Pregnancy Diary Week 14: How Is Your Baby Growing?

Week 14 is such an amazing week for you and your baby. It is another milestone for your baby as it develops into a more human form. The eyes are moving closer to each other and ears are almost on its final forms. Hairs are developing on his eyebrows, scalp and other parts of the body.

Aside from his ability to suck his thumb, your baby is now capable of grimacing, squinting and even frowning! Imagine the faces being pulled inside you. He can now make tiny kicks and punches though you may not still be able to feel it. This week, you baby now has fingerprints.

Your baby is about the size of a regular size lemon and is almost 3 ½ inches long. As the week ends, the arms have grown into a length which is proportion to the baby’s body. However, his legs need to a little more length. His spleen is now helping in the production of red blood cells.

Flaxseed For Pregnancy Nutrition

 More than its profound effects for your body, observing a healthy and balanced diet are also beneficial for your baby. A healthy diet is not just composed of fruits and vegetables. Whole grains are scientifically proven to be effective at providing an adequate amount of nutrients. Flaxseed is one of the safest foods to eat by pregnant women however, it is always best to ask your doctor regarding the appropriate amount to take.

Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids which are an ideal component of a prenatal diet. It also contains other nutrients which include vitamins, fatty acids, fibres and proteins. Its omega-3 fatty acid content is beneficial in preventing certain types of cancer including colon, pancreatic, prostate and breast cancer.

Flaxseed is a good source of fats which are considered as precursors for brain building and development. This type of fat is very essential during the brain development period of the foetus in the uterus until infancy. Flaxseed is also beneficial in reducing swelling and in driving the blood pressure to an optimum level. It also helps in dealing with constipation during pregnancy. In fact, it plays a vital role in regulating bowel movements during this crucial period.

Furthermore, flaxseed is said to contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid which plays a vital role in reducing inflammation and in treating inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Flaxseed is also used to treat a wide range of conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, diabetes, dry eyes, benign prostatic hyperplasia, osteoarthritis, anxiety and heart diseases.

As commonly known, women with high blood pressure and heart diseases are facing a greater risk for their pregnancy. Flaxseed can be of great help in reducing the level of blood pressure which is beneficial in maintaining the health of both the mother and the baby.

Through the years, researchers have found a wide range of uses for flaxseed oil. In fact, it is used as a treatment for a variety of health illnesses which include arthritis, constipation, heart disease, depression, cancer and Crohn’s disease.