Week 8
Your Pregnancy: Week 8Your growing baby is six weeks old, thanks to the fuzzy math of pregnancy. This fuzzy math is also responsible for the widely believed notion that pregnancy is only nine months long, when in actuality it's closer to 10. Who comes up with this stuff? Obviously a man.Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on...
What You're Thinking: "If I have to smell my coworker's tuna salad sandwich for one more second, I am going to lose my cookies. Wait, did someone say cookies?"
Your Body
You know you need to take your prenatal vitamins in order to assure proper growth and nutrition for your little one, yet every time you swallow the thing, it comes right back up thanks to your woozy stomach. Don't panic:First, try popping prenatal vitamins at night or with food. Having something in your stomach to help absorb those horse pills can sometimes help. Iron is important, but it's also a common cause of nausea. Ask your doc about a vitamin with less iron, or try a liquid or chewable form that might help with the queasiness. If you're still barfing after that, check and see if your obstetrician can prescribe you a vitamin that is specifically formulated for women with severe nausea.
Your Baby
This week, your little tadpole is starting to look a little bit more human. Other exciting developments include:Your baby's eyelids, ears, upper lip and the tip of his soon-to-be adorable button nose are forming. Junior will also sprout webbed fingers and toes this week—which you'll be well aware of in a few months, as baby starts early gymnastics classes inside you.Baby's tiny heart has separated into four distinct chambers and is really ticking now—at a rate of 150 beats per minute. That's more than twice your resting heart rate (even when Brad Pitt is on the screen). Your baby is now a little more than ½ inch long, about the size of the rock in Eva Longoria's engagement ring, and is about as heavy as the check Tony Parker wrote to pay for it.
Your Life
Start to think about lining up the medical professionals that are going to help you through this experience: your gynecologist or OB, doula, midwife or lay midwife. This is one of the most important decisions you'll make, so do your research and take your time interviewing.While you're seeking professional help, why not consider finding a prenatal yoga or fitness class, or a nutrition class that specializes in prenatal noshing. Schedule a prenatal massage or a facial now. If you love it, consider buying a package deal. You can often get a discount when you book several at once—and then use them up throughout your pregnancy.
Buy It:
Ultrasound Keepsake Picture FramesFrame baby's first photo so you'll never forget which of those blurry lines is the leg.
Eat It:
Cherry Chicken Salad PocketThis cherry-infused delight can curb nausea, one bite (or 10!) at a time.
Know It:
One Way to Keep Prenatal Vitamins from Making You SickDiscuss It:Chat with other expecting parents on our Pregnancy Board.
