Pregnancy Calendar Week 4

The baby is about the size of a pinhead now and consists of three layers.

• The inner layer, or endoderm, will develop into the baby’s lungs, liver, and digestive system.
• The middle layer, or mesoderm, will become the baby’s bones, kidneys, sex organs, and heart.
• The outer layer, or ectoderm, will become the baby’s skin, hair, eyes, and nervous system.

Mother

By pregnancy calendar week 4, you will have missed your period. Your body is now producing enough human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to successfully pass a home pregnancy test. As a precautionary measure, use your first urine of the morning to take the test, as it normally has higher levels of hCG than the urine during the remainder of the day.

You are probably experiencing Early Pregnancy Symptoms, including tender breasts, fatigue, mood swings, and Morning Sickness. You can combat morning sickness by staying hydrated and keeping crackers or some other bland foods on your bedside table to snack on before you try to get out of bed. Do not be surprised if you experience the nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness throughout the day. Many women do. Adding a short nap to your daily schedule and going to bed earlier will help with the fatigue, and wearing a bra will good support with help with the tender breasts. The additional rest will also help with the mood swings.

Diet Don’ts

While eating a nutritious, balanced diet is essential during your pregnancy, numerous foods you should be avoided, including:

• Food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG);
• Unpasteurized foods, which may include:
  • fresh juices,
  • certain milk products including smoothies and yogurt,
  • soft cheeses, such as brie, feta, and some mozzarellas;
• Shellfish, swordfish, tilefish, shark, king mackerel, grouper, mahi mahi, amberjack, raw sushi, and sashimi;
• Limit self-caught freshwater fish to less than six ounces per week;
• Herbal teas that include slippery elm, ginseng, cohash and other herbs that may stimulate contractions;
• Alcoholic beverages and foods.

Don’t Forget Dad

Now that you know you are pregnant, pregnancy calendar week 4 is a good time to let dad in on the good news. Take the time to make the moment special; after all, without him, there would be no baby. Consider some of the following ways to clue him in on the big event:

• Take the pregnancy test as a couple, so he knows the results at the same time you do.
• Purchase a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N., wrap it up, and send it to him at work.
• Clear out a portion of his dresser drawer and fill it with disposable diapers.
• Take him out for a nice dinner and tell him over champagne glasses filled with milk.
• Send a picture of the pregnancy kit stick, showing the positive results to him via email.

Whatever you do, do not forget he is an important part of your pregnancy and keep him involved.

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