3 months pregnant: baby size, ultrasound, diet and symptoms

A lot of hormonal and physical changes keep on happening in the third month of pregnancy. So, if you have been suffering from morning sickness and food aversion, be prepared because the situation is not going to be any better. On the plus side, you might still not show have an apparent bump, so if you are not ready to share this news, you still have some time to prepare yourself. Some of the common signs and symptoms that you might notice in the third month of pregnancy are:

• Nausea
• Morning sickness
• Breast growth
• Hyperpigmentation in nipples (darkened nipples)
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Vaginal discharge*
• Slight weight gain
• Lower back pain
• High blood pressure (if you already have a history of hypertension)
• Constipation
• Acne
• Headaches
• Stomach pain and abdominal cramps

Even though most of these symptoms are common, it is best to refer to a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms in excess or if you have had a history of any of these problems.

*Vaginal discharge should not be accompanied by a foul smell or painful urination. If it does, see a doctor.

(Read more: Pregnancy symptoms)

Till the second month, the fertilised egg has turned into an embryo and has a size of about 10mm, but, as you enter into the third month of your pregnancy, the embryo starts to take a more human shape and form.

By the 9th and 10th week, the growing foetus is about 2.5 inches in size and it grows to be around 3.5 inches by the end of the third month weighing around 43 gram.

Your baby goes through major physical changes in the third month of your pregnancy.  Let us have a look at some of these changes:

• One of the major changes is the disappearance of the tail and the formation of a tailbone or coccyx at the end of the spine.
• Eyes move to the front of the face, instead of being on the sides and some form of pigment develops in the eyeballs. The eyelids, however, remain attached till the 6th month.
• Mouth develops and the hard palate (front part of the palate) bones are fused. Taste buds start developing by the third month.
• Ears drum is completely formed and the ears can be distinctly seen on the sides of the face.
• Nose and nostrils are also clearly visible.
• Limbs (Arms and legs) start to grow in proportion with the body and nails may be visible.
• Crown-rump length (length of the foetus from the top of their crown/head to the bottom of their rump/ buttocks) is around 7.6 cm which grows by half an inch every week.
• Sexual features are well defined
• Till now, the placenta was performing some of the gastrointestinal functions, however, by the end of the third month, intestines develop completely and the urethra and anus become well defined. So, the baby has its own digestive and eliminatory system.
• Other organs like kidneys, liver and gallbladder are also completely formed by the end of the first trimester.
• The heart gets its protective layer and heartbeat may be recognised in the ultrasound. Though you might not be able to notice any movement yet.
• Much of the bone development happens during this month.

By the end of the first trimester, most of the essential organs and features have been developed. Through the rest of the months, the foetus grows in size and develops and defines some of the finer features like eyelids, hair and some body functions.

(Read more: Foetal development week by week and month by month)

The growing baby receives all of its nutrition from the mother. For the proper growth and development of the baby, it is absolutely important to follow a balanced diet throughout your pregnancy. Including lots of green veggies and fruits would make sure you get the right amounts of nutrients. However, it is important not to go overboard and consume only as much as your body demands. Instead of eating huge meals, it is best to take 4-5 small meals throughout the day.

If you are too concerned about your dietary needs, you may like to refer to a nutritionist. Though, the following are some of the foods that can help you stay fit and healthy during your third month.

Fibre

A fibre rich diet would make sure that your bowel movements are regular and you don’t suffer from constipation. Fibres also help in keeping excess cholesterol levels under control. Some of the best sources of fibre include whole grains, bread, fruits and vegetables. You must thoroughly wash and clean the fruits before consuming them as they might carry harmful microbes and germs.

Water

You can never miss out on water as it helps maintain most of the body’s functions. Pregnant women need more water to maintain their energy and fluid requirements. The European Food Safety Authority recommends an increase of 300 ml per day in the total water intake for pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant women. Additionally, water helps with the digestion of fibre. Drinking less water with a fibre-rich diet might do more harm than good. So, do not skip water.

(Read more: How much water to drink in a day)

Folic acid supplement

For the proper brain development of the foetus, it is essential that you take folic acid supplements till the completion of the first trimester. Generally, a 400 mg tablet of folic acid is prescribed for pregnant women but it is strongly recommended that you consult your doctor instead of self-medicating. You can also add folic acid-rich foods like bread, spinach, citrus fruits and brown rice.

Calcium

Calcium is essential for the growth of bones and cartilages of the foetus. According to a study, pregnant women consume 1000 mg of calcium per day. However, a calcium supplement is generally not needed. If you are suffering from calcium deficiency, it is advisable to refer to a doctor to know about your calcium requirements. You can also include pasteurised milk and yoghurt in your diet to cater to the daily calcium requirements.

Iron

Iron is yet another mineral that is important for foetal growth. Studies suggest that lack of iron may not only cause anaemia in pregnant women but may also lead to early birth and lower weight of the newborn baby. Although the demand for iron is much lower in the first trimester, it keeps rising sharply with foetal growth. According to WHO guidelines, a pregnant woman needs about 30 to 60 mg of elemental iron per day. Some of the easily available food sources of iron include pulses, green vegetables, fortified grains and tofu.

Most women tend to stop working out during pregnancy. However, following a regular exercise routine may help you cope with most of the pregnancy distresses. Although it is best to keep away from strenuous exercise, there are a number of exercises you can add into your daily routine. This includes walking, pelvic floor exercises and foot exercises.

To get optimal benefits, it is recommended to work out for about 30 minutes per day.

However, if you feel exhaustion, dizziness, vaginal bleeding or calf swelling, it is advisable that stop exercising and refer to a doctor immediately.

A proper exercise routine has numerous benefits for both the mother and the foetus. A regular exercise routine:

• helps deal with problems like constipation and back pain.
• reduces the risk of gestational diabetes
• avoids high blood pressure
• helps maintain blood circulation
• maintains the proper growth rate of the foetus
• helps induce a normal delivery instead of a C-section (Read more: Normal delivery tips)
• and reduces depression

Studies suggest that obese women can maintain their fitness levels and avoid excessive weight gain by following a supervised workout routine.

(Read more: Exercises during pregnancy)

The best part about the third month of pregnancy is that you get your first ultrasound appointment. It is almost a magical experience for first-time mothers. Though it can also bring a bit of anxiety. You are seeing your baby for the first time after all. The first pregnancy scan is known as “dating scan” and there are a number of reasons that this scan is done at this specific time. It helps the physician to:

• Check that the baby is in the right place in your uterus
• Determine delivery date
• See if you are carrying more than one baby
• Check if the baby has any physical abnormalities
• Congenital problems like Down's syndrome also become apparent through this scan.

What to expect?

Ultrasound is a simple procedure that hardly takes half an hour. However, the scan may take longer to completely assess the situation in case of an abnormality or if you are obese. It is generally done by spreading a thick gel on your lower belly and moving a probe through it.

The probe is what gives out ultrasonic sound into your belly. The echo of this sound is caught and read by the sonography machine which in turn comes out in the form of ultrasound pictures.

How safe is ultrasound?

Ultrasound is basically sound waves that are passed through to your womb and are read by a computer to make the picture of your baby on the screen.

It is completely safe for you and your foetus and does not have any kind of side effects.

(Read more: Ultrasound during pregnancy)

Physical abnormalities in the scan

In case the physician finds a physical anomaly in your dating scan, he might ask you to go for further screening tests. Three most common problems that can be noticed in the ultrasounds are Down's syndrome, Edward's syndrome and Patau’s syndrome. Screening tests for all these disorders basically include separate or combined blood tests. Screening test for Down's syndrome is known as a nuchal translucency scan which includes scanning for the spinal fluid along with blood tests.

Apart from ultrasound, some blood tests are also done to affirm the absence of infection and monitor hormonal levels.

Vaccination

It is essential that you get vaccinated against whooping cough and flu during pregnancy to keep yourself and your baby safe from these diseases. It also reduces the risk of premature births. The best time to get these vaccinated is from 16th week to 32 weeks but they can be taken earlier or later as advised by the doctor.

Here is a list of things that need to be taken care of during the third month of pregnancy.

Dos

• Eat healthy foods
• Follow a balanced diet
• Exercise regularly
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid stress
• Get vaccinated and take your medicines on time
• Get enough sleep (Read more: Sleep during pregnancy)

Don’ts

• Drink alcohol
• Smoke
• Do strenuous exercises
• Lift heavy weights
• Aim for weight loss
• Take medicines or supplements without the prescription of a doctor
• Eat raw and unprocessed meat or dairy
• Take too much caffeine
• Miss a doctor’s appointment