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Only now, in the third week, the egg is fertilized, but the beginning of a pregnancy is counted from the first day of a menstrual period. The race to the egg is taken up by even a few hundred million of the sperm cells. And only one makes it to the egg. At the moment the sperm enters the egg, most features of your baby are determined - his gender, abilities, appearance and also the diseases he will be more prone to due to his genes. For many centuries people believed that women were "responsible" for the sex of the baby. Today we know that the female egg always carries X chromosome, and the sperm carries X or Y chromosome. Depending on whether the X sperm or the Y sperm reaches the egg, a boy (Y) or a girl (X) is born.

Prevent stretch marks

The sooner you start to use cosmetics that moisturize and improve elasticity of the skin of your belly, thighs, and breasts - the better.

There are more and more cosmetics designed especially for pregnant women. It is a good idea to buy preparations against stretch marks, and something for breast and belly firming. Before purchasing any cosmetics, check on their ingredients. Look for the most natural preparations, without artificial additives and possibly scentless, as the smell may irritate you these days.

If you have dyed your hair, you can still do it. Choose an ammonia-free colour shampoo or a hair-dye. If you want to straighten your hair or make it curl, avoid chemicals, a curler or a hair iron will do. Now that you are pregnant, and later on with the baby at home, you may want to consider changing your hairstyle for something more comfortable, possibly a short crop, not requiring elaborate setting and care. You will see that time with the baby follows a different path and that you will be happy to exchange the time in front of a mirror for a quick nap.

Give up on chemical and laser methods of hair removal. It is better to switch to wax, a razor and tweezers for some time. Your skin during pregnancy is particularly delicate and sensitive, so take advantage of non-invasive and soothing treatments, and always inform a beautician about your condition.

Good health is conditioned by many factors, such as genes, diet, stress level, or mood. One of the most important things is an active lifestyle. If you have been exercising, training or even walked a lot, then, except for some situations, there is no reason to stop those activities. We have already pointed this out: pregnancy is not a disease! However, if you have not been very active so far, it is a good time to think about it now.

Regular exercise will help you through the hardships of pregnancy. It will be easier for you to overcome its disadvantages, you will sleep better, and strengthen the spine supporting muscles, you will get rid of cramps and swelling, and your labour will be less challenging. Training will help you control your weight, will increase the lung and heart capacity, your skin will be firmer, more elastic and less prone to stretch marks, and your complexion will improve. It will be also easier for you to get back into pre-pregnancy shape. These are physical effects. On the other hand, exercises positively affect our mood, the brain releases serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. These substances, called the hormones of happiness, improve our mood, help fight the stress and anxiety associated with pregnancy. Open air exercises help to oxygenate the body and provide a constant and soothing contact with nature.

In special cases, exercises are not recommended or should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor. It is also important to observe your body and stop training when there are any unusual symptoms. You must not put yourself and your baby at risk by practicing aerobics for two hours a day. Be kind to yourself, it is not a time for the Olympics training or for weight loss. The women, whose pregnancy is of high-risk or with a history of previous miscarriage, premature birth, or at risk of these situations, should consult their physical activity with a doctor. This is also true for women with anaemia, hypertension or at risk of pre-eclampsia. Multiple pregnancy is also a contraindication to exercise. Stop training, if you experience uterine contractions or do not feel the baby move, or if there is any staining or bleeding. Although being active is important, sometimes you just have to let it go, improperly used medication may cause more harm than good.

You buy fruits and vegetables, because you know they contain a lot of vitamins and valuable compounds. However, when improperly stored and processed, they lose their precious values. How to handle them so as to take advantage of all the benefits they offer? First, buy the freshest products. Pay attention to their appearance and smell, make sure they are not too soft or mouldy. It is also important to eat them as soon as possible, it is better to buy some every day than stoke up for a week. If you do not eat the foods right away, place them in the fridge. Keep the juices in tightly closed containers in the fridge. When exposed to air they lose vitamin C and light can destroy other valuable ingredients. Steam your vegetables and if you cook them, use only a little water. Use the water from cooking as a base for soups or sauces. Shorten the cooking time as much as possible so that the vegetables are not overcooked. When the vegetables fade and lose colours it means they lost most of their precious ingredients.