Pregnancy Week 12 - Seeing My Baby for the First Time

Dear Baby,

You are now about three inches long. Your organs and tissues are developing rapidly. Your eyes have moved closer together and your face looks more like a human being.

I have decided not to do any gardening until after your birth, to avoid risk of infection.

Four days ago I had the first ultrasound scan. I was somewhat apprehensive, as there is a history of twins in our family. Nikhil, however, liked the idea of having twins. ‘That way we can have one of each in one go,’ he reasoned. But I was not convinced and was relieved to know there is just one little you.

You were wide-awake during the scan and kept tossing and turning. We could see your head, your stomach, your huge heart thumping rapidly, your wee arms and two little legs.

As soon as I got home, I rang Jaya to tell her about the scan. She told me that Parag had not been impressed and slightly worried when she had shown him the picture of her baby’s scan. ‘Are you sure he’s all right?’ he had asked. ‘His head looks bigger than his body!’

You know baby, I will always treasure the moment when I saw you on the computer screen. That magic moment when I beheld you for the first time will remain with me forever.

Your loving mumma.

BABY NOTES

When are ultrasound scans done, and what do they show?

Ultrasound scans are usually carried out in the first trimester and again at around Week 20. A third-trimester scan may also be offered or recommended, depending on your doctor, maternity practice and how your pregnancy is progressing. Additional scans may be needed in high-risk pregnancies and multiple births.

The first scan is often called a dating scan. It confirms the age of your baby and can give an accurate due date. It confirms how many babies there are, that the pregnancy is developing in the right place, and whether the baby is developing normally. The scan may also include a measurement at the back of the baby’s neck which, together with other screening tests, can help assess the chance of certain chromosomal conditions such as Down’s syndrome.

What can you expect if you are carrying twins?

If you are carrying twins, you are likely to suffer more from the discomforts of pregnancy like nausea, fatigue, heartburn and indigestion. There is also a greater risk of complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and iron-deficiency anaemia, and twins are more likely to be born prematurely. Around six in ten twins are born before Week 37.

You will therefore be monitored more closely and have more frequent appointments and ultrasound scans. How often you are scanned will depend on the type of twins you are carrying, particularly whether they share a placenta, and how your pregnancy is progressing.

As your pregnancy progresses, your bump may become considerably larger than that of a woman carrying a single baby. Because of your sheer size, you may find your movements far more confined and everyday activities increasingly uncomfortable.

The timing of the birth will depend on the type of twins you are carrying and how your pregnancy is progressing. In an uncomplicated pregnancy, twins with separate placentas are commonly offered a planned birth at around Week 37, while twins sharing a placenta may be offered one earlier. There is a greater possibility of twins being delivered by caesarean section. However, if the first baby is head-down and there are no other complications, your doctor may encourage you to opt for a vaginal delivery.

What is considered a high-risk pregnancy?

Your pregnancy may be regarded as high-risk if you have had recurrent miscarriages in the past or have a medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, kidney or heart problems. Other factors, including your age, a multiple pregnancy, complications in a previous pregnancy or problems that develop during your current pregnancy, may also mean that you need additional care and monitoring.

A urinary tract infection does not usually make your pregnancy high-risk, but it is important to have it treated promptly. If left untreated, it can sometimes lead to complications such as preterm labour.

It is important that you take good care of yourself, especially if you have been told that yours is a high-risk pregnancy. Take any prescribed medicines regularly, attend all your antenatal appointments and follow your doctor’s advice. Being considered high-risk does not mean that something will necessarily go wrong – it simply means that you or your baby may need closer monitoring or additional care.

How can you reduce the risk of infection during pregnancy?

To reduce the risk of infection, make sure that you wash your hands well before preparing and eating food. Wash all fruits, vegetables and salads thoroughly before consuming them.

If you are gardening, wear gloves when handling soil and wash your hands well with soap and water afterwards. This helps reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be harmful to your baby. Avoid handling cat litter if possible, or wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

If you have inadvertently come in contact with a person with rubella (German measles) or chickenpox, contact your doctor or maternity team promptly.

Some infections can be harmful to your baby, with the risks varying, depending on the infection and the stage of pregnancy. It is therefore important to take sensible precautions against infection throughout your pregnancy.

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