Your baby
Week 9
The face is slowly forming. The eyes are bigger and more obvious, and have some colour (pigment) in them. There is a mouth and tongue, with tiny taste buds. The hands and feet are developing – ridges identify where the fingers and toes will be, although they haven't separated out yet. The major internal organs (such as the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys and gut) continue developing.
At nine weeks of pregnancy, the baby has grown to about 22mm long from head to bottom.
Week 10
The ears are starting to develop on the sides of your baby's head, and inside the head its ear canals are forming.
If you could look at your baby's face you would be able to see its upper lip and two tiny nostrils in the nose. The jawbones are developing and already contain all the future milk teeth.
The heart is now fully-formed. It beats 180 times a minute – that's two to three times faster than your own heart.
The baby is making small, jerky movements which can be seen on an ultrasound scan.
Week 11
The foetus grows quickly and the placenta is rapidly developing (it will be fully formed at about 12 weeks).
The bones of the face are formed now. The eyelids are closed, and won't open for a few months yet.
The ear buds look more like ears as they grow. Your baby's head makes up one-third of it's length, but the body is growing fast – it is straightening, and the fingers and toes are separating. There are fingernails.
Week 12
Just 12 weeks after your last period, the foetus is fully formed. All its organs, muscles, limbs and bones are in place, and the sex organs are well developed. From now on, it has to grow and mature.
It's too early for you to be able to feel the baby's movements yet, although it's moving quite a bit.
Your baby's skeleton is made of tissue called cartilage and, around now, this starts to develop into hard bone.
You
During this time your breasts will have got bigger, so consider wearing a supportive bra. You may also find that your emotions vary: you feel happy one moment and sad the next. Don’t worry – these feelings are normal and should settle down. You can find out more about feelings, worries and relationships in pregnancy.
If you haven't seen your midwife yet, contact your GP or maternity team for your booking appointment and to start your antenatal care. This appointment should take place by the time you are 12 weeks pregnant. You will be offered your first ultrasound scan when you’re between eight and 14 weeks pregnant: this can vary depending on where you live.
Things to think about
Checks and tests you may be offered
You will be offered a range of checks and tests during your first antenatal visit to help monitor your health and spot any potential problems.
Where to have your baby
Choosing where to have your baby is a big decision. Your midwife and antenatal team can talk to you about all the options available to help you make an informed choice.
Healthy pregnancy diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is especially important for pregnant women. Find out about healthy eating and which foods to avoid.
Stay active, start exercising
Find out about exercises and keeping active.
You can save a to-do list online, to keep track of the things you need to do, such as finding out about maternity leave and booking antenatal classes.
Pregnancy week by week
Find out what's happening to you and your baby at:
0-8 weeks pregnant
13, 14, 15, 16 weeks pregnant
17, 18, 19, 20 weeks pregnant
21, 22, 23, 24 weeks pregnant
25, 26, 27, 28 weeks pregnant
29, 30, 31, 32 weeks pregnant
33, 34, 35, 36 weeks pregnant
37, 38, 39, 40 weeks pregnant
Over 40 weeks pregnant
