If you have reached the 10th week of pregnancy, your baby has already taken many important developmental steps. Your baby's little heart is beating strongly, it now has a human shape and is even moving. Your baby will continue to develop and grow in the 10th week of pregnancy. Your body will also change and you may notice different pregnancy symptoms than before.
In our pregnancy calendar, we summarize for you how your baby is developing in week 10 and how big or heavy it is now. You will also find out how your body is changing and what symptoms you may be noticing now. We also explain whether sexual intercourse is safe in the first trimester and which points are important for you in the tenth week of pregnancy.
How your baby develops in the 10th week of pregnancy
Your unborn baby is now a fetus and no longer an embryo. It is taking on an increasingly human shape from week to week. After many important organs as well as fingers and toes have already developed in the last few weeks, your baby will continue to grow rapidly during the first trimester.
In the 10th week of pregnancy, it also goes through various stages of development, which we summarize for you:
The face takes shape
In the course of week 10, your baby's face develops rapidly. You can now see the forehead, nose and chin. The lips, jaw and palate are also developing this week.
The ears are developing
Your baby's auricles are developing this week. They are not yet in the right place and will continue to move upwards over the next few months. Your baby can already perceive sounds.
The fingers and toes separate
Until now, your baby's fingers and toes were webbed. These disappear completely in week 10 and your baby will soon start to move its limbs.
The tooth buds form
Although your baby will not yet have any teeth at birth, the first tooth buds will form in the womb. These develop in different weeks of pregnancy and therefore, just like the teeth later on, with a time delay.
Your pregnancy progresses in big steps and the little baby in your belly grows from day to day. It develops rapidly, especially in the first trimester, and will soon experience a major growth spurt.
Size & weight of your baby in the 10th week of pregnancy
Your baby is around 2 to 3 cm tall in week 10. The size is still measured as the crown-rump length. You can now imagine your baby to be the size of a strawberry or grape.
It is not only growing, but also gaining weight. In the tenth week of pregnancy, it weighs around 4 grams. This means it has doubled its weight compared to the previous week. Your baby will continue to gain weight rapidly in the coming weeks, which you will notice in your growing belly, among other things.
How your body changes in week 10
If you are pregnant in week 10, you may have already noticed the first changes to your body. Your mood and body may also change during this week, as your baby is now taking up more space in your belly and needs more oxygen. This can be seen in these symptoms, among others, during this phase of pregnancy:
You are short of breath
Your body needs more oxygen as it has to supply your baby with it. Your chest expands so that you have a larger lung capacity. You breathe deeper and faster. This sometimes makes you feel short of breath. This is a common pregnancy complaint and nothing to worry about.
Your breasts are changing
Your breast will continue to grow during this week of your pregnancy. They have more blood flow, become larger and more sensitive. You may now also see veins and your breasts may become more upright.
Your uterus is growing
Your baby may still be small, but your uterus has already expanded considerably. It is now about the size of a grapefruit and can even be felt from the outside. If this is not your first pregnancy, your uterus may already be larger. Your tissues and ligaments are now stretching faster due to the previous strain.
You may therefore already be able to see the first signs of your baby bump in this week of your pregnancy. Other people will soon be able to tell that you are pregnant. After the end of the 12th week of pregnancy, you and your partner can start thinking about telling your relatives and friends about the pregnancy.
Is sexual intercourse safe during pregnancy?
Now that you have survived the first few weeks of pregnancy, including nausea and enormous tiredness, you may be wondering whether sex during pregnancy is safe for you and your baby. As long as you feel well, sexual intercourse during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk.
However, you should be careful if your doctor has diagnosed you with a high-risk pregnancy. He may have told you during the appointment whether sex during pregnancy is safe for you. It is better to ask again if you are unsure and still have unanswered questions on the subject.
However, don't forget that you should feel comfortable at all times. Many expectant mothers find it difficult to allow closeness, especially in the first few weeks of pregnancy. They suffer from nausea or a pulling sensation in their abdomen. Talk openly with your partner about how you feel and what your needs are during this unusual and exciting time.
Tenth week of pregnancy: these symptoms are typical
Your body has now slowly become accustomed to the pregnancy and some symptoms no longer occur at all or are much milder. At the same time, other symptoms may indicate that you are pregnant and a baby is growing in your belly.
The following symptoms are particularly common in week 10 of pregnancy:
Changes in your sense of taste and smell
Most women notice a change in their sense of taste and smell during pregnancy. Your favorite dishes may no longer appeal to you at all, while you suddenly like foods that you didn't like at all before. Your sense of smell can also turn 180 degrees.
Increased salivation
Many pregnant women have a particularly strong flow of saliva between the second and fourth month. This is often triggered by the nausea you feel, especially in the first trimester. However, your salivation should return to normal as your pregnancy progresses.
Pulling in the abdomen
Even in week 10 of pregnancy, some pregnant women continue to feel a slight pulling in the abdomen. The pain is still caused by the loosening and stretching of your muscles and ligaments.
Constipation
Many expectant mothers suffer from constipation, especially in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Your pregnancy hormones are the trigger for this. Plenty of exercise and adequate fluid intake can help.
In the tenth week of pregnancy, the symptoms of your pregnancy slowly change. If you were previously very tired and often suffered from nausea, joy now predominates. If you have already heard your baby's heartbeat at your first antenatal appointment and received your maternity card, you can now really enjoy this emotional time.
