Here is a general month-by-month breakdown of what you can expect during your pregnancy, this explanation is the map and expected direction of what is supposed to happen during the next 40 weeks:
Depending on where you are at in your pregnancy will determine a starting point.
If you just found out you are pregnant and you are 4-6 weeks pregnant, here is a quick recap of what has happened so far.
Congratulations you are 4 weeks/ 1 month pregnant.
You may not be feeling much up to this point, you may have just noticed that you didn’t have your period this month. You may have taken a pregnancy test and it may or may not have shown a positive result. It takes the body a up to a few more weeks for the urine to show excretions of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). So, if you did have a positive test, be assured it is likely correct.
This is the week the baby officially becomes and embryo, this will stimulate changes in the body and you might be experiencing menstrual cycle symptoms, PMS including cramping, sore breasts and unusual fatigue. If there is spotting, it could be completely normal, about 30% of pregnancies experience implantation bleeding when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall.
At this point start adding a prenatal vitamin with 600 mcg of folic acid daily. Folic Acid protects against birth defects an may even help lower blood pressure when they are adults.
5 weeks of pregnancy, still in the first trimester.
You have probably missed your first menstrual cycle and likely will have a positive at home pregnancy exam.
Your baby is starting to form the basis of their organ systems and is still he size of a pop rocks crystal.
You are also wondering about your due date? Here is a resource to estimate your due date, our office likes to think about this as the middle of your birth month.
Pregnancy Due Date Calculator (perinatology.com)
Due Date Calculator — Amazingly Accurate Pregnancy Calculator (mamanatural.com)
It’s your choice also when you want to start telling other about your baby. Many wait till 12 weeks, other wait till 20 weeks. It is your choice.
Symptoms: You may start to experience some shifts in your body. You may start crying at commercials or nausea. Be prepared as your amazing body is starting to shift hormones to create, love and deliver your baby.
Now is the time to start thinking about your birth team.
1. Look for a healthcare providers and birthing facilities that support birth choices. This may include midwives, family doctors, or obstetricians who have a philosophy of minimal intervention during childbirth.
2. Research complementary health care provider such as chiropractors and massage therapist, who can be helpful in managing symptoms associated with pregnancy and promoting natural labor and delivery.
3. Consider hiring a doula: A doula is a trained childbirth assistant who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing person and their partner during labor and delivery. Doulas can help you have a more natural birth by providing continuous support and encouragement.
Pregnancy Tracker - Sprout on the App Store (apple.com)
6 Weeks Pregnant
Is about the size of a Tiny Chiclet Gum.
Now is the time to start thinking about your birth professionals and scheduling your first prenatal appointment, chiropractic exam, and perinatal massage.
6 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
Here’s what may be happening with your body this week:
Morning sickness, weird dreams, food cravings, smell aversion, bloating or morning sickness. I how it sounds, but many will feel no extra symptoms or just mild hormone changes.
It is just a reminder to take it easy.
Your Baby at 6 Weeks
Though it’s still very early, baby’s starting to develop lots of new things, including blood circulation and cardiac activity. Here are some other highlights.
What are the next steps?
Learn about the webster technique.
Natural relief to common symptom during pregnancy
using herbs, essential oils and homeopathic remedies.
If you just found out you are pregnant and you are 4-6 weeks pregnant, here is a quick recap of what has happened so far.
Congratulations you are 4 weeks/ 1 month pregnant.
You may not be feeling much up to this point, you may have just noticed that you didn’t have your period this month. You may have taken a pregnancy test and it may or may not have shown a positive result. It takes the body a up to a few more weeks for the urine to show excretions of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). So, if you did have a positive test, be assured it is likely correct.
This is the week the baby officially becomes and embryo, this will stimulate changes in the body and you might be experiencing menstrual cycle symptoms, PMS including cramping, sore breasts and unusual fatigue. If there is spotting, it could be completely normal, about 30% of pregnancies experience implantation bleeding when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall.
At this point start adding a prenatal vitamin with 600 mcg of folic acid daily. Folic Acid protects against birth defects an may even help lower blood pressure when they are adults.
5 weeks of pregnancy, still in the first trimester.
You have probably missed your first menstrual cycle and likely will have a positive at home pregnancy exam.
Your baby is starting to form the basis of their organ systems and is still he size of a pop rocks crystal.
You are also wondering about your due date? Here is a resource to estimate your due date, our office likes to think about this as the middle of your birth month.
Pregnancy Due Date Calculator (perinatology.com)
Due Date Calculator — Amazingly Accurate Pregnancy Calculator (mamanatural.com)
It’s your choice also when you want to start telling other about your baby. Many wait till 12 weeks, other wait till 20 weeks. It is your choice.
Symptoms: You may start to experience some shifts in your body. You may start crying at commercials or nausea. Be prepared as your amazing body is starting to shift hormones to create, love and deliver your baby.
Now is the time to start thinking about your birth team.
1. Look for a healthcare providers and birthing facilities that support birth choices. This may include midwives, family doctors, or obstetricians who have a philosophy of minimal intervention during childbirth.
2. Research complementary health care provider such as chiropractors and massage therapist, who can be helpful in managing symptoms associated with pregnancy and promoting natural labor and delivery.
3. Consider hiring a doula: A doula is a trained childbirth assistant who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing person and their partner during labor and delivery. Doulas can help you have a more natural birth by providing continuous support and encouragement.
Pregnancy Tracker - Sprout on the App Store (apple.com)
6 Weeks Pregnant
Is about the size of a Tiny Chiclet Gum.
Now is the time to start thinking about your birth professionals and scheduling your first prenatal appointment, chiropractic exam, and perinatal massage.
6 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
Here’s what may be happening with your body this week:
Morning sickness, weird dreams, food cravings, smell aversion, bloating or morning sickness. I how it sounds, but many will feel no extra symptoms or just mild hormone changes.
It is just a reminder to take it easy.
Your Baby at 6 Weeks
Though it’s still very early, baby’s starting to develop lots of new things, including blood circulation and cardiac activity. Here are some other highlights.
- Scrunched up: Your tadpole-like baby has, yes, a tail (it’ll go away soon) and sits scrunched up, which is why doctors measure them head-to-rump for now.
- Circulation: Blood has already started circulating, and a faint cardiac activity can sometimes be heard during your exam, (it’s pulsing about 150 times a minute to be exact).
- Starting on arms and legs: Making their debut this week are tiny buds that will eventually grow into your baby’s arms and legs.
- Safe haven: It’s easy to forget, but your baby isn’t the only thing your body is making right now. The placenta, amniotic sac and umbilical cord are key to growing a healthy little one, and they are maturing this week to fully take on their responsibilities.
What are the next steps?
Learn about the webster technique.
Natural relief to common symptom during pregnancy
using herbs, essential oils and homeopathic remedies.
1st month: You may even know you are pregnant and you may not experience any symptoms during the first month. Your baby is still very small, and your uterus and cervix are preparing for pregnancy.
2nd month: You may start to experience some symptoms, such as morning sickness, fatigue, and breast changes. Your baby's organs are developing and the placenta is forming.
3rd month: Your baby's bones are developing and your baby is starting to move around. You may feel more energetic and the morning sickness may start to improve.
4th month: Your baby's facial features are starting to take shape and their arms and legs are getting longer. You may start to feel your baby move, which is called "quickening."
5th month: Your baby's senses, such as hearing and taste, are developing. Your belly is getting bigger and you may start to feel more uncomfortable.
6th month: Your baby's skin is starting to become smooth and their hair is growing. You may have to start wearing maternity clothes.
7th month: Your baby's organs, such as their lungs and liver, are continuing to mature. You may have more difficulty sleeping and may experience swelling in your feet and ankles.
8th month: Your baby is getting ready for birth and their head is settling into your pelvis. You may feel more pressure on your bladder and have contractions.
9th month: Your baby is getting ready to be born and their head is usually facing down towards the birth canal. You will have regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress.
5th month: Your baby's senses, such as hearing and taste, are developing. Your belly is getting bigger and you may start to feel more uncomfortable.
6th month: Your baby's skin is starting to become smooth and their hair is growing. You may have to start wearing maternity clothes.
7th month: Your baby's organs, such as their lungs and liver, are continuing to mature. You may have more difficulty sleeping and may experience swelling in your feet and ankles.
8th month: Your baby is getting ready for birth and their head is settling into your pelvis. You may feel more pressure on your bladder and have contractions.
9th month: Your baby is getting ready to be born and their head is usually facing down towards the birth canal. You will have regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress.
The nervous system plays a vital role in pregnancy, both for the mother and the developing fetus. Here are some of the functions of the nervous system during pregnancy, this is the compass. Knowing these changes are going to happen and will adapt to the environment of the mother and fetus we, together, are able to create optimal function by creating a clear communication between the brain, spine and uterus.
Maintaining homeostasis: The nervous system helps to regulate various bodily functions to maintain homeostasis, or a state of balance, in the body. During pregnancy, the nervous system helps to regulate the body's metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and other physiological processes to support the needs of both the mother and the growing fetus.
- Controlling movement: The nervous system coordinates the movement of muscles and limbs, allowing the mother to perform tasks such as walking, lifting, and bending. These movements can be more difficult during pregnancy due to the added weight of the fetus and the changes in the mother's center of gravity.
- Sensory perception: The nervous system processes sensory information from the environment and the body's internal systems, allowing the mother to perceive and respond to hormone and soft tissue changes happening daily. During pregnancy, the nervous system helps the mother to perceive changes in her body, such as the movement of the fetus, and to respond accordingly.
- Communication: The nervous system plays a key role in communication between the mother and the developing fetus. For example, the mother's nervous system sends signals to the uterus to stimulate contractions during labor, and the fetal nervous system sends signals to the mother's body to trigger the release of hormones such as oxytocin.
Overall, the nervous system plays a crucial role in the many physical and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, helping to support the health and well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus.
Our office tracks your neurological health with Tryton Thermography each visit.
