10 Weeks Pregnant: Fetal Heart Rate

You have a fetus! You have a fetus! You are 10 weeks pregnant and that marks the end of the embryonic period. You are the proud new owner of a fetus who is now well over one inch long, or about the size of... no, not a bean... a piece of uncooked rigatoni. Or penne. Whatever you fancy. Okay, stop thinking about dinner. Your baby has developed all of her internal organs and they are now beginning to function together like a team of mini superheroes. The most crucial and rapid stage of development ends around the tenth week. From here, baby grows and refines as she ages (much like a husband). Her little heartbeat is now strong enough to be heard on a Doppler monitor – be prepared with tissues; this sound will be one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever heard. Baby is stretching out and moving, though you won’t likely feel any of that movement for several weeks yet.

What you are feeling is probably just about as difficult to distinguish as baby’s little kicks and twists. You are feeling sad. No... happy. No... angry. No... scared. Oh wait... SICK! Mood swings are normal and expected, especially during early pregnancy when hormones are raging to cause your baby’s enormous developmental changes. If puking and crying hasn’t already caused you to spill the beans at work, you might be wondering when IS the right time to talk. Most women wait until the first trimester has safely passed but the timing is really up to you. If you are having difficulty coping with the regular demands of your job, you might choose to confess your big, happy secret a bit earlier. Whatever you choose, most experts suggest you tell your boss before, or at the same time as your coworkers. News travels. Are you into pregnancy wear already? They might not be all that surprised.

More Pregnancy Links:

• Join our Pregnant Moms Group
• Baby Girl Names
• Baby Boy Names
  

Our pregnancy calendar is researched & written by our Pregnancy Editor, Dara Duff-Bergeron. Although she rocks, she is not a health care professional. It's just for entertainment purposes and any recommendations or information provided should not be used as a substitute for the real deal - a trained medical professional.

About the Author
Dara is a women’s fitness expert and a pre and postnatal specialist. Visit Dara at Belly Bootcamp (www.bellybootcamp.ca)

About the Author Posted by EMVA in Pregnancy Calendar on March 23, 2010 More from this author  |