Week 4 - I'm Pregnant!

"I did a pregnancy test today and it came out POSITIVE! I was so excited! I kept glancing at the test just to make sure it was real."

In week 4 baby is developing:

-  Tiny organs
-  The early placenta (which is setting up camp in the lining of your uterus)
-  The amniotic sac
-  The yolk sac (this will feed the baby until the placenta is developed)

Some important things to add to a normal healthy diet:

-  Prenatal Vitamins (I like the ones from Walgreens because they're small)
-  Water, water, water....dehydration is a sure ticket to morning sickness

Prenatal vitamins are packed full of the nutrients a growing baby needs. The baby comes with its own blueprints and will take ANYTHING it needs from your body to develop exactly like it should. Taking prenatal vitamins helps your body have what it needs, so the baby isn't "stealing" your vitamins...and ultimately your good health. These are recommended for ANY woman of childbearing age regardless of whether she plans on becoming pregnant. They are THAT good for you.

The most important vitamin in prenatal vitamins is folic acid. If your prenatal vitamins don't have it, get rid of them. Folic acid is essential for your body to create red blood cells. When taken daily before and during pregnancy (especially in the early weeks), it reduces the chance that your baby will be born with neural tube defects (such as spina bifida and anencephaly). Not to mention, it will make you feel better. For more information, visit Folic Acid and Pregnancy.

Water is your best friend. It will ease morning sickness and prevent a TON of other problems during your pregnancy. Water is the transportation system of your body. It takes nutrients and blood to where they are needed (and to your baby!). It takes out the "trash" to your urinary system. And it helps your body with its grueling task of creating and keeping up with a much higher volume of red blood cells.

Morning sickness is made worse by not having enough water in your system (aka: dehydration). Once you're dehydrated, it's a nasty cycle because drinking water will probably make you feel sick. So you'll drink less water, get more dehydrated, etc. Trust me, if you start the habit now, you'll be grateful later. One thing that helped me when I got tired or sick of water was to drink Vitamin Water, Gatorade, or even just good old lemonade. Herbal teas may also appeal to you (but make sure that they are on the safe list for pregnancy). 

Do yourself a favor and DRINK WATER! For more information, visit How much water should I drink during pregnancy?