What’s going on for baby?

Pregnancy is a time of constant growth and change — and not just for baby, but for māmā too. A baby grows so quickly — within the first 8 weeks they grow from one cell (at conception) to billions of cells. Their brain grows by about 250,000 brain cells a minute.

A baby moves around throughout the pregnancy. Mum will feel baby’s movements at about 20 weeks after conception.

How can parents and whānau help?

• Eating and drinking well is important for a pregnant māmā— try to include plenty of:
  • Fruit and vegetables
  • protein (meat, fish, eggs, cheese and yoghurt, and legumes such as beans, peas and lentils)
  • water
  • milk
  • vegetable and fruit juices.

Whānau can stroke mum’s puku — responding to baby’s movements lets them know you’re there.