Congratulations, your baby is a foetus now! Your belly isn't quite visibly big yet but your veins might be more visible on your abdomen and breasts and your vaginal discharge would have increased. Your symptoms like mood swings, nausea and constipation would be bothering you quite a bit. Hang on, they will go away in a couple of weeks or so. This is a good time to ask your doctor about pregnancy-safe Covid-19 vaccines.

Garbha Vriddhi

द्वितीय शीतोष्मानिलैरभिप्रपच्यमानानां महाभूतानां संघातो घनः संजायते, यदि पिण्डः पुमान, स्त्री चेत पेशी नपुंसकं चेदर्बुदमिति॥ (सुश्रुत शारीरस्थान)

Ayurveda says the accumulated mahabhutas in 1st month get processed by the combined effect of sheeta-ushma-anila and become Ghana (solid). Shira (head) is formed this month.

Your Baby's Development

Major organs

All the baby's major body organs have started to form. The baby's nose, mouth, and eyes are taking shape, the tooth buds and caps are identifiable, fingers and toes are no longer like a web, but are opening and getting longer. The outer ears are forming and moving into place on the head.

Eyelids fused

The main parts of the baby’s eyes – the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and retina – had started developing at Week 7. In this week, the eyelids have formed and also shut completely. They will stay fused shut until 27 weeks.

Teeth connect to the jaw

Teeth have begun to harden and connect to the jaw bone.The little buds that will become teeth later are forming "roots" that are going deeper into the gums. These roots will connect to the jaw bone with a special ligament that anchors each tooth in place. In the coming weeks, the tooth buds will keep growing and hardening.

Big brain

Your baby's forehead looks really big, protruding with his big brain inside it and appears quite high on his head. The head is disproportionately big: in length, it is half of that of the entire body. The brain is smooth at this point: the folds will start appearing later.

Stomach practice

In week 10, the baby’s stomach is producing digestive juices and the kidneys are making larger quantities of urine.

Elbows fold

The baby’s bones and cartilage are forming, knees and ankles are starting to take shape and tiny elbows are practicing folding at their joints.

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Your Pregnancy Symptoms

Abdomen thickens

You may experience a thickness around your belly, but it’s not baby weight. It is because of a minor weight gain and bloating.The uterus is expanding to prepare a nice home for baby. Try to wear loose clothes.

Visible veins

Your body has increased its blood volume which is making your veins bulge. You might be able to notice the blue-green veins quite prominently under your skin.

Vaginal discharge

The discharge increases because of hormones. As long as it is mild and doesn’t have a smell, it is normal. Please use panty liners / change underwear frequently so that the area stays nice and dry.

Constipation

This is another common symptom and it can have other side effects. Some women who have constipation develop hemorrhoids, which are swollen blood vessels in the rectum which can be very uncomfortable (if they cause pain, itching, or bleeding). Drink more water, do yoga and eat a calcium-rich diet!

Excess saliva

You may be salivating more than usual, especially if you're nauseated. You may accumulate so much saliva that you need to spit some out. Chewing gum may help you swallow it more easily.

Sleep problems

Your increased blood flow is making your blood vessels dilate or expand. The wider blood vessels can lower your blood pressure. This low blood pressure and pregnancy hormones (especially progesterone), makes you sleepy during the day and can rob you of night-sleep especially if you also need to wake up to pee a lot.

Weird dreams

This phase of your life brings so many emotions and your brain is working very hard to make sense of them. Hence, weird dreams. Your hormones could also be adding to the confusion in the brain.

iMumz Wellness Tip

Here is a crisp and very useful list of the kinds of foods that you should indulge in/avoid:

• Sattvic foods. Foods that are easy to digest, are not too spicy, salty, or sweet should be your go-to foods. Occasionally, it’s okay to indulge in foods that are considered ‘heavy’, like  cheese, garlic, onions.
• As the baby is largely in a gelatinous, semi-solid state, eat foods that are like this state. Milk is really good during this first trimester, as is sweet milk boiled with rice (kheer).
• Towards the end of the first trimester, your blood volume is  growing a LOT. Make sure you are eating foods high in iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
• Mind your digestive fire (Agni) and do not overwhelm it with too many hard-to-digest foods.
• Omega-3 fatty acids are so essential for a healthy pregnancy, especially a healthy nervous system.

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Your Pregnancy check-ups

In this week, you can expect the following investigations (unless they have already been done or are scheduled for the coming week):

• A calculation of the due-date and if needed, an ultrasound to confirm it.
• Your blood pressure and pulse rate.
• Your medical and family history.
• a blood test, including checking your blood group and test for anaemia, rubella immunity, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, chlamydia and HIV.
• urine test, to see if you have a bladder or urinary tract infection.
• A screening for Down syndrome, if your doctor thinks it’s needed.
• A cervical screening to check for human papillomavirus (HPV) and/or any signs of cervical cancer.
• if at risk of vitamin D deficiency, a test for this may be offered.

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What should you eat in this week of pregnancy?

Paneer (cottage cheese) is not only a national favourite, it’s also rich in nutrients. It has a high amount of Vitamin D and Calcium. Also, unlike other sources of fat, Paneer contains short chains of fatty acids that are easily digestible. This means, the fat instead of getting deposited, is digested and broken down to release energy. Let’s try a recipe different from the usual curries!

Paneer Mint Cutlets

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‍Ingredients

• 1 cup grated paneer.
• 1/4 cup mint leaves, finely chopped
• 2 tsp green chillies, finely chopped
• Half tsp roasted cumin powder
• A pinch of green mango powder.
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• Salt to taste
• Oil for greasing and cooking
• 1 tsp chaat masala

Method

• Combine all the ingredients except the chaat masala in a bowl and mix well.

• Divide this mixture into equal portions and flatten like cutlets.

• Heat a non-stick pan and grease it lightly with a little oil.

• Place the cutlets on it and cook them using a little oil until they turn golden brown on both sides.

• Sprinkle the chaat masala on top and serve hot with green chutney and tomato ketchup.