What's happening this week?
• You're actually not technically pregnant yet. In fact, it's two weeks before your baby will be conceived. As it's difficult to pinpoint the exact date of conception, most doctors count pregnancy weeks from the first day of a woman's last menstrual period (LMP).
• You can start preparing for your baby's nourishment. Start upping your intake of DHA, an omega-3 fat, which fuels your baby's cognitive growth. Making a habit of consuming DHA-rich foods ensures that you're consistently helping your baby's brain development.
Pregnancy symptoms and solutions: Anxiety
The issue: You might start to worry unduly about what's to come for you and your baby, especially if you are going to be a first-time mom.
The solution: Learn how you can support your baby's healthy development with a nutritious diet.
How you can help:
• Eat the recommended levels of DHA — 200 milligrams daily. In babies, DHA supports not just brain development, but visual senses, too. Good sources of this brain-building nutrient include salmon, sardines, and mackerel. But do ensure that your diet includes other essential nutrients such as calcium, protein and folic acid.
Mom's Tip of the Week: Folate protects your baby's brain
Folic acid (or the form of folate that's found in food) protects your baby from brain and spinal defects. Take a daily prenatal supplement containing at least 400 micrograms (400μg or 0.4mg) of folic acid.
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