Parenting
At Aid to Women Center, our goal is to provide quality, low cost care to women throughout their pregnancy and postpartum. Prenatal care is essential for the health of both the mother and child, and can help with preparation for childbirth.
Our prenatal package provides complete care during pregnancy at a low cost. The package includes prenatal education, all standard obstetric labs and all visits with a physician or appropriate provider at Aid to Women Center. Additional costs may be incurred, depending on necessary testing, treatment, or medications, and will be discussed prior to any such service. Our prenatal package does not include labor and delivery charges. These fees vary depending on hospital and provider.
Important First Steps
Even before your first visit it is important that you begin taking care of yourself for your benefit as well as your baby’s.
- Eat a healthy diet and increase your intake of water. You should be drinking about 4 liters of water a day; which is about equal to ONE GALLON of water every day. Dehydration during pregnancy can cause many uncomfortable and unnecessary problems such as fatigue, nausea, muscle cramping, uterine cramping, preterm contractions, and decreased activity of the baby.
- Begin taking your prenatal vitamins every day. You can find prenatal vitamins at most locations where over-the-counter medications are sold. Look for a prenatal vitamin that includes the supplement DHA (or omega-3 fatty acids) and at least 1 mg of Folic Acid. You can find this information on the ingredients list of the bottle itself when you are buying. If the bottle you buy does not have at least 1 mg of Folic Acid in it, you may buy a supplement bottle of the Folic Acid to take with your daily prenatal multivitamins.
- Stop using harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. If you need help in stopping, let your prenatal caregiver know immediately. They can give you information and refer you to professionals skilled in working with pregnant women.
Unborn Child’s Development
Day 1
At conception all chromosome are present and unique human life begins
Day 6
The baby, called an embryo, begins implantation in the uterus where it will continue to grow through pregnancy
Day 22
The baby’s heart begins to beat with the child’s own blood which is often a different type than the mothers’
Week 3
By the end of the third week the baby’s backbone spinal column and nervous system are forming. The liver, kidneys and intestines are beginning to take shape
Weeks 5-7
Eyes, legs and hands are beginning to develop on your baby. Brain waves are detectable and mouth and lips are present. At just 7 weeks your child is kicking and swimming with their formed toes and distinct nose
Week 8
Every organ is in place and bones are beginning to replace cartilage. Your baby’s unique fingerprints are beginning to develop. By the 8th week your baby will begin to hear.
Weeks 9 & 10
Teeth begin to form, fingernails develop. The baby can turn his head and smile or frown. Your baby can even get the hiccups at this stage.
Week 11
The baby can urinate and can “breathe” amniotic fluid. Your baby is almost fully formed. Her bones are beginning to harden and her genitalia are developing externally.
Week 12
Your baby has all of the parts necessary to experience pain including nerves, spinal cord and thalamus. Vocal cords are complete and your baby can suck their thumb.
Week 15 & 16
Your baby can see light that filters in from outside your womb, even though her eyelids are still shut. Your baby's sex may be detectable at your mid-pregnancy ultrasound, which typically happens between 16 and 20 weeks.
Week 17
Your baby may be dreaming of your voice as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is now present
Week 18-20
If you haven't felt your baby move yet, you probably will in the next few weeks. It'll take a couple of weeks longer for other people to feel your baby's movements from the outside.
Week 23
Your baby's sense of movement has developed, so he can feel the motion if you dance. His sense of hearing continues to improve. You may sometimes be able to see him squirming under the surface of your belly.
Week 24
Your baby’s growing very quickly and their hair may be growing, too. She's almost a foot long and weighs just over a pound.
Week 27
Your baby's lungs are developing but won't be fully functional for several more weeks. He's "practicing" for life on the outside by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sleeping and waking up at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and sucking his fingers.
Week 28
Your baby has eyelashes and their eyesight is improving. Billions of neurons are developing in her brain. She weighs about 2 ¼ pounds and is about 15 inches long, head to heel.
Week 32-36
Your baby is beginning to put on more weight in preparation for birth. Her skin has become soft and smooth, and she's filling out and getting even rounder. Their lungs are still developing getting ready to take that first breath outside your womb.
Week 37
Your baby is now considered "early term." Babies born now usually do well, but ideally he'll stay in your womb for a couple more weeks to give his brain and lungs time to fully mature.
Week 40
Congratulations! Your baby is now considered full-term and is ready for life outside the womb. The average weight of a newborn is about 7 1/2 pounds, and the average length is about 20 inches.