PREGNANCY
Month Two (5 to 8 weeks)
Welcome to the remarkable journey of pregnancy, where the first trimester, spanning from week 1 to week 12, lays the foundation for your baby's incredible development. This period is marked by the formation of your baby's body structure and vital organ systems, setting the stage for growth and vitality. However, it's also a time of vulnerability, with the highest risk of miscarriages and birth defects. As your body undergoes profound transformations, the first trimester may present unique challenges, yet it's a testament to the awe-inspiring process of bringing new life into the world.
How is your baby developing?
At 5 weeks, your baby is as tiny as an apple seed, yet more than a million cells are being created every minute. This period marks significant developments, with the brain and spine beginning to form, emphasizing the importance of folate intake during this stage. Additionally, the heart begins to divide into chambers and initiates its rhythmic beating, while buds emerge as future limbs, and tiny pits form, laying the foundation for the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
By the 6th week, your baby has grown to the size of an orange seed, with its heart typically beating at around 140-150 beats per minute. Limbs start to elongate, and the beginnings of hands, feet, eyes, nose, and backbone become discernible.
Moving into the 7th week, your baby, now weighing just 2 grams and resembling a blackcurrant, sees the formation of arm and leg joints, while intricate nerve pathways begin to take shape, with an astonishing 100,000 forming every minute.
At 8 weeks, your baby has grown to the size of a grape, with all major organs now in place, marking a critical milestone in development.
This phase is pivotal, as any exposure to drugs, toxins, or viruses may heighten the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. However, following our comprehensive Mothers2B guidelines can significantly reduce this risk by minimizing your body's toxin burden.
What are the changes happening to you?
Emotional
Hormonal changes during your second month of pregnancy can bring about various emotional shifts. While feeling exhausted is common due to the hormonal fluctuations, it's essential to prioritize rest and relaxation whenever necessary. Additionally, you might find yourself experiencing increased irritability, forgetfulness, and heightened sensitivity to certain smells and tastes. These emotional changes are entirely normal during this stage of pregnancy as your body adjusts to the significant hormonal shifts taking place.
Physical
Physically, you may notice several physical changes as your body continues to adapt to the growing baby. Gastrointestinal (GI) changes are common, with some experiencing constipation or diarrhea, along with increased flatus and bloating. Nausea, often referred to as morning sickness, may also begin during this month, accompanied by food aversion and vomiting. It's essential to stay hydrated, especially since you may experience increased thirst, by listening to your body and drinking more water when needed, possibly supplementing with minerals if necessary. Additionally, you might encounter excessive salivation (ptyalism), possibly due to acidity, which can exacerbate feelings of nausea.
Breast changes are also ongoing, with increased milk duct production leading to tenderness. While bleeding and spotting may occur, in many cases, this is typical during pregnancy. However, if you experience cramping and abdominal pain with bleeding or notice heavier amounts of blood with clots, it's crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation and guidance.
Hormonal
Here's an overview of what your hormones are doing during this time:
Progesterone: This hormone continues to rise, playing a crucial role in maintaining the pregnancy by supporting the uterine lining and reducing contractions. It also contributes to breast changes and can lead to relaxation of smooth muscles, potentially causing symptoms like constipation.
Estrogen: Estrogen levels increase to support the growth and development of the fetus and placenta. It also helps regulate various physiological processes and contributes to breast changes.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Levels of hCG, often referred to as the pregnancy hormone, continue to rise during the second month. This hormone is produced by the placenta and plays a role in preventing menstruation, supporting the corpus luteum in the ovary, and may contribute to symptoms like morning sickness.
Thyroid Hormones: Thyroid hormones, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), play a crucial role in fetal brain development and metabolism. During pregnancy, thyroid hormone levels may increase to support these processes.
Prolactin: Prolactin levels rise in preparation for breastfeeding, stimulating breast tissue growth and milk production. While significant milk production typically occurs after birth, prolactin levels gradually increase throughout pregnancy.
These hormonal changes are essential for supporting the health and development of both the mother and the growing fetus during the second month of pregnancy.
What do you need to do?
To manage mood swings and irritability, it's advisable to steer clear of refined sugars, refined carbohydrates, and caffeine, as they can disrupt blood sugar levels, leading to fluctuations that may exacerbate mood swings. To address bloating and increased flatus, consider temporarily reducing intake of foods high in soluble fiber, such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. Engaging in relaxation techniques like gentle walks or breathing exercises can help alleviate stress and promote a sense of calm.
Constipation can be relieved by incorporating fiber-rich foods like kiwi fruit, brown rice, figs, prunes, and artichokes into your diet, while ensuring adequate hydration to counteract the effects of frequent urination. It's important to avoid antacid medications for heartburn, as they can impair digestion by reducing stomach acidity, which is crucial for proper breakdown of food.
For cramping in the legs and feet, gentle stretching exercises and regular walks can provide relief, along with increasing consumption of foods rich in calcium and magnesium. Be sure to consult our nutrient information sheets for additional guidance on meeting your nutritional needs during pregnancy.
Mothers2B Nutritional and Supplement Support
For a comprehensive list of supplements we recommend during this time and to order, see our Mothers2B Pregnancy protocol in our shop.
PREGNANCY
Your highlight nutrients for this month are:
Vitamin B6
Folate
Inositol
Vitamin C
Calcium
Magnesium
To download Understanding Nutrients, purchase our ebook by clicking here.
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- Ensure that you are eating a high-quality diet with balanced meals (protein, carbohydrate and fat). You may need to eat more often to curb nausea as many women find that feeling hungry increases symptoms. We recommend eating something first thing in the morning also.
- Increase vitamin B6 rich foods or consider taking an additional B6 supplement of 10-25 mg every 8 hours.
- Ginger and peppermint both assist with nausea. Consume as tea, in smoothies, or in natural chews or candies.
- Homeopathic remedies Pulsatilla, Nux vomica and Ipecac can all be helpful when experiencing nausea.
Month Two Pregnancy FAQs
PREGNANCY
Mothers2B FREE recipe of the month
This scrumptious salad is a perfect choice for brunch, lunch, or dinner since it takes less than 30 minutes to make. Plus, it’s packed with nutrition from grass-fed steak and antioxidant-rich spinach. We think you’ll want to keep this recipe handy — it’s sure to become a go-to!
Steak Tips with Warm Wilted Spinach
