It has been some time since you found out that you are pregnant and the feeling has finally started sinking in. You might be overwhelmed by the number of advices that you get from all and sundry. Sometimes you may even be bombarded with unwanted superstitions. The best thing to do in such scenarios is to pay heed to your doctor and do what she says.
What’s happening inside your body?
The pregnancy hormones are definitely having a ball inside your body and getting all your organs geared up for the childbirth and breastfeeding thereafter. Since your little one is growing quite fast and increasing in size, your uterus tends to get heavier. This, in turn, exerts pressure on the ligaments that are responsible for holding the uterus in place.
What to Expect?
Other than nausea that continues to wreak havoc, you may cite slight spotting or a pink or brown discharge from your vagina. Of course, you may want to let your doctor know about this, but there is nothing to worry about as this is just a natural phenomenon owing to the changes in your uterus. However, if the discharge is red in color, is heavy and has clots in it, then it is necessary that you call the doctor and rush to the hospital emergency room immediately.
You may sometimes feel cramps in the lower abdomen or sharp pain around your pelvis. This is because of the increasing weight of your uterus.
You may experience some bloating in your body. This is quite natural and nothing to worry about. Just drink lots of water and try to cut down on your salt intake.
This week you may start having gastric problems which are quite common during pregnancy along with heartburn. Ask your doctor what you should do when you are in extreme discomfort. She might recommend medicine to cure gas. However, if you don’t want to have this problem, you need to make sure that you eat slowly and are relaxed during meal times. It has been proved that stress can cause gas. Also, when you eat fast and have a thousand things running in your mind, you are susceptible to swallow more air which can later cause gas.
Constipation is another major problem that you may have to deal with during pregnancy. This is further enhanced by the iron and zinc supplements that you need to take every day. Including a lot of fiber-rich food in your daily diet can help you overcome this problem. Try to include a portion of uncooked vegetables in your meals. You can also munch on fruits during your snack time.
Your Baby This Week
If experts are to be believed, the baby grows only about a millimeter every day and this might not necessarily be confined to his/her length. It could also be lengthening of arms and feet, midbody, etc.
This week your baby might be anywhere between half an inch to two-thirds inch in length. Gone are the days when the embryo looked like a tadpole. Now, your little one starts looking more like a human baby. Her hands and feet might have formed by this week but the fingers are yet to develop.
This week, your baby’s upper lip, nose, and eyelids start forming. Her heartbeat is quite fast – 150 to 170 beats per minute to be precise. Your baby might have started twisting and moving inside your uterus, though it is too early for you to feel this.
Things to do to make this Week Count
- Talk to your doctor about the concerns and doubts that you may have about the changes in your body.
- Find out what the different ways of delivery are available at the doctor’s clinic as this will help you to, take a decision about the kind of delivery you want.
Though at this stage pregnancy is all about you, it is important to involve your partner in every way as this is a life-changing event for him too.