12 weeks pregnant means 12+0 to 12+6 weeks from the first day of your last period: about 2 months and 23 days, so you are in the 3rd month. As the first trimester closes, nausea starts to ease for many people, and you are in one of the suitable weeks for the nuchal translucency (NT) scan and combined screening.
12 weeks pregnant (12+0 to 12+6 weeks) is about 2 months and 23 days from the first day of your last period. You are in the 3rd month, close to the end of the first trimester.
The NHS says your baby is now about 5.4 cm from head to bottom, about the size of a plum. The internal organs and muscles have grown and the heartbeat can be seen on an ultrasound scan. The skeleton is made of tissue that is hardening into bone. The sex organs have formed, but the NHS notes that most scans cannot tell the sex until later.
ACOG's summary for weeks 9 to 12 of pregnancy says that by the end of this stage the eyelids have formed but stay closed, the genitals have begun to form, the kidneys have begun making urine, the pancreas has started making insulin and fingernails have formed. The cartilage of the limbs, hands and feet will harden into bone over the next few weeks.
According to the NHS, there is a good chance the placenta is now feeding your baby, and once this happens your hormones calm down a bit. Your waist may thicken and your breasts grow; as sickness eases you may feel hungrier. You do not need to eat for two. The NHS says most women gain 10 to 12.5 kg in total, usually after week 20. The Turkish Ministry of Health guideline instead sets the target by pre-pregnancy body mass index (for example 11.5 to 16 kg in total for a normal BMI); see the 14 weeks page and the weight calculator.
At 12 weeks the top of the womb can be felt at the level of the pubic bone (UpToDate, 2026). How much you show varies: the NHS links it to hormones, your pre-pregnancy weight, how many babies you have had and the strength of your tummy muscles.
The Turkish Ministry of Health Antenatal Care Management Guideline (2026) covers several points this week: the first visit takes place within the first 14 weeks; the NT scan and combined test can be done between 11 and 14 weeks; women with at least 1 major or at least 2 minor pre-eclampsia risk factors from the guideline start aspirin prevention from week 12 unless there is a contraindication; folic acid continues until week 12 and vitamin D support starts from week 12. Tetanus vaccination can also be given from week 12. Your doctor decides which supplements you need and for how long.
NICE NG201 places the screening scan at 11+2 to 14+1 weeks, and ISUOG notes that the 11+0 to 14+0 week scan is also a chance to screen for preterm pre-eclampsia. In ACOG's 2026 comparison table, first-trimester screening detects 82 to 97% of Down syndrome pregnancies and cell-free DNA (NIPT) 99%; combined screening done at 12 weeks is given as 85%. A high-risk result leads to a discussion of CVS or amniocentesis for diagnosis.
The scan at this stage checks the heartbeat and measures the crown–rump length and the NT. ACOG explains that an abnormal NT measurement means an increased chance of Down syndrome or another chromosome number difference, and is also linked to heart, abdominal wall and skeletal problems. An abnormal NT is not a diagnosis; it calls for further assessment.
| Symptom | Usually | Seek care if |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea easing and appetite returning | Feeling hungrier as sickness settles is expected around now (NHS). | If vomiting continues and you cannot keep anything down (a danger sign in the Turkish Ministry of Health guideline). |
| Period-like cramps | The NHS lists period-like cramping among possible symptoms this week. | If the cramps come with bleeding or are severe: miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy can also cause cramps and bleeding (UpToDate). |
| Dizziness | The NHS lists dizziness among common symptoms this week. | Straight away if it comes with difficulty breathing or bleeding (Turkish Ministry of Health danger signs). |
These are danger signs or emergency referral criteria in the Turkish Ministry of Health guideline; contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department without waiting.
Days 84 to 90 from the first day of your last period, or about 2 months and 23 days. You are in the last weeks of the 3rd month.
Usually not reliably on ultrasound. The NHS says the sex organs have formed but most scans cannot tell the sex until later, and UpToDate notes that ultrasound usually shows it at 17 to 20 weeks. A cell-free DNA blood test (NIPT) at 10 to 13 weeks can report the sex along with chromosome screening, but a failed result or a wrong sex assignment is possible (UpToDate, 2026).
Mild pulling and period-like cramps are among the possible symptoms the NHS lists for this week. Get seen without delay if the pain is severe, does not settle, or comes with bleeding, fever or leaking fluid.
The NHS lists light spotting among possible symptoms but advises seeing a doctor for any bleeding. Bleeding does not always mean a pregnancy loss, but an examination is needed to tell apart conditions such as miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy (UpToDate, 2026).
It varies. The top of the womb can be felt at the level of the pubic bone around now, and the NHS says your waist may thicken, with a small bump possibly visible from week 13. Hormones, pre-pregnancy weight, previous pregnancies and muscle tone all affect how much you show.
Last updated: . All sources have been confirmed with their latest versions. This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for a doctor's examination.