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1st Trimester (weeks 1-13)

Week 6

About You

Week 6 is the sixth week of the 1st trimester. You are probably still getting used to the idea of being pregnant, and starting to feel a little different. Possibly this different feeling will involve your changing emotions caused partly by fluctuating hormones, and by your impending life-changing experience, but these mood changes are completely normal. You should also start to pay attention to hygiene -in particular, hand washing and avoiding sources of bacteria, such as kitty litter. The danger is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection carried by cats (as well as other animals and birds), transmitted in faeces, and found in gardens where animals poop. If you get toxoplasmosis when you're pregnant, your baby can get it too, in utero, and it can cause significant neurological damage to a developing baby.

Also note that it is estimated that about half of toxoplasmosis infections are caused by eating raw or undercooked infected meat, but you can also get the parasite by eating unwashed contaminated produce, drinking contaminated water, or handling contaminated soil, cat litter, or meat and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Your changeable emotions can be unsettling, especially if you are used to being in control. You can experience a range of emotions in a short time, from feeling moody or teary to happy and joyful. Tip: if you feel emotional and teary, avoid discussing serious issues with your partner, and sad movies.

You may start to experience morning sickness although it can actually happen at any time of the day (for example, some women get afternoon sickness). Learn to cope with it by eating a small meal the night before, eating small meals more frequently, avoiding fatty foods or foods that are hard to digest. Dry food like bread is great if you are feeling really queasy. Also avoid smells that you know will make you feel sick. If your morning sickness becomes chronic, be careful that you don't become dehydrated.

Spotting (spots of blood on your underpants or toilet tissue after urinating) or bleeding is relatively common in early pregnancy, affecting up to a quarter of pregnant women. It may occur in a normal pregnancy, but sometimes it can be the first sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you have any spotting or bleeding, call your health provider.

About Baby

In week 6 baby is about the size of a lentil. T he nose, mouth, and ears are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. Emerging ears are marked by small depressions on each side of the head, and arms and legs are just protruding buds. The heart is beating at about 100 to 160 times a minute (almost twice as fast as an adult), and blood is beginning to course through the body. Intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. The pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of the brain, muscles, and bones.

This week's activities for the pregnancy to-do list

✔ If you're ready, start sharing the good news with family members and close friends

✔Make your partner the official kitty litter changer

✔ Experiment with morning sickness remedies

✔ Decide whether you like your doctor enough to stick with him or her through delivery. If not, start looking for a new one.

Tip: Avoid doctors that treat you like you know nothing (only you know how you really feel), condescending in attitude or present problems but not solutions (like weight gain).

Note that this article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.

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