5 Weeks Pregnant

Score! You're off litter-box duty for the duration of your pregnancy. That's because cat feces can harbor a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, an infection that isn’t good for unborn babies.

You also shouldn't eat raw or undercooked meat or feed it to your cat, and you shouldn't play in or clean out a child's sandbox, which could be used as a litter box by local outdoor kitties. Ask your partner, a friend or a relative to help out.

Teeth cleanings are a good thing — especially because about 40 percent of the pregnant set have periodontal disease, which ups their chance of preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication that's characterized by high blood pressure).

Dental X-rays should be saved until after baby arrives, though, unless the risk of not having one done outweighs the relatively small risk of radiation to the fetus.

If you do have an X-ray, wear a lead apron or abdominal shield over your lower belly.

It’s time to take some foods off the menu, including unpasteurized dairy and juices, undercooked meat and eggs, raw sprouts, and mercury-laden or raw fish (they can cause foodborne illnesses that can be bad for baby).

Other foods to avoid include hot dogs and deli meats, which can harbor nitrates and nitrites. You should also cut back on caffeine and stop drinking alcohol (if you haven't already).

Need to quell a queasy stomach? Try noshing on a snack that's rich in protein and complex carbs, like whole wheat crackers and cheese or some granola and yogurt. Or skip the solids and sip on soup or a smoothie.

Make sure you get eight to 10 glasses of fluids from all sources a day, especially if vomiting is leaving you dehydrated. Ginger can also be good for what ails you. Use it in cooking — like in ginger-carrot soup or ginger muffins — infuse your tea with it, nibble on some ginger biscuits, nosh on some crystallized ginger or suck on some ginger candy.

And if your symptoms are particularly rough, ask your practitioner about taking a vitamin B6 supplement or switching your prenatal vitamin from one loaded with iron to one higher in B6.

Gas: It's like a cosmic joke — some of the healthiest foods can leave you feeling gassy…and not at all in the mood to eat your veggies. And gas and bloating are par for the course when you’re pregnant, thanks to pregnancy hormones.

Opt for healthy substitutions that won't bring on the bloat — for example, mangoes instead of broccoli or strawberries instead of cabbage.

Pop bagel chips instead of potato chips and eat poached chicken breast instead of those once-beloved chicken fingers.

Another simple way to deflate pregnancy tummy bubbles: Instead of sparkling water, sip plain water instead.

Should you or shouldn't you work out in the first trimester, especially when you're grappling with morning sickness? That all depends on how a workout makes you feel.

If the queasies have you down at 5 weeks pregnant, try stepping outside for a brisk walk. Chances are, you'll feel better after about 15 minutes — both from the fresh air and the exercise.

Other workouts are fine, too, if they sit well with your stomach. Just make sure you have a tummy-approved snack (nothing that's likely to come back up during warm-ups) before and after you workout, and don't forget to stay hydrated.

You know you need your protein, but you've had a falling out with meat (and chicken, and fish…) and now you can't be in the same room together, never mind share a plate.

You'll eventually be able to stomach these meaty foods again, but until then, pick up protein from cottage cheese, yogurt, beans or soy products, especially tofu or edamame. Or consider quinoa, a nutty grain that packs a super-punch of protein in a comforting package.

If it's leafy greens that turn you a not-so-delicate shade of chartreuse, brighten up your diet with yellow vegetables (which are often easier to take), like carrots or yams. Or go for the beta-carotene in cantaloupe, mangoes, peaches and apricots.