• Discuss any regular medication you need to take as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.
• Make sure that your work conditions are not hazardous to your baby's wellbeing.
• Stop smoking or drinking alcohol.
• Check for rubella (German Measles) immunity before you conceive.
• Keep high standards of hygiene with pets to avoid toxoplasmosis infection.

Changes in your body

• You may experience Nausea, Fatigue, Breast Tenderness, Micturation, Miseed Period (s), and of course, Unusal Food Craving at any time of the day.
• Breast becomes tender and heavier.
• No control on your moods. Your emotions may be unpredictable because of hormonal changes.
• Feeling lethargic and tired is something very common.
  

Baby's Development

• The embryo, which may now be called foetus has all the developing internal organs in place and is about the size of a small strawberry.
• The foetus moves around a lot, though you cannot feel these movements yet.
• In the 8th week, the foetus has a face with a nose, mouth and tongue and the heart and internal organs are established

• Nausea diminishes and you start feeling better
• Constipation may become a problem
• You may be able to feel the top of the uterus just above you pubic bone

Baby's Development

• The genital organs can now be seen clearly with ultrasound
• The eyes are completely formed and the fingers and toes are developing though they are still joined by webs of skin
• The internal organs are now working
• Baby's movements are becoming stronger because his muscles are developing.

• A screening blood test checks the level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in your blood. If there is a higher or lower level than usual, this may indicate Down's Syndrome or spina bifida in your baby.
• If you have had problems with an incompetent cervix before, a suture will be inserted at this stage under a general anaethetic

Changes in your body

• Your hair becomes thicker
• Your nipples and areola become darker
• Your waistline has disappeared and there is a visible bump
• You may notice a skin pigmentation on your face, breasts and arms
• You may have more energy at this stage

Baby's Development

• The foetus's skin is transparent
• Tiny fingernails are visible
• As the tiny bones in her ears harden, the baby can hear sounds
• Her movements become vigorous
• Fine hair, called lanugo appears all over her body
• The head appears large in proportion to the body

• You start feeling your baby move  light flutters
• Your breasts may produce colostrum, the first milk and gums may bleed
• Breasts increase in size
• Your skin may darken
• You may also experience heavy vaginal discharge
• Stretchmarks may appear on your abdomen

Baby's Development

• The baby's teeth start forming in the jawbone
• He begins to move around more vigorously in the womb
• The baby's hands can form fists
• Hair may appear on her head

• You need to wear loose fitting clothes as you are visibly pregnant
• Your face may appear puffy because of water retention
• Increased circulation may cause increased sweating
• You may experience rib pain as the baby presses upwards towards you ribcage

Baby's Development

• Creases start appearing on baby's palms and fingertips.
• She can suck her thumb in the womb
• The body is now more in proportion with the head
• The skin has lost its translucent quality
• The nostrils open and she tries to make breathing motions

• Stretchmarks in your stomach or thighs become bigger
• You may experience lower back pain which is caused by the enlarging abdomen and loosening of pelvic joints
• As the uterus expands you may feel heartburn or indigestion
• Veins on your breasts become noticeable
• The womb has risen halfway between your navel and breastbone

Baby's Development

• Micturation, or urgency to urinate may increase as uterus expands, putting pressure on your internal organs and diaphragm
• Your lower ribcage may feel sore due to the baby's pressure
• Your uterus starts to contract in practice for labour
• Your navel is inverted and looks flattened
• The placenta has reached maturity

Baby's Development

• Most babies now turn head downwards (cephalic position) in preparation for birth
• Her face is now smooth with most of the wrinkles gone

Changes in your body

• As the baby's head drops, breathlessness and heartburn should decrease
• Your large abdomen makes it difficult for you to sleep, so you need to find a comfortable position
• You may have backache and stiff joints
• Pelvic pain may increase with the pressure of the baby's head Baby's Development
• The baby is gaining weight
• She has shed most of her fine hair
• Her fingernails grow to reach the end of her fingers
• The irises of her eyes are blue

Changes in your body

• You feel tired and moving around takes a lot of effort
• Your lower abdomen feels very heavy and your skin is tight and uncomfortable
• Your cervix is softening in preparation for labour

Baby's Development

• The baby is now full size
• If the baby is a boy, the testicles will have descended
• Most of the vernix has gone, but some may still be present in skin folds
• Her fingernails are long