A woman’s body undergoes several changes — especially, before, during, and after pregnancy, something which also affects their sex life. As such, to give their bodies enough time to heal after delivery, many women fear an unplanned pregnancy during the postpartum period. In such cases, postpartum contraception — methods that help prevent closely-spaced pregnancies in the first year after giving birth — plays a huge role.

From the time of conception till delivery, the development of the baby in the mother’s womb continues continuously. There is an increase in the development of the baby in every week of pregnancy and you can know how much development has happened in which week. In this article, Dr. Santosh Kumar, Pediatrician and Neonatologist, Motherhood Hospital, Banashankari, Bengaluru, is telling how much the baby has developed and what is its size in the 12th week of pregnancy.

continuous development

Dr. Santosh says that the human fetus develops continuously inside the womb from conception to delivery. Before birth, a baby has to go through several developmental stages as it develops from a blastocyst to an embryo and then to a fetus in the mother’s womb. There are many stages in the development of the baby.

Compared to the last three weeks, the size of the baby has already doubled. Its weight is around 15 to 20 grams and its length is 6 to 8 cm in the 12th week. This week marks the critical period for the baby. By this time most babies are fully formed but there is still a lot to happen in their development.

what is development

Reflexes, facial features, and gut development begin at this time. The work of new body structure is completed. The organs begin to function and the system continues to develop for the next 28 weeks. By this week, white blood cells start being manufactured by the bone marrow. Hormones are also made in the baby’s body from the pituitary gland.

what are you doing baby

A birth that occurs more than 3 weeks before the expected due date, that is, before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy is termed as premature birth. While not all premature babies experience complications, being born too early may result in short-term and long-term complications.

You need energy in the morning or just want to stay up, you grab a cup of coffee or tea. Caffeine seems to be the perfect solution for someone who needs additional energy to get through a long day at work.

All the organs of the baby develop in the womb of the mother. The formation of vital organs starts right after conception and some organs continue to develop till the birth of the baby. The spinal cord is very important in the human body and in this article Dr. Tanveer Ahuja, Senior Consultant, Department of Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Noida, is telling how and how the spinal cord of the baby develops.

development of the baby in the womb

The nerves that control the baby’s senses of hearing, sight, smell and taste connect to the organs associated with them after 28 weeks. The baby can also differentiate between colors and blinks in response to bright light. Brain development occurs throughout pregnancy, accelerating in the third trimester as the baby’s brain triples in size. A baby’s brain continues to develop even after birth.

A child’s brain is about one-fourth the size of a normal adult’s brain. It doubles in the first year. At age 3, it will be about 80% of adult size and by age 5, it will be 90% of adult size or nearly fully developed.

Note: If you also have any pregnancy problem or complication on which you want to take advice or expert advice from gynecologist, then you can send it to nbtlifestyle@timesinternet.in. Your identity will be kept secret.

All the organs of the baby develop in the womb of the mother. The formation of vital organs starts right after conception and some organs continue to develop till the birth of the baby. The spinal cord is very important in the human body and in this article Dr. Tanveer Ahuja, Senior Consultant, Department of Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Noida, is telling how and how the spinal cord of the baby develops.

Endometriosis can make it difficult to conceive and if you’re having trouble becoming pregnant, your doctor may suggest fertility therapy under the supervision of a fertility expert where fertility treatment options include everything from stimulating your ovaries to produce more eggs to in vitro fertilisation. Endometriosis may be a difficult illness to manage, both physically and emotionally but there are things you may do to combat the discomfort of endometriosis and enhance your quality of life.

One of the finest home treatments for endometriosis pain, which was found in 2015, is a heating pad. Prior to my operation, I kept my heating pad connected to the wall and carried it with me wherever I went. It helps to relax and calm the muscles in the region that cramp up when you have endo discomfort.

3. Keep it natural.

Dioxin, a toxin present in certain pesticides and animal feed, has been linked to endometriosis. You may reduce your exposure to environmental toxins like dioxin by reducing your consumption of animal products and striving to follow a low-gluten and organic diet as much as possible. To control my symptoms, I try to eat fairly healthily and avoid soy at all costs owing to the hormonal spike it might cause.

4. Surgical options

In people who do not wish to become pregnant, removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) can occasionally be used to address signs and symptoms associated with endometriosis, such as excessive monthly flow and painful menses owing to uterine cramping. Even if the ovaries are left in situ, a hysterectomy can have a long-term impact on your health, especially if performed before the age of 35.

5. Use vitamin D and B vitamins.

Vitamin D is referred to as the “happy vitamin” since it reduces anxiety and despair. Vitamin B boosts your energy on days when your endometriosis symptoms are most severe. Researchers have also discovered that the kind of fat in your diet influences your chance of endometriosis. According to one study, participants who ate the most trans fats raised their risk of endometriosis by 48% when compared to those who ate the least of them. For instance, those who drank the most omega-3 oils reduced their risk of endometriosis by 22% compared to those who consumed the least. Consuming omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods such as salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts may be beneficial for endometriosis.

Dr Preethika Shetty highlighted, “Endometriosis cannot be cured but symptoms can be managed. See your doctor if you are still suffering particularly severe or chronic discomfort. Your birth control technique or prescription drugs may need to be adjusted. If none of these measures assists to control your endometriosis symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. The strategy you and your doctor choose will depend on your indications and symptoms, as well as whether or not you want to become pregnant in the future. Before beginning any treatment, it is critical to understand all of your options and the potential effects of each.”

An epidural is a procedure in which an anesthesiologist inserts a large needle into a woman’s spine during labor, following which a tube is inserted into the space to administer the pain medication directly to the area.

During your pregnancy, your physician will conduct various routine tests to identify any potential health issues that could pose a risk to you or your developing baby. Additionally, if you experience symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, fever, night sweats, cough, or chest pain, your doctor may recommend testing for tuberculosis (TB) in addition to the routine tests. These symptoms will prevail only if you have active TB and it is crucial to get yourself tested in case you have these symptoms, as it might affect your pregnancy. On this World Tuberculosis Day, Dr Manisha Tomar, Senior Consultant, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Noida, explains TB during pregnancy, its treatment and complications for expecting mothers and newborns.

According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, as many as one in three people will experience bleeding during their first three months of pregnancy, with the chances being higher during the first trimester. Agreeing, Dr Preethika Shetty, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi said, “Sometimes, it can be serious, and at other times not even a matter of concern. But you must always consult a doctor in case of bleeding during any trimester,” adding that women can experience slight brown spotting to bright red bleeding that may last from a day to weeks accompanied with cramping or low backache.