Week 10 of Your Pregnancy

Reaching week 10 of your pregnancy likely feels like a milestone in itself. With just about three-quarters of your pregnancy left, you're getting closer and closer to meeting the newest member of your family, but it can still feel like you have a way to go.

However, as you're nearing the home stretch of your first trimester, there are a few symptoms you might want to look out for during this week—and experts weighed in on how to handle these new issues (and exciting surprises!) that may arise.

Read on to learn what to expect when you're 10 weeks pregnant.

Your Unborn Baby’s Size at 10 Weeks

At 10 weeks pregnant, you can expect your little one to measure about 1.22 inches and weigh just 0.14 ounces. This is about the size of a small apricot or strawberry.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 10

While pregnancy is never a one-size-fits-all experience, there are a few common symptoms you may notice during week 10, such as:

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Mild cramping
• Mood swings
• Nausea
  
• Sore breasts
  

During the first trimester of your pregnancy, the change in hormone levels can result in slower digestion, leading to constipation. To combat this slowdown, make sure to drink plenty of water, eat high-fiber foods (like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), and stay active. Staying active can be as simple as a short walk after a meal or a gentle yoga practice.

"As your body changes and your center of balance shifts, things are elongating, so you might find yourself uncomfortable, but yoga can help with that," says Stephanie Hack, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN in Washington, DC.

It's also important to note that mood swings are normal during this stage of your pregnancy. "You'll go from feeling so happy one minute to wanting to cry the next," says Yamel Belen, RN, IBCLC, registered nurse, professional doula, and certified lactation counselor in Tampa, Florida. "That's a mood swing, and it catches people off-guard. It's normal."

And, while some mild cramping can be expected, make sure to consult with your health care provider if you are feeling any intense pains, as unexpected pelvic or abdominal pain could be a sign of a more serious problem.

Developmental Milestones

During week 10 of your pregnancy, your unborn baby's tooth buds are beginning to form, along with the bones and cartilage of their elbows, knees, and ankles. While you may think of elbows and knees as prime body parts for jabbing, you shouldn't expect to feel any sort of movement until at least the second trimester.

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

During week 10 of your pregnancy, you may be able to get a screening test known as noninvasive prenatal screening testing (NIPT). "The NIPTs used to be offered to just a specific kind of patient, specifically those who were over 35 or had an abnormal first trimester screening," explains Dr. Hack. "But now, more and more, you see it offered to everyone."

This blood test looks at the fetal DNA in your blood to screen for chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Klinefelter syndrome, in the fetus. Because this test looks at the fetus's chromosomes, NIPT also offers your first glimpse of the sex your baby will be assigned at birth.

While many people, especially those with high-risk pregnancies, appreciate the peace of mind that NIPT can offer, a positive result can be stress-inducing. But it's important to know that NIPT is not a diagnostic test, meaning a positive result doesn't mean that your baby will be born with a genetic disorder, only that their risk is elevated. Follow-up testing later in pregnancy may be recommended to confirm the results.

Things You Might Consider This Week

While you (and your partner, if you have one) may not have shared the news of your pregnancy with your employer just yet, you may want to start becoming familiar with their parental leave policies.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain US employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for specific situations, including the birth of a child. Some employers also offer additional paid parental leave as part of their benefits package. More and more non-pregnant partners are also opting to take parental leave after the birth of their child.

Now is a great time to research your options and discuss your plans for leave with your partner.

Support You May Need This Week

At week 10, you're still in the midst of the tough first-trimester symptoms like fatigue and mood swings that can make everyday life more challenging. Be kind to yourself, and don't hesitate to ask for and accept help from loved ones, whether it's doing a grocery store run, offering to babysit older children, or taking the dog for a walk.

Speaking of support, many pregnant people enjoy the community provided by pregnancy support groups. Whether in person or online, "birth month" groups offer the opportunity for people whose babies are due around the same time to connect during pregnancy. If this sounds good to you, consider looking for a group to join—or creating your own!

If you're the kind of parent who loves to document and share your life, or you just want a personal keepsake to capture this special journey, now is the time to start that pregnancy calendar, journal, or photo reel if you haven't already. Go ahead and take a picture of your bump (no matter how big or small) and write an entry about how pregnancy is going so far.

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