Baby Care and Parenting Tips

The first few weeks of pregnancy brings about many changes, but not all women will experience them in the same way. While the baby continues to grow rapidly, many women will not feel pregnant for weeks to come.

During the seventh week of pregnancy, the embryo is about the size of a blueberry, measuring one half-inch long. Despite his or her size, however, the embryo is already developing arms and legs along with a small tail, which will later disappear. The hemispheres of the brain develop during this week, as do the liver, appendix, and pancreas. The liver produces red blood cells until bone marrow forms, while the appendix and pancreas prepare to develop insulin, which will later regulate digestion. The umbilical cord is delivering oxygen nutrients to the embryo through the blood vessels that have already developed in the tiny embryo.

For the mother, week seven of pregnancy can mark the beginning of morning sickness. While not all women experience morning sickness, more than half who do will stop feeling nauseous by week fourteen of pregnancy; for others, it can continue throughout the pregnancy, even into the third trimester. The uterus is already twice the size that it was before pregnancy, and blood volume increases by 10 percent. Pressure on the bladder leads to more frequent urination, which will only get worse as the weeks go on.

Week seven of pregnancy can signal the beginning of the rough patch, as the first trimester is notorious for morning sickness and other unpleasant symptoms. However, most women will find relief as time passes.

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Many women who are experiencing pregnancy for the first time are not sure what the symptoms of morning sickness are. Some will even dismiss what they are feeling because they envision it to be something more extreme. The truth is that not all symptoms are severe and that what you feel may indeed be morning sickness.

One of the first symptoms that will probably sneak up on you is fatigue. Although many women will feel tired just from the amount of work that the body is doing, sometimes it will progress into other symptoms as time goes on. Take time to rest as you need it and are able to so that your body has the energy it needs.

The next symptom is one that is often overlooked because it is not really obvious. Women will often find that their sense of smell becomes heightened and many smells become unbearable. Strong smells like perfumes and cooking odors are especially to blame and this can start to lead to serious nausea. Avoid the smells when you can and try to use a fan while cooking to eliminate the strong smells.

As time goes on, you may find that you suddenly have a decreased appetite and just don’t feel hungry as often. This is likely due to a queasy stomach caused by morning sickness. Remember to eat regular nutritious meals even when you don’t feel like it because you need the food as fuel for both you and your developing baby.

Nausea would seem to be an obvious symptom, but many women dismiss it because it may be very low-grade. Anytime your stomach is upset or queasy, this constitutes nausea and is definitely a morning sickness symptom. Start looking to see if you can find what triggers it and what types of things help you feel better.

Lastly, vomiting is probably the most obvious symptom. Whether you vomit once a day or 20 times a day, it is likely caused by your morning sickness. Dehydration is a serious risk with vomiting, and if you find yourself vomiting a lot, you should contact your healthcare provider.

A new pregnancy can be a very happy time, and many women look forward to seeing some of the symptoms of morning sickness. Remember that the symptoms may be very mild or very severe and although you can’t prevent them, you can take care of yourself with rest, supplements and a healthy diet.

Expectant mothers are being bombarded with new prenatal fish oil supplements. Are they effective? Are they safe? Should you take DHA during pregnancy at all? The answers are maybe, maybe and yes – if you know what you are doing.

First, there seems to be some confusion about the relationship between DHA and omega 3 fish oil. DHA is an omega 3. What this means is that if you are trying to take DHA during pregnancy, you do not need a “prenatal” formula. A quality omega 3 fish oil supplement will not only suffice but in most cases be preferable.

There are really two omega 3s that mother and child need. The second one is EPA. In, other words if you plan on taking DHA during pregnancy you need EPA also, but not as much.

Why should I take omega 3s in the first place?

The two found in fish oil are part of every cell in our body. DHA is particularly prevalent in the brain and eyes, EPA in cell membranes. The research on this has not gone unnoticed, even in Washington.

Omega 3s have been shown to benefit four of the top five ailments or conditions for which troops receive hospital treatment. Those includes pregnancy and depression. The U.S. Department of defense is looking into adding these essential fats to soldiers diets.

It is not just combat performance that could be improved by omega-3s. Some military dietitians believe they could help to cut medical bills running into millions of dollars. The DOD is looking at doing this for their pregnant female soldiers because the research is pretty overwhelming.

What scientists have found is this.

Ninety-nine% of people in the West are estimated to have an omega 3 deficiency. Unless an expectant mother takes EPA and DHA during pregnancy that figure is going to include her and her child. What this means is that after the child is born she or he will be more likely to have:

1] Increased risk of depression, ADD, mood swings and emotional volatility.

2] Lower IQ scores – 8-10 points or more.

3] Visual problems.

4] Coordination development issues.

Mom is also more likely to have early labor and postpartum depression of her own.

The growing fetus is almost literally an omega 3 sponge. Since our bodies can not make these essential fats, the fetus is going to grab them from mom. If mom is not taking EPA and DHA during pregnancy then they both will likely have shortages.

What about supplements?

The only way to get these fats is by supplement or eating a lot of fish. The FDA is okay with purified supplements but not with too much fish. Heavy metals from the ocean are bad for everyone but downright deadly to young children.

As I mentioned earlier there are no special omega 3s for prenatal, postnatal or senior citizens. In fact, many of the prenatal supplements I have seen are inefficient at the least and contaminated at the worst. Do your research. Stick with quality. For more information in this area, please visit my website.

Remember, your unborn child is getting nutrients from you. Talk to your doctor about taking EPA and DHA during pregnancy. You need enough for at least two of you.