baby

By Shirley Whitfield

7 Weeks Pregnant

How about our unborn baby in week 7 of pregnancy? At that time, the size of our baby can be compared to the one of a blueberry. Of course, most of the development is mainly focused on the head because new brain cells tend to be generated at the rate of 100/1 minute. Look! Our baby’s tongue and mouth are gradually forming when his arms and legs bud sprout. The little kidneys at the present time are ready to do their jobs such as pee production and excretion.

Week 7 Of Pregnancy And Its Primary Symptoms

Fatigue

Yes, we are tired. In these weeks, we are still engaged in the challenged task of manufacturing the placenta and getting acquainted with all of the conflicting emotions we are experiencing. Want to know how to fight fatigue? One of the greatest ways to fight tiredness is to eat smaller meals frequently. It also helps our queasy stomach. Don’t hesitate to split our meals into 6 portions. This method not only keeps our body being back on even keel, but also helps to promote our energy level.

Frequent urination

We are still spending much time in the bathroom in the time between the nausea and the necessity of peeing. Bear in mind that the pregnancy hormone hCG tends to be increasing the blood flow to our pelvic area and influence other flows in turn. Don’t forget to drink a lot of liquids, but try to cut back on coffee. During pregnancy, our body and unborn baby will need a regular supply of fluids.

Nausea and Vomiting

Lots of the studies have stated that expectant mothers who are often nauseated in the 1st trimester have a tendency to carry girls, by virtue of the interplay of hormones which are produced by them and the female fetus. However, regardless of how sick we feel and what our baby’s gender is, we will still desire to keep the food down. Don’t be hesitant to pick out any food that attracts us a lot, even though we only eat fruit salads for dinner, breakfast and lunch. Don’t worry as our baby’s nutritional requirements are tiny at that time.

Breast tenderness and noticeable changes

Whether our breast are sprouting the blue veins that start to make them look like the interstate highway map or not? Actually, these important veins can act like highways. It means that they are able to transport the fluids and nutrients from us to our baby after he is born. In order to minimize stretch marks and sagging later on, we are strongly advised to choose an ideal bra now. Perhaps our mother can give us more supportive advice.

Excessive saliva

When feeling queasy is not enough, we can also be dealing with extra saliva that is pooling in our mouth. This experience can end at our 1st trimester. Nevertheless, if it still does, don’t forget to chew much sugarless gum.

Indigestion and Heartburn

After eating, if we have got a sensation from the depths of our stomach to our mouth, then we have got pregnancy-induced heartburn and indigestion. It is time to stay away from our heartburn triggers such as caffeinated drinks or fatty and spicy foods no matter what do them to us. Drink either before or after we eat. Remember! Too much food mixed with too much fluid will aggravate the burn and distend our stomach.

Food cravings and aversions

Be stuck in consuming the same foods night after night since very few ones enchant our picky palate? Don’t worry! We are not robbing our unborn kid of valuable nutrients through eating the same healthy things over and over. In case cravings drive us crazy, give in to them once in a moment, and then consume well for the rest of the day.

To discover more information about this article “7 Weeks Pregnant”, don’t hesitate to leave your questions in the box here.

By Shirley Whitfield

11 Weeks Pregnant

How about our unborn baby in week 11 of pregnancy? Our kid has been quietly busy this week with fingernails, ovaries and growing hair follicles (if this is a pretty girl). At that time, she possesses the distinct characteristics like human with hands and feet in front, ears nearly in her final shape, a tongue and palate in her mouth, open nasal passages in the tip of her nose and even visible nipples. It sounds great, right? What else? Her hands and feet also have individual fingers and toes.

Week 11 Of Pregnancy And Its Remarkable Symptoms

Frequent urination

It is supposed that pregnancy hormone hCG that increases the blood flow to the pelvic area and kidneys can make us feel the necessity for peeing almost all the time. Think about cutback in our fluid intake? It is truly a bad idea! One of the main reasons here is that we and our baby-to-be are really in need of staying hydrated. If possible, we are strongly advised to cut back on some kinds of caffeinated drinks since they may increase our need to urinate frequently.

Breast tenderness and noticeable changes

At this point, our growing breasts can be a turn-on for our spouse because they look very attractive. However, our achy boobs are actually a turn-off for us. Don’t hesitate to tell gently our partner about our extra-sensitive breasts. Don’t worry! He will sympathize with us and understand why we can not be up for lovemaking or even the heavy-duty hug.

Nausea and vomiting

Still get a sense of morning sickness in all day, regardless of morning, noon or night? Now, try to raise us up and remove all of our worries because the odds are very good we have 1 or 2 weeks left of queasiness. Most of the moms-to-be can not experience nausea over the weeks 12 to 14.

Food cravings and aversions

Be still gagging on the smell of our favorite foods? Be craving for meat although we were practically a vegetarian? In fact, the good news here is that those freaky food preferences can be lessened by our fourth month. It is advisable for expectant mothers to supplement their meals with sufficient vitamin and healthy substances. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water!

Excessive saliva

Although experts have not been totally sure what causes this unwanted symptom, the most convincing explanation is the darn pregnancy hormones. Don’t forget to keep our mouth as minty-fresh and dry as possible via brushing our teeth frequently. If necessary, we are also allowed to chew some kinds of sugarless gum for having cool breath and reducing excessive saliva.

Bloating

How may our belly feel inflated once our fetus is still only 2 inches long? At this moment, it is often said that the progesterone in our system has caused our gastrointestinal tract to relax that may slow digestion and leave us feeling over-bloated.

Occasional faintness or dizziness

When our body is not producing enough blood in order to fill our expanding circulatory system, it will lead towards dizziness and fainting. The best way to prevent light-headedness is to keep our blood sugar stable with small and regular meals throughout the day and keep healthy snacks nearby at all times.

Fatigue

Are our two favorite positions in this week lying down and sitting? Obviously, pregnancy fatigue is totally normal. That is because we are running a baby-making factory 24/7 in which we are the only staff and on the clock around the clock. It will cause our pregnant body to work harder at rest. Try to balance our job, activities, diet, sleep, etc. wisely and properly.

To explore more information about this topic “11 Weeks Pregnant”, don’t hesitate to leave your concerns in the box here.

By Shirley Whitfield

When You are at 23 Weeks Pregnant, How is Your Baby Development?

Congratulations! Now, you’re at 23 weeks pregnant. Wondering what is happening to the baby? In week 23, your baby weighs a little over 500g and measures about 20cm from crown to heel. He continues to mature and develop; for instance, the unborn child’s hearing is well-established and he can make out the mother’s distorted voice, heart beat, and stomach rumblings. Loud noise (the dog’s barking, vacuum cleaner’s roar) won’t bother your baby when he’s outside the womb.

How is your baby at 23 weeks pregnant? Inside your belly, the child has started developing a noticeable sleep-wake cycle – there will be periods when he’s awake and active, and times when he’s asleep and resting. During week 23, your baby is about the size of a papaya and filling out rather nicely. You can expect him to nearly double his weight over the next 4 weeks. Also, in addition to advance in your baby’s hearing, his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing; however, he won’t pass his first stool (mecomium) until after birth.

Symptoms & Tips at 23 Weeks Pregnant

What happen to you? Because of a growing belly and weight, your pregnancy, at this stage, may continue to experience physical pregnancy symptoms. These symptoms can often include: foot growth, heat rashes, red palms and soles of feet, skin tags, stretch marks, skin discoloration, facial skin darkening, insomnia, increased appetite, bloating, snoring, tingling hands, bleeding gums, and forgetfulness. Yet, one of the symptoms that most women can experience during week 23 of pregnancy is ‘chloasma‘ – the formation of dark patches on the skin.

Why you often feel breathless easily? Your baby’s development at 23 weeks makes your uterus expands – other organs begin to become squashed to make room for the unborn child. The ribs moving upwards and outwards mean you have less room to take deep breaths; this makes you feel like you’re wearing a corset. In this case, you should try to do exercise gently and particularly yoga – it helps improving fitness and teaching you deep breathing techniques.

Furthermore, because your stomach is squashed, you can easily get heartburn or indigestion, and could feel super full after meals. Your bladder will also get squeezed that means you have to head to the toilet more frequently.

What should you do to have a healthy pregnancy? Getting into the habit of staying well-hydrated is crucial. Water is the best, but fruit or vegetable juices are fine, as well as milk. Staying hydrated helps you avoid headaches, urinary tract infections, and uterine cramping. If your urine has the bright yellow or orange-brown color, you are clearly dehydrated. Be active and don’t sit for long periods of time to reduce undue cankle-age, remember.

From week 6 to week 24, pregnancy tends to increase the risk of urinary tract infections, so if your symptoms are not simple from the pregnancy, plus you suspect an infection, speak with a health care provider about the treatment.

Of course, it’s a lot of responsibility, but you can do it. You’re at 23 weeks pregnant, so keep up the good work, mama!

By Shirley Whitfield

10 Weeks Pregnant

How about our unborn baby in week 10 of pregnancy? At that time, our baby has the size of the prune, and he has the small indentations on his legs that will become knees and ankles soon! His tiny arms have elbows which can bend. Beside his lovely mouth, the tiny buds of his teeth are likely to be forming under his gums. In addition, his kidneys and stomach are kicking into gear that will produce digestive juices and even urine. The testes of the male baby may even make testosterone.

Week 10 Of Pregnancy And Its Prominent Symptoms

Fatigue

Probably, we still feel as though our get-up-and-go has had a tendency to get up and go. Don’t worry! In this week, we may be feeling less tired. Don’t become the super mom-to-be in the time. Try to ask for assistance, get the rest and even work with some useful exercises as we can. Although it is likely to be counter-intuitive to go for a walk once we desire to crawl into bed, we shall feel peppier and sleep better.

Nausea and vomiting

When we are feeling queasy, what is the worst thing we may do? Skip a meal. In some cases, missing a meal merely makes these terrible feelings more intense. Nevertheless, if eating anything is truly turning our stomach, we are advised to try with acupressure or seasickness bands. Sometimes, holding a ginger candy in our mouth can not be a bad idea.

Food cravings and aversions

Between these queasy feelings and food aversions, we have kept our weight down. Is it all right? Yes, this is completely OK because our unborn kid’s nutritional needs are very minuscule at that moment. However, we don’t wish to go crazy on the cravings. We are allowed to indulge once in a while or even instead of a brownie, we can eat a bite-sized piece of chocolate. In case we find it hopeless of control our cravings, don’t hesitate to call a friend, head to the gym, go for a walk or read a book.

Heartburn and indigestion

Want to know how to avoid heartburn? Don’t consume anything while we are lying down or after eating a big meal, don’t lie down immediately! Once we sleep, don’t forget to make use of the pillows (about 6 inches) to prop up our head. This will keep these gastric juices down now!

Flatulence

When our hormones continue to relax all of our muscles, these muscles in our gastrointestinal tract tend to be relaxing too. It means that there will be more indigestion and intestinal gas. One of the most effective ways is to steer clear of some kinds of foods which produce the most gas. We can find it useful to keep the record of what we consume so that we can see whether there is a connection between foods or not. After that, we may avoid these unexpected triggers.

Occasional headaches

What has a tendency to account for these new headaches during pregnancy? They can be fatigue, stress and hunger. It is all right to use acetaminophen, yet not ibuprofen. It is very necessary to try other methods of soothing our savage head such as lying down in the dark room, taking fresh-air breaks or putting the cold compress on our neck or face.

Occasional faintness or dizziness

In week 10 of pregnancy, our body is still acquainted with the blood pumping through it. As a result, it is no surprise to understand why we feel dizzy at times. Try to guarantee to sit or lie down when we feel light-headed. In order to minimize dizzy spells, it is advisable to stay hydrated and carry the healthy snacks for the quick blood-sugar boost.

To know more details about this article “10 Weeks Pregnant”, you are always welcomed to leave your concerns in the box here.

By Shirley Whitfield

24 Weeks Pregnant – Is There any Great Change in the Mother and Baby?

Past the week 23; now, you are at 24 weeks pregnant. What is happening in this stage of your pregnancy? How your baby is developing? The unborn child weighs more than 600g and is starting to fill the space in the mother’s womb. From crown to heel, he could measure about 30cm. Though your baby still has little body fat and his skin is thin & fragile, he’s well-proportioned. You’ll realize that his brain is growing rapidly, his taste buds have fully developed, as well as his footprints and fingerprints are continuing to form.

As we are discussing about the fatal development in week 24, you may want to know carefully how your baby’s growing. He’s having gained about 4 ounces since last week that puts him at about 1 1/3 pounds (600 grams). He has the length as similar as an ear of corn. Inside his little body, his lungs are developing ‘branches’ of the respiratory tree and cells that help producing surfactant. This substance will support the baby’s air sacs inflate once hitting the outside world. You may feel jumps as the baby has bouts of hiccups; in fact, it seems like he’s in perpetual motion. Some now kick in response to sounds and touch from the outside the uterus.

*Fetus note: If you decide to give birth at week 24, the baby would have about a 50% chance of surviving.

What is Happening to the Mother?

You may notice the stretch marks on your belly, hips, and breasts. Also, some faint, red, or brown streaks (aka ‘striae‘) start displaying on your body. Whereas creams won’t erase them, wearing a supportive bra could help preventing or minimizing these reddish spots on your breasts. No need to worry – they are very common at this stage of the pregnancy (about 90% of women get them). The brown pigmentation in the stretch marks gradually fades and the streaks become lighter than the surrounding skin after you’ve given birth.

Your eyes, also, may be light-sensitive, gritty, and dry. This is a normal pregnancy issue known as ‘dry eye syndrome’. The best ways are to rest your eyes as much as possible, and keep them clean with cotton wool and warm water.

When talking about changes in pregnancy week 24, it’s a must to remind you your uterus’s size. In this stage, it’s about 1 1/2 to 2 inches above your button belly; and, your bump is definitely apparent and difficult to disguise. The majority of expectant mothers may be suffering from muscle aches, heartburn, fatigue, sore feet, and dizziness. Ask for your care provider’s help if you faint as it could be a sign of anemia. Low blood sugar or standing up too fast often causes dizziness, so eat regularly and rise slowly.

A healthy diet is still important at this stage of pregnancy.

Though you’re reaching at 24 weeks pregnant, you may have trouble sleeping and feel tired. Everything is normal, so don’t fret. Ask us if you have any confusing question about the pregnancy week 24.