12th week of pregnancy for mom and baby - 3rd month of pregnancy
Pregnancy is always a magical moment in every woman's life, and being in the twelfth week of pregnancy means that the third month has already begun, the growth of the fetus is proceeding swiftly and surely you have already been able to see it with the first ultrasound. But what else do you need to know for the expectant mother? Before reading further, here is a video with the things not to do during pregnancy.
Mother's nutrition in the twelfth week of pregnancy
One of the first things you will need to pay attention to during pregnancy is the consumption of certain foods, which are not recommended, because they risk causing problems. Among them, there are some infections caused by various types of microbes (listeria, brucella, toxoplasmosis) which can have serious consequences for the health of the pregnant mother and the baby.
In any case, it will not be necessary to completely overturn your eating habits: you can continue to eat most of the foods you usually eat, provided they are fresh, healthy, properly stored and above all carefully washed. Follow these tips.
See also
- As for meat, you can trust products of Italian origin (and certified organic production): our country, in fact, boasts a particularly effective control system. Remember, however, to always cook what you eat well: raw meat is a possible source of transmission of toxoplasmosis and other parasitic diseases.
- Cooked ham is preferable without polyphosphates (additives that have a negative influence on the absorption of calcium by the body), while if raw it must be marked Dop (Protected Designation of Origin). This trademark guarantees, by law, that the ham comes exclusively from the legs of pigs reared in Italy.
- Even for cheeses it is better to choose those without polyphosphates and no soft cheeses.
- When purchasing fish, it is always necessary to check its origin and freshness, avoiding buying fish that are sold mutilated, without fins and without heads. If in doubt, it is better to buy the frozen one that is equally good and nutritionally valid. Avoid raw fish, such as sushi, smoked, shellfish.
- It goes without saying that the optimal solution would also be for national and seasonal fruit and vegetables! It is recommended to always wash fruit and vegetables well, especially when you eat them raw. For example: soak the salad in a little water and vinegar.
- Particular attention should also be paid to eggs.Choose only the very fresh ones, called category A "extra", and consume them quickly, in any case within the expiration date.
- Finally, when purchasing packaged products, always check the list of additives on the label.
- Among the drinks, those without dyes and flavorings are better. In the case of bottled tea, the label indicates any contraindications related to the presence of synthetic sweeteners, alternatives to sugar.
Physical changes of the expectant mother
The woman's body in the twelfth week of pregnancy changes markedly and both chloasma gravidarum and linea alba may appear. There is no need to worry because both are phenomena due to the increase in estrogen (hormones typical of pregnancy) and will disappear autonomously after delivery. They may not even appear at all, or they may be visible after the twentieth week of pregnancy. Let's see what they are.
Chloasma gravidarum
These are small dark spots that appear on the face. To prevent them always remember to use a cream with a high spf, a hat to protect yourself from the sun and in general, avoid the hottest hours especially if it is summer.
Alba line
It is a dark line that appears in the middle of the belly, also known as linea nigra and due to the excessive production of melanin. It cannot be counteracted or prevented, just let it take its course and you will never notice it after giving birth.
The woman in this period is upset by the hormones that stimulate the sebaceous glands, also increasing the blood flow in the blood vessels. For this reason, the skin will appear fresh, healthy and radiant.
However, this overproduction of fat can also generate some problems, such as acne.
In addition, it can also happen that the freckles and moles become darker and small red lines appear on the breasts and legs which are called arachniform nevus, just owed to the increase of blood flow in the skin.
Have you already chosen the name for your baby? If your ideas are unclear, let yourself be inspired by our list of names for all tastes!
The development of the baby during the 12th week of pregnancy
Around the twelfth week of pregnancy we witness the development of the brain of the fetus: the pituitary gland he begins to produce hormones as the nerve cells in his brain develop and multiply rapidly.
The muscular tunic is also formed, which in the future will be responsible for bowel movements; it also increases the volume of the heart and lungs until it reaches its maximum during the following weeks.
The hands and feet will now be fully developed, moreover the child will already be able to bend the elbow, up to sucking his thumb. This means that his reflexes are starting to develop.
The face will be formed and resemble that of a miniature newborn, with the eyes and ears in place. The skeletal system will begin to ossify and the bone marrow to produce white blood cells to fight infections. During the twelfth week of pregnancy, the placenta filters oxygen and all the nutrients necessary for proper fetal growth.
The weight of the fetus at the 12th week of pregnancy will be approximately 45 grams and will measure 10 cm. His legs, arms, hands and feet are well formed. His nervous system has developed and muscles are forming: the fetus is starting to move! These are small, rather abrupt movements, like jolts. However, you still don't feel anything ... but don't worry! The amniotic fluid in which the fetus is immersed has a much higher volume than that of the future unborn child: this is why its movements are not yet perceptible!
During this time, the baby's vocal cords are also formed, and the kidneys begin to function in synchrony with the bladder. The baby's external genital tract is also starting to be more defined and this will allow you to discover the sex during the ultrasound.
The baby at 12 weeks is said to be able to yawn, sob and swallow.
Twelfth week of pregnancy: useful tips
The law protects women during maternity and guarantees the child's right to "adequate assistance. The new legislation has extended, starting from 07-11-2007, the right to maternity leave and early leave from work, provided for previously only for employees, to workers registered in the separate management (coordinated project workers, self-employed workers, joint ventures, etc.) with certain contribution requirements, not registered in other forms of social security and not holders of pensions.
Maternity allowance
The working mother has the right to take time off work in the two months before the birth and in the three following months; during this period, called "compulsory leave", the payment of an "allowance in lieu of wages equal to 80% of the salary. Employees, subject to medical certification, can delay their absence from work by one month before birth thus extending the period of leave after childbirth to four months.
At the end of the compulsory leave, working mothers can take advantage of the "optional leave" of six months paid at 30% of their salary. The period can be continuous or split up until the child is eight years old. In the case of a parent alone, the optional abstention can be extended by 10 months which can always be used continuously or in part; self-employed workers, on the other hand, have the right to abstain only for three months within the child's first year of age.
How and when to submit applications
By the 3rd month, remember to tell your employer that you are pregnant. Instead, you must submit to INPS and your employer, within the 7th month of pregnancy, the application for "compulsory leave" (Model MAT) which must be accompanied by a medical certificate of pregnancy drawn up on the specific form provided by the ASL. It is important to know that you can also request "compulsory early leave" in the event that you are pregnant at risk, or in the case of complications of gestation, due to working or environmental conditions that are detrimental to your health or that of the unborn child. . Don't be afraid to ask for it, remember that your health and that of your little one are more important. Early abstention must be made to the Provincial Labor Directorate with territorial jurisdiction where you reside and must be accompanied by a medical certificate issued by an ASL gynecologist. The request for "optional leave" must, however, be made with a minimum notice of 15 days from the start of the period. Also remember that within thirty days of giving birth you must communicate the baby's date of birth (self-certification is fine) to the employer.
Important information about the 12th week of pregnancy
- Make an appointment with your gynecologist or midwife for the first trimester visit
- Choose the hospital in which to give birth and where to take the course
- Get organized for eventual tri-test which takes place between the 15th and 16th week
- Think about who can help you after giving birth (grandparents, nurse, daycare)
- Organize for any amniocentesis that can be done between the 15th and 19th week
- Let your employer know about your pregnancy
