Pregnancy Week 3

Learn From the Specialists

What Your Baby is Doing This Week

Changes are good you don't feel pregnant with any of the tell-tale signs just yet, but you have a tiny developing baby growing rapidly inside of you. The fertilized egg goes through some massive divisions. About 24-30 hours after the fertilization takes place, the fertilized egg will divide into two cells, then four cells, then eight and so on until it becomes a small mass of cells called a morula. The morula will travel to the uterus where it will become hollow and fill with fluid. The name of this incarnation is blastocyst.

Near the end of this week the blastocyst will attach itself to the lining of the uterus called the endometrium and this is the final stage of the travel for your egg called implantation. The act of implantation allows the endometrium to nourish the developing embryo and will not only provide incoming nutrition, it will also remove wastes from the embryo. Over time, this will become the placenta.

What Your Body is Doing This Week

Even though you don't know for sure that you're pregnant, it's important that you make sure you're getting enough nourishment and vitamins (remember that folic acid) for your developing baby. The brain and spinal cord are mapped out very early in pregnancy so it's important to make sure those nutrients are there.

Be conscious of your protein intake, protein is used to create new tissue and should increase during your pregnancy. Also, increase your calcium as it's good for the development of bones and teeth. Get a good dose of beans, leafy greens (experiment and find combinations you like) and dairy products to be certain that your body will meet the needs of your growing baby. Iron is another consideration. Your baby's blood volume will increase over the coming months so make sure your diet includes iron-rich foods such as red meat, legumes, eggs, and leafy green vegetables.

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