Pregnancy Week By Week (Week 4)

Week 4 Fetus

Must-ask Questions this Week (Week 4)

How soon can I do a home pregnancy test?
The sooner the better! That way you can ensure both you and baby receive the care you both need at the earliest. The test can be done at home using an over the counter home pregnancy kit or making an appointment with your doctor.

Is there anything that can be done to reduce the chances of a false test result?
Although home pregnancy tests are proven to be 97% accurate, false positives and false negatives can occur. You should

• Check the test has not passed the expiry date

• Follow the instructions to the dot, paying particular attention to the waiting time

• Make sure you use your first morning urine as it contains a higher concentration of HCG comparatively

• Use a clean, soap-free container if the test requires you to collect a sample

Here are some important pointers to bear in mind when interpreting your results:

• If you get a positive test result, you are probably pregnant. If there are errors during testing, they are most likely to result in false negatives

• If your test comes back negative but your period isn't here a week later, test again

• If your test shows only a very faint positive, test a few days later again to see if your hormone levels have increased

• If you tested positive initially but a subsequent pregnancy test comes back negative, it is possible you experienced an early miscarriage

Once your pregnancy is confirmed it is a good idea to visit your doctor and begin on your prenatal program. Your doctor will also want to confirm your pregnancy through a physical check by examining your uterus, cervix and perform a quantitative hCG blood test.

Some Basic Pointers (Week 4)

Facts in a Gist

• Limit your coffee intake and stop alcohol totally once you start trying to conceive. Check with your doctor on all over the counter prescriptions

• Take the so-called gender selection methods lightly as there is very little evidence supporting the theory of timing of intercourse influences gender of baby

• Be aware of any workplace hazard that may pose a threat to baby

• You will want to bear in mind that there is no such thing as a typical pregnancy so not all women go through all of the symptoms of pregnancy

• Resist the temptation of using a home pregnancy test too soon or you will be wasting money. The hCG levels take time to rise in order for the pregnancy test to come back positive


Anti-nutrients
Certain substances stand in the way of nutrients absorption thereby affecting the nutritional status.

• The only safe level of alcohol intake is no alcohol. It affects the absorption of vitamins and nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium; it raises your BP levels. It can cross the placenta, so if you drink, so does your baby

• Smoking is associated with miscarriage, low birth weight and premature babies. It reduces oxygen supply to baby, slows down growth rate and possibly damages the DNA. Nicotine further destroys vitamin C and removes depletes from your body

• Tea and coffee have a diuretic effect and interfere with calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron absorption


Weight gain
Excessive weight gain is a genuine concern of many. You can weigh yourself at home and monitor your growth. The range of weight gain varies from woman to woman and from one pregnancy to another but as a rule of the thumb you can expect to gain 11-16 kg (24-35 lb): usually 3-4 kg (6-9lb) in the first 20 weeks and then about 450g (1lb) per week thereafter until term. If you are underweight, your gain will be 12.5-18kg (28-40lb), and if you are overweight, 7-11kg (15-25 lb)

Your Nutrition (Week 4)

ESSENTIAL DIETARY NUTRIENTS

VITAMINS AND MINERALS	FOR MOTHER	FOR BABY
Vitamin A
Some of your intake of beta carotene may be converted to vitamin A	For its anti-oxidant properties and to fight infection	For cell differentiation, eye development, formation of healthy cell membranes
Vitamins B
Not necessary to increase intake unless you are adolescent, carrying twins or at risk of diabetes	B2 and B6 to balance hormones; B2 and B5 for energy and B6 for improving metabolism	B12 for nervous system; B6 for healthy immunity & brain development
Other vitamins
The need for vitamin D increases in pregnancy; vitamin E also if consumption of polyunsaturated fats is high	C for iron absorption and hormone production, D to absorb and utilize calcium	D for healthy bones; E for developing heart
Folate	Refer to key nutrients above	Refer to key nutrients above
Iron	Refer to key nutrients above	Refer to key nutrients above
Calcium
The fetus accumulates calcium rapidly during the first trimester	For formation of healthy bones and teeth	For muscle contraction and nerve transmission
Zinc
Essential throughout pregnancy	For hormone production	For cell reproduction and growth; to prevent low birth weight
Other minerals Good iodine levels required before conception. Chromium may prevent nausea and magnesium may prevent high BP	Manganese and chromium for blood sugar regulations; manganese and magnesium for hormone balance and energy production	Manganese for prevention of fetal malformations; iodine to prevent hyperthyroidism