what is going on when you are 5 to 6 weeks pregnant. how is the baby and what are the changes in the mother?

Answer 1

The crown-to-rump length of a growing baby at 6 weeks gestational is about 2-4mm. Crown-to-rump is the sitting height or distance from the top of the baby's head to its rump or buttocks. Occasionally, a heartbeat can be seen on an ultrasound by the 6th week.

6 weeks is the beginning of the embryonic period (from conception to week 10 of pregnancy). It is a period of extremely important development in the baby! At this time, the embryo is most susceptible to factors that can interfere with development. Most malformations originate during this critical period. Also around this time, the neural groove closes and early brain chambers form. The eyes are also forming, and limb buds appear. The heart tubes fuse, and heart contractions begin.

The mother may have gained a few pounds. If the mother has been nauseated and not eating well, she may have lost some weight. If it is the mother's first pregnancy her abdomen probably hasn't changed much. Or her clothes may be getting a little tighter around the waist. She may be gaining weight in her legs or other places, such as breasts. She may also be getting a lot of heartburn and becoming constipated.

Answer 2

There is a book called "The Pregnancy Journal" sold at Baby's R Us, Wal-Mart, Target...

It's a great book that tells you everything from day one what changes are going on.

Answer 3

Five weeks:
How your baby's growing: Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm — that will later form his organs and tissues. The cells are forming for his major organs, including his kidneys and liver, and his neural tube is beginning to develop. This neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — develops in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel. His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue. The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing: Pregnancy symptoms may surface this week if they haven't already. If you're like most women, you'll notice nausea (and not just in the morning), sore breasts, fatigue, and frequent urination. All are normal, all are annoying, but the upside is that they're all a part of being pregnant and won't last forever. The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you — except maybe that you're turning down that glass of wine with dinner. It's a good idea to avoid alcohol throughout your pregnancy since no one knows exactly how much — or how little — alcohol can harm a developing baby.

You'll also want to continue or start an exercise routine. Exercise helps you develop good muscle tone, strength, and endurance; plus, it helps you manage the extra weight you'll be carrying and get ready for the physical rigors of labor. You'll also find that bouncing back after you give birth will be easier if you've already established a workout routine. Choose a safe, moderately vigorous activity you like (walking and swimming are fine choices for pregnant women).

Dads, there are plenty of ways to participate in your partner's pregnancy — even this early in the game. Click here for great tips on getting involved.


Easing breast pain "I found out I was pregnant and boom — my breasts got really tender right away. So I started wearing my sports bra all the time. It really helped ease my discomfort." — Jennifer


Surprising Facts: Safety tips for a healthy pregnancy

The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are a critical time for your baby's development, but you needn't worry about every little thing. Taking a few key steps now can ensure your baby's health and your own. Here, the best ways to keep your baby safe.

Stop smoking. Smoking increases your risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, infant death, and many other dangers. Some studies have shown that pregnant women who smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day are more likely to give birth to a baby with a cleft lip or palate. It's never too late to quit or cut back. Every cigarette you don't light gives your baby a better chance of being healthy. For help, visit BabyCenter's quitting smoking during pregnancy area.

Stop drinking alcohol. Women who have more than two drinks a day are at greater risk for giving birth to a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) than those who drink less. As little as one drink a day can increase the odds for low birth weight and raise your child's risk for problems with learning, speech, attention span, language, and hyperactivity. And some research has shown that as little as one drink per week can increase your child's risk of aggressive and delinquent behavior later in life. No one knows exactly what harmful effect even the smallest amount of alcohol has on a developing baby, so skip the booze altogether.

Don't take any medications without first talking to your doctor. Many drugs — even some as commonplace as the pain reliever ibuprofen — aren't safe during pregnancy. If you take any medications to treat a chronic condition, don't stop them cold turkey, but call your caregiver right away to go through your medication list and find out what's safe and what's not. Mention everything, even supplements and herbs.

Get early prenatal care and keep up with your appointments. Good prenatal care is essential to your baby's health. At your first prenatal visit (usually around 8 to 12 weeks) you'll be screened for certain conditions that could lead to complications. If you haven't yet chosen a caregiver and set up an appointment, make it a priority now.

Take your prenatal vitamin. Most prenatal supplements contain more folic acid, iron, and calcium than you'll find in a standard multivitamin. Pregnant women need more of these nutrients — especially folic acid, which greatly reduces your baby's risk of developing neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida. Don't overdo the vitamins, though; more is not necessarily better and in some cases can even be dangerous.

Answer 4

pregnancyweekly.com its amazing