10 weeks 
pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms during week 10

Body changes

The thickening in your midsection is most likely due to slight weight gain and bloating. You're probably between regular and maternity clothes now, so pants and skirts with stretchy waistbands are must-haves. Here are some maternity fashion hacks to make your regular clothes fit longer into pregnancy.

Excess saliva

You may be salivating more than usual, especially when you're nauseated. It's common and normal to have extra saliva during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. If you're unable to swallow your saliva, spit it out. Drinking more water, chewing gum, and sucking on hard candy can help you swallow excess saliva more easily.

Vaginal discharge

You're not imagining it – you may have a lot more vaginal discharge during pregnancy because of higher levels of estrogen. Healthy discharge is odorless or mild-smelling and milky white. You don't need to do anything about it. But call your healthcare provider if you see a sudden change in the type of discharge (like if you're continuously leaking fluid); it smells strong or unpleasant; or it's gray, yellow, or green.

Newly visible veins

You might be noticing blue, prominent veins across your chest, breasts, and belly. As your body produces more blood to support your pregnancy, your veins enlarge and are more visible. You may also develop varicose veins in your legs and lower body as your uterus grows. The good news: They often disappear or improve after you give birth.

Mood swings

You may find yourself experiencing a wide range of intense emotions right now, from elation to sadness. Take comfort in knowing that mood swings are normal during pregnancy. Stress, fatigue, and hormonal changes affect your levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain). And, of course, there's also the range of feelings you may have about becoming a parent. But if the negative feelings persist, you may be experiencing pregnancy depression. Talk to your healthcare provider and ask for help.

Morning sickness

Your nausea and vomiting may be worse than ever: Morning sickness peaks around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy for many women. That's when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest (morning sickness is thought to be linked to rises in hCG and estrogen). The good news: Your morning sickness may soon start to fade. At 11 weeks, hCG levels start to fall, and by 15 weeks they've dropped about 50 percent from their peak. Many expecting moms get relief from morning sickness early in the second trimester.

Dizziness

With 30 to 50 percent more blood pumping through your veins, your body is working harder than usual. Your nervous and cardiovascular systems mostly adjust to these changes without problems, but occasionally there may not be enough blood flow in your brain, making you feel dizzy or lightheaded. If this happens, sit or lie down right away and put your head between your knees if possible. If you're driving, immediately pull over and stop the car until you feel better.