Baby is the size of a strawberry
👶 Baby's development
Joints are working — the baby bends and extends arms and legs. Tooth buds are forming.
💛 How mom feels
Morning sickness begins to ease. A small bump may appear. Time for the first ultrasound.
📖 Tip of the week
The fetus can now swallow and make gentle movements, though you can't feel them yet. External genitalia are forming, but sex can't yet be determined on ultrasound. Many moms notice nausea starting to ease — that's ahead for you!
🔬 Detailed baby development
- All vital organs are formed and beginning to function together
- The fetus's bones are hardening and tiny nails start growing on fingers and toes
- The outer ears are fully formed and positioned near their final location
- The fetus can swallow amniotic fluid and the stomach produces digestive juices
- Tooth buds develop beneath the gums for both baby and adult teeth
- The fetus is about 31 mm long (3.1 cm), roughly the size of a kumquat
🤱 What mom may feel
- Visible veins may become more prominent on the abdomen and breasts
- Ligament pain (round ligament pain) may start as the uterus grows
- Increased thirst due to expanding blood volume
- Some women begin to notice a darkening line from navel to pubic bone (linea nigra)
- Mild dizziness upon standing quickly due to blood pressure changes
🏥 Tests and check-ups
First-trimester combined screening can begin between weeks 10-13. This includes a blood draw measuring PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A) and free beta-hCG, combined with the nuchal translucency ultrasound (usually done at 11-13 weeks). NIPT can also be performed now if not done earlier.
💡 Tips for this week
- Stay well hydrated — aim for at least 2.3 liters (about 10 cups) of water per day
- Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to prevent dizziness
- Begin applying moisturizer or oil to the abdomen and breasts to help with skin stretching
- Start thinking about how and when you want to announce your pregnancy
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is nuchal translucency screening?
It is an ultrasound measurement of the fluid-filled space at the back of the fetus's neck, done between 11-13 weeks. Combined with blood markers, it estimates the risk of Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.
When will I start showing?
First-time mothers typically start showing between weeks 12-16. Women who have had previous pregnancies may show earlier because abdominal muscles have been stretched before.
Is round ligament pain normal?
Yes, round ligament pain is a common, harmless sensation caused by the ligaments supporting the uterus stretching. It feels like a sharp or pulling pain on one or both sides of the lower abdomen.
Can I find out the baby's sex now?
NIPT blood testing can reveal the sex as early as 9-10 weeks with high accuracy. Ultrasound determination typically requires waiting until 18-22 weeks for reliable results.
📝 Week 10 of pregnancy: detailed guide
At week 10, the foetus is growing rapidly and now measures approximately 3.1 cm and weighs around 4 g — about the size of a strawberry. All of the vital organs are formed and beginning to function: the kidneys are producing urine, the liver is secreting bile, and the intestines are processing amniotic fluid. Tiny tooth buds have formed beneath the gum line — your baby’s first set of milk teeth. The foetus is now visibly active on ultrasound: turning, stretching, and even sucking movements can be seen, though you will not feel these movements for some weeks yet. External genitalia are developing, though it is still too early to determine sex by ultrasound.
For many women, week 10 marks the beginning of gradual relief from first-trimester symptoms. Nausea often begins to ease as hCG levels plateau and the placenta takes over more hormone production — a process that typically completes by weeks 12–14. Your blood volume has increased significantly, which can cause mild headaches and occasional dizziness, particularly when standing up quickly. Veins on the breasts, abdomen, and legs may become more prominent as circulation increases. The waistline is beginning to soften and expand, though a visible bump is not yet apparent for most first-time mothers.
The first trimester combined screening is approaching (weeks 11–13), so ensure your scan appointment is booked. In addition to the nuchal translucency measurement, the ultrasound will confirm gestational age, check for a heartbeat, and screen for major structural anomalies. You may also be offered a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) — a highly accurate blood test that analyses cell-free foetal DNA to assess chromosomal conditions with greater precision than standard screening. NIPT is available privately and through some NHS trusts for higher-risk pregnancies. Discuss the options with your midwife to make an informed decision.
Now is an excellent time to book a dental check-up. Pregnancy hormones make the gums more susceptible to inflammation, a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis, which can cause tenderness, swelling, and bleeding when brushing. Left untreated, gum disease has been associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Dental treatment — including X-rays with a lead apron, local anaesthesia, and fillings — is safe during pregnancy, and as an NHS maternity patient you are entitled to free dental treatment throughout pregnancy and until your baby’s first birthday. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Heavy bleeding or spotting
- Severe abdominal pain or pain on one side
- Severe nausea and vomiting (unable to eat or drink)
- Fever above 38°C (100.4°F)
- Pain or burning during urination
- Dizziness or fainting
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
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