junk. You may also try to spend eating time grazing rather than gorging or eating larger meals. This will help to keep the morning sickness and gas at bay. However, try not to graze all day – a great way to eat during pregnancy is to have 5 small meals per day.

Pregnancy Tip for Week 10

During your weekly grocery run, head into the antacid aisle and pick up a box of Tums – they are safe to take during pregnancy and will even provide some extra calcium to your diet. Although you may not have heartburn yet, there is a pretty good chance indigestion will strike more than once in the next 8 months. And there is nothing worse than driving to the pharmacy in your PJ’s after a 2am encounter with heartburn!

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At just the size of a prune and a little over an inch long, your baby now weighs in at less than a quarter of an ounce. Now swallowing fluid and kicking like crazy, your baby’s body is beginning to function more and more with each passing day.

The vital organs: kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver are starting to function while they’ll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy. If you baby is a boy, his testes are making testosterone now.

With small indentations on your baby’s legs, your baby will soon have knees and ankles. Tiny buds of baby teeth are also forming under the gums.

Body Changes in the 10th Week of Pregnancy

If you think you’re already seeing a baby bump, it’s probably not the case yet. You may just be bloated or constipated. For many moms-to-be at this time, pregnancy hormones start to make you feel a little clogged up when your large bowel is starting to fail at its job. Try working in more fiber, whole grains, and fresh vegetables to your diet to help ease the discomfort.

Your baby bump will soon pop, though. If it’s your first pregnancy, it’s likely that you start showing later on into the second trimester, probably not until you’re well into you’re 4th month. If you’ve already been pregnant in the past, your body is already experienced in the process and will accommodate the growing uterus and baby earlier, maybe even at the end of the first trimester.

Headaches are also common during this stage of pregnancy. Drink lots of water, get regular exercise, and take time out for yourself to try to help your body deal with the constant changes.

Pregnancy Tip for Week 10

Before you go to bed tonight, ask your partner to give you a quick five-minute neck rub. Rubbing the neck can stop those annoying headaches that seem to appear at the worst of times. Furthermore, a neck rub can help alleviate any stress and tension caused by those pregnancy changes in your body.

Learn about being 9 weeks pregnant

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You probably can’t feel it yet but your tiny raspberry sized baby is now making spontaneous movements it twitches the tiny trunk and limb buds. Looking a little less like a reptile and more like a baby, the nose, lips, legs, eyelids, and back continue to take shape.

Breathing tubes are extending from throat to the branches of the developing lungs, and “the tail” is just about gone. And in the brain, nerve cells are forming primitive neural pathways. Your baby’s heart rate has now reached the incredible rate of 150 times per minute.

Though you may be dreaming about your baby being a boy or girl, the external genitals still haven’t developed enough to reveal whether you’re having a boy or girl.

Body Changes in the 8th Week of Pregnancy

You’re probably not exactly showing yet but your clothes may be getting a little snug around the tummy and you might be feeling the need to buy a bigger bra. When shopping, keep in mind that your tummy is going to need lots of room to grow, so try and buy clothes that will last you through the 9th month rather than certain maternity wear that’s sold for particular trimester use. And for some women, your breasts can increase up to two cups sizes and feel ultra sensitive, and a comfortably, supportive nursing/sleeping bra can really help – and will last you through your pregnancy and beyond childbirth for breastfeeding.

Dramatic rises in progesterone may leave you feeling fatigued and certainly morning sickness doesn’t leave you feeling full of energy. If you’re having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, it’s normal – especially if you’re getting up often to pee. Don’t worry – it’s normal during your first trimester of pregnancy. The worst of the morning sickness and/or fatigue should peak at around 8 weeks, and by your 10th week of pregnancy it should be subsiding and you’ll be getting your energy back. The hormones in your body should equalize by the second trimester and and most of the pregnancy discomforts should fade away into a blissful state of both excitement and peace about your pregnancy.

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Your tiny baby, about the size of an orange seed is starting to grow quickly. Your baby is looking more like a tadpole than a human. And his or her little heart is starting to form. It’s possible that with an early ultrasound, you may even see it beating. Otherwise, you’ll be in for a treat whenever you schedule your first sonogram, and see your baby for the first time.

Your baby’s circulatory system is the first thing to become operational and the neural tube will eventually become your baby’s brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone is well into construction now. The top layer of your baby, called the ectoderm, will also help to become your baby’s hair, nails, skin, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

The primitive placenta and umbilical cord have started their jobs of delivering oxygen and nutrients to your baby.

Body’s Changes in the 5th Week of Pregnancy

There’s no surprise that you may already feel a little uncomfortable. Fatigue, sore breasts, and frequent urination may all begin to happen now. You may also feel your moods rising and falling like tides as your body goes through hormone surges.

At this point, you may find that starting or continuing an exercise routine is essential to feeling your best. Starting off a fit pregnancy from the beginning will help you manage the extra weight you’ll soon be carrying and will also help to build strength and endurance you’ll need throughout the pregnancy and for delivery.

Many women also say that exercise throughout their pregnancy also helped them bounce back after delivery. Make sure that you choose a safe, slightly vigorous activity you enjoy, and talk with your doctor before starting your routine. Oftentimes walking and swimming are great choices for exercising during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Tip for Week 5

This week you’re ready to take a pregnancy test to get the most accurate reading (considering that you properly assessed fertilization and ovulation and are really 5 weeks pregnant). If you see that plus sign, know that the little heart is already beating inside you and get ready for the whirlwind that will be the next 8 months, or 35 weeks, of your life!

Learn about being 4 weeks pregnant

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The start of the fourth week of pregnancy marks the beginning of the embryonic period. Beginning now and lasting until your tenth (10) week, your baby’s organs will begin to develop and some may even begin to function. This is the most crucial time for your baby as it is the time when he/she will be the most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with development.

At this stage, your baby is just an embryo at about the size of a poppy seed only consisting of two main layers: the hypoblast and the epiblast, from which all organs and body parts will begin to develop.

Your bay has now completed the journey from your fallopian tube to your uterus. Once settled in your uterus, it will split with one half becoming your baby and the other half forms the placenta.

What will become the placenta, the primitive placenta, is also made up of two layers. The primitive placenta’s cells are tunneling into the lining of your uterus, creating spaces for blood to flow so the developed placenta will provide oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby.

Now present in your womb is the amniotic sac which will be your baby’s home, the amniotic fluid which will cushion and protect your baby during growth; and the yolk sac that helps deliver nutrients to the baby until the placenta has fully developed and produces your baby’s red blood cells.

Body Changes in the 4th Week of Pregnancy

Typically during the fourth week you might be able to find out that you’re pregnant, and should your pregnancy test return a positive result, it’s time to call your practitioner’s office and schedule your first prenatal checkup. Though most practitioners won’t see you until you’re about eight weeks along unless you have had fertility treatments, a medical condition, are having symptoms that need to be checked out, or problems with a previous pregnancy.

If you’re testing negative at the end of the 4th week of pregnancy, even with an early results pregnancy test, you still might be pregnant. You may have miscalculated your ovulation or fertilization days, or your hCG levels may not be high enough yet for even a sensitive pregnancy test to detect.  Try testing again at the end of your 5th week, or if you’re as impatient as many other women hoping to find out that they’re pregnant, it doesn’t hurt to test every day or every other day until you definitively find out – the only thing that hurts is the price of some of the pregnancy tests on the market nowadays.

It’s typical that you’re taking a multivitamin that should contain at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Once you’re sure you’re pregnant, you may need a bit more folic acid – about 600 micrograms per day in which case we suggest switching to a prenatal vitamin.

Medications, prescription or over the counter should be discussed with your practitioner to ensure safety for you and your baby.

Pregnancy Tip For Week 4

While you can certainly take a pregnancy test now, for the most accurate result wait until the end of the fourth week or one week after your expected period. If you can’t wait, studies show that the most accurate pregnancy test is the First Response, Early Results Pregnancy Test.

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In the coming months your baby’s essential body parts will go through the fine tuning process – and now in your ninth week, they are all there. This week your baby’s heart will also finish dividing into four chambers and the valves start to form along with tiny teeth.

External genitalia is now present though it will still be a few more weeks before you know if your baby is male or female. The eyes are fully formed but the eyelids are fused shut and won’t open until the 27th week.

Your baby, about an inch long, also has tiny earlobes and the mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta, now developed, can take over the most important job of producing hormones. And with your baby’s physiology finally in place, your fetus is geared up for rapid weight gain.

Body Changes in the 9th Week of Pregnancy

Your waist is thickening and you may feel bloated, but you probably still don’t look pregnant. By the end of the first trimester, women should gain, on average, a recommended 5 pounds.

Physical pregnancy symptoms are in full force along with morning sickness and you may feel like an emotional wreck, it’s common. Relief from common first trimester pregnancy discomforts is on the way, by next week the worst peak of pregnancy symptoms will be over and you’ll start feeling better and better with each passing day.

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