10 weeks: Ready for a new hairstyle

Today we visited my physician, and he told my mom and dad that I am doing just fine. I am growing fast and developing well, as planned.

Though I am barely the size of a kumquat — 27 mm long, crown to bottom — and weigh around 4 grams, I have now completed the most critical portion of my development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in my body rapidly grow and mature.

I am swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including my kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout the pregnancy. They can be seen on my ultrasound picture, as well as my heart beats.

Tiny nails are forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on my tender skin. I am ready for a hairdresser and a French manicure (if I turn out to be a girl).

My limbs can bend now. My hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over my heart, and my feet may be long enough to meet in front of my body. The outline of my spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from my spinal cord. I am forehead temporarily bulges with my developing brain and sit very high on my head, which measures half the length of my body.

This is day number 71 and I am 10 weeks! I have 209 days or 30 weeks left, and I am 25.4% of the way there.