HOME  •  HEALTH  •  LIBRARY  •  AREAS  •  CENTERS  •  BOARDS  •  CHATS  •  JOIN FREE

Week 6
MDAdvice.com Home > Health Library > Your Pregnancy: Week by Week > Previous Week > Contents > Next Week

If you've just found out you're pregnant, you might want to start by reading the previous sections.

How Big Is Your Baby?

The crown-to-rump length of your growing baby is 0.08 to 0.16 inch (2 to 4mm). Crown-to-rump is the sitting height or distance from the top of the baby's head to its rump or buttocks. This measurement is used more often than crown-to-heel length because the baby's legs are most often bent, making that determination difficult.

Occasionally, with the proper equipment, a heartbeat can be seen on ultrasound by the 6th week. Ultrasound is discussed in detail in Week 11.

How Big Are You?

You may have gained a few pounds by now. If you have been nauseated and not eating well, you may have lost weight. You have been pregnant for 1 month, which is enough time to notice some changes in your body. If this is your first pregnancy, your abdomen may not have changed much. Or you may notice your clothes are getting a little tighter around the waist. You may be gaining weight in your legs or other places, such as your breasts.

If you have a pelvic exam, your healthcare provider can usually feel your uterus and note some change in its size.

How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing

This is the beginning of the embryonic period (to 10 weeks of pregnancy; 8 weeks of development). It is a period of extremely important development in your baby! At this time, the embryo is most susceptible to factors that can interfere with its development. Most malformations originate during this critical period.

As the illustration on page 64 shows, the result of this growth is a body form showing the head and tail area. Around this time, the neural groove closes, and early brain chambers form. The eyes are also forming. Limb buds are seen.

The heart tubes fuse, and heart contractions begin. This can be seen on ultrasound.

Changes in You

Suffering from Heartburn

Heartburn discomfort (pyrosis) is one of the most common complaints of pregnancy. It may begin early, although generally it becomes more severe later in pregnancy. It is usually caused by the backing up (reflux) of gastric and duodenal contents into the esophagus. This occurs more frequently during pregnancy for two reasonsùfood moves more slowly through the intestines and the stomach is compressed by the uterus as it enlarges and moves up into the abdomen.

Symptoms are not severe for most women. It helps to eat small meals frequently and to avoid some positions, such as bending over or lying flat. One sure way to get heartburn is to eat a large meal and then lie down! (This is true for anyone, not just pregnant women.)

Some antacids provide considerable relief, including aluminum hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate and magnesium hydroxide (Amphojel«, Gelusil«, Milk of Magnesia« and Maalox«). Follow your doctor's orders or the instructions on the package relating to pregnancy. Don't overdo taking antacids! Avoid sodium bicarbonate because it contains excessive amounts of sodium that may cause you to retain water.

Cissy, pregnant for the first time, was having trouble sleeping because of stomach problems. She and her husband Robbie often ate out after work. We talked about not eating late or lying down soon after eating. I suggested five or six small meals a day might be a better plan for her. I also advised her that using antacids occasionally was OK.

Try to find foods (and amounts of foods) that don't give you heartburn, but don't go overboard on them. If you find chocolate malts don't cause you problems, for example, don't have one at every meal!

Food Cravings

Food cravings have long been considered a nonspecific sign of pregnancy. Craving a particular food doesn't mean you are pregnant, but when added together with many other signs, it might mean you're pregnant.

Cravings for certain foods during pregnancy can be good and bad. Don't eat foods that aren't good for you. Add foods that benefit you and your growing baby. Some women find they can't stand foods they usually enjoy.

Constipation

It's common for your bowel habits to change during pregnancy. Most women notice some constipation, often accompanied by irregular bowel movements. Hemorrhoids may occur more often.

You can help yourself avoid constipation problems during pregnancy. Increase your fluid intake. Exercise also helps. Many doctors suggest a mild laxative, such as milk of magnesia or prune juice, if you have problems. Certain foods, such as bran and prunes, can increase the bulk in your diet, which may help relieve constipation.

Do not use laxatives, other than those mentioned, without your doctor's OK. If constipation is a continuing problem, discuss treatment with your doctor.

Try not to strain when you have a bowel movement, if you are constipated. Straining can lead to hemorrhoids.

How Your Actions Affect Your Baby's Development

During pregnancy, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can harm your growing baby. Any STD must be taken care of as soon as possible.

Genital Herpes Simplex Infection

Usually a herpes infection during pregnancy is a reinfection, not a primary infection. Infection in the mother is associated with higher risks of premature delivery and low-birth-weight infants. We believe an infant can be infected when traveling through the birth canal. When membranes rupture, the infection may also travel upward to the uterus.

There is no safe treatment during pregnancy for genital herpes. When a woman has an active herpes infection late in pregnancy, a Cesarean section is done to deliver the baby.

Monilial Vulvovaginitis

Monilial (yeast) infections are more common in pregnant women than in nonpregnant women. They have no major negative effect on pregnancy, but they may cause discomfort and anxiety.

Yeast infections are sometimes harder to control when you're pregnant. They may require frequent retreatment or longer treatment (10 to 14 days instead of 3 to 7 days). Creams used for treatment are usually safe during pregnancy. Your partner does not need to be treated.

A newborn infant can get thrush after passing through a birth canal infected with monilial vulvovaginitis. Treatment with nystatin is effective. Avoid the use of fluconazole; it may not be safe to use during pregnancy.

Trichomonal Vaginitis

This infection has no major effects on pregnancy. However, a problem in treatment may arise because some doctors believe metronidazole, the drug of choice, shouldn't be taken in the first trimester of pregnancy. Most healthcare providers will prescribe metronidazole for a bad infection after the first trimester.

Condylomata Acuminatum

This condition is commonly called venereal warts. If you have extensive venereal warts, a Cesarean delivery may be necessary to avoid heavy bleeding.

Warty skin tags often enlarge during pregnancy. In rare instances, they have blocked the vagina at the time of delivery. Infants have also been known to get laryngeal papillomas (small benign tumors on the vocal cords) after delivery.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea presents risks to a woman and her partner, and to her baby when it passes through the birth canal. The baby may contract gonorrheal ophthalmia, a severe eye infection. Eyedrops are used in newborns to prevent this problem. Other infections may also result. Gonorrheal infections are easily treated with penicillin or other medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.

Syphilis

Detection of a syphilis infection is important for you, your partner and your infant. Fortunately this rare infection is also very treatable. If you notice any open sore on your genitals during pregnancy, have your doctor check it out. Syphilis can be treated effectively with penicillin and other medications that are safe in pregnancy.

You Should also Know

Your First Visit to the Doctor

Your first visit to your doctor may be your longest visit. There's a lot to be accomplished. If you saw your doctor before you got pregnant, you may have already discussed some of your concerns.

Feel free to ask questions to get an idea of how this person will relate to you and to your needs. This factor is important as your pregnancy progresses. During pregnancy, there should be an exchange of ideas. Consider what your doctor suggests and why. It's important to share your feelings and ideas. You also need to remember your doctor has experience that can be valuable to you during pregnancy.

What Will Happen?

What should you expect at this first visit? First, you will be asked for a history of your past medical health. This includes general medical problems and any problems relating to your gynecological and obstetrical history. You will be asked about your periods and recent birth-control methods. If you've had an abortion or a miscarriage, tell your doctor. If you've been in the hospital for surgery or for some other reason, it's important information. If you have old medical records, bring them with you.

Your doctor needs to know about any medication you take or any medication you are allergic to. Your family's past medical history may also be important, such as the occurrence of diabetes or other chronic illness.

A physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap smear, will be performed. This exam determines if your uterus is the appropriate size for how far along in your pregnancy you are.

Laboratory tests may be done at this first visit or on a subsequent visit. Lab tests are discussed in depth in Week 8.

If you have questions, ask them. If you think you may have a ôhigh-riskö pregnancy, discuss it with your doctor.

In most cases, you will be asked to return every 4 weeks for the first 7 months, then every 2 weeks until the last month, then every week. If problems arise, you may be scheduled for more frequent visits.

Previous Week > Contents > Next Week

Send This Article to a Friend

Return to Health Library Main Page

From Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Glade B. Curtis, M.D., OB/GYN. Copyright by Fisher Books. Electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.

 Home  |  Help  |  Feedback  |  Privacy Policy  |  Register  |  Contact Us  |  Visitor Survey  |  Subscribe to HealthMail  |  Advertising  |  About MDAdvice.com

Copyright © The Online Medical Network Inc. All rights reserved. All material provided by MDAdvice.com is intended for informative purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. Use of this site indicates your agreement with the Terms of Use.