10 Weeks Pregnant | Belly, Ultrasound and Symptoms

You’re now 10 weeks pregnant!

It might not seem long, but now you’re close to the end of the first trimester – and that’s something to celebrate.

It’s a very exciting time, and thinking about what you’re going to need for your baby is probably at the top of your list right now – particularly if this is your first pregnancy.

Many mamas-to-be spend a lot of time planning their baby’s nursery, choosing a pram or type of baby carrier. And once you let the world in on your secret, you’ll be inundated with people wanting to know what else you need.

It might seem a bit early, at 10 weeks pregnant, but if you haven’t already thought about a baby registry, it might be a good idea to start planning one.

If a baby registry isn’t your thing, make up a list of items you’d love to be given, so family and friends know how to help.

Week 10 when to announce you’re pregnant

When you are in week 10 you might be thinking ahead, and wondering when you can spill the beans about being pregnant.

Need some ideas? Check out these creative videos for pregnancy announcement ideas.

Some women might have already shared their news by now. Others like to wait until after they’ve had their nuchal translucency ultrasound, between 11 and 14 weeks.

Some women prefer to wait until the risk of miscarriage has decreased.

There are also plenty of women who like to keep their pregnancy news to themselves until they feel ready to share. Whenever time feels right to make your announcement is the best choice for you.

You might like to read 4 Reasons Not To Wait Until 12 Weeks To Announce Pregnancy.

It can be tricky to hide the fact you’re 10 weeks pregnant when you’re out with friends –especially if you’re being mindful of food safety or alcohol intake. Check out our tips for hiding the fact you’re not drinking!

How many months is 10 weeks pregnant?

When you’re 10 weeks pregnant, you might be wondering how many months you are.

You are now two and a half months pregnant.

This might seem confusing, but remember, the first day of pregnancy is actually calculated as the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP).

As your pregnancy progresses, be sure to read BellyBelly’s Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week.

At 10 weeks pregnant, it’s not too late to have a road map for finding out what to expect – now and in the future.

10 weeks pregnant belly what to expect

This might be the week you notice something keeps getting in the way whenever you bend down.

Perhaps you might even notice a tiny 10-week baby bump has popped out overnight. Your uterus is about the size of a large orange at this point, and you might just be starting to show.

You will probably be more aware of this than anyone else, as it might be difficult for others to see – especially if you haven’t already told them you’re expecting.

Your body is making way for your rapidly growing baby.

This is such an exciting time as your baby grows!

Your clothes are probably starting to feel a little tight and uncomfortable around your middle.

Now is a great time to buy yourself some new clothes that will accommodate your changing shape and your baby bump.

Don’t go crazy and buy an entirely new maternity wardrobe just yet; you still have plenty of growing to do before you will fit into most maternity wear.

Besides, at 10 weeks pregnant, most women find they can make do with clothes that have stretchy waistbands.

Weight gain at 10 weeks

You might be wondering whether you will put on much weight in the first trimester. Most of your weight gain will happen in the second and third trimesters, rather than in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

During the first trimester, food aversions and pregnancy nausea tend to cause your weight to drop a little, or keep it stable.

Some women have a small increase of weight in the first trimester. This is also completely normal and nothing to be concerned about.

Putting on a healthy amount of weight helps to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy and a positive birth experience.

10 weeks pregnant symptoms

Pregnancy symptoms you are likely to experience up to 10 weeks pregnancy include:

• Fatigue
• Morning sickness
• Vaginal discharge
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Bloating and gas
• Constipation
• Mood swings
• Visible veins
• Morning sickness
• Occasional headaches.

Vaginal discharge at 10 weeks pregnant

You might also notice more vaginal discharge at 10 weeks pregnant. This is due to an increased blood supply to your pelvic area and vagina, along with hormonal changes in your body.

This increased vaginal discharge is called leukorrhea, and it should be a thin, milky, mild-smelling fluid.

If the fluid has a foul smell, or is tinged with red or any other color, speak to your healthcare provider. It is especially important to get further advice, as you might have an infection that needs treatment.

You can use panty liners or maternity briefs if you’re experiencing a lot of discharge.

Find out how to manage pregnancy discharge in Discharge During Pregnancy – What’s Normal and What’s Not.

Constipation at 10 weeks of pregnancy

Constipation can also be a problem at week 10 of pregnancy.

A study on pregnant women found those who were over 35 years of age, in a sedentary job, and with a BMI greater than 24 had a higher prevalence of constipation, especially in the second trimester.

During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone relaxes the bowel and intestine and this slows down the passage of food. It might also make you feel tired and a little sluggish.

As a result, your body removes more water from your stools, causing them to harden.

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Adding certain foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, into your diet will help to move everything along.

If constipation is an ongoing problem, seek advice from your doctor or midwife for ways to manage it.

Mood swings at 10 weeks pregnant

Unfortunately, mood swings are still likely to be a thing. The good news is they will start to ease off as the first trimester comes to an end and you begin the second trimester.

Your hormones will settle down and you won’t be feeling cranky or crying over the smallest things – at least not until the third trimester!

Feel like a laugh? Check out 10 Ways Your Know You’re In Your First Trimester for a giggle.

Visible veins at 10 weeks pregnant

You might’ve noticed your veins are more visible on certain areas of your body, such as your belly and breasts. This is even more noticeable if your skin is fair, but darker skin will also show a network of blue veins, which look like a road map.

This is part of the way your body is responding to increased blood flow.

During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by up to 50%. All that extra blood means your veins have to carry a heavier blood flow than usual, which is why they’re more visible.  

At around 10 weeks pregnant, you might start experiencing some new pregnancy symptoms.

Round ligament pain at 10 weeks pregnant

You might notice some sharp jabbing pain in your lower abdomen or on one or both sides of your belly. This is known as round ligament pain.

The round ligaments attached to your uterus are now stretching as your baby grows.

Your body releases a hormone called relaxin, which allows your muscles and ligaments to stretch, to help with the birthing process. At the same time, it can cause round ligament discomfort that can stop you in your tracks.

Back pain at 10 weeks pregnant

You could also experience some back pain during pregnancy.

As long as you’re not also having numbness, shooting pain, tingling or bleeding, back pain is a normal pregnancy discomfort.

To ease common discomforts, avoid sudden and repetitive movements. Change positions slowly and do some gentle stretching daily. Put your feet up and make sure you sit up straight, to reduce pressure on your pelvis and lower back.

10 weeks pregnant ultrasound

At 10 weeks pregnant, you may be offered an ultrasound.

You can opt for non-invasive prenatal screening tests (NIPT) at this time too, which are a type of genetic testing.

Blood tests aren’t generally necessary during early pregnancy except as a tool to determine what sort of care you might need.

If you’ve decided to have the screening tests done, they can be performed as early as 10 weeks pregnancy.

The tests involve taking a blood sample, to analyze your baby’s DNA, which has passed into your bloodstream. The blood tests look for signs of Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.

The blood test is performed in addition to your ultrasound which looks for additional markers of Down Syndrome, such as the nuchal translucency (NT).

The two screening test results provide health information to help determine your risk of having a baby with a chromosomal disorder.

You can decide to opt in or out of this screening, depending on your individual situation and risk factors.

Talk to your doctor or genetic counselor, about your specific situation, and understand your risks and benefits of having screening after week 10.

You can read more in Nuchal Translucency Scan.

What happens if I have an increased risk?

If the screening test puts you at higher risk of having a baby with chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, you may be offered further tests.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) takes a tiny sample of placenta tissue, called chorionic villi.

The other test is called amniocentesis and it involves taking a sample of the fluid surrounding your baby in the uterus.

Both the chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis tests have an increased risk of miscarriage.

Your healthcare provider should counsel you about the risks and benefits of these tests.

Spina bifida, a neural tube defect that develops early in pregnancy, might also be detected during this ultrasound. However, it’s more commonly looked for during the anomaly scan, which is performed in the second trimester, between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Folate is an important defence against spina bifida. Please read Folic Acid For Pregnancy – Facts You MUST Know for more information.

Your baby at 10 weeks pregnant

At 10 weeks pregnant, fetal development is incredible. Your baby really is taking shape now. All the organs have developed and they are now starting to function.

Your baby’s joints are fully developed and the limbs can bend. Fingers and toes are formed and have grown tiny nails.

During this pregnancy week your baby’s hair is also beginning to grow.

Your baby has tiny tooth buds forming in the gums, although you won’t see any milk teeth until your baby is around 6 months old. The jaw bone is also beginning to form.

At 10 weeks pregnant, your baby’s nervous system is starting to develop, along with the large muscles and the digestive system. In fact, your baby’s stomach is already making digestive juices. And the kidneys are increasing their urine output.

Your baby is practising swallowing and, yes, that means swallowing amniotic fluid. Of course, the fluid is harmless for your baby. But it contains plenty of matter which will end up forming your baby’s first poo. This is known as meconium.

At 10 weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s eyes are still fused shut for now. This helps protect them until they are fully developed and ready to open.

The size of your baby at 10 weeks

When you’re 10 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a strawberry, and weighs in at around 14 ounces (397 grams).

Your baby measures around 33 mm from crown to rump at pregnancy week 10.The crown to rump measurement is commonly used at this gestation, as it’s the most accurate. You might see it documented on ultrasound reports as the CRL (crown to rump length) measurement. It measures the length of the baby from the top of the head to the bottom of the torso.

Over the next few weeks your baby’s entire body will almost double in size, and begin to take on a more recognizable human shape.

Your baby’s development at this stage is incredible!