Your Nutrition Tip of This Week

Your Wellness Tips This Week

Your prenatal visit checklist
What’s your due date? How is your pregnancy progressing? What can you expect in the coming weeks? There are so many questions at this early stage of pregnancy. That’s why it’s time to begin prenatal visits with your doctor.

This checklist can help you get ready for your doctor’s visit.

Your Medical History

• Date of last period
• Contraceptive use
• Prescriptions
• Allergies
• Medical conditions
• Exercise
• Nutrition habits

Your Due Date
Knowing your due date helps your doctor accurately monitor your progress and baby’s growth.

Baseline Tests
Your doctor will most probably perform some baseline tests like:³

• Weight
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Urine and blood lab work

A Pelvic Exam and Possibly a PAP Test
Your doctor will examine your uterus and ovaries, checking for any tender areas or unusual growths. A PAP test is usually done together with the pelvic exam and is used to screen for cervical cancer.

Start or continue exercising
The benefits of exercise go beyond you and your baby’s overall health. Exercise during pregnancy has been shown to:

• Offset varicose veins, leg cramps, fatigue, bloating, swelling, and constipation.
• Maintain muscle tone.
• Minimise lower-back pain and improve posture.
• Increase energy.
• Help you relax and sleep.

Your Baby's Development at Week 6^4,5

During your 6th week of pregnancy, your baby grows at a phenomenal rate and systems significantly develop. Here’s what’s happening whilst you’re 6 weeks pregnant:

• Your baby, now called an embryo, is clearly visible on ultrasound. He is about 1/3 of a centimetre long, about the size of a grain of rice.
• When you’re 6 weeks pregnant, your baby’s nervous system and all major body organs — heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs — are the first to form.
• Facial features — jaw, cheeks, chin, ear canals, nose, and eyes — begin to develop around the 6th week of pregnancy.
• Your baby’s heart beats about 80 times per minute and gets faster each day.

Your Changing Body at Week 6

Like your developing baby, your body experiences many changes during your 6th week of pregnancy.

Hormones
Pregnancy hormones begin to increase. They include elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) — the hormone that indicates pregnancy, and HPL (human placental lactogen) — the hormone that promotes baby’s growth.⁵

As hormones increase during your 6th week of pregnancy, your body might react both physically and emotionally.

Pregnancy symptoms
Some common pregnancy symptoms at 6 weeks include nausea and vomiting, a.k.a. morning sickness, which for many might not be limited to the morning. You may also experience mood swings.⁷

Some women also notice other symptoms when they’re pregnant. These could include changes in your breasts, headaches, faintness or dizziness, increased urination, insomnia, fatigue, excess saliva, constipation, food aversions or cravings, and emotional changes.⁷

If any pregnancy symptoms feel extreme, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor. Also, don’t be concerned if you aren’t experiencing any of these symptoms or don’t “feel” pregnant. Every woman’s body is different.

Spotting
Spotting or vaginal bleeding also can occur during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. As many as 40% of pregnant women may experience some bleeding.⁸ Check with your doctor if you’re concerned about spotting or bleeding.

References:

¹ Lutterodt MC, et al. BJGP Open. 2019 Dec; 3(4): bjgpopen19X101674.
² My Cleaveland Clinic. Pregnancy Nutrition. Available [Online] at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12593-pregnancy-nutrition Accessed on 21 Aug 2023.
³ ACOG. Routine tests during pregnancy. Available [Online] at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/routine-tests-during-pregnancy Accessed on 21 Aug 2023.
⁴ Verywellfamily. Your Pregnancy Week by Week. Available [online] at: https://www.verywellfamily.com/pregnancy-your-week-by-week-guide-4159265 Accessed on 21 Aug 2023.
⁵ Kumar P and Magon N. Nigerian Medical Journal. 2012; 53(4):179-183.
⁶ MayoClinic. Pregnancy week by week. Available [online] at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20045302 Accessed on 21 Aug 2023.
⁷ My Cleaveland Clinic. Am I pregnant. Available [Online] at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant Accessed on 21 Aug 2023.
⁸ Norwitz ER. Overview of the etiology and evaluation of vaginal bleeding in pregnant women. UpToDate, 14 Sep 2017.

* Comparison among all maternal milk in Singapore as of January 2022, as declared on the label.

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