1 month and 1 week
1st Trimester
35 more weeks to go
The embryo has graduated to foetus. To get this promotion, the baby has done all the hard work of adding body structures that are needed, and done a thorough check like an efficient commander of a ship sailing off! So, now an important new chapter in the developmental journey starts : the focus shifts towards maturing of these newly-formed structures. Even though it's just 9mm in size, the size of your little finger’s nail, a lot is going on inside. The hands and feet are there but closed like little buds. And, really tiny skull bones are already protecting a tiny, primitive brain. The outer layer of the cushiony amniotic sac develops into the placenta. Its cells grow deep into the wall of your womb, creating a rich blood supply.
शुक्रशोणितजीवसंयोगो तु खलु कुक्षिगते गर्भसंञा भवति । (चरक शारीरस्थान)
Ayurveda says the union of sukra, sonita and aatma inside the womb is what forms the garbha.
Science has made it possible for us to know how rapidly the baby is growing at this stage. The embryo is now made up of three layers – the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm. Just these three layers will be the basis of all of the organs and tissues.
The little brain, spinal cord, and nerves are all in a neural tube at the moment. This is starting to develop from the top layer – the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.
This week, the tiny heart starts pulsating and and pumping blood.The heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. The mesoderm will also form the embryo’s muscles, cartilage, bone, and the tissue under the skin as it grows as a foetus.
The third layer, or endoderm, has some critical tasks as well. It will become the lungs, intestines, and early urinary system, as well as the thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In this week, the placenta is in a nascent form and so is the umbilical cord. They have, however, started the task of delivering nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.
The baby, while still the size of a small seed, is growing rapidly. The pregnancy-related discomforts, though commonly start at 6 weeks for most women, you might have it already. Unexplained fatigue, achy or swollen breasts, nausea, and for some, frequent urination.
Pregnancy hormones plus your body’s increasing blood volume may increase your need to pee more often. You might want to make small changes in your schedule to ensure you have bathroom access. It’s important to stay hydrated, but you may want to cut back on fluids late in the day so you don’t have to get up to pee as frequently at night.
Breast tenderness is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Increased hormone levels boost blood flow, which may make your breasts feel swollen, sore, tingly, and unusually sensitive to touch.
It's not yet clearly known why some women feel so tired in early pregnancy, but it's likely that hormonal changes are to blame. Most women find that their energy returns in the second trimester. Until then, try to rest more and include a short nap at noon, if possible.
Morning sickness can just be a bout of nausea or vomiting which gets too frequent. It could start this week with a persistent feeling of nausea that may get worse in the coming week. Changing diet and lifestyle, natural remedies is ideal. So, do check the tips on the iMumz App. If you feel that it is simply unbearable, please ask your doctor to prescribe medication.
Strong dislike for certain foods, or even smells may just catch you off guard. They start in week 5. It's because of the hormones and acutely heightened senses. Spicy and fried foods are common triggers. Try to eat homemade food that is mildly seasoned.
Cramping is a good sign since it indicates that the embryo has implanted nicely into the lining of your uterus. It could also be a sign that your uterus is expanding and stretching your ligaments. However, if you get strong cramps in week 5, it is important that you see a doctor.
Noticing some spotting at week 5 does appear alarming, but a little blood could also be a sign of implantation. It also happens after sex since your cervix is more sensitive now. The important thing to note is that there is no way to find out the cause unless your doctor does a scan. So, if it is more than a few drops, do check with your doctor.
प्रथमे मासे शंकिता चेत गर्भमापन्ना क्षीर मनुस्कृतं
मात्रावत शीतं काले काले पिबेत ॥
(चरक शारीरस्थान)
Ayurveda recommends that you start drinking milk in small amounts as soon as you get to know that you are pregnant . The milk should be boiled and cooled completely before you drink. It’s packed with beneficial nutrients for you and the baby!
For more curated activities for mind-body wellness, download the iMumz App.
Some of you would have already chosen a doctor. If you haven't, ask people and rely on a good word-of-mouth. A good reference from someone you know is your best bet. One nice practice at this stage is to talk to relatives on both sides about your families' medical histories. Any chronic conditions or genetic abnormalities that are familial should be discussed with the doctor at this state only. For expert pregnancy info, week-by-week baby development trackers, sessions with experts, please download the iMumz App.
For a happy and healthy pregnancy, download the iMumz App.
For those of you suffering from morning sickness, you might yell, ‘Eat??!! I can’t eat!’ Morning sickness starts around week 5 and peaks by week 9 or 10, when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are at its highest. For most women, morning sickness fades between 14 and 20 weeks.The key is that you should not miss eating. Eat 6 short meals, even if in small portions. Here is a recipe that will cool your tummy.
Easy-on-tummy Watermelon Salad
5 cups cubed watermelon.
1 heaping cup diced English cucumber.
¼ cup thinly sliced red onions.
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese.
1 avocado, cubed.
⅓ cup torn mint or basil leaves.
½ tomato (cubed). Make sure you de-seed it.
Sea salt.
Add a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice and munch away.
For more such tips and meal plans, download the iMumz App.
In week 5 of your pregnancy the embryo is approximately 1.3mm from the crown of the head to the rump but is very difficult to see and measure at this stage using ultrasound. You'll find that the ultrasound is the best way to measure and monitor a baby during your pregnancy.
The uterus is a muscle, and the only thing a muscle knows how to do is contract, and a contraction feels like a cramp. With the womb expanding, and the ligaments stretching pain is common. Often, it feels like a ‘stitch’ or mild period pain. It’s is probably nothing to worry about if the pain is mild and goes away when you change position, have a rest, or poop.
What is of definite concern is a severe pain on one side of the lower stomach. It could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy which is when the embryo has remained in the fallopian tube and has not made its way to the uterus. An urgent intervention for ectopic pregnancy is important to protect the mother's life. If the egg has implanted in the fallopian tube and the tube bursts, there can be severe internal bleeding. Do look for other symptoms like bleeding, pain in the tip of your shoulder, brown discharge, feeling faint or dizzy, and/or discomfort when pooping or peeing.
Also, note if there are severe cramps in your stomach with or without bleeding that lasts for several hours.This could be a sign of a miscarriage or placental abruption.
Morning sickness is just a morning thing.
This annoying effect of pregnancy affects almost 70% of women who experience nausea and/or vomiting during pregnancy. Thankfully, this improves after the first trimester. This can strike at any time of the day: many women report experiencing it in the evenings, as well. Eating some fresh home-made snack at 4-6 pm will help to get rid of this evening sickness. Water stored in mud pots (ghada or surahi)helps to reduce acidity and keep the nausea away. Hydration also maintains the electrolyte balance.
सत्त्ववैशेष्यकराणि पुनस्तेषां तेषां
प्राणिनां मातृपितृसत्वान्यन्तर्वन्त्याः
श्रुतयश्चाभीक्ष्णं स्वोचितं च कर्म
सत्वविशेषाभ्यासश्चेति ॥
(चरक शारीरस्थान)
Acharya Charaka says that the foetus’ mind is connected with the parents’ mind, especially with the mother during pregnancy. It’s very important that the mum-to-be is filled with positive and good emotions. Mindfulness will help you to stay calm, react wisely and stay in the present.
The iMumz app has a huge library of meditations to help mothers manage their stress and anxieties, and thereby, send their baby good hormones.
For more baby-bonding activities, download the iMumz App.
The award-winning iMumz App is helping 350,000 + women make their pregnancies healthier and happier.
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