For the past two months, food and eating well may not have been a priority, thanks to nausea, vomiting, and other discomforts of morning sickness – that could even strike at night. All the same, once you enter the third month, though all the uneasiness of morning sickness will increase tremendously as the secondary symptoms like irritability, food aversions and smell sensitivity might set in, it will start to decrease eventually.

• Third Month Pregnancy Symptoms
• Development Of The Baby In The Third Month Of Pregnancy
• Development Of The Baby In The Ninth Week
• Development Of The Baby In The Tenth Week
• Development Of The Baby In The Eleventh Week
• Development Of The Baby In The Twelfth Week
• What Should Be Included In The Third-Month Pregnancy Diet?
• What Not To Eat In The Third Month Of Pregnancy?

Third Month Pregnancy Symptoms

While nausea may still accompany you big time, most women find relief from these symptoms towards the end of the 3rd month, precisely by the 12th week of pregnancy. Some women, however, report morning sickness till late second trimester, while some even deal with it all through the 9 months. Whatever the case, you need to imbibe a routine that involves eating well, getting enough rest and some exercise to produce a healthy baby. Nature has been designed in such a way that if you do not start to provide for the baby, it will start to take away the nutrients from your body leaving you nutrient depleted – which can cause problems for you in future.

Development Of The Baby In The Third Month Of Pregnancy

Inside your womb,your baby is growing day-by-day minute-by-minute. Here are changes coming about during this month (from week 9th to week 12th of gestation)

Development Of The Baby In The Ninth Week

• The fetus will be a size of a grape, around an inch long
• The fetus’ head, more or less same as the rest of the body, becomes more erect
• The neck develops and becomes more noticeable
• The fetus gets rid of ‘tadpole-like’ look. It starts to resemble a human baby as the tail is completely gone by this week of pregnancy
• All the joints (including, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and wrist) are formed
• If an ultrasound is performed during this month, you can have a look of the fetus moving around your uterus
• Eyelids are fully formed and fused shut (it will open only towards the 28th week of pregnancy)
• All the four chambers of the heart are formed. The valves start to develop

You may start to experience heartburn and frequency of urination increases than last month as the uterus is becoming bigger.

Development Of The Baby In The Tenth Week

• The baby will be 5.08 centimeters long and will be about the size of a lime
• Officially, now, the embryonic stage ends and the fetal stage begin
• Arms and legs become longer
• The joints can be bent
• Baby’s vital organs (though not fully developed), start to function
• Fingernails, toenails, and hair start to appear
• The fingers will be no more webbed

Development Of The Baby In The Eleventh Week

• The baby now is about 1 1/2 inches in size and is almost fully formed now
• The skin will be transparent
• The diaphragm starts to form
• The bones begin to harden
• The baby will be really active – moving about, though, you are not able to feel it
• The external genitalia develop

You may notice your toenails, fingernails, and hair starting to grow faster (thanks to the pregnancy hormones pouring in).

Development Of The Baby In The Twelfth Week

• Baby will be around 2 inches)long
• Eyes move to the final position
• External ears appear
• Those tiny hands are able now to open and close
• Teeth buds appear
• Most of the “systems” of the baby are fully formed (though maturing is in progress) and start to work
• Nervous system, in developing phase, initiates reflex like suckling (gulp the amniotic fluid)
• The intestine, which forms inside umbilical cord, moves back into the abdomen of the fetus
• The muscles in the digestive system of the fetus start to flex
• The bone marrow starts to produce WBC
• The liver produces bile
• The pituitary gland appears below the brain and starts to produce hormones
• You may able to hear fetal heartbeat during this week’s checkup

Symptoms of morning sickness start to fall noticeably. You may notice some skin changes happening, particularly acne

What Should Be Included In The Third-Month Pregnancy Diet?

Now you understand the importance of this month in your gestation. Sadly, most of the abortions are reported during this month. All these details point to one fact. The third-month pregnancy diet is quite important. Just like nausea, your hunger will also increase noticeably during this month. Here is the list of recommended pregnancy diet during this month.

• Essential nutrients: Intake of vitamin B6, calcium, iron, and folate should continue this month as well. Vitamin B6 can help combat your nausea. (Refer the topics pregnancy diet – month 1 and month 2).
• Carbohydrates: Intake of carbohydrate is significant for a fast developing baby. Here is a list of food with high level of carbohydrates:
  • Eat whole grain breads
  • Chapattis made with whole wheat Atta
  • Potatoes
  • Rice
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Pasta (wheat)
  • Legumes like bean and lentils
• DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): DHA is essential for the development of eyes and brain. Hence, it is significant to ensure its intake (450 mg per day).
  • Salmon has a good amount of DHA
  • Organ meat, like, liver contains DHA
  • Fish oil is a dependable source of DHA
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D promotes the development of teeth and bone in the fetus.
  • Fatty fishes like salmon, mackerel, tuna, etc. are an excellent source of vitamin D
  • Vitamin D fortified milk, cereals, etc.can help in gettingthe substantial amount of Vitamin D
  • Egg yolk has a dependable amount of Vitamin D
  • Cod liver oil is a reliable source of vitamin D
• Fruits: Include different varieties of fruits which provide the vital nutrients, fiber (Important to fight against constipation) and helps to stay hydrated
• Dairy Products: Milk and its derivatives should form a decent portion of your daily diet. Drink atleast 2-3 glasses of milk or consume equivalent of these in the form of paneer, cheese, yoghurts and ghee. Milk and dairy products provide you much needed calcium and proteins, so do not deny yourself
• Water: Include at least 8 glasses of fluids in your diet, though we’d suggest limit the intake of fruit juices as they come loaded with calories. Opt for lime water, herbal teas and most preferably, plain water

What Not To Eat In The Third Month Of Pregnancy?

Avoid late-night snack during this period. Likewise, restrict fats and sweets, as it has no nutritional value and will make you put unwanted weight. For the same reason, drop the cola bottles from your diet completely. Caffeine, alcohol, raw and uncooked meat and fish, unpasteurized milk and milk products, too much vitamin A (avoid liver, which has too much vitamin A), raw eggs and food products that use raw eggs, etc. should also be eliminated from your daily menu. You may be tempted to eat chaats and golgappe during this time, but do not overindulge.