Pregnancy - 4 weeks

You may not feel anything but the baby is quietly growing in your womb already!

The fertilized egg has already moved into the uterine cavity and began its division. The blastocyst, or the fertilized egg, has buried itself in the endometrium of the womb in a process known as implantation, which usually starts 6 to 7 days after fertilization and completes in 11 to 12 days.

Formation of the nervous system mostly takes place during the first three months of pregnancy. Cells will continue to multiply and divide, part of it forming the brain and the other forming the nervous system.

It is critical for expecting mothers to get enough nutrients during this stage to ensure the proper growth of the baby.

One of the key nutrients to obtain is folic acid, a naturally-existing nutrient that’s very efficient at preventing spina bifida, a development congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube.

However, most women may not have discovered that they are pregnant until later into their pregnancy. This is also the reason why women who plan to have babies are recommended to start taking folic acid supplements 3 months prior to conception. Be sure to consult a healthcare specialist on the dose. Some doctors may also recommend a complete health checkup prior to pregnancy to detect hereditary deficiencies that may lead to an unhealthy pregnancy.

Leafy vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, broccoli and lettuce are very rich in folate, a form of folic acid that is naturally found in the body. Legumes such as beans, peas and lentils are also good choices. Liver products contain high amount of folate, but they also contain a lot of fat so intake should be limited. Avocados are rich in folate and also vitamin E.