The first few months of pregnancy can feel surreal. Your body is changing, and you’re excited and nervous about all that lies ahead. To help give you confidence, let's look at what you can expect when you're 3 months pregnant.
We'll dive into the developmental milestones your baby is likely experiencing, how big your little one will be this month, and the physical and emotional changes you might face. Plus, we’ll give you some practical tips to help you during this stage of pregnancy.
Table Of Contents
- 3 Months Pregnant: Your Baby
- 3 Months Pregnant: Your Body And Mind
- 3 Months Pregnant: Doctor Visits
- Tips For Surviving Your Third Month
3 Months Pregnant: Your Baby
At the end of your second month of pregnancy, your baby officially becomes a fetus. They’ve already completed the germinal and embryonic stages of development and are gearing up for some major growth.
Developmental Milestones
By the month's end, your baby will be completely formed. All their internal organs and extremities will be in place.
To get there, your baby develops the following things this month:
- Limbs and extremities
- Fingernails
- Toenails
- External ears
- Teeth
- Reproductive organs
- Intestines
And though your baby is too small for you to feel moving around, they're learning how to move their arms and legs.
Baby’s Size
Despite their developmental progress, your baby is still tiny. However, they continue to grow each day. While most babies start month three at about ½ an inch long, they end it at nearly 2 inches.
They also begin putting on a bit of weight. By the end of the month, your growing baby should be about ½ an ounce.
3 Months Pregnant: Your Body And Mind
Your baby isn’t the only one experiencing changes. Pregnancy impacts every aspect of your body, from your skin to your mind. Here’s what to expect:
Physical Changes
While you might not look pregnant, your body is hard at work growing another human. This takes a toll on you physically, and you’re likely experiencing some of the following symptoms.
Your Skin
Without hormones like progesterone and estrogen, you can't grow a baby. Unfortunately, these hormones can also wreak havoc on your skin.
Some women notice their skin becoming more sensitive or dry. Others get acne outbreaks.
In addition, the skin on your abdomen starts stretching since your uterus is expanding. While you may not have stretch marks yet, they're likely coming soon. The Mustela Stretch Marks Set can help keep your skin hydrated during this time.
Our Stretch Marks Oil and Stretch Marks Cream Fragrance-Free are made from naturally derived ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about using them throughout your pregnancy.
Your Baby Bump
Most women start to show during their third month of pregnancy. However, you likely won’t need maternity clothes just yet.
As your uterus grows, it will push against the ligaments in your abdomen. This sensation can cause discomfort or aching across your lower belly.
If you feel a lot of pain, you'll want to discuss it with your doctor. But since your uterus is pushing your other organs and rearranging your insides, some general discomfort is to be expected.
Morning Sickness
At month three, morning sickness is a spectrum. Some women experience it all day long, while others don’t feel sick at all. No matter how you’re feeling, there is some good news. By the end of the third month, most women find that their morning sickness starts to subside.
If you're still nauseous, try to stop thinking about it. Your mind and body are uniquely connected, so the more you expect to feel sick, the more likely you actually will be.
Instead, keep your mind busy thinking about other things. It might not take away nausea completely, but it can help.
A Bit Of Discharge
Pregnant women often experience a thin, milky white vaginal discharge throughout the first trimester. This is primarily due to increased estrogen.
This type of discharge is perfectly normal during pregnancy, and it helps keep the area clean to protect your baby from infection. However, contact your doctor immediately if you notice bright red blood or a foul-smelling discharge. Both of these could be signs of something more serious.
Emotional Changes
Along with the physical changes you're dealing with, you’ll also experience numerous emotional ones. Let's look at a few.
Lacking Energy
You are growing another person inside you. It's a 24/7 process that requires a lot of energy. No wonder you may feel run down right now!
Even if you don't feel like it, make sure to get plenty of rest each day. Give yourself permission to take frequent breaks to recharge.
Remember that the second trimester often brings a fresh burst of energy. Until that happens, it’s OK to take it slow.
Feeling Worried
Even if you've never been particularly anxious, it's normal to feel worried and stressed during pregnancy. You may be having a hard time adjusting to the idea of being a parent, or you could just be overwhelmed by all the changes happening in your life right now.
It's helpful to talk to someone about these worries. Consider confiding in family members or friends who have been through this experience.
You could also join online forums and connect with other moms-to-be who may better understand what you're going through.
Having Mood Swings
Happy, sad, angry, confused...it's all part of being pregnant. Mood swings often come with the territory, so don't be too hard on yourself if you struggle to stay calm and collected.
It can help to practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and visualization. These can help keep your emotions in check and prevent them from spiraling out of control.
3 Months Pregnant: Doctor Visits
At this point in your pregnancy, you should be visiting your doctor or midwife about once a month. During these visits, they will check on the well-being of both you and your baby.
Check Baby’s Heartbeat
Typically, you'll be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a doppler after week 10. It's always a magical experience to listen to the horse galloping sound for the first time.
First Trimester Screening
At this stage of pregnancy, you may be offered a first-trimester screening test to check for abnormal results from blood tests or ultrasounds.
This screening can provide helpful insight into any potential health issues that could arise. However, some of them have serious risks. Always talk to your doctor and ask questions. And remember, you have the right to opt out of any testing.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
This test involves taking a sample of placental tissue and analyzing it for any chromosomal abnormalities or other problems. It's typically done between weeks 10-12 of pregnancy.
Cell-Free DNA Testing Or Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS)
For this type of test, your doctor will collect a blood sample from you and check it for genetic anomalies. It's a non-invasive way to check on the health of your baby.
Possible Ultrasound
If you didn't have a previous early pregnancy ultrasound, your doctor may suggest one to examine your baby's physical growth. This can provide reassurance that everything is going well.
Tips For Surviving Your Third Month
Now that you know what to expect when you're 3 months pregnant, here are some tips to help you thrive.
- Remember you won't be pregnant forever: Pregnancy can be difficult, but it won’t last forever. It is a relatively short time.
- Stay hydrated: Your body needs water for you and your baby. So drink up!
- Take care of yourself: The best way to care for your baby right now is to take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, get a moderate amount of exercise, and go to bed on time.
- Do something fun: Don't let your pregnancy consume your life or be all you think about. Instead, regularly do things you enjoy.
- Talk openly with your partner: Allow yourself moments of vulnerability so you can be honest about your feelings, and remind them that you could use their support.
- Share your news: As your miscarriage risk decreases and your pregnancy becomes more stable, don't be afraid to share the news with family and friends. Cute pregnancy announcements are a fun way to do this.
Your Baby Will Be Here Before You Know It
When you're 3 months pregnant, your journey is just beginning. But in the grand scheme of things, it feels like a blink of an eye. So embrace this time and soak in the changes that your body is going through. Before long, you'll give birth and have your little one in your arms!
To ensure your skin stays soft during your pregnancy, use a nourishing product, like our Stretch Marks Oil. When you combine this with plenty of rest and hydration, it'll go a long way in helping you feel your best throughout this journey.
Good luck, and congratulations!