You are about to begin a journey filled with love, surprises, and unforgettable moments — the journey to motherhood. Each day brings new experiences, every heartbeat carries meaning, and every step you take is part of a hopeful adventure. There will be moments of worry and challenge, but these are also chances for you to grow, to love more deeply, and to find joy in life’s simplest moments.

This is your story, make it one you’ll be proud of. Choose love, seek knowledge, and embrace happiness in every moment.

Seeing those two lines on your pregnancy test is an unforgettable moment—one filled with excitement, emotions, and maybe a touch of anxiety. This is a magical time, but it’s also when you need to focus on a few important steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy. It’s not about making announcements or planning celebrations just yet; the most crucial things to do first involve your healthcare and well-being.

Congratulations, you’ve reached the 10-week milestone in your pregnancy! At this stage, remarkable developments are taking place both in your body and with your growing baby. Let’s explore what you can expect during this exciting time.

In Vietnam, nearly half of all births in 2021—49.6%—were by cesarean section (C-section). This is a staggering figure compared to the 10–15% rate recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). With such a high number of C-sections, there’s growing concern about whether this procedure is being overused, potentially affecting the health and well-being of both mothers and babies. So why is this happening, and do the benefits of C-sections outweigh the risks?

At week 11 of pregnancy, your baby has completed the most critical stage of development and is now considered almost fully formed. Your baby’s head makes up about half of their total body length. During this week, your baby’s eyelids will close and will remain shut until around week 26, allowing the delicate structures of the eyes to continue developing. If you lie on your back and gently press your fingertips just above the pubic bone, you may be able to feel the edge of your expanding uterus.

Reaching week 12 is a significant milestone in your pregnancy journey. At this point, your baby’s main organs have been formed, and now the focus is on growth. Weighing about 20 grams, your baby is continuing to develop rapidly. From this week onward, it’s often possible to listen to your baby’s heartbeat, marking a memorable moment in your pregnancy.

At 13 weeks, your body has begun to adjust to being pregnant, and many of the early discomforts are likely fading away. With renewed energy, you’re stepping into the second trimester—a period often considered the most enjoyable part of pregnancy. Your baby has now grown to about 7 centimeters in length and weighs approximately 30 grams.

At 14 weeks, your baby has grown to about 8 centimeters in length and weighs around 60 grams. Although you may not feel it yet, your baby is becoming increasingly active, moving their tiny arms and legs. As the amount of amniotic fluid increases, your baby has plenty of room to stretch and explore. Excitingly, your obstetrician might even be able to predict your baby’s sex!

At week 15, your baby’s body is still covered with a fine layer of soft hair called lanugo, which helps hold in the protective coating that shields their delicate skin from the amniotic fluid. At this stage, your baby may occasionally swallow a small amount of amniotic fluid, and when the stomach is full, they may hiccup. The placenta works continuously to filter and refresh the amniotic fluid, keeping your baby’s environment clean and nourishing.

At 16 weeks, your pregnancy continues to progress, bringing with it exciting changes for both you and your baby. The hCG hormone is gradually replaced by progesterone, which can leave you feeling more fatigued. Your baby is now about 15 centimeters long and weighs around 130 grams—roughly the size of an avocado. Although your baby’s eyes remain closed, they can now begin to differentiate between light and dark. Let’s explore what else is happening during this stage of your pregnancy.

Around this time, many expectant mothers start to feel the first signs of life inside their belly, a truly magical experience! Don’t worry if you haven’t felt anything yet; this is completely normal, and you’ll have that special moment when the time is right. Your baby is now about 18 cm long and weighs around 190 grams — roughly the size of a pear. In addition to moving their arms and legs, your baby can now move their head, lips, hands, feet, and even individual fingers and toes.

Starting this week, your baby’s brain begins developing rapidly—about 90 grams each month. The head now makes up one-third of the total body length. Measuring around 20 cm and weighing about 220 grams, your baby is roughly the size of a bell pepper. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening during this stage.