Do you have a health pregnancy?
October 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Pregnancy Articles
Timelines
A pregnancy is divided into three phases, or trimesters. The first trimester is from conception to the end of week 13. The second trimester is from week 14 to the end of week 26. The third trimester is from week 27 to the end of the pregnancy.
The doctor will examine you and perform a pelvic exam. He or she may also perform blood tests, a urine test, and tests for sexually transmitted disease, including a test for HIV, which is on the rise in teens. (Some STDs can cause serious medical problems in newborns, so it’s important to get treatment to protect the baby.)
The doctor will explain the types of physical and emotional changes you can expect during pregnancy. He or she will also teach you to how to recognize the signs of possible problems during pregnancy (called complications). This is especially important because teens are more at risk for certain complications, such as anemia, high blood pressure, and delivering a baby earlier than usual (called premature delivery).
Your doctor will want you to start taking prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid, calcium, and iron as soon as possible. The doctor may prescribe the vitamins or recommend a brand that you can buy over the counter. These vitamins and minerals help ensure the baby’s and mother’s health as well as prevent some types of birth defects.
Ideally, you should see your doctor once each month for the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then once a week until you deliver the baby. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes that needs careful monitoring during your pregnancy, your doctor will probably want to see you more often.
During visits, your doctor will check your weight, blood pressure, and urine, and will measure your abdomen to keep track of the baby’s growth. Once the baby’s heartbeat can be heard with a special device, the doctor will listen for it at each visit. Your doctor will probably also send you for some other tests during the pregnancy, such as an ultrasound, to make sure that everything is OK with your baby.
One part of prenatal care is attending classes where expectant mothers can learn about having a healthy pregnancy and delivery and the basics of caring for a new baby. These classes may be offered at hospitals, medical centers, schools, and colleges in your area.
It can be difficult for adults to talk to their doctors about their bodies and even more difficult for teens to do so. Your doctor is there to help you stay healthy during pregnancy and have a healthy baby — and there’s probably not much he or she hasn’t heard from expectant mothers! So don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Be upfront when your doctor asks questions, even if they seem embarrassing. A lot of the issues the doctor brings up could affect your baby’s health. Think of your doctor both as a resource and a friend who you can confide in about what’s happening to you.
Changes to Expect in Your Body
Pregnancy causes lots of physical changes in the body. Here are some common ones:
Breast Growth
An increase in breast size is one of the first signs of pregnancy, and the breasts may continue to grow throughout the pregnancy. You may go up several bra sizes during the course of your pregnancy.
Skin Changes
Don’t be surprised if people tell you your skin is “glowing” when you are pregnant — pregnancy causes an increase in blood volume, which can make your cheeks a little pinker than usual. And hormonal changes increase oil gland secretion, which can give your skin a shinier appearance. Acne is also common during pregnancy for the same reason.
Other skin changes caused by pregnancy hormones may include brownish or yellowish patches on the face called chloasma and a dark line on the midline of the lower abdomen, known as thelinea nigra.
Also, moles or freckles that you had prior to pregnancy may become bigger and darker. Even the areola, the area around the nipples, becomes darker. Stretch marks are thin pink or purplish lines that can appear on your abdomen, breasts, or thighs.
Except for the darkening of the areola, which can last, these skin changes will usually disappear after you give birth.
Mood Swings
It’s very common to have mood swings during pregnancy. Some girls may also experience depression during pregnancy or after delivery. If you have symptoms of depression such as sadness, changes in sleep patterns, thoughts of hurting yourself, or bad feelings about yourself or your life, tell your doctor so he or she can help you to get treatment.
Pregnancy Discomforts
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Pregnancy can cause some uncomfortable side effects. These include:
nausea and vomiting (especially early in the pregnancy)
leg swelling
varicose veins in the legs and the area around the vaginal opening
hemorrhoids
heartburn and constipation
backache
fatigue
sleep loss
If you have one or more of these side effects, keep in mind that you’re not alone! Ask your doctor for advice on how to deal with these common problems.
If you are pregnant and have bleeding or pain, call the doctor immediately, even if you are not planning to continue the pregnancy.
Things to Avoid in pregnancy
Smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs when you are pregnant put you and your baby at risk for a number of serious problems.
Alcohol
Doctors now believe that it’s not safe to drink any amount of alcohol when you are pregnant. Drinking can harm a developing fetus, putting a baby at risk for birth defects and mental problems.
Smoking
The risks of smoking during pregnancy include stillbirths (when a baby dies while inside the mother), low birth weight (which increases a baby’s risk for health problems), prematurity (when babies are born earlier than 37 weeks), and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant who is younger than 1 year old.
Drugs
Using illegal drugs such as cocaine or marijuana during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, prematurity, and other medical problems. Babies can also be born addicted to certain drugs.
Ask your doctor for help if you are having trouble quitting smoking, drinking, or drugs. Check with your doctor before taking any medication while you are pregnant, including over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies and supplements, and vitamins.
Unsafe Sex
Talk to your doctor about sex during pregnancy. If your doctor says it’s OK to have sex while you’re pregnant, you must use a condom to help prevent getting an STD. Some STDs can cause blindness, pneumonia, or meningitis in newborns, so it’s important to protect yourself and your baby.
Taking Care of Yourself During Pregnancy
Eating
Many girls worry about how their bodies look and are afraid to gain weight during pregnancy. But now that you are eating for two, this is not a good time to cut calories or go on a diet. Both you and your baby need certain nutrients so the baby can grow properly. Eating a variety of healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and cutting back on high-fat junk foods will help you and your developing baby to be healthy.
Doctors generally recommend adding about 300 calories a day to your diet to provide adequate nourishment for the developing fetus. You should gain about 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, most of this during the last 6 months — although how much a girl should gain depends on how much she weighed before the pregnancy. Your doctor will advise you based on your individual situation.
Eating additional fiber — 25 to 30 grams a day — and drinking plenty of water can help to prevent common problems such as constipation. Good sources of fiber are fresh fruits and vegetables and breads, cereals, or muffins that have lots of whole grain in them.
You’ll need to avoid eating or drinking certain things during pregnancy, such as:
certain types of fish, such as swordfish, canned tuna, and other fish that may be high in mercury (your doctor can help you decide which fish you can eat)
foods that contain raw eggs, such as mousse or Caesar salad
raw or undercooked meat and fish
processed meats, such as hot dogs and deli meats
soft, unpasteurized cheeses, such as feta, brie, blue, and goat cheese
unpasteurized milk, juice, or cider
It’s also a good idea to limit artificial sweeteners, and drinks that contain caffeine and artificial sweeteners.
Exercise
Exercising during pregnancy is good for you as long as you are having an uncomplicated pregnancy and choose appropriate activities. Doctors generally recommend low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, and yoga. Contact sports and high-impact aerobic activities that pose a greater risk of injury should generally be avoided. Also, working at a job that involves heavy lifting is not recommended for women during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about whether particular types of exercise are safe for you and your baby.
Sleep
It’s important to get plenty of rest while you are pregnant. Early in your pregnancy, try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. Also, it makes your heart’s job easier because it keeps the baby’s weight from applying pressure to the large vein that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.
Some doctors recommend that girls who are pregnant sleep on the left side. Because of where some of your major blood vessels are, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus from pressing on them. Ask what your doctor recommends — in most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back.
Throughout your pregnancy, but especially toward the end, you may wake up often at night to go to the bathroom. While it’s important to drink enough water while you’re pregnant, try to drink most of it during the day rather than at night. Use the bathroom right before going to bed. As you get further along in your pregnancy, you might have a difficult time getting comfortable in bed. Try positioning pillows around and under your belly, back, or legs to get more comfortable.
Stress can also interfere with sleep. Maybe you’re worried about your baby’s health, about delivery, or about what your new role as a parent will be like. All of these feelings are normal, but they may keep you up at night. Talk to your doctor if you are having problems sleeping during your pregnancy.
Emotional Health
It’s common for pregnant teens to feel a range of emotions, such as fear, anger, guilt, confusion, and sadness. It may take a while to adjust to the fact that you’re going to have a baby. It’s a huge change, and it’s natural for pregnant teens to wonder whether they’re ready to handle the responsibilities that come with being a parent.
How a girl feels often depends on how much support she has from the baby’s father, from her family (and the baby’s father’s family), and from friends. Each girl’s situation is different. Depending on your situation, you may need to seek more support from people outside your family. It’s important to talk to the people who can support and guide you and help you share and sort through your feelings. Your school counselor or nurse can refer you to resources in your community that can help.
School and the Future
Some girls plan to raise their babies themselves. Sometimes grandparents or other family members help. Some girls decide to give their babies up for adoption. It takes a great deal of courage and concern for the baby to make these difficult decisions.
Girls who complete high school are more likely to have good jobs and enjoy more success in their lives. If possible, finish high school now rather than trying to return later. Ask your school counselor or an adult you trust for information about programs and classes in your community for pregnant teens.
Some communities have support groups especially for teen parents. Some high schools have child-care centers on campus. Perhaps a family member or friend can care for your baby while you’re in school.
drizharnium@gmail.com, Bangalore India
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Vitamin Deficiency After Weight Loss Surgery Can Cause Vision Loss In Newborns
July 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Pregnancy News
Vitamin Deficiency After Weight Loss Surgery Can Cause Vision Loss In Newborns
Case study reported in the Journal of AAPOSBiliopancreatic diversion surgery for morbid obesity is known to cause multiple vitamin deficiencies that may worsen during pregnancy. In the June issue of the Journal of AAPOS, the Official Publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, a group of Australian clinicians report a child who was born blind as a result …
Read more on redOrbit
Twins On The Way: What To Get To Care For Them
Parenting is a tough job to get ready for, but when you have twins coming it can seem very hard. There are not only things that you need to buy, but now you will need to buy two of almost everything. Imagine the number of towels and blankets you will need? Let alone the number of diapers you will go through in a few days!
But there are other things that you need to consider, what about if you are looking at the chance of bringing twins into the world? It’s going to be double the excitement, and double the worry for you! But you can still prepare wisely and have it all ready for that big day.
However, getting back to them as newborns, if you’re going to feed them formula move on. However, get a double breast pump if you’re not. It will give you the collection time of milk a lot shorter, than other pumps out there.
For twins you will really need to look at a tandem stroller. This will allow you to have both babies in one stroller, if you are the only one out with them. There would be no way that you could push two of them without this item. It’s basically a must if you’re having twins!
Though you may not always need these items right away, you will eventually. Being prepared ahead of time is a good idea. Baby bath toys are the same way, you will need to have those ready. If you’re not sure the type of items you want, look at the ducky and boats for boys. The girls will also love a cute rubber ducky!
With the looming event of having twins getting closer you may wonder about finances. And that is understandable. But remember that you don’t always need to buy brand new things, or spend as much on them. Head out to those consignment stores and see what they offer you. A lot of their items will actually be brand new, but cost a fraction of the price.
Remember that there are enough neutral colors that if you don’t know the sex that you will be able to be ready. Of course if you find out what sex your having it may seem a bit easier to prepare. But that really depends on what you want to do.
The time is going to fly by when you have a child, so enjoy all the moments that you can. Mark down their first words and all that. It’s a wonderful time that is just fantastic. One that even with twins you will enjoy immensely.
Pregnancy Information
September 1, 2009 by matthew lewis
Filed under Pregnancy
Being pregnant is the most ecstatic period of a woman’s life. Pregnancy marks remarkable emotional, mental and physical changes in the woman’s body. Intense deal of excitement accompanies these changes, marked by anxiety and uncertainty. A woman, however, need not experience worries and sleepless nights. One can lead a better life during the duration of the pregnancy by being acquainted with and appreciating these changes.
During the first trimester, marked from conception to 12 or 14 weeks from the last normal menstrual cycle, a woman often experiences morning sickness (vomiting and nausea), tiredness, tender breast and frequent urination. Taking small frequent meals can be very helpful in preventing nausea. The mother-to-be may have alternate activity and rest periods. During this stage, walking is the most suitable physical activity.
Often considered as the “Golden Period” of pregnancy is the second trimester. During this stage, the physically demanding signs and symptoms of pregnancy have subsided. There are better sleep patterns, a paramount sign of advancement in the healthy pregnancy process. It is also during this time that the most joyful moment is experienced by the mother-to-be. The first heartbeat of the baby can be heard; moreover, an ultrasound usually done in around 19 weeks may make one feel the diverse movements of your bundle of joy. The ugly stretch marks, which is a cause for worries for women may become visible. Do not scratch the abdominal area to lessen the chances of pregnancy stretch marks.
The last of the pregnancy trimesters is the time when the fetus becomes too large to move in the uterus. The to-be moms may feel tired and experience shortness of breath due to the increased growth of the fetus. At the end of the third trimester, the fetus usually settles into a head-down position in the uterus. During this time, future parents should be well prepared for the birth of the baby.
Pregnancy also involves many changes in a woman’s lifestyle. Avoid detrimental substances such as nicotine and alcohol. Cigarette smoke can lead to low birth weight in babies as well as miscarriages and tubal pregnancies. Alcohol and other toxic chemicals and substances such as paint fumes are damaging to the mother and to the baby.
Prenatal nutrition is essential during pregnancy, so don’t diet and drink plenty of water, about 6 to 8 glasses a day. A diet containing the essential nutrients and vitamins are vital to the development of both mother and child and supplemental vitamins are necessary as well. Perform as much exercise as safely possible, and get plenty of sleep. Regular activity such as walking, yoga, and swimming during your pregnancy will help alleviate swelling, fatigue, and backache.
Giving birth will no doubt be one of the most magical moments of a woman’s life and to ensure that your child is strong and happy, it is important you do all you can to have a healthy pregnancy.
If you need to prove who the father of the baby you are carrying is, paternity test can be done after giving birth. To perform the legal paternity testing, DNA material from both the baby and from the alleged father is needed. The DNA paternity test is very much close to 100% accuracy.
Doctor Jane Bear is the best writer since Shakespeare. See more of her stuff at Guide on Infant Items Get your free report on Maternity Clothing
Pregnancy Information
May 8, 2009 by Jane Bear
Filed under pregnancy symptoms
The feeling of carrying another living being in your womb is the most special time of a woman’s life. It is a time of physical, mental and emotional transformation for the woman. Anxiety and uncertainty marks the great deal of excitement accompanying these changes. However, worries and having sleepless nights are uncalled for. The nine months of journey would be pleasant if one has a better knowledge and appreciation of these transformations.
The first pregnancy trimester is marked from conception to 12 or 14 weeks from the last normal menstrual cycle. A woman often experiences morning sickness (vomiting and nausea), tiredness, tender breast and frequent urination during this stage. To prevent nausea, it is recommended to take small frequent meals. The expectant mother may have alternate periods of activity and rest. The best exercise at this stage is walking.
The second pregnancy trimester is often considered the “Golden Period” as the physically demanding early signs and symptoms of pregnancy are all over by now. There’s a better sleep pattern, which is a major sign of advancement in the process of healthy pregnancy. The most joyful moment is experienced during this time as the mother-to-be might get to hear the first heartbeat of the baby. An ultrasound done in around 19 weeks may make one feel the diverse movements of the baby inside. Stretch marks, which are a great sign of worry for the to-be moms, may be visible. Avoid itching the abdominal area to lessen the chances of pregnancy stretch marks.
The final stage of pregnancy is the final trimester. This is the time when the fetus becomes too huge to move in the uterus. One may feel tired and short of breath due to the increased growth of the fetus. A fetus usually settles into a head-down position in the uterus at the end of the third trimester. Now, one should get ready to welcome the baby in this world.
Along with the bodily changes, pregnancy also involves lifestyle changes. The woman should give up smoking and alcohol drinking. Low birth weight in babies as well as miscarriages and tubal pregnancies can be caused by cigarette smoke. Alcohol and other toxic chemicals and substances such as paint fumes are detrimental to both the mother and the baby.
The diet or prenatal nutrition is another essential lifestyle change during pregnancy. It is important to eat a healthy diet and increase water intake, about 6 to 8 glasses a day. Vitamins and nutrients found in the food are imperative to the health of a developing baby and the well being of the mother as well as supplemental vitamins. Exercise and getting adequate rest and sleep are also important. To help alleviate swelling, fatigue, and backache, regular activity such as walking, yoga, and swimming should be done.
Giving birth will no doubt be one of the most magical moments of a woman’s life and to ensure that your child is strong and happy, it is important you do all you can to have a healthy pregnancy.
Should there be a need to prove who the father of the baby you are carrying is, paternity test can be done after giving birth. DNA material from both the baby and from the alleged father is needed to perform the legal paternity testing and this DNA paternity test is very much close to 100% accuracy.
Comfortable Maternity Clothing
May 5, 2009 by Jane Bear
Filed under pregnancy symptoms
Pregnant women will find that over a time period of nine months, her body can make so many various changes. This is going to be easily noticed by others and hard to deal with by the expectant mother. For women who are expecting a baby, they may be feeling a bit uncomfortable, unattractive and self-conscious to say the least.
During pregnancy, it is important for the woman to wear clothes that will fit them well and not be too restrictive. It is important as well that they wear clothes that would make them look and feel good about their body.
In the recent decades, motherhood maternity clothes have actually become quite fashionable. There is now a never-ending list of maternity clothes that the expectant mother can select from. There are now so many choices that are available in maternity clothing to match any pregnant woman’s personal style.
There are so many items of motherhood maternity clothes today. These include casual clothes, work clothes, and there are even elegant items of clothing that are made for a pregnant woman. The casual pieces can include anything from shorts to jeans and for shirts they can be long sleeve or short sleeve.
It is important that the pregnant woman be kept cool in the summer and warm in the cooler months, and denim clothing does that, thus it is perfect for pregnant women. Denim also comes in many styles, and can be worn in various ways. Maternity jeans with darker shades can be dressed up more. Low-rise denim jeans that fit under your belly will be very comfortable and they look more stylish. Denims are the most versatile clothing item in maternity fashion.
For work, purchase a jacket, skirt, pants and dress in the same quality, stretchy fabric, in neutral tones such as black, gray, navy or tan. A vivid shirt or blouse for summer and a sweater set for winter will brighten up your outfit. In choosing footwear, pick a comfortable sling-back pump or an elegant flat in a larger width than usual to let your feet breathe. Scarves, necklaces, earrings, maternity belts and other accessories can add personality to your wardrobe.
Comfortable underwear and bras to wear during and after the pregnancy are other items of clothing that can increase a pregnant woman’s comfort. Through these under garments, expectant mothers will feel more attractive and better supported as their body is growing. The ability to stretch is important in choosing nursing bras, which is why cotton bras are the most popular during and after pregnancy.
Maternity clothing should be designed to make pregnant women look fabulous and still feel comfortable when they are pregnant. Mothers-to-be will not only look good but also feel good with the plethora of comfortable and stylish maternity clothes available in maternity stores.