Pregnancy Week By Week (Week 6)

Week 6 Fetus

Must-ask Questions (week 6)

How soon should I schedule my first appointment?

Studies have demonstrated the benefits of first-trimester prenatal care. That is why most doctors recommend that pregnant women be seen as soon as they realize that they are pregnant - typically 6-10 weeks after the start of the last menstrual period. This is even more important if you have not seen your doctor for a pre-pregnancy consultation. If your doctor does not consider it necessary to see you at this point, you may want to consider changing your caregiver - this person is clearly a little behind the times when it comes to understanding best practices in prenatal care.


What should I expect from my first prenatal checkup?

• Your first prenatal visit may be one of the longest. During your initial prenatal checkup, you can expect your doctor to Confirm your pregnancy with a urine test, blood test and/or physical examination

• Take a general medical history or review the findings from your preconception checkup. You will be asked about your periods and recent birth control methods

• Estimate your due date by considering factors as the types of pregnancy symptoms you are experiencing and when they first occurred, the date of your last normal menstrual period, the results of ovulation predictor tests you used or any temperature charts you kept, and changes to the cervix and uterus

• Take an obstetrical history (assuming you have had other pregnancies)

• Conduct a general physical exam (heart, lungs, breasts, abdomen and so on). Breasts are examined to check for lumps

• Conduct a pelvic exam (a visual examination of your vagina, and cervix as well as a bimanual exam of your pelvic organs)

• Do a blood test to determine blood group and to check for anemia, hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis, and antibodies to rubella as well as certain genetic disorders (e.g. sickle-cell anemia) if your history warrants it

• Take a vaginal culture to check for the presence of infection, if warranted

• Do a Pap smear to check for cervical cancer or potential pre-cancer

• Check your urine for infection, sugar and protein

• Weigh you to establish a baseline weight

• Take your blood pressure

• Provide you with advice on nutrition and lifestyle issues

• Answer any questions you may have

• Talk to your about how you are feeling about being pregnant

• You can expect to see your doctor on a monthly basis until you reach week 28 of your pregnancy, at which point you will start to come in for checkups every 2-3 weeks. Once you reach week 36, you will generally be seen on a weekly basis.


What causes iron deficiency anemia and what can I do to boost my iron levels during pregnancy?

• It is quite common for women to have this complaint. You may be low in this important nutrient if

• You are in the habit of drinking tea or coffee close to mealtime (something that makes it difficult for your body to absorb iron from food sources) You have a history of heavy menstrual bleeding

• You donate blood 3 or more times each year

• Your diet is low in meat, fish, poultry and/or vitamin C (vitamin C plays a key role in iron absorption)

• You have had 2 or more pregnancies spaced closely together

• Your doctor may recommend iron supplement to boost iron levels particularly if you are carrying more than one baby. If you have been prescribed, it is best to take your supplement with a glass of orange juice in between meals, if your stomach will let you. (Some women face morning sickness when they take supplements on an empty stomach) If you find the iron supplement causes constipation, find out if you can switch to a liquid formula; some women find them to be less constipating. If your system is not able to tolerate any sort of iron supplement you have to make a concerted effort to obtain your iron through food sources. The best food sources include cooked beans, white beans, soybeans, lentils and chick peas; pumpkin, sesame and squash seeds; and iron-enriched cereals.

Some Basic Pointers (week 6)

Heartburn
This is a burning sensation in the middle of your chest or upper digestive tract. It occurs because progesterone relaxes the muscle that is responsible for controlling the opening at the top of the stomach. Secondly, progesterone causes the stomach to empty more slowly so that as many nutrients as possible can be absorbed from the food you eat. The stomach gets compressed as you grow bigger. It may begin early, although it tends to become more severe later in pregnancy. Avoid sodium bicarbonate as it contains a lot of salt which will cause water retention.


• Avoid fatty and greasy foods, carbonated drinks, processed meats and junk food

• Eat slowly. The more slowly you eat, the more time the enzymes in your saliva have to break down the food before it reaches your stomach

• Eat less; heartburn is more likely to flare up if you overfill, in particular with carbohydrates Don't eat too close to bedtime

• Avoid lying flat on your back when you are resting or sleeping as this intensifies heartburn. Try propping yourself up on pillows

• Check with your doctor if you can take antacid to combat the problem.


Constipation

Your bowel habits will probably change during pregnancy. Increased levels of progesterone can make your system rather sluggish. If not checked, hemorrhoids may occur. Try not to strain when you have a bowel movement. Although laxatives are not believed to be harmful during pregnancy, it is best to find natural ways to improve the situation. Exercise regularly; add more grains, fruits and vegetables to your diet. Drink plenty of fluids and include prune juice as a mild form of laxative in your regime. Stay away from fatty foods and reduce dairy products. Certain foods such as prunes and bran can increase bulk in your diet, which may help relieve constipation. If you decide to go for a laxative, get your doctor's OK first.

Your Nutrition (week 6)

You must be selective in your meal choices; you cannot just eat whatever you want. Eating the right foods in the right amounts require planning. Eat foods high in iron and calcium magnesium, folic acid and zinc. You also need fiber and fluids to help alleviate any constipation problems. Foods to help your baby grow and develop include: 

Bread, cereal, pasta and rice - at least 6 servings/day

Fruits - 3-4 servings/day

Vegetables - 4 servings/day

Meat and other protein sources - 2-3 servings/day

Dairy products - 3-4 servings/day

Fats, sweets and other 'empty' calorie foods - 2-3 servings/day