Pregnancy calendar - week #4

Pregnant mothers - week #4

Attention, life changing moment straight ahead!

Picture it now. A young, nervous-looking woman is in the bathroom, sitting on the closed toilet, pregnancy test in hand. Her partner is outside the bathroom door, leaning in, looking just as nervous as the woman. The 45 second wait seems more like an hour.

Finally, the bathroom door opens. The woman emerges, with an uneasy look on her face. She has her hand over the indicator window, as she hands the test over to her partner. He slowly takes it from her and looks at it. His gaze suddenly becomes more intense, as he opens his mouth and mutters, "you're...."

This could be a scene from any self-respecting chick flick, but this is your life. This is happening to you! What's exciting in week 4 is that a home pregnancy test will probably yield correct results. Yeah Baby!

About this time in pregnancy, the body starts to produce a hormone called 'human chorionic gonadotropin' or 'hCG.' This hormone is produced by the embryo, and its function is to maintain the lining of the uterus. It also sends a signal to the body to stop releasing an egg every month. What does that mean for you? No period for 9 months! Yeah! The other important thing about hCG is that this hormone is what pregnancy tests read. Bring it on, EPT!

On the flip side, hCG also causes certain dreaded pregnancy symptoms, like nausea, tiredness, and achy breasts. Because these symptoms are similar to PMS, the two are often confused.

If you haven't already done so already, stop consuming the following: alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Enough said.

And what about caffeine? The subject of caffeine consumption during pregnancy has been debated extensively. Evidence suggests that large amounts of caffeine consumed during pregnancy increase the chances of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and low birth weight.

Most experts agree that small amounts of caffeine consumed during pregnancy appear to be safe. The amount suggested in most studies is the equivalent of 16 ounces of coffee. But if you decide to cut out caffeine entirely, your doctor won't argue with you. And you'll probably wind up feeling better all aroud, during and after your pregnancy.

Another wise choice would be cutting down on sugary beverages. Check out Yeahbaby.com's advice on substituting your carbonated soda with healthier alternatives.

Baby and fetal development - week #4

Your little one is starting to feel right at home in there!

Your tiny, itty-bitty baby is now called an embryo. The embryo consists of two layers of cells called the epiblast and the hypoblast. These are the same cells that will eventually develop into all of your baby's organs and body parts. The baby is continuing to make itself comfortable in the uterus, delving deep into the endometrium.

During week 4, aminion and yolk sac develop. The aminion is what will be the amniotic fluid, and the yolk sac is what nourishes the embryo until the placenta takes over.

Another exciting happening in week 4: the umbilical cord is visible (although very small) and only partly functional. It will continue to develop in coming weeks.

It's also possible in this early state to detect twins. Although not solid proof, elevated hCG levels can often be the first sign of multiples!

Pregnant dads - week #4

Bought your cigars yet?

Perhaps by now you know she's pregnant. Or perhaps you don't. It's good to be prepared either way, as your diet, daily routine, and all around lifestyle are soon to be changed forever. Start living as a pregnant couple (read: eat healthy, be active, etc.) and this whole journey will be made a lot easier.