Well done! By the end of the week you'll be halfway through your pregnancy, as dated from your last period.
This may be the week of your anomaly scan when you'll get to see your baby on screen again, discover your baby's sex if you want to – and receive reassurance that your baby's development is on track.
Remember that in a minority of pregnancies, developmental abnormalities can be detected at this stage. Early detection gives the best outcome and provides expectant parents a chance to come to terms with any potential problems.
Your baby's crown-to-rump length is around 15cm (6 inches) which is about the same height as a can of lager. Your baby has put on another 60g this week, bringing his weight up to around 260g (9oz) – just 10g heavier than a pat of butter.
The digestive system is becoming more sophisticated with each passing week and your baby can now utilize some of the nutrients contained in your amniotic fluid.
Subtle changes are taking place that you might notice: an increase in skin pigmentation means you might see a faint (or, in some women pronounced) line running from your pubic bone up to your belly button: this is called a linea nigra and will disappear after the birth.
You'll notice your nipples becoming darker – and they won't change back after the birth.
You might find your bum and thighs expanding as your pelvis broadens, and you'll certainly notice more growth bump-wise!
Your breasts will be larger than they were pre-pregnancy, so don't forget to have regular bra fittings and to choose cotton, non-wired bras with wide, supportive straps and a deep hook band. This will help to minimise you'll minimize back and neck pain too.
You might not want to dwell on your pelvic floor, the girdle of muscles beneath your pelvis, but it's an essential muscle that you will need to familiarise yourself with. You can work them by contracting your anus (there's no nice way of saying it!) and by trying to stop yourself mid-wee.
Pelvic floor muscles help to prevent stress incontinence after pregnancy (where a small amount of wee escapes when you put your bladder under stress through lifting, coughing, sneezing or laughing). They can also help to retain muscle tone in your vagina so that your enjoyment of sex (and your partner's) isn't impaired.
You can practice pelvic floor exercises any time, any place – just watch out that you're not grimacing with concentration, as this is a dead giveaway!
• Imagine you're trying to stop yourself weeing, then gently pull this set of muscles up as tight as you can: your anus should contract at the same time.
• To get the timing and intensity right, imagine your pelvic floor muscles as a lift moving up from one floor to the next as you tighten them.
• Hold the squeeze for a few seconds, then relax the muscles gradually as you take the lift back down to the ground floor.
• Do as many repetitions as you can – and practice as often as possible. You can do them sitting, standing or lying down, so there aren't any excuses. All women should really do pelvic floor exercises every day of their lives.
Foods To Eat And Avoid For Pregnancy
Certain Cheeses (01 of14)
Open Image ModalBecause your body's immune system is not as strong during pregnancy, registered dietitian Lydia Knorr says you should avoid anything raw, unpasteurized or undercooked.Raw or unpasteurized dairy products like brie and Camembert cheeses, should be avoided if you're pregnant. The following seven slides are foods you should consider removing from your diet. (credit:Christian Hacker via Getty Images)
Some Meats And Fish (02 of14)
Open Image ModalWhen it comes to meat and fish, avoid raw or undercooked meats, poultry, fish, and seafood like sushi, oysters, mussels, clams and smoked fish, Knorr notes. (credit:Gentl and Hyers via Getty Images)
What About Beans?(03 of14)
Open Image ModalMost beans and legumes are fine, but avoid raw sprouts like alfalfa, clover, radish and mung beans. (credit:Martin Poole via Getty Images)
Don't Spread It(04 of14)
Open Image ModalDeli Meats(05 of14)
Open Image ModalEggs!(06 of14)
Open Image ModalAvoid raw or lightly cooked egg or egg products, including salad dressings, cookie dough, cake batter, sauces, and drinks like homemade eggnog. (credit:sarahdoow via Getty Images)
Be Aware Of Sushi (07 of14)
Open Image ModalOf course, any raw type of fish on sushi should be avoided if you are pregnant. "Fish such as fresh/frozen tuna, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and escolar should be avoided during pregnancy as they may contain levels of mercury that if ingested in large amounts could be toxic to the nervous system," Knorr says. If you are craving sushi, go veg! (credit:Jean-Blaise Hall via Getty Images)
What About My Coffee Habit?(08 of14)
Open Image ModalYou can still drink coffee, just make sure you are aware of your consumption. Knorr recommends drinking no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day. A strong cup of joe, for example, can have about 78 to 108 mgs of caffeine. But be aware, caffeine can also be found in other non-coffee beverages like pop and tea. (credit:Cindy Prins via Getty Images)
But What Can I Eat?(09 of14)
Open Image ModalIn the next few slides, Knorr tells us the foods we should be adding to our diets during pregnancy: "Fish such as salmon, tilapia, shrimp, tuna (canned light) and cod are all good sources of protein and omega 3 fatty acids which will help with baby’s developing brain, eyes and nervous system," she says. (credit:rez-art via Getty Images)
Get Nutty! (10 of14)
Open Image ModalNuts, seeds and legumes are great for pregnant women — they're packed with protein and fibre which will keep you feeling satiated, and keep things moving on the inside. (credit:PhotoStock-Israel via Getty Images)
A New Love For Fruits And Veggies (11 of14)
Open Image ModalThese foods are loaded with all kinds of vitamins, fibre and water for maintaining good health, during pregnancy and otherwise. "Aim for the colours of the rainbow every day with special focus on leafy greens, bright red and orange fruit, and veggies loaded with powerful antioxidants to help keep your immune system strong," Knorr says. (credit:Maximilian Stock Ltd. via Getty Images)
Not All Dairy Is Scary (12 of14)
Open Image ModalDrinking a couple of glasses of skim milk each day will provide you and your baby with the calcium and Vitamin D required to develop healthy, strong bones. Greek yogurt, for example, is also an excellent source of these important nutrients, and as a bonus, it’s loaded with protein, Knorr notes. (credit:amisb via Getty Images)
Think Whole Grain (13 of14)
Open Image Modal"Whole grains food choices like cereal are a great addition to your diet, as they are fortified with important nutrients like iron and B vitamins," Knorr says. Many cereals also pack a lot of fibre into each serving which is paramount to keeping things moving during pregnancy — make sure you read your package labels and stick to "whole grain" vs. "whole wheat." (credit:Zeljko Bozic via Getty Images)
And All That Iron (14 of14)
Open Image ModalMeat, poultry, legumes and spinach are all good sources of iron. "Just remember when eating a non-animal source of iron such as spinach or legumes, to pair it with a source of vitamin C, like oranges or strawberries for optimal uptake." (credit:Westend61 via Getty Images)