Rolling Waves

The initial surprise of knowing you are pregnant may have subsided by now and you are dealing with some physical discomforts and tight jeans. It will not be long until you are struggling to reach your feet to tie your shoes, so now is a good time to pick up a book or search out a few great websites to learn more about what is coming as your belly starts to expand. Parenting classes can also be a great way for you and your loved one to learn about parenthood together!

If you are not yet a community member, stop in! We have just the answers you are looking for right now.

It may feel like seeing the changes of pregnancy are taking a long time, but your little half pea is now about the size of a blueberry! The growth going on inside your womb is more than can be seen on the outside!

Look at You Now:

If your morning sickness did not give it away, others may still not know you are expecting. That doesn’t mean you aren’t starting to feel it, though! You may notice your stomach filling out slightly into a little pooch-like shape. You may also be experiencing migraines and/or face break outs due to hormone changes.

I know it is difficult to face the beginnings of weight gain, but think of it as a constant reminder of all the hard work going on inside there!

Look at Baby Now:

Your developing baby has now developed the muscle system enough that it can move around! You will not feel this just yet but as you move through your day imagine your tiny baby rolling around on amniotic fluid waves.

Of course, it is still very busy developing nasal pits, additional facial features such as the tongue, and even a second set of kidneys. The eyes now have attached lens and retina and thin veins run under the skin. The liver is producing red blood cells and the intestines and appendix have been formed by now as well. Even the hands and feet are looking more like a recognizable little baby, just with webbing still attaching them together.

This is an amazing amount of growth in such a short period of time, especially considering you are barely showing on the outside!

Tips for Now:

Food cravings can set in about this time, caused by either hormones or deficiencies in your body. Look for healthy options to satisfy the cravings, such as fruit rather than candy for a sweet craving. If you are craving salty foods you may need more sodium, but make sure to balance it with a lot of water to avoid bloating.