Pregnancy By Month

3 Months Pregnant | Ultrasound, Symptoms & Belly Size

You are in your final month of your first trimester and are likely getting used to the idea of being a mom within the next few months. During this month, you will likely be visiting your health care provider, maybe for the first time since you became pregnant. Your baby is growing and developing and by the end of this month is officially called a fetus.

In this article, we are going to help guide you through your third month of pregnancy.

What to expect from an ultrasound at 3 months pregnant

12 Weeks Ultrasound Girl
Ultrasound at 3 months pregnant

You will finally get the chance to have an ultrasound performed this month if you haven’t had one yet. Your ultrasound will be transvaginal and you will likely get a glimpse of your little peanut, or at least hear a heartbeat.

During the 11th-13th week, your provider can detect whether the neural tube of your baby has formed correctly. Spina bifida is associated with a neural tube defect where the neural tube around the spine does not close. This can be detected during the first trimester, although it can be detected more accurately during the second trimester. If there are any concerns about the neural tube formation, your health care provider will let you know.

The ultrasound will also help measure the uterine lining and check on the health of the placenta.

Even though you can’t quite make out facial features or find out the sex of the baby yet, it is still a thrill to get a sneak peek at your little bundle of joy.

Which symptoms will I feel at this point in my pregnancy?

Unfortunately, you are likely not out of the woods yet if you have been experiencing extreme pregnancy symptoms. The silver lining is that many women agree that their second trimester comes with much nausea and fatigue relief. Some call it the golden weeks of pregnancy. You are so close – hang in there, mama!

Some common symptoms you may experience include:

·  Tender breasts

·  Visible veins on your breasts

·  Weight gain (but if you don’t yet, no worries. Everybody has different needs based on factors like pre- pregnancy weight.

·  Lower back pain

·  Lower abdomen pain due to your growing uterus

·  Fatigue

·  Food aversions or major food cravings

·  Constipation

·  Off-white vaginal discharge (if you have bloody discharge, please call your health care provider)

·  Morning sickness or all-day sickness

How big will my belly be at this stage of my pregnancy?

Your pants may be getting tighter, but you may not be quite ready for maternity clothes yet. If someone doesn’t know that you are growing a tiny human inside of you, they may think that you just ate a very large meal if they take a look at your belly right now. You may need to start embracing the yoga pants around this time.

How big is my baby right now?

Your baby is about the size of a plum at 12 weeks

At the end of the third month, your baby is about 3.5 inches long and weighs around 1.5 ounces. Still itty-bitty.

Shopping List

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Due to the vaginal discharge that you may be experiencing, investing in some panty liners like Rael Certified Organic Cotton Panty Liners is a good call – especially if you are out and about during the day.

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A heating pad is a nice item to have on-hand if your lower back is bothering you and giving you any grief. After a long day on your feet, there is nothing like having some heat to give those aches some relief.

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If nausea still persists, try some ginger tea. Just avoid any brands that include licorice root as an ingredient, as it may stimulate uterine contractions.

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If your health care provider provided you with an image from your ultrasound, you may want to get yourself a cute ultrasound picture frame. What a lovely way to remember this memorable moment in time.

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If your breasts have started growing, invest in a quality maternity bra for maximum comfort.

Homework for this month

Make sure you are keeping up with regular dental check-ups and continue to floss and brush regularly. Pregnant women need to take extra-good care of their dental hygiene.

Start taking a look at which classes are available either online or locally that can help prepare you for your new normal. From CPR classes to baby bootcamp, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

Consider talking to your human resources representative and boss at work about your pregnancy if you haven’t done so already. Set up a time to learn about how your employer handles maternity leave.

Continue to take your prenatal vitamin.

If you are not experiencing nausea or food aversions, aim for eating low-mercury seafood 2 times per week to support baby’s growth and development.

As your third month comes to a close, you officially enter your second trimester. Congratulations on taking care of yourself during the first three months. Continue to practice self-care, get quality sleep, eat well, and make a point to connect with your partner. Enjoy your second trimester!

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

NOTE: Some of the links in this post might be affiliate links.  This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, we’ll receive a small commission – at no extra cost for you, which helps us cover the costs for the blog.

Lauren Manaker About Author

Lauren Manaker is an award-winning registered dietitian, certified lactation counselor, and book author. She sits on the executive committee of the Women's Health Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is on the Breastfeeding Advocacy committee. Lauren is an infertility survivor, mom-of-one, rescue pup lover, and wife to a very lively husband. She lives in Charleston, SC.