Mom’s Tip of the Week 4
Did you know ... ?
Your baby’s organs will begin to form next week. That’s why, at 4 weeks pregnant, it is an especially critical time to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. Check out “What Is a Healthy, Balanced Diet for Pregnancy?” And remember that a prenatal supplement is great nutritional insurance.
Your Baby at 4 Weeks Pregnant
What’s Happening in There
- Your baby is the size of a poppy seed.
- Your baby at 4 weeks is still a blastocyst. The blastocyst is a complex ball of cells with a hard outside shell and a soft inner shell. The outer layer is responsible for implantation in your uterus and will eventually develop into the placenta. The inner portion will develop into the embryo.
- Your baby implants in your uterine wall. This week, the blastocyst implants itself in your uterus. This is a big milestone in your pregnancy. In fact, your uterus has been preparing for this moment: The lining is thick with blood and ready to nourish the embryo.
- You may have breakthrough bleeding. Some women experience a little bleeding, often mistaken as a period, when the blastocyst implants in the uterine wall.
- You may get a positive result on a pregnancy test. This may be possible toward the end of week 4. Once you have that result, be sure to begin scheduling prenatal visits with your doctor.
Baby Brain Waves
Your Baby’s Brain Is Developing
At 4 weeks pregnant your baby begins drawing nutrients from your uterine wall—and therefore from the foods that you are eating. In the first half of your pregnancy, your protein needs are the same as they were before you became pregnant which is 46 g/day or 0.8 g/kg/day. In the second half of your pregnancy, your protein needs increase to 71 g/day or 1.1 g/kg/day. Taking in too little of this key nutrient can affect your baby’s brain development overall, as well as in specific areas, including the hippocampus (involved in memory) and the cortex (which plays a key role in memory, attention, and language).
Pregnancy Health
Real Issues, Real Solutions
The issue: Taking in the proper amounts of nutrients is vital to your health and your baby’s development, but it’s equally important to know what foods to pass up during your pregnancy.
The solution: Check out a clear guide to foods to avoid for moms-to-be.
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