You are hitting your stride at this pregnancy thing, mama! As your fourth month of pregnancy begins, nausea and fatigue should be on the decline, or will have completely ended. The risk of miscarriage has also dropped, and you might feel more confident sharing your big news with friends and family. You may even notice that a little "baby bump" has appeared.
Your Baby
Things to Start Thinking About
Prenatal Testing: Sometime in the next five weeks, you'll be offered a blood test to help screen for Down syndrome. You might also be offered amniocentesis, which tests a small sample of amniotic fluid withdrawn by an ultrasound guided needle. Should you have these tests performed? To get answers, this is a great conversation to have with your prenatal care provider at your next appointment.
Boost Your Iron Intake: As your body steps up blood production during pregnancy, you need more of the ingredients that make up blood, including iron! To boost iron content in your prenatal diet, "Eat lean red meats, leafy green vegetables, whole grain breads, dried fruits and beans," recommends Lizellen La Follette, M.D., OB-GYN at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae, Calif. Pregnant women are at higher risk for anemia. Your OB or midwife may suggest having your iron levels tested to see if you need an additional iron supplement.
LOOK AHEAD: Month 5
