Prenatal Development Week 3

It's week three and you may soon be officially pregnant. During the past week, the fertilized egg has divided into hundreds of cells. Now called a blastocyst, it is hollow and filled with fluid.

Pregnancy Tip
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Around now, the blastocyst implants itself in the lining of the uterus, which is known as the endometrium. If implantation is successful, your baby will start to grow and receive its nourishment from here. Later, this implantation site starts to develop into the placenta. Throughout your pregnancy, the placenta will nourish and protect your developing baby.

First Signs of Pregnancy!
Your body may now begin to let you know that you're pregnant! The blastocyst will start to secrete hormones that stop your body from releasing the endometrium and tissue in your uterus, causing you to miss your period. Adequate vitamin intake, especially folic acid, protein, calcium, and iron, is essential for nourishing your baby. A folic acid supplement - which, ideally, you've been taking since before you conceived - is particularly important because folic acid helps prevent defects of the neural tube, which form quite early in development. As soon as you know you are pregnant, you should take prenatal vitamins.

Eating Right When You're 3 Weeks Pregnant
Your intake of protein, which is the building block of new tissue, should double during pregnancy - you should be eating at least 60 grams a day. Additionally, at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium is necessary for the development of bones and teeth. So make sure you're getting a good dose of dairy products, leafy green vegetables and legumes.

Iron is essential during pregnancy as you support the continual increase of your baby's blood volume. Good sources of iron include red meat, legumes, eggs, and leafy green vegetables. You should also consume at least 30 milligrams of iron daily. Read more on pregnancy and nutrition.

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