Week 8

Mum

You’re probably spending a lot of time figuring out what you’re allowed to eat and what sports you’re allowed to play. Different cultures have their own ideas about what’s dangerous for you at this stage of the pregnancy, but in New Zealand we’re told to stay away from raw seafood, undercooked meat, blue cheese, liver (too high in vitamin A), caffeine, and alcohol.

Scientists keep changing their minds about tree nuts and peanuts. Some say to avoid them to prevent allergies in your child, others say to expose the unborn baby to nuts as a way to preventing the allergy – take your pick.

Another controversy surrounds eating fish during pregnancy. Fish is part of a normal healthy diet, but some species contain mercury. In New Zealand, we are fortunate not to worry about mercury as much as other countries might, but for a list of safe fish to consume, please refer to this government website: http://www.foodsmart.govt.nz/whats-in-our-food/chemicals-nutrients-additives-toxins/specific-foods/mercury-in-fish/.

Whatever you put on your no-no list, be sure your yes-yes list includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, varied sources of calcium and protein, some form of complex carbohydrates, and a balanced amount of healthy fats.

Dad

Pregnancy might make you feeling delighted, anxious and exhilarated. You may worry about the financial implications of raising a child – often on a lowered income if your partner reduces her money-earning hours. You wonder how the additional family member will affect your relationship and your productivity at work. You speculate whether you’ll make a good enough father, a good enough income provider, a good enough husband.

Meanwhile, your partner may be feeling delighted, anxious, exhilarated as well as exhausted – all at once. She may be weepy or be more prone to mood swings (yes, even more than usual). It’s all normal, but she needs you to offer your understanding, support and encouragement.

She herself might not even notice how severe her mood changes have become, and it might be up to you to suggest consulting the LMC to find a solution.

Baby

Hello, tiny little fingers! (Did you notice that they are webbed at this stage of your development?) Hello, gorgeous nose! You even have an upper lip, and your eyelids are almost finished. Although you’re moving around quite a bit, even though, Mum can’t feel it yet. After all, you’re just the size of a kidney bean.