You may have imagined pregnancy before, but now you are actually pregnant! As you enter the fourth week of pregnancy, feelings may wash over you. Mixed feelings are normal as you adjust to your new sense of self.
Pregnancy offers nine months to prepare for these and other changes. Often, the first trimester brings up questions that help you explore your values and feelings. Sometimes anxiety or concern comes up when meeting these needs seems immense. Journaling and talking to others can help. Look for a person who handled pregnancy or parenting in a way you admire and talk with them. You may like a parenting or pregnancy coach, or a therapist or group facilitator so you can get advise that is grounded in experience and research. Or, you may want an elder who has life experience in your way of living. The main idea here is to connect with people who are practical and empowering.
Through conscious decisions and transformative actions, you get to create a parenting lifestyle that reflects the hope and growth you and your baby deserve. Each generation brings its own highlights and talents to the heritage.
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“The first race I won was in the fallopian tube.”
—Marco Conati, winner of the Minnesota State High School Swim Meet—
(and one of Gail’s doula babies!)
The next nine months will bring changes and challenges to your mind, body, and spirit. Begin a self-care routine now to help you feel physically healthy and emotionally stable.
Walking, regularly exercising, and practicing yoga are ideal. Some activities are not recommended. These include exercises that have sudden jolting stops or twists, such as jumping, batting, bowling, horseback riding, etc. Extreme sports and some weightlifting activities may cause uterine ligaments to become unbalanced. Even this early in pregnancy, a daily routine that works toward a balanced body can increase comfort and is effective preparation for an easier birth.
So much is happening as your baby begins to form layers of cells that will develop the different parts of their body.
This week, the life phase called the “embryo” develops.
Your baby is now the size of a poppy seed.
There is a pre-placenta called the yolk sac for the next several weeks before the placenta is fully formed and ready to take over the task of support. Right now, the yolk sac contains the nutritional needs of the embryo. The amniotic sac, and its fluid are forming. Amazingly, the basis of baby’s spine, heart and brain form out of folds in the ball of cells that marked the previous phase of development.
The success of this folding contributes to crawling and thinking.
Love your little embryo and imagine them happily forming under your loving gaze.
Pregnancy hormones increase quickly. You might not notice any changes yet, or you may notice some bloating or mood swings. Slight spotting is normal and is a sign of the embryo’s implantation in the wall of the uterus. If bleeding is as heavy as your period, or lasts several days, call your care provider.
For most pregnancies, a prenatal vitamin and other essential supplements offer nutrients for you and your baby. Drink plenty of water and get enough sleep. You may notice a heightened aversion to red meat, smoke, gas fumes, or cleaning products. This is your body reacting to help you avoid toxins.
Affirmations are short, powerful statements that can affect your conscious thoughts. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly, and repeat the following to yourself each day throughout the next week:
For additional education to even further enhance your pregnancy and labor preparation, shop our extensive collection of digital downloads, videos, DVDs, workbooks, and more.