Week 12 marks a milestone of sorts for many mothers worried about miscarriage. The incidence of miscarriage drops significantly after week 12, which makes it a popular time to start telling friends and family you might not have told already. This miscarriage occurrence drop is likely a result of the first 12 weeks building the foundation of all bodily systems and organs where so much can potentially go wrong.
The other reason to start telling people about your pregnancy is that you will begin looking pregnant soon (if you don't already). Your uterus is moving from the bottom of your pelvis to the front of your abdomen, making your clothes tight and your pregnancy more obvious. At the end of your first trimester, the average weight gain is 1.5-5 pounds.
This week also marks the end of some of the peskier early pregnancy symptoms like frequent urination (though this will come back in the third trimester), less nausea and tender breasts, food aversions, and crushing fatigue. But you aren't getting off scot-free, thanks to progesterone causing relaxation of your blood vessels and an increase of blood flow to your baby, your blood pressure will drop, and this could cause dizziness. Other new symptoms include an impressive sense of smell, possible headaches, bloating or gas, and increased vaginal discharge.
Not wanting to be left in the dark attention-wise, some fathers also experience pregnancy-type symptoms. This syndrome is called "couvade" and includes nausea, abdominal pain, increased appetite, and weight gain.
Reference Sources
- Healthline - Miscarriage Rates by Week
- American Pregnancy Association - Miscarriage
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynegology - Nutrition During Pregnancy
