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8 Weeks Pregnant

You are eight weeks pregnant. This pregnancy thing is starting to feel like the real deal now. You may be picturing what your baby is going to look like in your mind. Is she going to look like you or is she even a she? Maybe he will look like dad. You may have even had dreams about your baby. Pregnant women often have dreams about their babies. You may have started having bizarre dreams or even nightmares. In this week’s newsletter we are going to talk about these strange dreams women have during pregnancy. We will also give you some tips on how to get a good night’s sleep.

What is going on with mom & baby

Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is 12 mm. Baby weighs about 1 gram. Baby’s external ears are forming. Her primary or “baby” teeth buds are forming now. Her permanent teeth buds will be formed later. Baby’s optic nerve and eye lids are also forming. You can’t feel your baby moving yet but her arms and legs are moving now.

Mom: Your clothes may be getting tight now. You probably don’t need maternity just yet but you may be having problems fitting into your blue jeans. You may be having problems with indigestion or heartburn. Try eating smaller meals or drinking a small glass of milk to help. Talk to your doctor about taking antacids if you are having a lot of discomfort from your heartburn.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

		Add some names to your baby names list or take some away.
		Read information on feeding options for your baby or purchase a book on breastfeeding.
		Consider renting a fetal doppler to listen to your baby’s heartbeat.
		Take a picture of your growing belly for your scrapbook or journal.
		Buy fresh fruits and veggies to snack on.
		Start thinking of nursery theme ideas.

Dreams During Pregnancy

Many women have unusual or vivid dreams during pregnancy. There are many thoughts on why women have more vivid dreams during pregnancy. It could be the result of the rise in hormones during your pregnancy or it could be that you are not actually having more dreams but just remembering more of them. During pregnancy you are more likely to wake in the night because of discomfort or the need to use the bathroom. Consequently, you may wake more often and remember dreams that would have otherwise been quickly forgotten.

Some common dreams during pregnancy:

Strange dream about child birth- Women often have strange dreams about child birth when they are pregnant. You may have strange dreams about child birth because you are anxious about labor or are getting closer to your due date.
Dreaming of having a girl/boy- Gender dreams are very common. Sometimes moms have dreams that baby is a boy or girl because she has an instinct about the gender of her baby. Other times it is because she is wanting to have a specific gender and dreams accordingly.
Mom/sister/friend is pregnant - Having a dream that someone close to you is pregnant may signify that your relationship is changing or that you are worried about your relationship changing. You may be worried that your relationship is growing apart.
Sexual dreams/having an affair- Sexual dreams are very common during pregnancy. With increased blood flow to your genitals and a rise in hormones, your sexuality may be intensified. Your dreams may be a reflection of your heightened sexuality.

How to Have a Good Night’s Sleep When You Are Pregnant

Sleeping can become more difficult during pregnancy. If you are not used to sleeping on your side, it may be hard for you to find a comfortable position to sleep. Plus, as your tummy gets bigger, you might find yourself short of breath when you try to sleep. Heartburn might bother you more when you are lying down. Then to top it off, once you do fall asleep, you may find yourself awakened a couple hours later with the sudden need for a trip to the bathroom. How is a pregnant mom supposed to get any rest?

Here are a few tips for getting a good night’s sleep.

Purchase a body pillow to help you sleep on your side. Doctors often recommend sleeping on your left side to help with blood circulation to the baby. Use a body pillow and curl one leg around it to help you sleep more comfortably.
Try not to eat a large meal before you go to bed. Instead of eating a large meal at night, try eating a small meal with a snack after dinner. Smaller meals will help you deal with heartburn and indigestion.
Try to avoid caffeinated beverages. Caffeine can irritate your bladder or cause you to go to the bathroom more frequently.
Take a warm bath to help relieve any aches and pains that could be keeping you awake.
Sleep closest to the outside of the bed so you can get in and out easily during your evening trips to the bathroom.
Go to bed a little earlier. If it is taking you a while to fall asleep, try going to bed earlier. Practice relaxation breathing to help you fall asleep.

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Pregnancy Week by Week

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8 Weeks Pregnant

What is going on with mom & baby

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist