Welcome to the Pregged pregnancy week-by-week series. Each week-by-week post is separated into three handy sections.
1. Mom – Section one covers the changes mom will experience and the things she may need to consider health-wise.
2. Baby – Section two looks at the development of the fetus and what’s going on with baby inside the womb.
3. Nutrition – Section three covers nutrition for each week of pregnancy so that you know what foods are important to include in your diet at each stage.
6 WEEKS PREGNANT – MOM
Why does everything smell so bad? Your sense of smell is stronger now and is one reasons for food aversions and nausea. Think lemon or lime because that’s the size of your little dumpling now-could fit nicely in the palm of your hand. And speaking about odors—citrusy might help with that. Even your significant other can take on a smell that you never noticed before. Turn up the air conditioner or open the window, whatever it takes to make it through this ordeal. Another interesting tidbit is that your little one really looks like a little human being except for that belly button area. The umbilical cord looks massive now but that’s because the fetal intestines are still hanging outside of the baby’s abdominal wall, getting ready to be brought inside around 12 weeks. I know, it’s weird, but completely expected and normal. It’s about time for your next prenatal visit. During the first 28 weeks, visits with your practitioner usually occur every 4 weeks and blood work is usually done in the first trimester or between 15 and 18 weeks, and then again around 26 weeks to test for diabetes.
Baby Development
Your baby weighs close to a plum which is about 7 grams, but is almost 1 and a half inches long! All the organs have assumed their final destinations. During this period, babies can feel their palms, so they start playing with their hands inside the womb. They can do somersaults, swallow, and look like they are doing synchronized swimming maneuvers. They begin the practice of breathing, and they can hear sounds from outside the womb. Wouldn’t you like to know how scientists figured that out?
Pregnancy Nutrition Week 6
So, how do you feel this week? Are you still suffering from morning sickness? – Don’t worry; you’ll be much better soon! If your appetite hasn’t quite gotten up to speed just yet, you might still worry that you’re not taking in enough of the nutritional right stuff. A protein consists of amino acids that are the tools used by cells to grow and develop for both you and your baby’s bodies. High-protein foods also keep your hunger at bay by stabilizing your blood sugar, and you need at least 75 grams per meal if you are eating three regular meals a day. Lean meat is an excellent option, since it’s also high in iron, critical to helping your baby develop his red blood cell supply and support yours, too (blood volume increases by 30-50% during pregnancy and results in a dilutional anemia—not true anemia due to iron deficiency—though we encourage extra iron intake.) One of the most essential nutrients for pregnant women is a B vitamin called folate (known as folic acid when you take it in a supplement) — and lentils are packed with it. Folate is vital to forming your baby’s brain and nervous system. Lack of folate before pregnancy can result in a condition known as spina bifida that causes the spinal cord to be exposed. Don’t forget your yogurt for you and baby’s calcium intake for healthy bones. You need it, too—for bones and to help your muscles and nerves function. It’s also packed with protein and folate. The active probiotic cultures can improve your gut flora. Blend yogurt with fruit into smoothies, layer with granola for a great breakfast parfait.