Your baby
Where last week there were only a few small bumps where the arms should be, this week your baby has distinct arms. And within a few days the outlines of hands will develop at the ends of them.
The head is taking shape too. There are already eyes, a nose, nostrils and a mouth. The head is enormous compared with the rest of the body, and it will stay that way for a while; only later in pregnancy does the body catch up somewhat.
Your baby is still growing at a fair pace, about 1 millimetre a day. That may not sound like much, but it is when you consider that two weeks ago your baby was the size of a grain of rice and is now the size of your little fingernail.
You
If you had a scan now, you would be able to see the heart beating. This early in pregnancy it is usually done vaginally, which gives a better picture at such an early stage.
You only have such an early scan if there is a medical reason for it — if there is a chance of a multiple pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy, for instance. Or if you have had a miscarriage before, or if you are losing a little blood. Bleeding does not always mean something is wrong.
It may still be from the implantation bleed. Or it may be a contact bleed, caused by a small blood vessel bursting in the cervix. The cervix now has a rich blood supply, so a little bleeding can occur during sex. Usually it is no more than a drop of blood or some light red discharge. If it happens often, do call in on your midwife.
But bleeding can of course also mean that you are having a miscarriage. In that case you will often have abdominal pain as well, and it is wise to contact your midwife and/or family doctor.
Arranging maternity care
Arrange maternity care as soon as you can. There is a serious national shortage of maternity nurses, particularly in the larger cities. Tell your health insurer as soon as you know you are pregnant. They will probably send you a list of maternity care providers to choose from.
If you find it hard to choose, ask at your midwifery practice or ask women you know who have had maternity care. A maternity nurse is not someone who does the housework, cleaning windows and mopping floors. She is there for you and your baby. She helps you care for your baby and checks, for example, that you are recovering well after the birth. She also assists the midwife during a home birth.
First trimester
