Mom Info:

Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

• Breasts may feel tender and swollen
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Headaches
• Morning sickness
• Mood swings
• Faintness or dizziness
• Food aversions or cravings

Take Care of Yourself and Your Baby

• Take a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin with 400 mcgs. of folic acid every day.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains and calcium-rich foods.
• Avoid uncooked meat or fish.
• Stay away from chemicals like insecticides, solvents, lead and mercury. Not all products have pregnancy warnings on their labels. If you're unsure if a product is safe, do not use it!
• Avoid or control caffeine in your diet. Pregnant women should have no more than 2 servings of caffeine per day. Remember that teas, sodas and chocolate may contain caffeine.
• Avoid hot tubs, saunas and x-rays.
• If you have a cat, ask your healthcare provider about toxoplasmosis. This infection is caused by a parasite sometimes found in cat feces. Avoid cleaning the litter box and working in a garden area solied by cats.

Precautions

• Alcohol - Avoid alcohol while you are pregnant. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and mental retardation in your baby.
• Smoking - Women who smoke during pregnancy give birth to babies whose birth weights are lower than average. If you smoke, you will have a greater chance of miscarriage or stillbirth. Now's a great time to stop!
• Medications - Avoid using medications of any kind during your pregnancy, unless your healthcare provider specifically prescribes one for you. This also applies to over-the-counter drugs and herbal preparations.
• Hard Drugs - Substance abuse during your pregnancy victimizes your unborn child and has been linked with low birthweight babies, fetal distress and premature birth. These newborns often begin life with withdrawl symptoms.

Morning Sickness Tips

• Eat bread and crackers before you get out of bed each morning.
• Get out of bed slowly - don't jump up.
• Try yogurt, milk or juice before bedtime.
• Avoid greasy, fried foods or spicy foods.
• Eat several small meals during the day rather than a few large meals.
• When sick, get fresh air, take deep breaths and sip water.

Baby Info:

• The embryo is beginning to look more human.
• Tiny notches for the toes and fingers are developing.
• Elbows form and your baby begins bending and flexing.
• Facial features are becoming more pronounced. Eyelids form, but remain closed. Nostrils are formed and the nose moves into the correct position.
• The head seems huge compared to the body because the brain is growing at a very rapid pace.
• By the end of 8 weeks, the embryo is about 1 inch long and weighs less than 1 ounce.

Ideas for Dad:

Mom maybe feeling crummy and taking it out on you (or anyone else around). Try no to take it personally. Plan a special date to celebrate your positive pregnancy test.

If morning sickness has hit home, there are a few things you can do to help: 1) Certain smells can make Mom queasy - even things like coffee can set off a wave of nausea. Try to keep these things away until the morning sickness abates; 2) encourage Mom to maintain a healthy diet high in protein and carbohydrates and to drink lots of fluids, especially water; 3) set some saltine crackers or pretzels by the bed and encourage her to eat some BEFORE she gets out of bed; 4) understand that she may not feel up to cooking, cleaning and other household chores right now. You can be a big help to her (and baby) by suggesting she rest while you do some of her chores you don't normally do.

Do you have a cat? If so, Dad, PLEASE take over the job of cleaning the litter box. Cat feces can contain a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis - an infection that can cross the placenta and harm your baby.

When Mom goes to her first prenatal appointment, you'll be doing yourself a huge favor by making every effort to go with her. Be an involved parent NOW! Ask the doctor/midwife questions and share in this adventure. Take Mom out for a nice meal afterwards to celebrate and talk about the appointment.