By now you’ve probably missed a period, and may suspect that you’re pregnant. Your hormone level is probably high enough to show on a pregnancy test. If the test shows negative, it’s a good idea to wait a few days and try again, when the hormone levels will be even higher if you are pregnant.
During this month, you may begin to experience morning sickness. You may feel tired, irritable and weepy. Your emotions can seesaw from one extreme to the other. All of this is not much fun, but it’s quite normal, and will pass. It’s time to make your first visit to your GP or health care center. They will give you a check up, and, if you are on any medication, make sure they discuss this with you. You can also discover what health care options are available to you during pregnancy and childbirth, and get nutritional advice.
If you are not already taking a prenatal supplement, you should start now. Folic acid, calcium and iron are all very important during early pregnancy. Be careful to avoid alchol, drugs, tobacco and infections, as your baby is still at a very crucial stage of development.
Meanwhile, what’s happening inside your uterus? Things are moving fast. By week 5, your baby’s tiny heart is already beating. The neural tube which will become the brain and spinal column is closing, and ears, lungs, liver and other organs are beginning to form. At week 6, the embryo officially becomes a fetus. The brain divides, the spine is forming, and the nervous system is developing. The baby has his own blood now, which may be a different type to yours. It is already being pumped around his own primitive blood vessels. Minute buds appear and soon begin to develop into arms and legs. Blood vessels group together at the site of what will become the umbilical cord. He or she is about half a centimeter long and, unbelievably, is 10 000 times the size of the blastocyst that arrived in your uterus just a few weeks ago!
By week 7, the arms and legs lengthen and it is possible to distinguish the areas where the hands and feet will be. The heart develops, and the eyes are formed. At this stage the eyes look a little odd – they are on the sides of the head! Later they will move to their proper position. Tiny eyelids appear. They are closed, and protectively seal the eyes, just like those of a newborn kitten. They will only open during the seventh month.
During the 8th week, the head is getting bigger. Arms and legs are easily recognizable. All the essential organs exist, and are becoming more complex. Your baby has fingers and toes. He or she is probably nearly a centimeter long, and is now moving about!
If your health care provider suspects that there may be any problems – perhaps due to a history of problems, or perhaps due to bleeding or other symptoms, she may recommend that you have a scan now. Normally, this is only done later.
How are you feeling now? During this month, you may alternate between feeling elated, feeling frightened by the responsibilities and life changes ahead of you, feeling awed by the amazing new life within you – or just plain feeling sick! Here’s the place to air your feelings, and share with other mothers who are traveling with you on this, your greatest adventure.