10 Weeks

What’s happening this week

You...

• may still feel moody and emotional
• could feel very tired
• might notice sickness starting to fade
• may be tired but, at the same time, find it hard to settle to sleep.

Your baby...

• measures about 3.5 cm
• weighs about 9 grams
• has eyelids that are fused shut; the eyes won’t open till about Week 27
• has wrists and elbows that bend
• is developing genitals.

Your body is gradually growing and changing as your baby develops, but many of these changes will be invisible to everyone but you. Some women have health issues which need special attention during pregnancy...

Asthma

Pregnancy does not make asthma worse or lead to more frequent attacks. Take your inhaler as prescribed. If asthma is poorly controlled because you don’t use your medication properly, there is a risk of your baby not growing well. Your doctor or LMC may want to check the severity of your asthma by carrying out a ‘peak flow’ assessment. Your baby’s development may be checked with ultrasound.

Epilepsy

Researchers aren’t sure whether pregnancy affects the frequency of epileptic fits. Any anticonvulsant drugs you’re taking may need adjusting while you’re pregnant. All anti-convulsants are risky for your unborn baby, but the risk of not taking the drugs is at least as great and may be greater. Generally, as long as pregnancy does not bring on an increase in the number of fits, most doctors leave the pre-pregnancy medication alone. You may be more likely to have pregnancy complications, and problems with your developing baby, so you should be offered a detailed anomaly scan (see Week 17) and be under the care of an obstetrician and a consultant specialising in epilepsy. The anomaly scan is generally done from 18 weeks.

Diabetes

If you already had insulin-dependent diabetes before this pregnancy, it’s very important to control your blood sugar levels well now. You’ll receive advice on your insulin regime, diet and exercise. Monitor your blood glucose levels carefully; it may be necessary to increase the number of insulin injections. Your pregnancy and your baby are at higher risk, so your care will be shared between your diabetes specialist and your antenatal care team.

High blood pressure

Your blood pressure will be monitored carefully to check that pregnancy doesn’t cause it to rise even more; putting you and the baby at risk.

Antihypertensive drugs being taken before pregnancy may need to be monitored and the dose adjusted. Your baby’s growth may be monitored carefully by regular ultrasound scans. There are specialist support groups, which can give advice and information if you need special care.

5 ways to eat well

Reproduced with permission from the New Zeland Heart Foundation

1. Eat at least five portions of vegetables and fruit every day; fresh, frozen, tinned, dried and juice all count. This will give you vitamins, minerals, fibre and water in handy packages.


2. Eat foods such as apples, pears, prunes and pulses and drink plenty of fluids. Try to drink about two litres, or eight glasses, of water, juice, fruit tea, sugar-free drinks or well-diluted squash, every day. This will help prevent constipation and piles. Tea, coffee and cola don’t count.


3. Keep an eye on how much fat you eat. While some fat is essential, eating a lot of saturated fat is not good for you. Choose a mixture of low-fat and full fat dairy products and try using olive oil, rich in mono-saturated fats, in salad dressings and cooking.


4. Say no to salt. We get all we need from bread, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Savour the true flavour of foods by cutting down gradually on salt.


5. Enjoy a variety of foods. This is a good way to make sure you are getting all the nutrients and vitamins you need.

Sheep warning

Now that you’re pregnant, you should avoid contact with ewes and newborn lambs. They may carry an infection which can cause miscarriage.

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