WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

The fertilized egg has made its seven- to ten-day trip to the uterus, where it implants cozily into the endometrial surface.

It is now called a blastocyst and it has divided into two parts. While you are reading this, the first part is forming the placenta and the second part will become the embryo.

The two layers that make up the amniotic bag of waters are newly formed, and the very beginning of the connecting stalk -- which will become the umbilical cord -- has appeared. Until your placenta is fully functioning, the yolk sac, now present, will feed your baby. Basically, the "home" for your little one is under rapid construction!

EATING FOR TWO

Hopefully you have already been taking a daily prenatal vitamin that contains 400 micrograms of folic acid. If not, start taking one now. Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that reduces neural tube defects in babies and is especially critical prior to conception and during these early weeks of pregnancy.

Some studies have suggested that folic acid may lower the incidence of miscarriages and reduce the likelihood of a preterm delivery. Folic acid can be found naturally in liver, fortified cereals or whole-grain breads, dried peas and beans, leafy vegetables, fruit and yeast.



FACT OF THE WEEK

As soon as you discover you are pregnant, schedule your first appointment with your OB/GYN or midwife. Early Prental care is essential. These initial weeks are some of the most important in your baby's physical development.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Your body is working overtime to produce a special new life. You may feel exhausted and unusually cranky. Of course, running to the bathroom every few minutes doesn't help.

This is due to your increased metabolism and growing uterus. Your breasts may be particularly tender now and you may find that sleeping in a sports bra helps. Don't worry, breast growth will slow within the next three weeks.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

During the next few days, your baby's heart will start early contractions, which later become distinct beats. By the end of the third week of gestation (five weeks in menstrual age) the length of the embryo is about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long. All of your baby's major organs are under development, and facial features, such as ears and eyes, begin to form.

The neural tube, which will later be referred to as the spinal cord, will fuse this week. And buds appear that will soon be the arms and legs. No wonder you are so tired!

EATING FOR TWO

In certain areas across the country, tap water may be unsafe during pregnancy. High levels of lead have been identified in some cities and can cause birth defects.

 Although drinking bottled water may seem like a preferable alternative, it, too, may contain contaminants and the lack of fluoride may have an effect on your baby's teeth. Your best bet is to speak with your practitioner. Local water testing may be available to you through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well.

FACT OF THE WEEK

If your café latté is a morning addiction, instead consider ordering a steamed milk with froth on top. Having a soothing (and healthy) drink will help you continue your morning ritual, while giving your baby added calcium and avoiding too much caffeine. Minerals such as calcium and iron are not affected negatively by steaming -- so enjoy!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Feeling positively ill? Does the smell of coffee make you want to dash for the bathroom? If so, it sounds like morning sickness. Nausea affects one third to one half of all pregnant women and usually abates by the start of the second trimester.

It may be caused by a higher level of estrogen, as well as the rapid expansion of the uterus. But wait, there is some good news: Studies show that morning sickness may be related to a slightly lower risk of miscarriage. (Please don't worry if you are feeling perfectly fine. Count your blessings!)

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Your baby's length is now about 3 to 5 millimeters -- about the size of a peppercorn! The brain is forming three separate parts: the forebrain (memory and reasoning), the midbrain (translates messages from the brain to organs and limbs) and the hindbrain (regulates breathing and muscle movement). At this point the embryo is now three-dimensional and completely enclosed in the amniotic sac.

Your baby's heart is now beating and blood circulation is evident. The kidneys and liver are growing fast, and the neural tube, which connects the brain with the spinal cord, closes.

The placenta is rapidly developing, however, it will not take over hormone production until about week 12.

EATING FOR TWO

• Avoiding morning sickness can be a challenge. Here are some tips that should help:
• Before bedtime, eat a protein snack that contains some natural starch or sugars.
• When the alarm clock sounds, nibble on crackers before getting out of bed and wait 20 minutes before rising.
• For breakfast, limit fats and have fruit or juices at the end of the meal.
• Ginger has been found to be effective in treating nausea: Try chewing on natural gingersnaps (made with real ginger), candied ginger, drink some ginger "beer" (nonalcoholic) or tea, or take in capsule form.
• You can also take 50 mg of vitamin B6 twice a day, but never exceed 200 mg in one day. Or you may try yogurt, which is a natural way to load up on B6.
• In some cases, eating a high-carbohydrate diet seems to help alleviate nausea.
• A high-protein diet, which includes soy, milk, cheese and fish, also may help.
• Most important, eat frequent small meals and always keep an emergency snack of a banana or crackers in your purse so you aren't caught empty-handed.

Morning Sickness: Your Survival Guide

FACT OF THE WEEK

Stress can make morning sickness worse, as well as increase fatigue, indigestion and the chances of developing back and neck pain and headaches. So if you are a type A person, you might want to make an appointment with yourself to meditate, relax, and yes, even sleep. Now is an excellent time to sign up for prenatal yoga classes, but get your practitioner's approval first. If nothing else, go to bed an hour earlier than usual. Your body definitely needs all the help it can get as it works overtime to nourish and sustain a new life

You are 7 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Rapid acceleration of hormones can cause your face to break out. Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleaner and drink plenty of water. If you are taking vitamin B6 to help with nausea, you may find it also improves the condition of your skin.

Your waist may already be expanding, causing your clothes to feel snug. You may experience constipation and have occasional bouts of indigestion. Some women also feel a bit dizzy or lightheaded at times. (Of course, any persistent symptoms that concern you should be immediately reported to your practitioner.)

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Your baby-to-be is the size of a small bean, measuring in at approximately 9 to 11 millimeters, crown to rump. Dark spots, mark the early formation of the eyes. Pits indicate the formation of nostrils and ears. Your baby's brain is developing rapidly, and limbs and facial characteristics are now forming. Your baby's heart now has a right and left chamber. An ultrasound may be able to detect heart motion. The esophagus and trachea are changing and differentiating into separate tubes, with lungs positioned on either side.

EATING FOR TWO

Cravings and food aversions are very common during the first trimester. Most of these reactions will disappear by the time you near your fourth month of pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, craving certain foods does not necessarily indicate that your body is demanding that particular item. So, you may not want to indulge in daily helpings of rocky road ice cream. A good rule of thumb is to indulge in all cravings that are healthy and seek alternatives for your more unhealthy cravings. Perhaps plain yogurt with strawberries can be substituted for strawberry ice cream.

Also if you can't stand the taste of particular food and avoid it, be sure to fulfill your nutritional requirements with a food of similar nutritive value.

You are 8 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Are you feeling a bit bloated? Indigestion and bloating are common complaints of pregnancy. A slowed digestive process causes these symptoms and allows your bloodstream to better absorb nutrients that are then passed on to your baby.

You may find relief from wearing loose-fitting clothes, eating small, frequent meals, chewing your food thoroughly and avoiding high fat foods.

No matter how uncomfortable these sensations are for you, rest assured that your baby is oblivious to your pain. As long as it doesn't affect your ability to eat healthy meals, your discomfort may be a nuisance, but it is harmless.

You are 9 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Your breasts may be feeling full and tender. This can be one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy. The areola typically darkens and Montgomery's glands, lubricating sweat glands on the areola, may become prominent and more numerous. Especially for those with a light complexion, veins in the breast often become more pronounced. 


Emotionally, you may feel like you are suffering from an ongoing bout of PMS. Even silly commercials may make you cry!

You are 10 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

This is an excellent time to schedule a dental appointment. Proper cleaning -- along with an adequate intake of calcium, protein and vitamins B, C and D -- will help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Moms-to-be should pay special attention to their oral health. The American Academy of Periodontology advises that pregnant women with periodontal disease may be up to seven times more likely to deliver a preterm low birth weight baby. Furthermore, when the disease affects at least 30 percent of the mouth, the risk is even greater. 


Hormonal changes occur during pregnancy that can affect the gums. The gums may become swollen and inflamed in response to bacteria along the gum line.

This is called "pregnancy gingivitis." It usually appears during the third to ninth month of pregnancy.

Tips for good dental health during pregnancy:

1. Be sure to tell your dentist that you are pregnant as it may affect the type of care you need and receive.

2. Routine dental X-rays can be postponed until after delivery. If disease is suspected, or an emergency arises, dental X-rays are considered safe. You should be shielded with a lead apron.

3. Hormonal changes can contribute to inflammation of the gums if your oral hygiene is not good. Seek dental care right away if your gums are swollen or bleed when you clean your teeth.

4. Familiarize yourself with the dental care your dentist advises for your new baby. Ask your dentist for advice.

5. Stop smoking. Smoking can lead to increased risk for periodontal disease and of course will lead to health problems for you and the baby.

6. Brush teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and use dental floss.

7. Maintain excellent nutrition and avoid sweet between-meal snacks as they lead to acid which attacks tooth enamel and causes tooth decay.

8. If you are troubled by frequent vomiting, due to early pregnancy nausea, this can leave stomach acids in your mouth. If this acid is not cleared away quickly, it can damage the surfaces of your teeth and promote tooth decay.

Rinse your mouth with water, or use a fluoride mouth rinse after vomiting, to freshen your mouth and protect your teeth from the damaging action of stomach acids.

9. Hormonal influences may cause a soft tissue growth along the gum line over one or two teeth. This fleshy tag of tissue is known as an "epulis." Although they are very vascular and therefore bleed easily with tooth brushing, they are harmless and resolve quickly after delivery

• 1 cup cow's milk or soy milk: 300 mg (Some experts say the calcium in soy milk is more easily absorbed)
• 1 cup nonfat yogurt: 452 mg
• 1 ounce parmesan cheese: 390 mg
• 1 cup collards: 300 mg
• 1 cup broccoli: 135 mg
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese: 114 mg
• Tofu (100 grams firm tofu): 205 mg

You may have heard that spinach and Swiss chard are high in calcium, however, they contain oxalic acid, which can reduce the body's absorption of calcium. Eat them in moderation.

FACT OF THE WEEK

What exactly is the CVS test and should you consider it? CVS, or chorionic villus sampling, is usually done between weeks 10 and 13, and involves the removal of a small amount of chorionic villus tissue from the implantation site. This procedure is performed much earlier in the pregnancy than amniocentesis, and results are obtained in a few days.

Its diagnostic accuracy rate is 97.8 percent, as compared to an amniocentesis, which is 99.4 percent. It also carries a slightly higher risk of miscarriage -- .8 percent greater than amniocentesis.

For women who have an elevated risk of passing along a genetic problem, such as Tay-Sachs, or of carrying a Down's syndrome child, the test may be well worth the small risk.

If you are considering this test, choose a center or hospital with a strong safety record and wait until after the tenth week of pregnancy.

You are 11 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

You may be suffering with more frequent headaches as a result of the change in your hormone levels. You can help prevent headaches before they start by eating regularly, drinking plenty of fluids, getting adequate sleep and keeping stress levels low.

Ask your care provider if you can treat headaches with Tylenol (acetaminophen), a pain medication that is considered safe for pregnant women. If you experience frequent headaches, if the headache is the by-product of a fever, or if it causes visual disturbances or puffiness in the hands and face, call your practitioner immediately.


WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Your baby-to-be is about 50 millimeters crown to rump and weighs about eight grams (about a quarter of an ounce). The irises are now forming. The liver, intestines, brain and lungs are beginning to function on their own. The primitive "tail" is now gone.

The intestines are beginning to migrate into the abdominal cavity and the external genitalia are present but difficult to distinguish.

Now that most of the major organ work is done, your baby adds such details as hair, fingernails and toenails. While your baby's head is nearly as large as the rest of her body, head growth begins to slow during this period.

EATING FOR TWO

Actually, you aren't eating for two. You are eating for one and .000007865! Realistically, at this time, you only need to increase consumption by 300 to 500 calories per day.

 That's just one bran muffin and a baked potato! It's important that every calorie you consume be one that is nutrient dense.

Okay, you can splurge on chocolate every so often, but you might not want to always gobble it down with a glass of milk. While milk is great for your baby, chocolate slightly decreases your body's ability to absorb calcium.


FACT OF THE WEEK

If you have begun to gain excessively, it may be time to nip bad eating habits in the bud. Are you giving in to unhealthy cravings?

Practitioners often recommend that total weight gain be kept between 25 and 35 pounds. Gaining more than 35 pounds can make postpartum weight loss more of a challenge.

You are 12 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

As you approach your second trimester, any nausea you may have experienced probably will begin to subside. You may also notice the linea nigra (black line), a dark line of pigmentation creeping up your abdomen -- especially if you have a dark complexion.

Your uterus has risen above your pubic bone, and your care provider will be able to feel it during an abdominal exam. It is about the size of a softball.

Around this time, you may begin to "show." For first-timers, "showing" may occur a bit later, as strong abdominal muscles can help to hide your pregnancy.


WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Your baby-to-be is now 60 to 65 millimeters long or about two and a half inches long, and weighs about 14 grams. He or she has the ability to swallow and absorb and discharge fluids. Hands, now complete, are growing fingernails. Even tooth buds are appearing.

Your baby's face now has a distinctly human appearance. The amniotic sac contains about 50 cubic centimeters of fluid (one and one half ounces). This week, your placenta takes over the important task of hormone production.

EATING FOR TWO

Contrary to what you may have heard, there is no need to give up your vegetarian diet to ensure that your baby receives adequate protein, B12, calcium and vitamin D.

Taking a prenatal vitamin is a must, as some types of vegetarian diets can be deficient in certain nutrients that are needed for pregnancy. Please consult with your practitioner or a registered dietitian to learn about ways to boost nutritional intake through food combinations. Here are some additional tips for vegetarians:

• Use iodized salt or sea salt to meet iodine requirements.
• Consider the use of iron supplements if your hemoglobin is low. Dietary iron is more readily absorbed than the iron in most supplements, so eat a diet high in iron, including dark red beans, chick peas, dark green and dark yellow veggies, fortified cereals like Total and Product 19.
• Drink soy milk or eat soy yogurt daily.
• Read Frances Moore Lappe's Diet for a Small Planet to learn more about food combinations.
• Choose tofu that has been coagulated with calcium.
• Eat and drink pure soybean products that don't contain sucrose.

FACT OF THE WEEK

Still smoking? Babies born to moms who smoke during pregnancy are almost twice as likely to develop asthma as those whose moms refrained from lighting up, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Experts estimate that between five to fifteen percent of asthma cases in children could be eliminated if moms-to-be quit smoking.