Day 86 of 280, first trimester
You are 12 weeks and 2 days
The bag of amniotic fluid is your baby's home, keeping him safe and free from infection until he's ready to be born.
194 days until your due date
Your baby is safely cushioned in amniotic fluid, which surrounds him, gives him room to move and grow, and helps keep his temperature constant. There's only 1 ml of fluid at seven weeks, but 25 ml now, and in about six weeks there'll be around 60 ml, plenty of room for somersaults.
The fluid increases steadily until about 32 weeks, stays level until 37 weeks, and then falls by about 8 percent a week.
Later in pregnancy, waste in your baby's urine will be absorbed from the fluid back into your bloodstream. At 37 weeks, your baby will pass an astonishing quarter to a third of his body weight in urine every day, compared with your 2–3 percent.
Your temperature directly affects your baby's. Temperature control only becomes important later, when his high metabolism means he needs to pass heat to you to cool down.
Focus on
Nutrition: Iron-rich foods
If you're tired, try eating more iron-rich foods, such as:
- Dark leafy green vegetables
- Red meat
- Whole-grain cereals
- Legumes
- Prune juice
Vitamin C helps you absorb iron, so drink fresh orange juice with meals, and limit coffee and other caffeinated drinks, which reduce iron absorption.
Ask a Nutritionist
My appetite is back. How many calories should I eat now?
Like many women, you're finding the second trimester brings relief from early discomforts, so you feel less sick and hungrier.
In the second trimester you need about 2,100–2,500 calories a day, depending on how active you are. Don't snack without limit, and choose nutritious snacks: a banana has about 100 calories and a handful (1 oz) of nuts about 170. For a light 200-calorie snack, try two slices of whole-wheat toast with a little butter and jam, a small bowl of cereal with skim milk, or a small can of soup with a slice of bread and butter.
If you exercise regularly, you can eat more without gaining extra weight.
Appointments and key dates around now
- Booking appointmentUsually between 8 and 12 weeks
- Dating scanBetween 11 and 14 weeks
Read the full 12 weeks pregnant guide
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.