Your embryo makes great strides in size this week, growing to between 0.44 inches and 0.52 inches from crown to rump by the end of the week, or about the size of a small raspberry. Leg buds are starting to look like short fins, and hands and feet have a digital plate where fingers and toes will develop. The heart and lungs are becoming more developed, as are the eyes and nostrils, intestines and appendix. By now the brain and spinal cord are growing from the neural tube.
Mother:
You're still not "showing," but by now you're really feeling the changes in your body. You still may be experiencing morning sickness and the other symptoms of early pregnancy. Breasts will probably be tingly and tender.
Dad:
There are classes designed specially for early pregnancy instruction. Gain some points with your partner and suggest signing up together. She'll like the fact that you thought of it, and love that you want to go with her.
Do's and Don'ts:
Do try to meet each obstetrician or midwife at your clinic sometime in the next six months so that if you go into labor and your regular health care practitioner isn't on call, your baby won't be delivered by a complete stranger. If your doctor has a solo practice, ask what happens if she's out of town or unavailable, and make a plan to meet her backup.
Exercise:
Work out with light weights to tone your hamstrings, buttocks, lower back, and shoulders. It'll strengthen you for the demands of childbirth, not to mention give you the muscles you'll need postpartum to push a stroller, wield a diaper bag and a car seat, and carry a baby (hopefully not all at the same time).
Tips for this week:
To settle a queasy stomach, never let your stomach get empty. Keep snacks on hand around the clock, and eat lots of little meals rather than three big ones. To prevent a drop in blood sugar, include some protein like adding some cheese on crackers.
Week 8
Baby:
Your embryo, now about in its sixth week of development, is about the size of a grape -- 0.56 to 0.8 inches from crown to rump. Eyelid folds and ears are forming and even the tip of the nose is visible. The arms have grown longer and bend at the elbows. Places where fingers and toes eventually will grow are becoming notched.
Mother:
Your uterus, once the size of your fist, is now about the size of a grapefruit. You may feel some cramping or pain in your lower abdomen or sides, but that's because your uterus typically tightens or contracts throughout pregnancy. Consult your doctor if contractions are accompanied by vaginal bleeding.
Dad:
Now is the time to play your cards right and pamper the mother-to-be.
Do's and Don'ts:
Do hand off kitty-litter duty to your partner or another family member. Cat feces may contain parasites that cause toxoplasmosis, an infection that is fairly harmless in grown-ups but can cause developmental problems in babies, especially if you were to contract it in the first trimester. You can also get opportunistic infections from eating raw or undercooked meat. Cook meat to at least 160 degrees before eating, and wash hands with soap and water after handling raw meat.
Exercise:
If you're a regular gym goer, you can ease up a little. Your heart rate is higher now, which means you won't need to exert as hard to get the same aerobic result. Plus, the pregnancy hormone hCG makes it much easier to get overheated, so take well-timed water breaks. Bottom line: Don't exercise to the point where you get short of breath.
Tips for this week:
Good breast support during pregnancy will help you feel more comfortable and prevent future sagging. Exercises to keep your chest muscles toned can be useful, too.
