About you:
Congratulations! You are about to start a new and exciting period. You are in the first weeks of a magical process that would span over 40 weeks. It is an incredible feeling to have a baby growing in you. Fertilisation process continues and the baby does not exist yet in the first week of pregnancy. Pregnancy weeks are medically counted from the date of the expectant mother’s last menstrual cycle. In other words, you are not aware of any changes in your body until you miss your first period.
The pregnancy tests sold in the pharmacies produce very reliable results when applied 3 to 4 days after missing your period. A blood test usually reveals definitive result. Changes in your body point to a pregnancy.
Possible early signs of pregnancy:
● Missed a period
● Nausea and vomiting
● Aversion to certain foods or food cravings
● Fatigue
● Frequent urination
● Changes and sensitivity in breasts
● A new sensitivity or a feeling in the pelvic area
● A metallic taste in the mouth
These signs are all due to your hormones working overtime to prepare your body for later stages of pregnancy. It is normal to show all or none of the signs listed here. Women with irregular menstrual cycles in particular may not even become aware of their pregnancy for weeks. Even slight bleeding experienced when the embryo becomes attached to uterine wall could be confused with menstrual bleeding. It also the same for women who experience slight episodes of bleeding during their pregnancies that can’t be explained medically. It is important to note that signs and reactions of pregnancy are unique to each person.
Experiencing hunger pangs in this process due to increased hormone production is another sign of pregnancy. Intake of the necessary nutrients during pregnancy is quite important and you must avoid all bad or toxic habits that could cause harm to your baby.
50% of mothers complain of nausea during the first trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes vomiting accompanies nausea. Expectant mothers usually feel sick in the mornings. This could start in the third or fifth week and can continue until the fourth month.
You can take small measures to reduce your complaints of nausea:
● When you wake up in the morning, do not hurry to get up but first have a small breakfast of toasted bread, cheese and tea in your bed and attempt getting up after some time.
● Eat frequent meals of small portions, don’t leave your stomach empty for long, and if you have the chance, lie down for a bit after each meal.
● Slightly increase the amount of carbohydrates you consume. Food items like bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and fruits can be good for your nausea.
Remember, you should never take any medication without first consulting your doctor. And you should not neglect your regular doctor check-ups.
Your baby
Your baby is called an embryon for 2 months, and will be larger than 2 mm in size on the 21st day and starts to take shape. In addition to being observed under a microscope, it is now visible to the naked eye. Its appearance is in the form of a spinal cord with a round shape at the end constituting the head. The brain starts to develop in the head in this stage.
When the 4th week is reached, its primitive heart will be formed of two blood vessels and will have already started beating. The first organ of the baby you will see on the ultrasound will be your baby’s heart. This will establish the first heart to heart connection with your baby.
At the end of the 6th week, your baby will only be 4 mm long and weigh less than 1 g.
Label: Am I pregnant?, Early Stages, First Trimester, Pregnancy signs, Weekly Development of Pregnancy
