Pregnancy Week 10

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Pregnancy Week 10: The Fetus Has Arrived

What's a tired mom-to-be to do? Buy a Snoozer Pillow

The first trimester is the most dangerous time for a baby, because they are so small and so susceptible to toxic substances. Most women are extra careful during their first trimester to avoid any pollutants that may harm them or their baby. This is not to say however, that once you pass your first trimester, you can expose your body to pollutants freely. The opposite is true.

It is still important you avoid potential contaminants including smoke, alcohol or street drugs while pregnant, whether in your first, second or third trimester. Any of these substances can have detrimental effects on your baby. If you live with or near people that smoke, make sure they do so outside the home and stay clear of second hand smoke. Why? If it can affect you (and it can) then it will certainly affect your baby.

Organs and Peach Fuzz
Around pregnancy week 10 your baby's organs continue to mature, including the liver, brain and kidneys. Your baby experiences rapid maturation during the last two weeks of the first trimester. Some baby's start to develop tiny fuzz along their skin around this time, something many moms refer to as "peach" or baby fuzz. This soft fuzz protects your baby from forces that might otherwise damage your baby's skin.

By around pregnancy 10 weeks your baby is busy swimming about your uterus, sheltered safely within the amniotic sack. Your baby now has the ability to swallow, and usually swallows the amniotic fluid you have (in tiny amounts) as he or she continues growing during your pregnancy week by week. Consider this "practice" for when the time comes for your fetus to grace the world with his or her appearance and let out his or her first incredible scream! Every parent looks forward to the moment they can meet their baby and welcome their first cries, a symbol of life, health and harmony. For now focus your attention on growing however, because you have a lot more growing to do before your baby will start "speaking" to you verbally!

And How Is Mom Doing?
Most moms become elated between pregnancy week 10 and pregnancy week 12. This is because usually most mothers realize a dramatic drop in morning sickness. For the first time in many weeks, you might start feeling like you can eat!

You should keep in mind however, that certain smells or foods you once loved may not appeal to you as much while pregnant. The body has a natural filtering system which often turns you away from foods you may not need or want to consume while pregnant.

What you should do is keep your refrigerator packed with a large selection of various foods so you can eat when you do feel like it. Many women experience cravings after they pass their first trimester. Why is this? Often simple changes in a pregnant woman's hormones can change the way she feels about food. You may find you like certain foods you didn't like before and that is fine.

Often times your body also starts to crave foods you may need. This may be because your body is deficient in certain vitamins or minerals you may need to stay healthy. You may even find your cravings change during various weeks of your pregnancy. Many women have what seem to be unusual cravings during pregnancy, like pickles and ice cream.

This isn't always the case, so if you find you crave something different, go for it. Some women do however, have to be on the look out for unusual non-food cravings. If for example you find you start to crave chalk, clay or dirty, it is very possible you suffer from a pregnancy complication called "pica". Pica can result in serious problems for you and your baby if you give in to these unhealthy cravings.

Doctors are not entirely sure why some women develop pica during pregnancy. Some suggest it is the result of nutritional deficiencies, and others suggest cultural or psychological factors result in strange or bizarre behaviors. Key here is understanding pica can result in infection, lead poisoning or other bacterial or parasitic disease if you give into a craving.

So, if pickles and pie don't agree with you, and you go to bed with thoughts of clay or dirt in your head, then head off to your doctor. Your doctor may provide you with proper treatment that may include therapy, supplementation and other treatments to help restore normal pregnancy cravings in your body.

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