12 weeks pregnant: your baby, body & antenatal care

You at 12 weeks pregnant: signs and symptoms

Your uterus

Your uterus shifts upwards about now, relieving the pressure on your bladder. For a little while at least, you probably won’t need to go to the toilet so often.

Your energy levels

You might start feeling a little less tired now – or you could still feel very low on energy.

Dark patches of skin on your face or neck

This is called ‘chloasma’ (or the ‘mask of pregnancy’), and it’s normal.

Also normal is the linea nigra, a darker line that shows up on the skin of your belly, running from your belly button to your pubic area.

Chloasma and the linea nigra are caused by hormonal changes that increase the amount of melanin in your body.

You might notice chloasma or the linea nigra now or later in your pregnancy. It fades after your baby is born.

pregnancy illustration, 13 weeks

Your baby at 12 weeks of pregnancy

How big is your baby at 12 weeks of pregnancy?

Your baby is about 6 cm long from head to bottom and weighs about 18 g.

What’s happening with your baby’s development at 12 weeks of pregnancy?

The kidneys are working, and your baby can pass urine and swallow amniotic fluid.
Your baby’s chest rises and falls, practising breathing movements.
The digestive system is practising contractions.
Your baby now has 20 teeth in their gums.

Things to think about at 12 weeks: starting your antenatal care

You’ll probably have your first antenatal appointment at around 12 weeks.

It’s important to go to your antenatal appointments right from the start, so your doctor or midwife can see how you and your baby are going and you can talk about any concerns you have. If there’s a problem, usually it can be picked up and treated or checked. Certain antenatal tests are also recommended at certain times.

Antenatal appointments are a good chance to get health and lifestyle support if you need it and to get information about your pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting. If there’s something that’s worrying you, you can talk about that too.

Interpreters and multicultural health workers in antenatal care

If you’re not confident speaking English, ask for an interpreter. If one isn’t available in person, ask whether you can have a phone interpreter. You don’t have to pay to use an interpreter.

You might also be able to get help from a multicultural health worker to do things like book or check your appointments, fill out forms, and get transport to your appointments. Ask whether there’s a multicultural health worker available.

If you want only female health professionals to care for you during pregnancy, labour and birth, you can ask for a female midwife or doctor. It might not be possible to have one though – especially if you or your baby need urgent or specialised medical attention.

Ultrasound at 12 weeks

You can have the 12-week ultrasound now.

This ultrasound:

checks your baby’s development
will show if you’re having more than one baby
is part of combined first trimester screening, which is an antenatal test for chromosomal anomalies and other conditions.

Can the 12-week ultrasound show the baby’s gender?

It might be possible to see your baby’s gender at the 12-week ultrasound, but you can get more accurate information about your baby’s gender at your 20-week ultrasound.

Key tips at 12 weeks: taking care with what you consume in pregnancy

Most things that you eat, drink and take into your body go through to your baby via the placenta. The placenta also takes waste products away.

This is why it’s important for you to:

eat healthy food
avoid too many caffeinated drinks – like coffee, tea and energy drinks
quit alcohol and other non-prescribed drugs
check with your doctor or midwife that any medicines you’re taking and skincare products you’re using are safe for pregnancy.

Medicines include prescribed medicines, natural supplements and medicines from chemists and supermarkets.

Other things that you might take in, like cigarette smoke, pass through to your baby as well, even when you’re around other people who are smoking.

If you need support to quit smoking or vaping, ask your doctor or midwife for help or call Quitline on 137 848. You can also check out our illustrated guide to smoking, vaping and pregnancy.