Pregnancy Guide for Couples: Week 7
Guess what? You’re over halfway through the first trimester! Chances are you are looking forward to the second trimester if you’re dealing with typical early pregnancy symptoms like fatigue and morning sickness. While you’re taking extra naps, baby is growing, growing, growing!
What’s Going on with Baby
Week 8, your baby is the size of the tip of a pencil eraser!
Another week down, and more growth is happening! Your baby’s tiny brain and face are now taking more shape. Believe it or not, their nostrils are becoming visible during this time. Lower limb buds are forming, eventually becoming your little one’s legs. More things that are happening with your baby include:
Major organs and systems, like the digestive system and lungs, are forming.
Remember those arm buds that were forming last week? Now, each arm forms a paddle-shaped hand at the end of it.
The umbilical cord is also starting to form! During your pregnancy, you and baby will be even more connected through the umbilical cord, where baby’s waste will be eliminated and nutrients and oxygen will flow between.
What’s Going on with Mom
How are you feeling? At Week 7, you may feel moody or more emotional than you’re used to. Blame it on those extra hormones again! Take it easy and try to get as much rest as you can. A lot is going on inside your body right now!
You may have heard of the list of foods that should be avoided when pregnant so as not to interfere with the pregnancy or cause risk to your baby. If you have no idea what we’re talking about, here’s a quick list of foods not to eat right now:
Raw or undercooked food (including sushi)
Unpasteurized dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.)
High-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, etc.)
Raw sprouts (alfalfa, clover)
Excessive caffeine (moderate caffeine consumption is okay)
Alcohol
Processed meats (deli meats, hot dogs, etc.)
Check out this pregnancy nutrition list for a complete list of foods to avoid.
What’s going on with Partner
Have you noticed Mom feeling extra ‘yuck’ lately? She may feel way more tired than usual or even dealing with morning sickness (which can happen at any time of the day, not just in the morning). If this sounds familiar, here are some ways to support Mom through this potentially difficult time:
Show compassion. Showing empathy and understanding toward Mom is extremely helpful during this time and will help her feel loved and comforted.
Provide crackers in the A.M. The idea is consuming carbs right upon waking spikes Mom's blood sugar and can help her feel less nauseated.
Offer extra assistance. Cleaning up around the house, cooking meals, and picking up groceries is helpful.
Prepare meals that help. Consider what foods that Mom has aversions to before you prepare any meals. Avoid cooking anything greasy or food with a strong odor.
Help Mom stay hydrated. Refilling water and offering gentle herbal teas and clear fluids can help Mom stay hydrated, which helps ease morning sickness.
Be flexible. Fatigue and nausea can hit any time of the day, so be flexible if plans change suddenly.
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
If you want more information about how to eat well throughout your pregnancy, this blog is for you!
