5 weeks PG and not a clue what I should be doing...

[Zorra]

Dear experienced ladies of MN, please advise!

I found out last week I am (as far as I can work out) 5 weeks pg. This is my first pregnancy, I'm 29 and far from home. I have no idea what I should / shouldn't be doing, and have no access to sensible advice (I am a war correspondent and am out in the field until mid-December) so I can't see my doctor / mum / similar. I have been looking online but I keep finding terrifying sites saying I should be on bed-rest and drinking 5L water a day which I find difficult to believe...

So I have stopped alcohol / cigarettes / caffeine / late nights, but what should I try and do, and what should I avoid? Some really basic guidelines to get me through the next month til I get home would be great. Thanks!!

Zorra - first of all congratulations!
No you don't need to bed rest and drink 5 litres of water, just eat a normal healthy diet.
Is there is any chance you can get home any sooner? Does your boss know you are pg? I urge you to tell him/her as they have a duty of care to protect you and the baby.
You don't need to see a MW until you are around 8 weeks, doesn't matter if it is a little later.
Also, can you take some antenatal vitamins - particularly folic acid? Do you have access to such things where you are?

No more advice, hopefully others will have.
Best of luck to you.

You're fine honestly, it's a very recent thing that a woman 5 weeks pregnant even knew that she was pregnant.

Don't drink 5 litres of water a day, that actually sounds a bit dangerous...

There's nothing you need to do, you may feel quite tired over the next few weeks (good luck with that in war zone!) but other than that there is nothing to do, even if you were in the UK your midwife wouldn't be interested in seeing you until you are about 10 to 12 weeks pregnant anyway.

Congratulations by the way!

Basic things to avoid (not sure how many you would get in a war zone anyway!):

unpasturised dairy
soft cheeses ie brie
shellfish and fish like shark, marlin
under cooked meat
pate
peanuts (although opinion divided on this)

Thanks a lot

BT - I can't go earlier, but they're moving me to the capital which (I hope) is a good thing, esp as DP lives there Maybe I can get some vitamins etc there as well. I am trying my best with a healthy diet but it's a struggle to find fresh fruit and veg, so just eating as much as I can when I find them.

Any useful tips on exercise? I am not terribly fit - not overweight do a bit of yoga / exercise videos in my tent lol - but I feel like I need to try and build up some strength.

Thanks again, sorry it's all a bit context-specific!
Z

Is there a swimming pool you can go to? Swimming is great exercise for pg ladies.
When you are pg, your body produces a hormone called relaxin whic helps to soften your ligaments in preparation for labour. What this can mean is that while pg you may be more prone to muscle injuries. It is not advisable to take up a new exercise regime when pg, though if you are already doing an exercise routine you should continue. Best thing is to get some advice from your MW when you return to the UK (I assume you are a Brit?).
Swimming is good though as it supports you. Walking as well is good but you need to be careful that you don't over do it!
As pointed out Georgimama, you may feel tired, it is common in the 1st trimester to feel very run down and tired, especially if you get morning sickness!

Congratulations
Marmite is high in folic acid, don't know if you have any, but good if you do. I found thin slices of fresh ginger in hot water good for morning sickness (might be more accessable than ginger biscuits where you are?).
Sounds like you are doing all the right things in any case.

Congrats, only thing I would advise is sometime supplement like Pregnacare (You need smthing with folic acid and my iron is always low)

Thanks again all! I am starting to move from being completely terrified to letting myself be a bit excited...

I shall go on the hunt for a supplement and see if they have anything in the pharmacy - happily I have a huge jar of marmite I brought with me so I shall continue to plow through that fo 'medicinal' purposes

And thanks for the congrats!

Just to add, try taking an iron supplement before iron gets low some can be taken before 12 weeks others after 12 weeks.If you have morning sickness lemonade is very good.

Thanks again. Back in the capital so off to try and find supplements etc today and hopefully a reliable source of fruit and veg

I was being all proud of my caffeine-free-ness then I realised that green tea contains caffeine (though not as much) Booo!

Does anyone know a good site with pictures etc about how the bean looks / what's going on week by week? DP and I are as clueless as each other, so trying to find something to make us a bit more clued up about what's actually happening Thanks!

Just type in foetal development at however many weeks you are.If you feel very tired rest.IF you can, keep snacks with you at all times.Any other quetions let me know have had to take week off work as iron very low!Given your job try to avoid barriers at airports with x-ray equipment.Take care

This has good pctures