First trimester · Pregnancy week by week
Week 10 of pregnancy
Baby is the size of a kumquat. About 1.20 inches, 4g.
By week 10, NIPT is reliably accurate. Black patients are offered NIPT 15% less often than white patients with comparable insurance per the Reid 2019 review (PMID 30995274) — ask explicitly. Source
What's happening with the baby
The fetus is about an inch long. All major organs are formed and beginning to function. Fingernails start to develop. The diaphragm forms. The fetus can swallow amniotic fluid. Tiny external ears emerge.
What's happening for you
Some women begin to feel better as hCG levels start to plateau. Constipation often increases. The uterus is now palpable above the pubic bone. Some women have increased vaginal discharge (leukorrhea).
Common (normal) symptoms this week
Continuing nausea (improving for some), fatigue, occasional headaches, constipation, increased discharge, breast tenderness, vivid dreams, mood changes.
Call your OB or 911 if
- Severe abdominal or one-sided pelvic pain with bleeding — possible ectopic pregnancy.
- Heavy vaginal bleeding (soaking a pad in an hour) with cramping.
- Fainting, severe dizziness, or shoulder-tip pain — ectopic with internal bleeding is an emergency.
- Fever over 101°F with chills or pelvic pain.
- Severe vomiting that prevents keeping any fluids down for 24+ hours (hyperemesis).
Why this week matters for Black families
By the end of the first trimester, several decisions matter for Black families. (1) Whether to do first-trimester genetic screening (NIPT). The Bonus uptake rate for NIPT is lower for Black patients, and the literature documents that providers offer it less often — if you want it, ask explicitly. (2) Documenting baseline blood pressure. Pre-existing chronic hypertension is more common in Black women and changes the entire prenatal-care plan. (3) Asking about low-dose aspirin for preeclampsia prevention. Per the USPSTF 2021 recommendation, Black patients are in the high-risk category for which aspirin from 12 weeks onward is supported by RCT evidence.
What to do this week
Ask about NIPT if you want first-trimester screening. Ask about low-dose aspirin (81 mg daily, starting at 12 weeks) if you have any high-risk factor for preeclampsia — chronic hypertension, prior preeclampsia, type 1 or 2 diabetes, kidney disease, autoimmune disease, multiple gestation, or — per USPSTF — Black race as a risk factor in the U.S. context. Continue prenatal vitamins, hydrate, rest.
References
- Reid 2019 — Disparities in genetic testing in Black women, PMID 30995274
- USPSTF 2021 Aspirin for Preeclampsia.
Last medically reviewed: .
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