Approved by the What’s Up Moms Medical Advisory Board
Baby is over an inch long now, and, the heartbeat can now be heard on a Doppler. Fingers and toes continue to grow (cuuuute) and soft nails are forming.
Your uterus, normally the size of a tennis ball, is now the size of a softball. And it’s official: your waist is slowly disappearing — Oompa Loompa style — which is just as it should be. Embrace your new, evolving shape. It definitely helps if you have clothing that you’re comfy in since nothing feels worse than a waistband digging into your belly or bra straps slicing into your shoulders. And you guys, in case you don’t know about this hack and haven’t already been using it for Thanksgiving dinners: Extend the size of your pants by looping a rubber band through the buttonhole, and lassoing the button into it. It’s brilliance.
In other important news…
For those who opt for genetic testing, the first round happens between now and 13 weeks. You, your doc and your partner will decide what’s right for you based on your age and family health history. The most common tests include the 1st Trimester Screening and NIPT (cell-free DNA test), which are non-invasive blood tests used to assess baby’s risk of having Down syndrome and some other chromosomal abnormalities. These blood tests combine results from a special ultrasound (nuchal translucency) and can help you decide if you want to consider a Diagnostic test (like CVS or Amniocentesis) which are more definitive, but also more invasive.
With the NIPT you can also learn baby’s sex, which is wildly appealing to some families (how can you possibly decorate the nursery without?) and of zero interest to others (why not hold out for a sweet surprise?). Some parents find that knowing the sex in advance helps them manage expectations and feel more prepared mentally and emotionally – plus if you happen to be a monogram freak, you can let ‘er rip. Just a heads up that if you *don’t* want to learn the sex of your baby, let your OB know — as well as any other nurses or ultrasound techs you see. Otherwise someone may accidentally spill the beans. Whoopsie daisy.
