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The first 2 months Baby ~ for the first 8 weeks he is called an "embryo" ~ he looks like a tadpole ~ buds that will grow into his arms and legs appear ~ his heart and lungs begin to form ~ by the 25th day his heart starts to beat ~ neural tube that will become his brain and spinal cord begins to form ~ his major organs are forming ~ early stages of placenta, exchanges nutrients from your body for his waste products, are visible and working ~ his ears, ankles, and wrists are formed ~ his eyelids are formed, but still sealed shut ~ his fingers and toes are developed ~ by the end of the second month he looks more like a person than a tadpole and he is about 1 inch long and weighs less than 1 ounce Mommy ~ you will be tired (fatigued is more the word): your body is working hard, especially when you are resting. Don't push yourself too hard. When you are tired, rest, it is that simple. ~ you will have to urinate frequently: pressure of your growing uterus will press on your bladder increasing your trips to the bathroom ~ you may get morning sickness: you may get nausea with or without vomitting that can strike at any time during the day. Hints to help avoid or minimize: drink plenty of fluids; eat a diet high in protein and carbohydrates; avoid the sight, smell, and taste of foods that make you feel queasy; eat often before you feel hungry or nauseous; eat in bed - 10 to 20 minutes before you get up; get extra sleep and relaxation. ~ you may have new food dislikes or cravings: go ahead indulge yourself ~ your breasts may change: become fuller, heavy, tender or even tingle ~ mood swings, irrationality, and weepiness may stike you, much like the feelings you go through in premenstrual syndrome ~you may run the spectrum of emotions: misgivings, fear, joy, elation, etc.
Month 3 Baby ~ she is now called a fetus ~ her fingers and toes now have soft nails ~ there are 20 buds in her mouth that will become baby teeth ~ all her body organs can be recognized ~ her reproductive organs are developed but gender is still externally undistinguishable ~ by the end of the month she is 4 inches long and weighs a little over an ounce Mommy ~ you may still be tired ~ you probably are still urinating frequently ~ morning sickness may continue ~ you may begin to experience heartburn or indigestion ~ you will still have food dislikes and cravings ~ your breasts continue to change ~ you may feel constipated: constipation is enevitable in pregancy so you may want to begin taking steps to avoid it now. Add fiber to your diet; eat fresh fruit and vegetables; drink lots of water; drink prune juice in small amounts; walk for at least 1/2 hour a day. ~ your clothes may begin to feel tight: you are gaining weight. A healthy weight gain during your pregnancy is best for you and your baby. You should gain 25 - 35 pounds over the duration of your pregnancy. Breakdown of your weight gain: baby - 7.5 pounds; placenta: 1.5 pounds; amniotic fluid 1.75 pounds; uterine enlargement 2 pounds; maternal breast tissue 1 pound; maternal blood volume 2.75 pounds; fluids and maternal tissue 3 pounds; maternal fat 7 pounds = 26.5 pounds (weights are aproximate). ~ you may experince occasional headaches ~ you may become faint or dizzy ~ your appetite increases ~ you may feel irritabile and weepy ~ your emotional roller coaster will continue
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