PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK - WEEK 12

What is happening with your baby:
The biggest development this week is reflexes!  Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close.  The toes will be able to curl and the eye muscles will clench.  His/her mouth will soon be able to make sucking movements.  If you poke your abdomen, your baby will squirm but you will not be able to feel it just yet.  The intestines, have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will begin to move into his abdominal cavity, and the kidneys will begin to excrete urine into the bladder.

Nerve cells are multiplying very quickly.  In your baby's brain, synapses are forming rapidly.  The face looks undeniably human.  His/her eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head and the ears are in the right place.  From crown to rump, your baby is about two inches long and weighs approx. half an ounce.

What is happening with you:
Your uterus has grown to the point that your health care provider can feel the top of it (the fundus) low in your abdomen, just above your pubic bone.  You may be wearing maternity clothes by now, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy.  (With subsequent pregnancies, you tend to show earlier than you did with the first one)  If you are still pretty small and not yet in maternity clothes, you most definitely have noticed the thickening of your waist. 

You may begin to feel heartburn (also known as acid indigestion).  This is a burning sensation that can extend from the bottom of your breastbone to your lower throat.  Many women don't experience heartburn for the first time until they are pregnant.  But those that have occasional bouts of heartburn, often find that it worsens when they are pregnant.  While pregnant, the placenta is producing a lot of the hormone called progesterone.  Progesterone relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach.  The heartburn can become even worse when lying down because the gastric acid can seep back up the pipe which causes the painful burning sensation.  But for many women, the problem doesn't begin or get worse until later on in the pregnancy when the growing uterus begins to push up on your stomach.  This can be a mild discomfort or can get very uncomfortable.

PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK - WEEK 11

What is happening with your baby:
Your baby is just over 1 1/2 inches long and is now almost fully formed.  The hands will soon be able to open and close into fists.  Little tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums.  Some of the bones are beginning to harden as well.

She is stretching and kicking like crazy!  These movements will become more and more frequent as the body grows, develops and becomes more functional.  You won't feel all of the movements for another couple of months though.  The diaphragm is also forming so very soon, your baby will be hiccupping as well!

What is happening with you:
You might be getting a little bit of your energy back.  You may also notice your nausea slowly going away, but if you don't, try not to worry.  For many women, it is still a few more weeks before the nausea has gone away completely.

You may also be suffering from constipation and/or heartburn.  (The hormonal changes your body is going through slow down digestion and relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus). 

Note:  Don't worry if you haven't been able to eat too much during this time.  The average weight gain for the first trimester is only 2 to 5 pounds.  Some women don't gain any weight at all during the first trimester.  (Talk to your doctor if you are losing weight.)  The baby will get what it needs from you.  You are the one that will suffer unfortunately.  But in the end, it will all be worth it!!!

PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK - WEEK 10

What is happening with your baby:
Even though your baby is just over an inch long, (crown to bottom), and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most important part of its development.  This is a time, referred to as the fetal period, where the tissue and organs in his/her body are growing very quickly.

Your baby is swallowing fluid and kicking like crazy.  The vital organs (kidneys, intestines, brain and liver) are now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac.  All of the vital organs are in place and beginning to function.  They will continue to grow and mature throughout your pregnancy.

Your baby's limbs now have the ability to bend.  The hands are flexed and meet over the heart.  The feet may be long enough to meet in front of the body.  The outline of the spine is visible through the translucent skin.  The baby's forehead has a bulge (but only temporarily), for the developing brain.  In the next few weeks, your baby will double in size.

How things are changing for mom:
When you go to your next prenatal visit, you may be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a doppler.  (A doppler is a hand held device used by your doctor to hear the ultrasonic activity)  Your health care provider does this by simply placing the dopper on your belly.

The size of your pre-pregnancy uterus was approximately the size of a small apple.  By this week, it is now the size of a large grapefruit!

You may be feeling those regular size clothes are getting to be a bit snug.  If you have not done it yet, now would be the time to go ahead and get a good pair of maternity jeans and a new bra (this is probably the places you notice expanding the most).  There are many maternity jeans that you can wear throughout pregnancy and even right after you have the baby.  You can't even tell they are maternity jeans and it is great to have something comfortable both before and after your baby is born.  It buys you some extra time to get back into that favorite pair of jeans, once you have had your baby!   And denim goes with everything!

Make sure when you buy a bra, to get one that will grow with you; especially if you are planning on breastfeeding.  Your chest will probably expand more throughout your pregnancy and your cup size will most likely go up if you do breastfeed.  Also, if you do plan to breastfeed, you may want to consider buying a nursing bra and just using it throughout your pregnancy (instead of just a regular maternity bra).  The recommended number of nursing bras to have is three.  One you are wearing, one that is clean (ready for a quick change if necessary), and one that may be in the dirty clothes.

By simply buying that new pair of pants and getting a more comfortable bra, you will be surprised at how much more comfort that will give you!

PREGNANCY, WEEK BY WEEK - WEEK 9

What your baby is doing:
Your baby is nearly an inch long.  (This is roughly the size of a grape)  He/she weighs just a fraction of an ounce.  The baby is beginning to look more human every day.  The essential body parts are all there, but they will continue to grow and mature in the coming months.  Your baby's heart will finish dividing into four chambers and the valves will start to form, as well as the little teeth.  The tail is completely gone.  The organs, muscles and nerves are beginning to start working.  The external sex organs are in place but won't be distinguishable for another few weeks.  The eyes are completely formed but they are fused shut.  They will stay shut until week twenty seven.  The earlobes, mouth, nose and nostrils are now more distinct.  The placenta has now developed enough to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones.  Now that your baby's basic physiology/development is in place, he/she is ready for rapid weight gain!

What is happening in your uterus:
Your waistline may be thickening some but you very well may not look pregnant yet.  BUT you probably feel pregnant.  By this time, morning sickness and other symptoms are in full force for the majority of women. 

You may also still be feeling like you are on an emotional roller coaster.  Don't worry.  This will normally ease up in the 2nd trimester.

PREGNANCY - WEEK BY WEEK, WEEK 8

What's New with the Baby:
Your baby now has webbed fingers and toes poking out from its hands and feet.  The eyelids almost cover his eyes.  He/she has tubes that extend from his throat to the branches of the developing lungs.  The tail is just about gone.  In the brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another and forming primitive neural pathways.  The genitals haven't quite developed enough to tell whether you are having a boy or a girl.  Your baby is about the size of a kidney bean.  And your baby is moving all about, even though you can't feel it yet.

How Your Body is Changing:
You may notice that your bra isn't quite fitting the way it once did.  You may need to go ahead and get that bigger bra.  Make sure that it offers plenty of support.  Also keep in mind that you may go up a couple of cup sizes; maybe even more if you plan to breastfeed.  Your chest will expand throughout your pregnancy.  Make sure to buy a bra that will support all of these upcoming changes, so that you won't constantly have to buy new ones.  That can get expensive!!   Please take a look at the Medela bra I have posted.  This is a really good price and it is a very supportive bra.  It is best to have at least 3 bras.  The one you are wearing, one that may be dirty, and one that is clean you can quickly put on if you need to.

If you are feeling unusually tired, that is very normal.  This is all due to all of the hormonal changes that are rapidly taking place right now.  If you are experiencing nausea or vomiting, this will also add to your fatigue.  You may even be having a hard time sleeping right now.  Again, very normal as your body is preparing for your growing baby.  Hang in there!!  The nausea should subside along with some of the fatigue shortly after you enter that second trimester.  There is an end in sight, even if it doesn't seem like it right now!

PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK - WEEK 7

What is happening with the baby:
The hands and feet are emerging from the developing arms and legs.  They may look more like paddles at this point.  You baby is still considered an embryo and has something like a small tail.  This is an extension of the tailbone.  The tail will disappear within a few weeks.  That will be the only thing getting smaller.  Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long.  That would be about the size of a blueberry.
If you could see inside your womb, you'd see spot eyelid folds partially covering her eyes, which already have some color.  You would also see the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment thin skin.  Both sides of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role.  The baby also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the the hormone insulin to aid in digestion.  A loop in the baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

Changes in your body:
Your uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks.  Eating may be very difficult right now; especially if you are experiencing nausea.  If you are feeling sick, hang in there!  For most, it does get better within a few weeks.  You may also need to urinate more frequently.  This is due to the increase in blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through your kidneys.  By now, you already have about 10 percent more blood than you did before you were pregnant.  By the end of your pregnancy, you will have 40 to 45 percent more blood running through your veins to meet the demands of a full term baby.  And as your uterus grows, pressure on your bladder will send you to the restroom more.

PREGNANCY - WEEK BY WEEK, WEEK 6

This weeks developments for your baby:
The nose, mouth and the ears are beginning to form.  If your could see inside your uterus, you'd see an over sized head and dark spots where the baby's eyes and nostrils are beginning to take shape.  The ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head and the arms and legs are protruding buds.  His/her heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute (almost twice as fast as yours) and blood is beginning to course through its body.  The intestines are developing and the bud of tissue that will help the lungs to rise, has appeared.  The pituitary gland is forming, as well as the rest of the brain, muscles, and bones.  Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long.

This weeks developments for your body:
You may find yourself on an emotional roller coaster.  You may feel great one minute and not so great the next.  Remember this is normal.  It can be very difficult if you are one to normally have your emotions in check.  But again, this is very normal so don't worry.  This does tend to taper off later on in the pregnancy.  You will still have your emotional periods, but it probably won't seem nearly as bad as it does now.  And your life is about to change dramatically so that, in and of itself, can be very emotional.

Remember that spotting CAN be normal in early pregnancy, but you should still call your health care provider if you see any of this as it can also be related to other complications as well.

PREGNANCY - WEEK BY WEEK, WEEK 5

If you don't know that you are pregnant yet, you are beginning to think that it just might be possible!!!  Your period is late, but you may feel like it is going to start at any time.  Your breasts are slightly enlarged and tender.  They may feel quite heavy.  You may notice that you need to urinate more frequently than usual.

The embryo is about 1/10 in (2mm) long and would be visible to the naked eye by now.  The spine is beginning to form and the brain has two lobes.

WARNING SIGNS DURING PREGNANCY: WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK OUT FOR???

While it is true that the majority of pregnancies go smoothly and are uneventful, complications can arise.  It is important that you know the warning signs to look out for, and to report any of those symptoms to your health care provider.  Some important warning signs to look out for are:

• persistent or severe headaches
• blurred vision or spots before your eyes
• severe abdominal pain or cramps, possibly with nausea or diarrhea
• severe or persistent vomiting
• high fever (above 101 degrees F)
• marked swelling in your upper body (face and hands)
• vaginal spotting/bleeding
• marked decrease in out put of urine
• marked decrease or stopping of fetal movement you feel (from the 5th month on)
• sudden weight gain in just a few days
• gush or flow of watery fluid from your vagina
• regular contractions, getting stronger as time progesses
• constant or severe leg cramps or calf pain

It can be very difficult to know when to call your health care provider and when not to.  Often times, you may fear that you are overreacting to something that might turn out to be unimportant.  But it is ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry.  Please remember that just because a symptom or pain is not on this list, that does not mean that you shouldn't call your health care provider.

HEMORRHOIDS DURING PREGNANCY

It is said that hemorrhoids occur mostly from mid to late pregnancy.  However, they can surface anytime.  Constipation often leads to hemorrhoids.  And as I previously discussed in a previous post, constipation too can happen at anytime.

The increased volume of your circulation causes dilation of veins in your rectum and vagina.  There is lots of added pressure from your growing uterus and the weight of the baby.  That is why it is said that hemorrhoids are more common later on in pregnancy.

Things you can try to try to avoid hemorrhoids are:

• First, try not to become constipated.  Constipation will make hemorrhoids all the more painful.  Make an effort not to strain during a bowel movement.
• Use the pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises to strengthen the muscles around the vagina and anus.  Tighten this part of your body and hold it for a few seconds, then relax slowly.  Try doing this at least 40 times a day, gradually increasing up to 100 times or more, per day.
• Ice packs may help ease the pain.  This also works for varicose veins of the vagina as well as for rectal hemorrhoids.
• Witch Hazel may be soothing.  Soak a clean cloth or gauze square and hold it on your hemorrhoids for 20 minutes while you rest.
• Ask your health care provider if medication such as Preparation H would be appropriate for you at this time in your pregnancy.  To my knowledge, Preparation H is safe the entire time, but you want to ask to be sure.

Hemorrhoids can be EXTREMELY painful.  With my last baby, I got them so bad at the end of my pregnancy, that nothing would help me.  I couldn't sleep.  I could hardly even walk or take care of my other children.  I tried every thing over the counter known to man.  I even tried home remedies.  And there are some crazy ones!!  My doctor prescribed me a cream (Proctofoam), but that didn't work either.  I ended up having to have surgery.  So I urge you to speak with your health care provider if the things that he/she recommend are not working.  You may need more help!

Early Pregnancy, Weeks 3 and 4

You have probably not noticed anything different yet.  Some women do complain of a strange metallic taste in their mouth right about now though.

The fertilized egg has arrived in your uterus.  It has embedded itself in the uterine lining.  It is nourished from blood vessels in the lining of the uterus.  The placenta begins to form around it.  Even before you may know that you are pregnant, the baby's central nervous system, heart, and lungs start to develop.  The tiny little heart begins to beat.

By the end of the 4th week, the baby is about 3/16 of an inch long.  Although distinct facial features cannot yet be seen, the face is beginning to form and dark circles mark where the eyes will be.