That little being you carry in your womb looks more and more like a baby at birth. It has already developed its eyes, nose, lips, eyelids, ears... These first weeks of pregnancy are essential for its growth and the speed at which it changes is dizzying.
If you are a first-timer, you will surely barely notice a slight swelling, but you still will not have needed to change your clothes, because it is still very small and the pregnancy belly will not be noticeable. Keep in mind that it measures just over a centimeter and weighs about a gram.
Although you hardly perceive the pregnancy as far as the physique is concerned -yes you will notice symptoms such as greater sleepiness and fatigue and gastrointestinal problems in the event that they occur-, your body is changing inside. The uterus and waist are widening in order to prepare to accommodate the growing baby. For this reason, some type of pain or punctures in the lower abdomen may occur, similar to the symptoms of menstruation.
There are also many hormonal changes taking place and many women can notice it on their skin. You should not be alarmed if you have more acne, or if spots appear on your face or in some other area of the body. They usually disappear by the end of the first trimester, but can persist until delivery.
During the night it may be more difficult for you to rest, because leg cramps can occur due to changes in the position of the muscles and ligaments in the area.
In this week, small indentations begin to appear on the feet and hands that will give rise to the fingers. On the face, the jaw and tooth buds are forming and the sense of smell is beginning to develop. Little by little the "tail" at the end of its spinal column disappears and the two hemispheres can be seen in the brain. The end of its tail-shaped body is getting shorter and in the brain, the hemispheres can already be seen. The umbilical cord is now out of the embryo and the intestines continue their development.
In the lungs little by little the bronchial trunk is formed from which the small bronchioles emerge and in the heart four cavities begin to be distinguished. The aortic and pulmonary valves are also forming.
The World Health Organization states that pregnant women should be informed that a high daily intake of caffeine (>300 mg per day) is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss and low birth weight.
Caffeine is a stimulant found in tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, kola nuts, and some over-the-counter products. A cup of instant coffee
may contain around 60mg of caffeine; however, some commercially brewed brands of coffee contain more than 150 mg of caffeine per serving. Caffeinated teas (black tea and green tea) and soft drinks (colas and iced tea) often contain less than 50mg per 250ml serving.
The WHO also reminds that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are very important and can seriously affect the mother and child due to pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. That is why it is important to carry out a "prenatal screening", measuring blood pressure and checking for protein in the urine. If preeclampsia is detected, special attention is required.
