Pregnancy calendar - week #5

Pregnant mothers - week #5

Cats, calcium, and chorionic villi, oh my!

The 8 months pregnant you is going to think back to the 5 weeks pregnant you, remembering the energy and vigor, nights full of sleep and flat belly. Namely the flat belly part. Soak up the sun now, mama!

Right about now, you're probably delightfully aware that you're pregnant. Lots is happening in your body, namely the development of the placenta. Although not fully developed until around 18-20 weeks, it's now developing the chorionic villi, which resemble little finger-shaped projections. These aid in passing nourishment from the mother to the baby.

It's important now and throughout your pregnancy to consume enough calcium. If you don't, your body will end up stripping your bones for calcium to compensate. The body uses calcium during pregnancy to help build the bones of your baby. The recommended amount is 1000 mg. An 8 oz. glass of milk has about 300 mg, as does 6 oz. of yogurt. Oh yeah, and when that pickles and ice cream craving kicks in, keep in mind that a cup of ice cream contains about 100 mg of calcium.

On the subject of prenatal vitamins--to take, or not to take? Doctors say that prenatals should be taken in addition to a healthy diet- not in place of a healthy diet. And many health care professionals suggest starting prenatals pre-pregnancy. That being said, if you haven't already started taking yours, start now! It's also a good idea to talk to your doctor about your prenatal vitamins and your diet. You may be getting too much of a certain vitamin through the vitamin/diet combination.

Attention cat owners: There is a risk of catching toxoplasmosis from your kitty's litter box. This disease can infect a fetus by making it's way in through the placenta. If contracted, it can cause serious problems for a child, because the immune system isn't fully developed until the first year is over.

To avoid contracting toxoplasmosis:

• Have someone else clean your cat's litter box for the duration of your pregnancy
• Avoid gardening, contact with soil (as cat feces is commonly found in ground soil)
• Avoid contacting/handling raw meat

Baby and fetal development - week #5

You look mahvelous!

Week 5 is an exciting time to be an embryo. Up until now, he hasn't looked like a baby, just a bunch of cells. But right about now, your little embryo is starting to develop into a distinct shape. The neural tube is developing (this will eventually form the spinal cord and brain) as well as the heart. The neural tube extends from the top to the bottom of the embryo, and the heart appears as a bulge in the center.

Another huge milestone--the heart begins to beat this week. This tiny organ will echo your own heartbeat.

The placenta also continues to develop in week 5. This temporary and mysterious organ will provide nourishment, pass waste, and protect your fetus until birth.

The embryo is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm in size. That's about the width of a stereo plug adaptor, for you techies. Or the width of a thin bracelet, ladies.

Pregnant dads - week #5

But she doesn't look pregnant.

Early in pregnancy, it's difficult to actually believe she's pregnant--nothing drastic is happening. Her belly is the same size. Her body is functioning as it always has (for the most part.) But you won't have to wait long; changes are a comin'!