Pregnancy Week 9 - Does the Baby Have Any Cells?

Dear Baby,

You now have muscles and nerves as well as eyelids. Your fingers and toes are becoming longer.

I’ve been feeling slightly bloated and constipated lately. Therefore I have increased my intake of fluids, fruits and vegetables.

Today I told your Aunt Jaya about you. She is my best friend and is like a member of the family. The best part is that she is also pregnant. Her second baby is due just one month before you. I hope the two of you will be good friends too. Her older son is called Parag. He is five years old and will be an excellent older brother to both of you.

Jaya was thrilled with the news. She told me that she never realised how exciting sharing the baby’s growth with Parag would be. He was excited and interested in every little detail. She added with a laugh that a few minutes ago he had asked her, ‘How do you know when a baby is born if it’s a boy or a girl?’ Jaya managed to dodge the question then, as he was getting late for bed. But the next time he asks, I suppose she will have to tell him.

A few days ago he whispered something in Jaya’s ear then asked, ‘Do you think the baby heard that?’

Jaya said, ‘If you want the baby to hear, you have to speak to my tummy.’

Parag then felt her stomach and said matter-of-factly, ‘Your tummy’s normal. Are you sure there’s something in there? I think you should have that medicine again to find out if there’s really a baby in there.’ Jaya explained that the baby was extremely small at the moment.

‘Oh, that means that it doesn’t have any cells.’

Then Jaya explained that the baby does have cells and the cells are tiny.

In a few years, when I am expecting your brother or sister, I will have to explain all this to you.

Oh no! I have some abdominal pain. I hope it’s nothing serious. I better go and speak to the doctor, and you sugar, had better go to sleep now.

Your loving mamma.

BABY NOTES

Why is constipation common during pregnancy and what can help?

Constipation is common during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can slow the movement of food through your digestive system, making stools harder or more difficult to pass. Iron supplements can sometimes make constipation worse too.

Eating plenty of fibre can help. Include foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dals, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds in your diet, and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Regular gentle physical activity can also help keep your bowels moving.

If these measures don't help, speak to your doctor rather than taking a laxative on your own. Your doctor can recommend a treatment that is suitable during pregnancy. Indian maternal-health guidance, for example, includes isabgol (psyllium husk) as an option when increasing fluids and dietary fibre is not enough.

When should you tell people that you are pregnant?

There is no right or wrong time to announce your pregnancy. Some people tell close family and friends as soon as they find out, while others prefer to wait until after the first trimester or until they have had an early scan. It is entirely a personal choice.

One reason some parents wait is that the risk of miscarriage is higher during the first trimester. Others prefer to tell a few trusted people early, knowing that these are also the people whose support they would want if something went wrong.

If your work involves heavy lifting, hazardous substances, strenuous physical activity or anything else that could affect your pregnancy, tell your employer or the appropriate person at work so that any necessary safety measures or adjustments can be considered. Indian maternity protections include provisions concerning arduous work and work that could adversely affect pregnancy.

Ultimately, share your news when it feels right for you – whether that's immediately, after a scan, after the first trimester or later.

How should you tell your older child that you are having a baby?

It can help to tell your older child about your pregnancy early. In fact, it is a good idea to involve him even before you get pregnant, by asking him whether he wants a sibling. In that way you can get him to wish for a little brother or a sister to play with.

The sooner you speak to him, the more time he will have to adjust to the idea of having another member in the family and will then look forward to the little one’s arrival. This is especially so if he has negative feelings about having a brother or sister. It will give you time to win him over. You can tell him how he will have a little brother or sister to play with as they grow up and that his younger sibling will always look up to him.

In later pregnancy, you could take your child along to one of your antenatal appointments and let him listen to the baby's heartbeat. The rapid heartbeat can sound rather like galloping horses and hearing it can be quite exciting for a child. Let him touch your bump when the baby is moving around or kicking too. He is bound to get excited if you share these magical moments with him.

How should you answer your older child’s many questions?

Once you have told your older child that you are pregnant, you are sure to be bombarded with questions. How did the baby get inside your tummy? Now that he’s in there, how will he come out? Why is it taking him so long to come out? Can he hear us and see us? How do you know whether the baby is a boy or a girl? It is best to answer such questions rather than dodge them. Answer your child simply, depending on his age, without going into too much detail. Often, children are satisfied with brief replies and may get overwhelmed if you go into too many specifics.

It is always better for a child to learn about bodies, sex and reproduction from his parents, rather than from ill-informed friends or misinformation online or on social media. In that way, you can also help him develop a healthy attitude towards sex, rather than associating it with guilt or something dirty.

Is abdominal pain normal during pregnancy?

You may sometimes get an ache in your abdomen. This can be caused by the ligaments on either side of the uterus stretching as the baby grows. Mild, short-lived aches are usually nothing to worry about.

However, if the pain is severe, persistent, getting worse or accompanied by bleeding, tell your doctor right away.

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