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Congratulations! |
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You are in
Week 6 of Your Pregnancy |
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Size: .08 - .16 inches
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| You are well into your second month of pregnancy and your
baby's major organs and systems are forming but are not completely developed.
Your placenta is in the early stages of exchanging nutrients from the
your body for waste products produced by your baby. |
Your Baby
The cluster of cells takes on the shape of a baby with a prominent head and dark eyespots. The vital organs including the brain, spinal cord, heart, kidneys, liver, and stomach also start to form. With all this activity, week 6 marks the beginning of a vital 4-week embryonic period (the time when most malformations can happen.)
You
This is the week that women usually get hit hardest by first trimester pregnancy symptoms. Some women don’t experience any discomfort at all in their first trimester -- yippee for them -- but most do. If you’ve got morning sickness (which in many cases is a misnomer for “all-day sickness”) here are a few tips: Try eating tiny meals all day long, not allowing your stomach to get to full or too empty; keep a stash of crackers with you at all times. Eat foods that appeal to you and stay away from ones that can irritate your stomach or cause lots of gas (e.g., spicy, fatty, or greasy foods) And, by all means, avoid strong odors and tight-fitting clothes.
There are certain foods that you should eat sparingly or avoid altogether during pregnancy. They may make you sick and could affect your baby’s development. A few are listed below, but you should ask your doctor for a current list:
- Unpasteurized milk and juice
- Soft cheeses (e.g. goat cheese, brie, blue cheese)
- Raw or undercooked meats and fish
- Deli meat
And if you have a cat, don’t change that litter box, or wear rubber gloves if you have too. There is a danger of toxoplasmosis.
