Your pregnancy by week: Weeks 5 to 8
Week 5
Baby: Your baby is still very young, but his heart, brain, spinal
cord, muscles and bones are starting to develop. It also forms the placenta,
which nourishes your baby, and the amniotic sac, which provides a warm and safe
environment in which your baby can move around easily. The umbilical cord forms
and connects your baby to your blood supply.
Mom-to-be: Now
you might think you are pregnant. You may also notice some early pregnancy
symptoms:
- Feeling nauseous (so-called morning sickness, although it can occur at any time of the day or night)
- Tingling or pain in the chest and darkening of the nipples
- Need to urinate more often
- Feeling more tired than usual
Tip of the week:
You should schedule a visit to the gynecologist as soon as you suspect you are
pregnant. Starting prenatal care early and seeing a doctor is a big step
towards a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
6 week
Baby: Your baby is shaped like a tadpole. Eyes and rudiments of
limbs are formed. During the ultrasound, the doctor may hear a heartbeat.
Between 17 and 56 days is a vulnerable period, as it is during this period that
the child is most sensitive to anything that can affect normal growth.
Mom-to-be:
You may have already gained a few pounds. Or, if you feel sick in the morning,
you may have lost weight - that's okay too. You may start to notice some
changes in your body: slightly tighter clothes around the waist, fuller legs
and chest. During a gynecological examination, the doctor will notice a change
in the size of the uterus.
Tip of the week:
Follow good prenatal habits every day, like eating healthy and taking prenatal
vitamins. If you haven't already, stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
Week 7
Baby: Your child is growing. The rudiments of limbs appear, which
will turn into arms and legs. Many parts continue to develop: the heart, lungs,
intestines, appendix, brain, spinal cord, nostrils, mouth, and eyes.
Mom-to-be:
you are not "showing" yet, but now you really feel the changes in
your body. You may still have morning sickness and your breasts may be tender
and sensitive.
Tip of the week:
Never let your stomach empty completely, this will help you not feel bad. Keep
snacks on hand around the clock and eat many small meals rather than three
large ones. To avoid a drop in blood sugar levels, eat protein, such as adding
cheese to crackers.
Week 8
Baby: Your baby is now in
the sixth week of development. This is a great week to grow. The folds of the
eyelids and ears are formed. Your baby develops tiny webbed fingers and toes
and may even swim in your stomach.
Mom-to-be:
Your blood volume increases and your heart pumps 50% more blood per minute for
your baby. Common symptoms this week are mood swings and nausea triggered by
certain smells.
Tip of the week:
Wear a supportive bra. Proper breast support during pregnancy will help you
feel more comfortable and prevent sagging breasts in the future. Exercises to
keep your chest muscles toned may also be helpful.
What is happening inside you?
Your baby's facial features
continue to develop. Each ear begins with a small skin fold on the side of the
head. Tiny buds that eventually grow into arms and legs are forming. Fingers
and toes too.
The neural tube (brain, spinal cord and other nerve tissues) is well formed. The digestive tract and sense organs begin to develop. Bone begins to replace cartilage.