Diary of a Pregnancy
Week 5:
Dear Baby,
I am so excited! I am finally pregnant and beginning to feel it. I don’t know if it is my imagination, but my waistbands are starting to feel a little bit tight. I am definitely still feeling bloated and almost like I will have my period soon.
This morning I woke up feeling extremely tired. I just can’t believe that a baby as tiny as you can make me feel so very tired. I dozed off at a meeting yesterday and felt so embarrassed. Luckily everyone who has been pregnant just laughed and said they remember that feeling.
My sense of smell is soooo strong. I can’t stand certain perfumes and specific cleaning agents. Don’t even mention cooking meat! Urg.
Luckily, Dad and I are not smokers because we would really have had to try hard to give up or seriously cut back. But, unfortunately, the smell of cigarette smoke also makes me so nauseous.
My boobs are so tender, they almost ache. That is definitely a bit unexpected.
My best spot seems to be the loo at the moment. I am weeing so much. I am drinking extra water, but I know it’s not because of that that I am feeling the urge of a full bladder all the time. I have two friends who are pregnant at the same time as me. I am so happy because that means you have two little friends out here already. Only one has the same symptoms as me, and the other one has absolutely no symptoms yet. So apparently, that is normal too.
I have to go now as I need to wee again!
Dear Mommy,
I am already 5-weeks-old, and I am really starting to grow. From just a few cells a couple of weeks ago, I am now as big as an apple seed, and I look like a curved comma.
With all the hormonal and immune changes happening in your body to help it adjust to me being here, you might start to feel really tired. I am so sorry, but it is good for you to rest too. The nausea is caused by the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) but is also a way for nature to protect me from you eating or drinking anything that could harm me. So that’s why tastes and smells are so strong now.
Going to the loo to wee a lot is because your kidneys are also getting geared for working for the two of us. Just carry on with drinking water and avoid foods that make you feel queasy.
Pregnancy tips:
Remember to have water and lots of small snacks during the day. Chat to our caregiver about starting any supplements.
Week 6:
Dear Baby,
So, we are in week 6. Things have not changed much. I am still feeling exhausted, and nausea in the mornings is very real now.
My boobs are still so tender and feel much bigger, and I am still weeing a lot.
Other than that, I am feeling much like last week. My one friend is really feeling sick and even vomiting every day. Her tummy looks bloated, so she will see her gynaecologist a bit sooner than the regular eight-week visit. I have made my appointment with my doctor for our first visit at eight weeks. My other friend is still doing well. Lucky!
Dear Mommy,
So guess what? I am now the size of a pea. By next week I will be double that size!
My heart has started to beat ( and can sometimes be seen flashing on the Ultrasound). My organs are growing, and the tube along my back is closing up to form my spinal cord. I am called an embryo now, and a protective membrane has surrounded me and forms my attachment to the yolk sac. I get my nutrients from it. I am so glad you are already starting your supplements. Folic acid is essential for this time when my spinal cord is developing.
Pregnancy tips:
Eat small light snacks if you feel nauseous. Snacking on popcorn or crackers will help. Drinking ginger tea or sucking on lollies might also help.
Cut back on caffeine: so that is both coffee and black tea. Two cups a day is fine.
I know you and Daddy have given up on alcohol, so thanks so much.
Bye until next week!
Our Diary of a Pregnancy series is written by Sr Des Meyer, a Perinatal Educator, in private practice, who is based in Durban North. Sr Des has been a Childbirth Educator and Well Baby Clinic sister since 1991. Her passion lies in educating new parents to enable them to achieve their goals as confident parents. “Knowledge is power and a good foundation for the exciting years ahead.”
