By 4 weeks pregnant, most women realize that they're expecting. Learn about early pregnancy symptoms, find out what foods to avoid and how to achieve a balanced. 26 Weeks Pregnant: The 26th Week Of Pregnancy. This is the last week of the second trimester. Time may seem to drag, but just remember that you are one week closer to. A guide on pregnancy at 30 weeks with information on what to expect, baby development, and symptoms. Learn all about being 30 weeks pregnant. Weeks Pregnant - Big Changes For Your Body. Big changes for your body. What's happening with you: You will likely feel certain changes in your body this week, particularly in your abdomen. Your uterus is enlarged, you feel heavy with fatigue and you may notice some whitish vaginal discharge called leucorrhea by this point in your pregnancy. Many women will also start to experience some pain and discomfort in a few other areas by week 8. For instance, breast tenderness and swelling is common as your tissue grows in preparation for lactation, your growing uterus (now the size of a grapefruit) may lead to sciatic- nerve pain and your surging hormones may leave you constipated. On top of all this, some unlucky moms- to- be will experience acne and skin troubles reminiscent of their teenage years. While you can feel particularly uncomfortable as your baby goes through this very important developmental phase, steer clear of medication. This stage of pregnancy brings the highest chance of miscarriage, and although most miscarriages cannot be traced to a specific cause, you should be very careful about what you take into your body right now to increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. What's happening with your baby: An 8 week ultrasound would show that your baby is now the size of a kidney bean, and its tiny body has come a long way in just seven days. The very simple facial features that developed last week have become much more complex: the retinas of the eyes now have nerve cells and the eyelid folds are forming, plus the tip of the nose is now distinct. The ears were just small indentations a few days ago but now they are developing their internal and external parts. And the complexities don't stop there. The aortic and pulmonary valves of the heart are present (helping the heart pump at an extraordinary rate), the arms have elbows and baby's limbs have the beginnings of fingers and toes. The fetus can even make sporadic movements by now, though they are far too faint for you to feel. Things to do this week: Fighting morning sickness and staying nourished can be a challenge in your first trimester, and now that cravings have started you may find that you're reaching for quick snacks and empty calories most of the time. If you want to save yourself time and frustration, consider investing in a quality blender this week to help you keep up a healthy diet for pregnancy. If your tummy is able to handle liquids better than solids right now, you can get the nutrients you need by using a blender. That's not to say that you should blend up all your meals (yuck), but rather that you should think outside the plate. Smoothies and soups are two very satisfying dishes with the potential to be healthy heavyweights, and with a good blender you can whip them up in the blink of an eye. If you want to stretch your investment further, look for a particularly powerful and versatile model that is guaranteed to last - - it will be great for your smoothies and snacks now, but a fantastic tool for making homemade baby food down the road. Medical musts: Take comfort in the fact that less than 1. Most pregnancies will reach the second trimester without any complications, but if you experience the sudden onset of any strange pain, bleeding or other symptom this week, it could spell trouble for you and your baby. Miscarriages can have mysterious causes, and even if you avoid germs and health hazards (called teratogens) problems can arise. It's important to keep an eye out for any signs of miscarriage so that you can protect your health and safety. Vaginal bleeding followed by cramping, pain that begins in your lower back and moves to your abdomen or pain that comes and goes can signal that a miscarriage is about to happen or is already happening. The good news is that if you begin to experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll miscarry - - contact your doctor right away and follow her directions to rest and monitor your body. Tips for your partner: If mom- to- be is alright with it, take part in the medical side of things. Offer an opinion when it comes to selecting a doctor or midwife (though honor your partner's decision), familiarize yourself with the doctor- patient routine and, most importantly, make it to the appointments. The majority of expectant mothers want their partners to come with them to their prenatal visits, but you should go for your own reasons as much as for hers. After all, you will be surprised and delighted when you hear and see your baby for the first time - - an experience you won't want to miss. At this point, expect more opportunity for Q& A than glimpses into your baby's existence when you visit the doctor or midwife. Make a list of questions for the first prenatal visit, including those questions that mom- to- be is too shy to ask, and don't be afraid to request answers in plain language instead of medical lingo. Both you and your partner will feel better about what you're going through and what you can expect when you clearly understand everything the doctor says. Finally, joining your partner on her prenatal visits is a great way to begin your parenting routine. You share the responsibility for the little life inside of her, and approaching issues, concerns and decisions together from the very beginning will let you become comfortable with compromise and help you better understand each other's point of view. This week's FAQs: When can I announce my pregnancy to friends and family? This is a very personal decision, and while some expectant moms will dial up their loved ones as soon as they find out, others prefer to go the . The bottom line is that the right time for one person may be the wrong time for another, so weigh the pros and cons to decide when to announce your pregnancy. If you've lost a pregnancy before, you may be extra reluctant to break the news early, but if you've been trying to get pregnant for quite some time, you may find it near impossible to hold in your enthusiasm. When it comes to work, you may be nervous about telling your boss for fear that the reaction will be less than ecstatic. Understand that there are slight risks to telling early, but a warm response can make divulging your secret worthwhile. And when it comes to work, don't let anxiety sully your excitement - - you have rights as a pregnant worker, and if you show that you are still committed to doing a good job, many businesses will appreciate your honesty and forewarning. Are there any precautions I should be taking to avoid infection? Since certain infections may lead to miscarriage, you should be extra careful about what you do and what you eat these days. Obviously, you should avoid spoiled food and raw meats, but did you know that bacteria and viruses can hide in fresh food, too? Raw vegetables should be thoroughly scrubbed, and keep sprouts out of your refrigerator entirely. Only drink pasteurized juice and switch from over easy to scrambled eggs for the remainder of your pregnancy. Also, listeria can hide in cold cuts and cured meats, so even the . Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by bacteria that can live in animal feces and even some uncooked meats, and since it can harm your developing baby, it's best to avoid any situation that raises your risk of contracting the illness. On the other hand, many pet owners have developed immunity to toxoplasmosis, so you may want to get tested to determine your chances of catching the disease. How often will I need to start seeing my doctor or midwife? After your first prenatal visit (which will likely be this week or next), you can expect to have an appointment once a month until week 3. Once you hit week 3. Not every visit will involve an exciting event or a series of prenatal tests. Unless you are having a high- risk pregnancy, don't expect to have an ultrasound until at least week 1. What you can expect at each visit is a brief physical assessment to make sure your weight gain is on track, blood pressure is good and your uterus is growing as it should be. Of course, every pregnancy is different, and sometimes your doctor will want to see you more or run tests more often, so try to remain flexible and patient as you continue through your pregnancy. Helpful hint: Now that you've chosen a caregiver, you're set for the rest of your pregnancy, right? Well, not necessarily. Remember that your doctor or midwife will take the role of close friend and confidant as you move through your pregnancy - - after all, you'll be meeting up to talk in depth about you and your baby on a regular basis. If you find that you're nervous, distrustful or simply not connecting well with your caregiver, find another one. It pays to have the right professional for you, one who will help to make your journey as smooth and enjoyable as can be, since it can take a very long time to get over a disappointing pregnancy experience. Fetal development - 2. Your baby now weighs a little over one pound/ 5. Her hearing is well established and she can make out a distorted version of your voice, the beating of your heart and your stomach rumblings. Loud noises often heard in utero, such as the barking of a dog next door or the roar of a vacuum cleaner, probably won't bother your child when she hears them outside the womb. Play The Four Seasons for your child and pay attention to her movements. Does she quieten down during adagio sections and speed up for the allegro portions? You may have a budding conductor in your womb. In addition to advances in your baby's hearing, her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. She's swallowing but usually won't pass stool until after birth. Advances in science and technology now mean that a 2. As for you, you may feel clumsy now that your centre of gravity has shifted. Your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and your belly button, once an 'innie', may now stick out. It'll revert to its pre- baby state soon after you give birth. The middle months are a good time to think about a holiday. Find out all you need to know in our travel section. Note: Experts say every baby develops differently - - even in utero. These fetal development pages are designed to give a general idea of how a fetus grows in the womb. Weeks Pregnant - What to Expect. At a glance. Your body will be awash with hormones at this stage. You may get some PMS style feelings such as sore boobs and cramps. It is good to start thinking about lifestyle changes you may need to make. Your baby in week three. Three weeks into your pregnancy, and you might be wondering just how this little miracle occurred (as in the science bit – we'll assume you know the other part!). So here goes: the joining of your partner's sperm and your egg at the moment of conception resulted in a ball of cells (or a blastocyst, if you want to get really technical) which is now starting the 6 day journey from the fallopian tube to the uterus where it will attach itself to the lining of your womb – and in nine months’ time, will result in a real live baby in your arms! Amazingly, although you won’t know for a few months (or until the birth) the sex of your baby has already been determined. The fertilised egg contains 4. You as mum will always provide the X chromosome but the dad can provide an X or Y chromosome. XX and you’ll be having a girl, XY and you’ll have a little boy in 9 months’ time! Read more on early pregnancy: You at three weeks pregnant. Even though your body is awash with hormones, you are probably feeling pretty much the same as usual at the moment – you might even by checking your diary and stocking up on the san pro in the na! Any signs of pregnancy now are likely to be very similar to those you experience just before you come on – perhaps some mild cramping, sore, heavy boobs, and generally PMS type feelings. Amazing to think what is actually going on in there! What to think about in week three. Discovering you are pregnant is obviously a totally joyous occasion – but it is also one that can throw up a few practical issues too! You might need to think about making some big lifestyle changes, such as moving house, changing your car, or even re- thinking your long term career plans. Have a look at our money and finances pages for lots of helpful advice on family finance. Found this helpful? Read more on. Bounty Community. Community stories. Amelia. . My Big Fat Positive pregnancy test! Read popular posts from other mums- to be. Your Pregnancy Week by Week: Weeks 2. Week 2. 1Baby: Your baby is steadily gaining fat to keep warm. Growth rate is slowing down, but its organs are still maturing. Your baby's oil glands are making a waxy film, called the vernix caseosa, that covers the skin to keep it supple in the amniotic fluid. Buds for permanent teeth are beginning to form. Mom- to- be: You're starting to show! Your uterus is starting to extend above your navel. You've probably gained 1. Tip of the Week: If you're interested in childbirth classes, now's a good time to start looking for one. Week 2. 2Baby: Your baby's muscles are getting stronger every week now, and the eyelids and eyebrows are developed. Your baby moves a lot and responds to sound, rhythm, and melody. If you sing and talk to your baby now, those sounds may later soothe your newborn. Mom- to- be: Your uterus is still growing, and you're probably feeling pretty good - - no more morning sickness. You may still be getting leg and foot cramps, though, and mild swelling of your ankles and feet. Tip of the Week: To curb cramping, eat more calcium and potassium. Have a glass of milk before bedtime or snack on potassium- rich foods, such as grapefruits, oranges, and bananas. If you do get a leg cramp, try flexing your toes back toward your face and keeping your leg straight. Week 2. 3Baby: Your baby's skin is still wrinkled because your baby still has more weight to gain. Fine hair, called lanugo, on the body sometimes turns darker. Mom- to- be: You've probably gained about 1. While pregnant, you may notice an increase in vaginal secretions that are typically clear- to- yellowish with a faint smell. If the color or odor changes significantly, check in with your health care provider to see if you have an infection. Does the small of your back ache? Lying down, getting massages, and applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to the area can help. Tip of the Week: As your skin stretches, it may become dry and itchy. Keeping it moist with lotions or creams can help. Continued. Week 2. Baby: Your baby is starting to make white blood cells, which will help it fight off disease and infection, and may respond to your touch or sounds. If you haven't felt the baby hiccup yet, you might now. Mom- to- be: Expect to gain about a pound per week this month. Your health care provider may test you for gestational diabetes between this week and 2. Tip of the Week: Your partner might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat by putting an ear to your abdomen. Week 2. 5Baby: Your baby's skin now becomes opaque instead of transparent. The baby's body is still covered with folds, as it needs to grow into its skin. Heartbeat can be heard through a stethoscope or, depending on the position of the baby, by others putting an ear against your belly. Mom- to- be: Besides your uterus growing upward, it may be getting bigger on your abdomen's sides. You may have hemorrhoids, caused by increased blood flow, constipation, indigestion, and heartburn. Tip of the Week: To soothe hemorrhoids, apply an ice pack or witch hazel, or try a sitz bath (soaking your bottom in shallow warm water). Over- the- counter suppositories and/or medicated wipes may also help. Don't take laxatives or mineral oil. What's Happening Inside You? By the end of the sixth month, your baby's finger and toe prints are visible. The eyelids begin to part and the eyes open. Your baby may respond to sounds by moving or increasing the pulse, and you may feel the baby hiccupping. Sources. SOURCES: Mayo Clinic.
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