Week 14 of your Pregnancy
Your environment
Just as you take care to eat and drink only those things that will not harm your growing fetus, be aware of what you breathe and touch as well. In general, you can continue most of the activities you did before you were pregnant, with some precautions. If you can choose whether to expose yourself to chemicals, keep in mind that researchers are just beginning to understand the potential hazards many substances pose to fetuses. It is wise to avoid exposing yourself and your baby to all manufactured chemicals, including those in many cosmetics and personal care products.
What’s in your daily life that may not be safe for your fetus? A few common concerns:
* Paints and pottery glazes can contain lead, a heavy metal that can cause birth defects. If you use paints or work with ceramics in your job or as a hobby, talk to your doctor. If you work near heavily traveled roads (as a tollbooth attendant or police officer, for example), you may be exposed to higher than average levels of lead from car exhaust and should let your doctor know.
* If you use glues or solvents in your work or hobby, let your doctor know, as these agents can also harm a growing fetus. Avoid exposure to household chemicals when cleaning. Wear gloves and open the windows if you must use strong household cleansers. Pump sprayers are safer than aerosol sprays.
* Smoking during pregnancy may have long-lasting consequences for a fetus. A recent study suggests that nicotine from cigarettes passes through the placenta and may influence fetal brain development. Prenatal exposure to smoke may also lead to memory and attention problems in adolescence, and may even increase the likelihood that a child will become a smoker as an adult.
If you color or perm your hair, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that it is safe to continue doing so during pregnancy. Polishing your nails is also considered safe, but be sure you’re in a well-ventilated room. Gardening is safe during pregnancy, but wear gardening gloves to avoid coming in contact with any bacteria in the soil, and do not use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or weed killers. If you work on a computer, know that there is no evidence that doing so will harm a fetus. Sitting for long periods, however, can be hard on you and can increase the tendency to develop varicose veins. Be sure to take frequent breaks to stand up and walk around.
Still nauseous?
If you still have nausea, contact your healthcare provider. Sometimes prenatal vitamins, while important to your health and your fetus’s, can extend the nausea of early pregnancy. Sometimes a different kind of vitamin may be easier to tolerate: chewables that contain 400 mcg of folic acid for example, or, for a few weeks, one without iron, which can be difficult to digest. Alternately, your provider can prescribe folate tablets, which will provide the folic acid your developing fetus needs. Taking your prenatal vitamin before bed, instead of first thing in the morning, may help your queasiness.
Your Baby’s Development during this week
* The eyes have moved forward and ears have moved upward on the head.
* The neck is straighter and strong, and the head is able to turn.
* Now the fetus can move around in her amniotic bath, although her mother cannot yet feel these movements.
(Courtesy: University of Virginia Health System)
Tags: 400 mcg, cosmetics, folic acid, nausea, week 14