Weight and development of the fetus in the first 3 months

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Van Thanh - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.
The first 3 months are a very sensitive period of the fetus. At this stage, the fetus is just beginning to form, and the first 3 months of pregnancy weight is closely related to the health and development of the baby.

1. First 3 months fetus

In the first months of pregnancy, if not noticed or for the first time, many mothers do not realize that they are pregnant. Even so, the majority of miscarriages occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Therefore, the first thing is to detect pregnancy early, which will contribute to increasing the rate of healthy birth. At this stage, all mother's activities also need to be gentle because the fetus has not yet firmly attached to the uterus.

Prenatal check-ups and ultrasounds in the first months are also very important, helping pregnant mothers know if the fetus is developing normally or not and screening for fetal malformations through ultrasound measurements of nuchal translucency, blood test,...
During the first trimester of pregnancy, stabilizing the fetus is the most important priority. In addition to the addition of tonics and vitamins, the mother needs to pay special attention to folic acid supplements, ... to help the development of the fetus to be perfect.

2. Baby's weight in the first 3 months

Baby weight in the first 3 months in the womb according to the most standard week at the 12th week milestone. 12-week fetus weight at the standard level is usually about 14 grams, about 5.4 cm long. From the 8th week onwards, when examining, the doctor can tell the length of the head and buttocks of the fetus based on the ultrasound results. During this period, the fetus is bent in the fetus during the first half of pregnancy, so it is difficult to accurately measure the baby's weight and length. The measured length of the baby is called the rump length.
Table of fetal weight in the first 3 months and length (starting from week 8) refer to the standards of the World Health Organization WHO in 2019 for mother's reference as follows:
However, pregnant women should also note that the weight table above is a standard table of reference value, not the exact weight that the fetus must achieve. The height and weight of the fetus through each week of age represent the development status of the fetus. Also through the index according to the weeks of fetal development, the doctor will advise on nutrition, rest as well as exercise for pregnant women.

The weight of the fetus in the first 3 months has been different, depends on many factors, including both objective and subjective factors such as:
Due to genetic factors and racial differences: Weight of The fetus may have similarities with the weight and physique of the parents. Maternal health during pregnancy. Pregnant women with diseases such as diabetes and obesity tend to have larger and heavier babies than other mothers. Maternal weight gain: If a pregnant mother does not gain weight or gains too little weight, there is also a risk that the fetus will be malnourished. This is reflected in the weight index of the fetus while still in the womb. Number of fetuses. Pregnant women carrying twins, multiple pregnancies, the fetal weight will also be lower than the standard fetal weight table.

After examining and finding that the weight of the fetus has a big difference compared to the standard table of fetal weight, pregnant women need to be very careful. Because this can be one of the warning signs of some problems with the health and development of the fetus.
When the fetus is too large, it will cause difficulties during labor and delivery. If the size of the fetus is larger than the standard table by about 3 cm, the fetus will be at risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity... right from the womb. If the fetus is too low weight, it may be malnourished from the womb, susceptible to lung diseases, the child's resistance at birth will be lower, and it may even affect the intellectual development. children's intelligence later... Fetal weight by week of age is often closely related to the health and weight of pregnant women during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant mothers need to monitor and compare the fetal weight chart by week to make changes in diet and rest accordingly.
In order for the fetus to develop according to the standards of the fetal weight chart, pregnant women need to do the following:
Pregnant women do not need to eat too much but must have enough nutrients. It is necessary to control weight, not to gain too much or too little weight. During the whole pregnancy, pregnant women should increase their body weight only from 10-12kg. Have a reasonable rest and exercise regime. Do not be too stressed, because this also affects the weight of the fetus. Periodic antenatal check-up to understand the growth and weight of the fetus by week of age, if there is a big difference compared to the fetal weight table, it is necessary to change according to the doctor's advice to overcome the situation. this. Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal check-ups, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and other routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively.
In addition to regular check-ups, pregnant women will also be advised on nutrition and exercise so that the mother can gain weight reasonably while the fetus still absorbs nutrients well.
Doctor Nguyen Van Thanh has many years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology. The doctor was trained and attended courses in obstetrics and gynecology and infertility at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hanoi University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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