A popular phrase says that ‘a pregnancy that lasts 9 weeks lasts 9 months’. This means that a risk of early miscarriage almost drops to nil by then. Early miscarriage is nature’s way of eliminating foetuses that aren’t viable. So, there is NOTHING that a mum did wrong to bring it on. In this week, the embryo has grown to about 10mm long from head to bottom. This measurement is called the crown-rump length. The brain is growing rapidly and this results in the head growing faster than the rest of the body. The embryo has a large forehead, and the eyes and ears continue to develop.

Garbha Vriddhi

स सर्वगुणवान गर्भत्वमापन्नः प्रथमे मासि सम्मूर्छितः सर्वधातुकलुषीकृतः खेटभूतो भवत्यव्यक्तविग्रहः सदसद्भूतांगावयवः ॥ (चरक शारीरस्थान ४।९)

Ayurveda says that the aatma possessing all the qualities stirs itself nicely with the five elements called panchamahabhuta and attains the shape called shleshma (mucoid form) in which all the body parts. It is very much present. though not manifested.

Your Baby's Development

Large forehead

The embryo has an oddly large forehead right now. ,The brain is growing at a superfast speed! Did you know that at this stage, the brain grows faster than the rest of the body? The inner ears start to develop, but the outer ears on the sides of the head will not appear for a couple more weeks. Nerve cells continue to multiply and develop as the brain and spinal cord (the nervous system) starts to take shape. The limb buds start to form cartilage, which will develop into the bones of the legs and arms. The arm buds get longer and the ends flatten out – these will become the hands.

Your baby's eyes

The eye, even though really tiny, is getting its components ready. The main parts of the eye that allow your baby to see – the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and retina – start developing this week, and they're almost fully formed just a few weeks later.

The digestive system

Liver and pancreas, that are vital organs, are already taking shape. The stomach and esophagus also start to form. The esophagus is the tube that moves food from your baby's mouth to the stomach.

Brain development

Your baby's brain gains 250,000 cells per minute, on average, throughout the course of pregnancy. Whoa! The neural tube that becomes your baby's spinal column and brain has formed and closed on both ends, with your baby's brain at the top. It's now made up of three areas (forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain).

Network forming

A delicate network of nerves is spreading through your baby’s body. They are going to start making constant little motions, as their brain and spinal cord sends signals to the muscles in their body. Soon your baby will be able to feel sensations, like temperature and taste. Cartilage starts to form in the arm and leg buds. The arms grow longer and flatten out at the ends as a sign of hands to appear there, later.

Your Pregnancy Symptoms

No pregnancy symptoms?

Some women don’t feel symptoms till Week 8. It’s a mystery why some get those early, some late, some have intense symptoms, some mild. Relax, it doesn’t mean that there's something wrong with your pregnancy.

Food dislikes

Some foods that you liked so far could now become intolerable! Food aversions are another side effect of rapidly increasing estrogen levels. Hang in there, this is likely to go away by the second trimester.

What’s that smell?

Some women find certain smells like new upholstery, or frying of food completely unbearable. This may be a side effect of rapidly increasing levels of estrogen in your system. Even the perfume you loved so far can become intolerable. This is likely fade away in the second trimester.

Mood swings

Starting now and perhaps going up to week 12, you may experience a range of strong emotions. They are caused by a mix of reasons: inadequate sleep, stress, fatigue, and hormonal changes. There are also, sometimes subconscious concerns about being a parent.

Excessive saliva

This can be very annoying, especially when you are trying to get sleep. It could be because you may be producing more of it or swallowing less – or a combination of the two. Hormonal changes, nausea, and heartburn can all cause you to salivate more during pregnancy. Have lots of water, suck on candy and eat small meals more often.

Constipation

Some women experience a struggle in passing bowels. It happens because pregnancy hormones relax smooth muscles in the body, which means food moves through your system more slowly. Try to eat foods with high-fibre content and if really not able to cope, do ask your doctor if your prenatal vitamin could be causing it.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux, (also known as heartburn or acid reflux) is that burning sensation between the lower throat and the bottom of the breastbone. It can be really distressing but there’s not much you can do about it. Have cooling foods and drinks, don’t eat too much at one go and lie with your head and chest propped up.

iMumz Wellness Tip

How to avoid spotting during early pregnancy

Avoid sex and excessive physical activities.

Avoid intake of highly spicy foods.

Have complete bed rest.

Make a note on the type of bleeding – whether there are clots, the colour – red or brown, associated symptoms such as vomiting, lower abdominal cramps etc.

Apply a preparation called Shata Dhauta ghrita around your navel  everyday. It is a light cream that deeply penetrates into all seven layers of skin to heal it from within.

Seek medical advice and rule out the cause of bleeding at earliest.

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Your Pregnancy check-ups

Some women decide to choose a doctor around this week. For most, it's the morning sickness that is driving them mad!

Seventy to eighty percent of all pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness, which is caused by the increased amount of hormones in your body. If morning sickness is so severe that you are constantly throwing up and not keeping anything down, consult your doctor about the possibility of having hyperemesis gravidarum.

At this stage, the doctor might do a transvaginal ultrasound, check your urine for the hCG levels that are needed to maintain pregnancy and start you on a prenatal vitamin.

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What should you eat in this week of pregnancy?

Adding fiber-rich bananas help your tummy in a nice way. Another study shows that vitamin B6 may help relieve nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy as well.

Banana Kebabs

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Ingredients

• 2 Raw bananas
• 1/2 tbsp butter or ghee
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp white pepper powder
• 1 tsp rose petal powder
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/2 tsp saunf powder
• 1 tsp wheat flour
• 1 tsp corn flour
• lemon rind

For the stuffing

• 150 gram cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp roasted peanuts. coarsely ground.
• 3-4 Dried figs, finely chopped
• Coriander leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
• 1 Lemon (juiced)
• Cooking oil
• Salt
• Water

How to Make Raw Banana Kebab

• Cut the ends of the bananas and make a slit. Cook them for five to seven minutes.
• Cool the cooked bananas by putting them in cold water. Peel and mash them well.
• Add butter, salt and mashed bananas in a pan.
• When the mixture turns a little pink, add cardamom powder, cinnamon powder, white pepper powder, rose petal powder, ginger and saunf powder.
• Cook for sometime and then cool.

The Stuffing

• Mix cheese, figs, coriander leaves, green chillies, pomegranate seeds, peanuts and lemon juice and salt.
• Add wheat flour and corn flour to the cooled banana mixture and mix well. Now add lemon rind and lemon juice.
• Shape the banana mixture into kebabs, add the filling and seal the edges.
• Fry in an Airfryer to keep it healthy!

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