Women's Health Care

Pregnancy week 1

2010-05-12T02:24:00.000-07:00

Weeks one and two are an extremely exciting and mystifying time for most women. Most women eagerly start calculating their pregnancy week by week as soon as they decide to conceive. During pregnancy week 1 and beyond you will experience the joy of creating life, which is a life-changing event for most women! This guide will walk you step by step through each week of pregnancy. You’ll find informative information about the changes occurring in your body and in your baby. We’ll walk you through each of the stages of pregnancy, and help you understand what you should expect as your body changes and your baby grows from week to week.

During pregnancy week 1 and pregnancy week 2, you may not even be certain that you are pregnant yet! Many women experience few if any symptoms at all. Weeks one and two are mostly consumed with the process of ovulation and fertilization. During pregnancy week 1 and 2 your body will produce estrogen and progesterone in varying amounts to prepare the body for ovulation, when the ovaries release an egg. If you are lucky, this egg will be fertilized and will travel up the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where it will reside for the next 40 or so weeks.

Early Signs and Symptoms
There are some signs and symptoms that most women experience during the first weeks of pregnancy. Though you may not experience all or any of these the first week, you will probably start to experience many of them in the weeks to come. The most common symptoms that women experience during ovulation include some mild cramping, which may occur on one or both sides of the body.

It is not uncommon to feel some ovarian discomfort during ovulation. You may also realize an increased amount of clear discharge during your most fertile time. When your discharge is most abundant, clear, slippery and stretchy, you are at your fertile peak when you have the greatest chance of conceiving. Fertile cervical mucous is often stretchy. You can usually stretch it one inch or more between your fingers.

Other ways to tell you are fertile 1 and 2 weeks after your last menstrual cycle includes basal temperature monitoring. If you are trying to conceive, this can be an effective and natural way to determine your most fertile days. During the first two weeks of your menstrual cycle, your body temperature should be lower than normal, typically between 97.0 and 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit. During ovulation however, your body temperature increases, a change caused by increasing levels of progesterone. A rise of .4 to .6 degrees is common among ovulating women. If you successfully conceive during pregnancy at 2 weeks, your body temperature will actually remain slightly elevated for the duration of your pregnancy.

To take your basal temperature, you must use a basal thermometer. Try to take your temperature first thing in the morning before you get out of bed, as physical activity will increase your temperature and can skew the results.

Did you know a woman’s most fertile time is actually the few days preceding ovulation during the second week after your menses? If you are regularly charting your cycle you should be able to pinpoint a two to four day window of peak fertilization.

Once you have ovulated, you may become pregnant. You may be wondering what the early signs of pregnancy are during the days following ovulation. Most women will not start experiencing true pregnancy signs until 10-14 days after ovulation, though some women have reported symptoms as early as a couple days post conception.

Here are some signs to look for if you think you might be pregnant:

* Increased fatigue
* Missed period
* Nausea
* Breast tenderness
* Frequent need to urinate
* Metallic taste in mouth
* Sleep disturbances
* Increased temperature that remains elevated after ovulation

Pregnancy Week By Week

2010-05-11T03:18:00.000-07:00

Read this to know what's happening inside you during pregnancy week by week.
Week 1-8

* The egg gets fertilized
* The fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus
* At this stage, you realize you are pregnant. The embryo starts developing at a rapid rate. You begin to experience early pregnancy symptom. Morning sickness takes a toll on you. This is one of many early signs of pregnancy.
* In the 6th week, your baby's heart begins to beat. Other organs also begin to develop at this stage.
* By the 8th week, your baby has tiny arms and legs.

Week 9-16

* At this stage, you can determine whether you will have a boy or girl.
* Morning sickness mitigates and your appetite increases.
* By the 14th week, you can hear your baby's heartbeat using a Doppler. If you know your pregnancy week by week, you can experience this wonder!
* By the 16th week, your belly will become huge and noticeable.

Week 17-24

* Your baby develops reflexes and her weight rises six times.
* By the 18th week, your baby will have eyes and ears.
* By the 20th week, the maximum development has take place. Now, you are past the danger zone.
* By the 24th week, your baby's heart beats become strong enough to be able to hear it by putting an ear on your tummy.

Pregnancy Symptom

2010-05-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

Before you go to your doctor for a pregnancy test, your body starts showing pregnancy symptom. If you are alert about the early sign of pregnancy and recognize it, you can prevent those anxious moments of thinking whether you are pregnant or not. So, become aware of your body. Your awareness will help you a lot in your pregnancy.

Listen To Your Body

As soon as your body realizes that a new life starting to develop inside, it starts giving out indications, which we call pregnancy symptom. The hormones start doing their work dutifully. Your breasts become tender, as it gets the order for preparing for breastfeeding. If it's your first pregnancy, you may feel a little pain around your nipples. You begin to feel unusually tired, as your body is telling you to catch as much sleep as you can before you get busy with changing nappies!

The biggest and the surest sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Most of the women carry out a pregnancy test after this. You may notice slight bleeding or spotting in your panties, which is nothing to worry about. This happens a day or two before your period date as a result of the implantation of fertilized egg in the uterine lining. So, the embryo is all set to start its journey towards becoming a cute little baby!

Some More Symptoms To Consider

A pregnancy symptom may vary from woman to woman. Some of you might experience intense headaches while others may get backaches. Constipation is also a common pregnancy symptom. It happens due to the pressure put by the expanding uterus and the hormonal changes. In addition to this, you will find that your appetite has doubled! This is because your body needs extra nourishment for the growing fetus. This is the time when you need to be careful about what you eat. Indulge in a more nutritious diet and drop junk food. Also, cut down on your intake of caffeine, cigarettes, and alcohol. You don't want to harm your baby, do you?

If you keep a weekly pregnancy calendar, you can be aware of the onset of symptoms, their intensities, and disappearance acts. Remember; ignorance is not bliss here. The more you are informed, the less scary the whole thing will look. Nowadays, moms-to-be keep track of their pregnancy week by week. This helps them to avoid unnecessary fears and brings them closer to their bundle of joy growing inside them. Besides this, be prepared for the swinging moods. You have to learn to deal with them. Do not let it affect your happiness. A depressing attitude is a big NO! Remember; a happy mother delivers a healthy child. So, give a big smile and start preparing for momdom!

Pregnancy Health

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Pregnancy health should be your utmost priority at this time. Any laxity in this can harm your baby inside your womb as well as after birth. So, keep track of your pregnancy week by week and keep yourself in the pink of health.

Tips To Relieve Pains

As your uterus enlarges, you may feel pains in the abdomen and groin area, thighs, and your back. To relive pain, do this:

* Lie down for a while
* Apply heat at the sore area
* If the pains do not subside, consult your doctor.

Tips To Cope With Breast Changes

Your breasts feel tender, which is the symptom of pregnancy. Eventually, they will become bigger and heavier as the pregnancy proceeds. During the third trimester, some women notice a thick, yellowish fluid leaking from their nipples. This is the colostrum. It contains antibodies to protect your baby from infection. Here are some tips to deal with your uneasy breasts:

* Get yourself a comfortable maternity bra having extra support
* Instead of soap, use plain water to wash your nipples to prevent dryness
* If you get cracked nipples, apply a moisturizing cream containing lanolin
* If leaking of colostrum gets embarrassing, attach nursing pads to your bra

Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?

It is safe to have sex at this time, unless your doctor advises you otherwise. Many women tend to feel sexually aroused during pregnancy while some do not feel like having sex at all. However, you will have to adopt different positions as your belly grows bigger. If you don't have a good pregnancy health or have had history of miscarriages, then you should avoid sex.

General Tips For A Better pregnancy Health

* Always stand up slowly, not abruptly
* Do not sit or stand in the same position for long hours
* Gulp down 8-10 glasses of water everyday
* Cut down on your intake of caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes
* Avoid too much salt
* Eat ample amount of fibrous foods such as fruits and green leafy vegetables, either cooked or raw, whole grains, and others
* Consume plenty of low-fat foods rich in calcium
* Exercise regularly, as recommended by your doctor
* Do not exert yourself. As soon as you feel tired, get some rest
* Get at least eight hours of sleep. If necessary, take a short nap in the afternoon
* Sleep on the left side of your abdomen. This avoids pressure on blood vessels carrying nutrients and oxygen to your baby

Keep a weekly pregnancy calendar for your pregnancy health. If you feel any discomfort, call your doctor immediately. Symptoms like bleeding or leaking of fluid from your vagina, inflammation of face and hands, persistent vomiting and headaches, pain while urinating, blurred vision, and any other unusual change requires medical assistance.

Weekly Pregnancy Calender

2010-05-11T02:38:00.000-07:00

With a weekly pregnancy calendar by your side, pregnancy becomes an exciting experience of your life! Nowadays, it's a trend for the mothers-to-be to refer such calendars in a bid to know about their pregnancy week by week. A pregnancy calendar is like your mentor who makes you aware of the series of changes occurring within you. It is a convenient way to learn about pregnancy, including the growth of your baby and the symptom of pregnancy. So, get yourself a pregnancy calendar and relax. The nine months are going to pass sooner than you think. So, relish them.

Advantages Of A Weekly Pregnancy Calendar

Isn't it thrilling to know every move of your baby inside you? With the help of a weekly pregnancy calendar, you know how far she has developed, and what's going to happen next. This is important to know, as many moms-to-be are fearful and anxious in the first pregnancy. With a better knowledge, you can feel relaxed and get a chance to enjoy this time of your life. You get complete knowledge about the three trimesters, the due date, and how to prepare for the big day of your life!

Besides this, a weekly pregnancy calendar enables your spouse to become more involved in your pregnancy. He cannot feel exactly what's happening, yet he can be aware of each stage of pregnancy. You can spend quality time with each other discussing about the growing baby and visualizing her. Apart from this, if you have already have kids, they will be elated to know about their new brother or sister!

A weekly pregnancy calendar is the best guide to know about the early sign of pregnancy. Although you may not experience every symptom mentioned in the calendar, yet you come to know about them and deal with them better. Slight deviations from the calendar are not a thing to worry about. However, if you experience something unusual, which is not mentioned in the calendar, then it's wise to consult your doctor.

However, a weekly pregnancy calendar doesn't mean that you stop visiting your doctor. Regular check ups are a must during pregnancy; even if you do not have any complication. For a good pregnancy health, you should be meticulous about your diet, exercise, and check ups. Do not take anything for granted. If you feel even a slight discomfort, do not hesitate to discuss it with your doctor. A healthy mother gives birth to a healthy baby and vice versa. So, if you wish to have a cute baby with a healthy glow, you have a lot to learn!

Sign Of Pregnancy

2010-05-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

The sign of pregnancy is not the same in every woman. One of the surest indications of pregnancy is a missed period. There are many symptoms that crop up even before your menstruation date arrives. If you are aware of them, you need not wait anxiously for your period date to know about your pregnancy. Let's take a look at the various indications of the good news.

Recognizing The Sign Of Pregnancy

Feel your breasts. Do they feel tender or painful? If yes, then you may be pregnant! This happens a week or two after conception. Next, if you complain of extreme tiredness at the end of the day, you should sit up and take notice. Your body starts working harder during pregnancy, as it is preparing for the development of the embryo. Some women any feel dizzy or even faint. This is normal. Just take some rest and you will feel better.

One of the biggest sign of pregnancy is nausea with or without vomiting. This is called "morning sickness." The name is misleading, as you can get sick any time of the day. Foods such as coffee, milk or milk products, and spicy dishes may trigger nausea. Sometimes, the sight of your favorite food may make you to throw up! As your sense of smell increases, even perfumes and common household odors may make you sick. If such things are happening to you, then you ARE pregnant!

Do Not Worry Unnecessarily

Some women get worried and rush to their doctor at the sight of spotting in their panties. This is normal and nothing to worry about as long as it is light bleeding. This happens when the fertilized egg gets implanted in the uterine lining. The implantation occurs after 6-12 days after you have conceived. You may also feel cramps, which are similar to menstrual cramps. Although it is a sign of pregnancy, many women mistake it to be the onset of menstruation. But when you get cramps and don't get your period, then it's time to go for a pregnancy test.

It's high time to start writing a pregnancy journal. This will relive you of the stress and make you feel light at heart, as you pour your feelings in it. A journal is the best way to capture each moment of your pregnancy, symptoms and all, and cherish it forever. Apart from this, keeping track of your pregnancy week by week will prevent you from worrying unnecessarily and feeling relaxed throughout. Do not keep yourself ignorant. Visit your doctor regularly and know everything you can about pregnancy. After all, it is the most valuable phase of your life!

Pregnancy

2010-05-11T02:35:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy Journal

2010-05-11T02:31:00.001-07:00

Do you know that after a few years of delivering your bundle of joy, you are hardly going to remember how you felt during pregnancy? Yes, it's true! And that's why we suggest you start writing a pregnancy journal. This is a great way to treasure your priceless memories. It's a good exercise too. It keeps your muscles active and your gray cells stimulated.
How To Keep A Pregnancy Journal

The first thing to remember while keeping a journal is to shed your shyness while expressing your feelings. Write as you feel. You don't have to be a great writer to keep a journal. There are so many moments to write about; starting from the first sign of pregnancy to the final stage when you will be eagerly waiting for your baby to arrive. Capture these moments into your pregnancy journal. Imagine the joy you will feel reading the journal later in life!
"Was It Really Like That?"

When you read your pregnancy journal after several years, you will gleefully ask; "was it really like that?" there are loads of memories to cherish: the days when you wanted to munch on food the whole day; the glow on your face when the doctor confirmed your pregnancy; your partner's compliment on seeing your new figure! Don't forget those unpleasant things too; the bouts of depression, bursts of tears, tantrums, morning sickness, and occasional uneasiness you felt while sitting or walking with a large tummy.

As you keep track of your pregnancy week by week, write down in your pregnancy journal about the knowledge that you gained. This will help you a great deal in your next pregnancy. Although, not all consecutive pregnancies are the same, however, you can still refer your journal to release your stress or anxiety in your next pregnancy. You can recall those moments of joy, not mentioning those moments when you were quite worried and found out that it was simply unnecessary! Besides this, you can keep a tab on your pregnancy health by keeping a pregnancy journal. As you write about each moment, you can know what you ate, how much you exercised, and how you felt each day of your pregnancy.

And last but not the least, let your partner read your journal everyday so that he gets a feel of the changes happening inside you. He will understand you better and be more involved in preparing for fatherhood. Your partner's role is quite significant during pregnancy. Get him spend more time with you and your growing baby. Decorate your baby's room together; go out for shopping with him; and, when you retire for bed, pen down all these wonderful moments in your journal. This is sheer bliss!

Early Sign Of Pregnancy

2010-05-11T02:28:00.000-07:00

Are you pregnant or are you not? Early signs of pregnancy can be a puzzle. The symptoms that you experience before your missed period are so alike the symptoms of PMS that it leaves you baffled.

Solving The Pregnancy Puzzle

The first early sign of pregnancy that you may notice is tenderness in your breasts. However, breast tenderness is also a sign of PMS; hence, women mistake this pregnancy symptom to be the onset of menstruation. But, if you examine carefully, your breasts may be swollen slightly just a few days or even hours after conception. Your body has already started preparing for the baby!

Don't be surprised if you start feeling weak and exhausted at the end of the day. This is an early sign of pregnancy. However, some women think there's something wrong with their health or the day was too hectic. In fact, the fatigue results due to the raging hormones and the double amount of work your body has to do to prepare itself for the baby. Another early sign of pregnancy that most women mistake to be food poisoning is nausea or vomiting, popularly known as "morning sickness." This symptom becomes worse as the pregnancy proceeds and subsides during the second trimester. During this time, women tend to avoid food, as whatever they eat triggers morning sickness. This leads to a drop in blood sugar level and you may feel dizzy or lose your weight too.

The Sure Sign Of Pregnancy

If you miss your period, then you can be sure you are pregnant. For those of you, who keep a track of your menstruation dates, it's easy to catch this early sign of pregnancy. Most of the women visit their doctor for tests after a missed period. At this time, you may also find hunger pangs attacking you frequently. This happens because your body needs nourishment for the developing embryo.

Not So Common Sign Of Pregnancy

Implantation bleeding is not very common, but it does occur. You will notice a spot of blood or a brownish pink vaginal discharge a few days before your date of period. This happens when the fertilized gets moves towards the uterine lining to get implanted there. However, this early sign of pregnancy is not too reliable, as it occurs only in one-third of pregnant women.

So, now that the puzzle is solved and you know you are pregnant, it's time to buy yourself a beautiful pregnancy journal and jot down each day of your wonderful phase of life. And to make this phase more enjoyable and less scary, be well-informed about your pregnancy week by week. Good luck!

Early Pregnancy Symptom

2010-05-11T02:24:00.000-07:00

Your body is an excellent indicator of pregnancy. It's easy to recognize an early pregnancy symptom. Some women experience pregnancy symptom within a few days of getting pregnancy while others experience it after a few weeks. Just be alert about your bodily changes and you will know about your pregnancy even before your doctor does!
Examples Of Early Pregnancy Symptom

* Nausea/vomiting: popularly known as "morning sickness," this is an early sign of pregnancy. Spicy foods, diary products, coffee, and even everyday odors, perfumes, and so on may trigger nausea. This is because your sense of smell and taste increases manifold during pregnancy.
* Breast tenderness and nipple enlargement is a very common early pregnancy symptom.
* You will feel extremely tired throughout the first trimester.
* Most of the women do a pregnancy test after they miss their period. You may experience cramps similar to menstrual cramps, along with back pain.
* Light bleeding or spotting at the time of your due period is normal. However, if the bleeding is more and you have been tested positive for pregnancy, consult your doctor.

Other Early Pregnancy Symptom

* Many women feel dizzy or faint. The chief reason for this is low blood sugar, which happens due to skipping of meals. Women tend to avoid eating, as the smell and taste of food triggers nausea in them.
* You may feel constipated, as the pregnancy hormones decrease your metabolism so that your baby is able to absorb the nutrients effectively.
* You may feel irritated due to the raging hormones in your body.
* Your skin may break out as a result of the rush of pregnancy hormones. However, it subsides by the end of the first trimester.
* Some of you might lose weight in the first trimester, as you tend to eat less due to morning sickness. However, this is only for a short period of time.
* You may also notice that the discharge of cervical mucous has become thicker and whiter than normal.

If you experience any of the above early pregnancy symptom, then it is better to carry out a pregnancy test. Once you are tested positive, ask your doctor about prenatal care, including the exercise regime. You should not be lax in your diet at this stage. For an enjoyable pregnancy, make yourself informed about the changes occurring in your body as well as your baby during pregnancy week by week. This will make you feel less scary, if it's your first pregnancy.

So, get ready to start your journey towards motherhood. The better informed you are, the more you will enjoy it!

Pregnancy Week 39

2010-05-11T01:37:00.000-07:00

Week 39 of fetal development has begun and you're still pregnant. This is perfectly normal. It is simply a matter of few more days. Due date calculations are approximate and rarely does the childbirth take place on the exact calculated pregnancy due date. Childbirth after the 38th week is absolutely normal and healthy for both your baby and you, so just sit back for another few days and think about the comforting post pregnancy massage you'll be able to receive shortly.

Baby's Growth In Week 39

Now that the baby is almost 38 weeks old, he is perfectly healthy and is doing great. The lungs are appropriately matured and surfactant production is increasing. Over 7 pounds in size, the child will be under close monitoring through the final days of pregnancy. A check on the child's heartbeat helps assess the progress. Ready for birth, your baby has already completed all major development requirements. Just after the birth your baby might seem a little peculiar. Well, don't worry, as all newborns look kind of different from normal expectations. And moreover these seemingly strange looks won't stay for long, it is just a matter of a few days before the newborn will grow to be a perfectly normal and beautiful child.

And dearest mom, whom do you want your baby to look like? Should she resemble you or pick few distinct features from her father's looks? Have you pictured your child's look? If not, then take my word on it, she looks even prettier than the adorable baby gazing at you through the poster hung on the front wall of the nursery.

Start imagining your baby's gorgeous looks because this can take off the anxiety of the upcoming childbirth. Many of you might deliver this week and or the next. There is not much time left for being pregnant. Thirty-eight weeks of pregnancy have sailed by swiftly and the remaining few days of pregnancy promise to end soon.

Pregnancy Week 37

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Weeks 37 to Week 41 of the pregnancy are considered as full term pregnancy times. Labor pains during this time are perfectly normal and desirable.

About The Child

He is doing perfectly well. With all growth parameters satisfied, the baby is all set to pick a nice birthday date. He is inhaling amniotic fluid which could cause hiccoughs. These are medically considered as a positive growth indicator. With an average size of 20 inches, the child is working on his grip. Reflexes by now are fully functional. All internal organs have also now developed.

A Quick Note On Mother's Health In Week 37

Mothers might experience increased vaginal discharge at this stage of pregnancy. If you are waiting for the expected due date of pregnancy then be prepared to wait a little longer or be surprised by an unanticipated labor. Its rather rare that a women delivers exactly on her scheduled due date.

As your body prepares for the pregnancy, it discharges cervical mucus. This mucus plug deals with the undesired bacterial infection around the uterus area. Some expecting mothers might soon loose this mucus plug. As for the rest, delivery is just around the corner. So don't panic if you exceed the anticipated due date. Enjoy eating in this last stage of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 36

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Week 36 of pregnancy doesn't have much excitement to offer; unless of course you go into labor. The basic tasks like getting registered with a hospital for delivery, decorating the baby's nursery, jotting down a list of potential baby names have all been catered to. The doctor visits are in full swing and all that can be done through this week is watch some nice movies and read interesting books while you await childbirth.

And while you live through these tough times, the baby is busy adding on weight. She is already five pounds and two ounces and 17.8 inches long. And believe me, she looks simply wonderful. This is a time when the child requires putting on weight so don't let your weight increase bother you. In addition to the weight increase, the baby's muscles harden as the pregnancy progresses towards the final date. If born now, she is ready to swallow and digest milk. Hope you too are ready to nurture her with utmost care and loving.

Changes In Soon-To-Be Mothers

By now, you certainly must feel that you have expanded beyond practical limits, but there is more that can still happen. You will continue to grow even bigger between now and childbirth. Your uterus is about five and a half inches above the navel. The full term begins next week. One thing that must be kept in mind right now is that the cure for pregnancy related discomfort must not be sought from hot baths. A warm shower is all right but sitting back in hot water bath is not advised. As for the other changes, baby is moving down and this takes off the earlier experienced internal body pressures. This change also results in improved appetite. The grand finale of your pregnancy is already here, are you all set?

Pregnancy Week 35

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The beginning of week 35 of pregnancy brings along good news: the third trimester pregnancy is almost over, meaning you're about to give birth! In just a few days you will be able see your feet again. It won't be possible to revert back to your pre-pregnancy routine immediately after delivery, however, you'll be back to your normal self before you know it.

With just a few days left before the birth, your baby is all set to fill your world with enduring happiness. The child's growth is almost complete with just a few minor changes yet to take place. The placenta that helped the baby grow inside you has completely matured. Weight gain is rapid in this week as well. The child's increasing size might hinder the movements inside your womb, thus lowering the fetal count. He is plump and cute with fat deposits accumulating under the skin. The lungs are fully formed. He is producing cortisol to help the lungs develop in preparation for birth.

Are You Panicked?

Pregnancy was difficult but child labor and birth are even more complicated. Sleepless nights, backache, difficulty handling weight, and increased visits to the restroom will be some irritants during your final days of pregnancy. However, just be patient because in another few days these hurdles will clear away and you will be the proud mother of a sweet baby. If standing becomes a continuous problematic issue you can try using a support belt.

Dear Dad

How does it feel now? Just a few more days and your life will change for the better. Are you ready to take up the responsibilities that wait ahead? Mom has already undergone enough and needs every comfort life has to offer. Your baby darling too deserves just the best. So simply spend the remaining few days of pregnancy planning out a beautiful life for your wife and baby.

Pregnancy Week 34

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At 34 weeks pregnant, the baby is getting stronger to face the challenges of a new world. She is getting plump with fat deposits offering fullness to the body. The lungs are completely developed and are producing surfactant that coordinates the exchange of oxygen in lungs. The child is also developing antibodies to fight infection. About five pounds in weight, she can now open and shut her eyes. Multiple babies can no longer move due to shortage of space.

A Look At Mom's Health In Week 34

While the baby is getting stronger, moms are getting weaker due to the weight they carry. By now it is probably completely tiring to stand up even for few minutes. The routine visits to healthcare practitioners now include a careful check of the cervix. Any signs of effacement or dilation indicate the nearing labor. The baby must have dropped down by this time. There will be pressure on the vagina. This is a direct implication of the dropping down process. Breathing is thankfully easier as you are ready for load shedding. Technically when the baby drops, his head enters the birth canal. With these developments in place the final event of pregnancy is just round the corner.

Pregnancy Week 33

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Week 33 of pregnancy and it could conceivably by any time that your child will make you rush to the hospital. Registering at a hospital in advance can help deal with any unpleasant situations at the time of delivery.

The child is almost fully developed. There are only a few minor changes yet to take place. The baby is rapidly gaining weight. Her knee and elbow can easily be distinguished. In case you are experiencing rhythmic bumps, then relax, because the baby is having hiccups which are perfectly healthy. The fat deposits under the child's skin continue to develop and the skin color is slightly pinkish. If you're expecting a boy, his testicles have moved to the scrotum and for baby girls, the clitorus is quite prominent. The amniotic fluid will be at its maximum level by the thirty-third week of pregnancy.

Changes In You

As for the moms, the countdown has almost reached the final stages. Focus on relaxing because in another few days your child will make sure that you are always on your toes. You uterus is over 5 inches above the navel. Pain and numbness in the fingers and wrist may also be experienced. Minor swelling should also be expected. Stomach cramps might decrease your appetite. The weight that you might be experiencing at this stage is actually your baby's weight gain. A pregnancy weight gain chart can be reassuring in this matter. The little one is growing and gaining quite rapidly in the final stages of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 32

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By the beginning of the 32nd week of pregnancy, you are into a phase when any indication or pain could be labor pain. The question is, how to know if the pains are actually the final ones.

The child's vigorous movements, technically referred to as Braxton Hicks contraction, further mystifies the puzzle of real pain. About 15.8 inches tall, the baby weighs approximately three pounds ten ounces in this stage of pregnancy. The wrinkles from the child's skin are disappearing and there is a strong chance that the baby even if born now, would be medically healthy. Minor issues like nursing or sucking could be a problem with premature babies. The five senses are completely functional and the child is settling in a head down position for birth.
How About You??

Continual movements will make you wonder if these are real contractions. For first time mothers, it isn't really easy to find out if the contractions are indicative of final labor pains. A few indicators that can help solve the riddle are, dropping of the baby, diarrhea, upset stomach, increase in practice contractions, weight loss, increase in blood pressure and like everybody suggests, you will know when it is about to happen.

This phase of pregnancy is not really prone to any major complications before childbirth. For informational purposes, please note that placenta previa is a rare complication that few pregnant women might face during this time. In this situation, the placenta completely or partially blocks the cervix. Another uncommon condition related to the placenta is abruptio placenta which is when the placenta separates from the uterus. Immediate pain and bleeding are signs of this problem. Apart from these issues, constipation and indigestion are the common problems that prevail during this week of pregnancy as well.

Pregnancy Week 32

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Pregnancy Week 31

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By week 31 of the pregnancy wheel, your pregnancy is becoming quite advanced. The child is already 16 inches long and weighs over 3 pounds. Fat is accumulating and the baby is moving inside the womb to take up the final position. The only important body organ that remains less developed at this stage of pregnancy is the lungs. The eyebrows and eyelashes are filling in fast.

Swollen feet, squeezed stomach, tightened muscles and contractions are just a few things expecting mothers will be experiencing now. Colostrums or pre-milk might start leaking from breasts.

Now is a good time to finish your post pregnancy delivery shopping. Soon it will be extremely difficult to get around. Buy some cheap maternity clothes to help cheer up through the irritating times ahead. Important stuff that you will soon require after childbirth includes breast feeding pillows, nursing pajamas, nursing gown, breast feeding tops, nursing tops, breast feeding cover, breast feeding pump and much more. Let this week of pregnancy be devoted to some serious shopping.

Pregnancy Week 29

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The pregnancy wheel is rotating in full motion as your pregnancy enters the 29th week. The child is in full spirits as she grows up to enter the new world within a few short weeks. Every move of the beautiful little one must now be checked and recorded. The kicks and movement of the baby inside you must be noted; if possible using fetal kick counts available in stores. Any change in the frequency of your baby's kicks is an important piece of information that your doctor will certainly be interested in. The child is now in a position to regulate her own body temperature and the bone marrow will soon begin producing red blood cells. At this time, the baby is roughly fifteen and a half inches long and weighs close to two and a half pounds.
What's Bothering You In Week 29?

It is already week 29 of pregnancy and you must be thinking of when the baby will actually be born. By now it must be difficult to work. It is high time that you make appropriate arrangements for a maternity leave to avoid any undesired hassles. Troubles that presented themselves in the first trimester, like heartburn and constipation, might again resurface. Breathing problems will remain for the duration of the pregnancy. Hemorrhoids, due to a growing uterus and gas troubles, due to a slower digestive cycle are other key hassles to anticipate. Itchy hemorrhoids can be aided by applying a hot pad or cold compresses on the affected area. The pressure exerted by the uterus on the bladder accounts for more frequent urges to use the restroom.

Pregnancy Week 28

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The little one inside is kicking hard and is gaining fuller looks as he adds on fat in the 28th week of pregnancy. Very much developed, the child looks almost like what he will look like after birth. The features are quite developed at this stage of the pregnancy. Your doctor might now be able to give you indications regarding the child's position in the womb. However, since there is still ample space inside for the baby to shift, he might switch position over the next few days.

By this point, you will feel as if you are dating your practitioner. The visits are more frequent and every development is being carefully gauged. Those moms who are Rh-negative but have Rh-positive partners might go in for Rhogam shots to avoid any birth complications. Other tests like gestational diabetics will likely be performed. Weight, blood pressure counts, the size of child, and tests for infections are all going on in this week and in the remaining days of pregnancy.
A Note For Dads

Your better half is undergoing tremendous physical and psychological pains right now. Shopping for her and the child, arranging for a movie night, spending a quiet evening with her, will all help to cheer her up. Being next to her and taking care in special ways can help deal with the difficult times of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 27

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Welcome to the start of the third and final trimester of pregnancy. The changes happening to you and baby will be radical from now until delivery. Mood swings, sudden food cravings become intense as the third trimester pregnancy begins. Dads and others who are in close contact with you might start feel as miserable as you do. So just try to be soft on them and manage your mood swings. You can do this by changing environments (going out for a walk) or jotting down your emotions on a piece of paper. Calling friends and chatting with them will also help you chill out.

Weight gain will be quite drastic from now on. However, this is very much required and is completely healthy. Therefore do not panic and most importantly do not plan out a diet schedule. The weight gain is desperately required for your and the baby's health. There could be minor breathing issues due to the shortage of space required by the lungs to expand. Simply ignore it and think about your baby.
Your Child in the First Week of the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

The baby is progressing well. And if she's made it through the stages of pregnancy and has reached this stage without problems, there is a very slim chance of any serious complication moving forward. The baby is about 15 inches in length and now weighs about 2 pounds. The skin, though wrinkled, is adding on the required fat layer as the pregnancy progresses smoothly.

Resources | Medical Disclaimer

Pregnancy Week 25

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Technically there are still 15 weeks before your baby's due date. Most women will give birth to a healthy child between the 38th and 42nd week of pregnancy, however a minority might encounter the pregnancy complication of pre-term labor and premature pregnancy.
Changes In You And Your Baby In Week 25

The child is growing taller; he is now about thirteen and a half inches in length. He is beginning to add the aforementioned body fat and will soon be more proportionate width to length. The baby's nervous system will undergo major developments in coming days. Other features have almost taken shape by now. The respiratory system of the child is now quite strong. The head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed towards birth canal.

As for pregnancy trimesters, the second one will soon be over. Working out will now be extremely tiring and sleeping quite difficult. But keep up your spirits as the pain will soon end. Drink plenty of water take in proper nutrition and workout with ample cool down sessions. You can also expect to start visiting your doctor more regularly.
About Pre-Term Labor And Premature Birth

Premature delivery is a scenario in which childbirth occurs before the beginning of 37th week of pregnancy. This early birth, due to incomplete development in the child, might lead to many medical ailments and could be fatal to the baby. There are various causes of premature labor including undue stress during pregnancy, harmful consumption habits like consuming drugs or alcohol, worsened lifestyles, lack of social support, infection to the mother or an accident. Women who have had previous premature delivery, or women who have certain abnormalities or are expecting multiple babies are especially prone to the dangers of early birth. Some key medical conditions that could lead to premature birth include, UTI (urinary tract infections), vaginal infections, bleeding, high blood pressure, birth defects in the child, under or over weight mothers and lack of time between two subsequent pregnancies.

The key symptoms of pre-term labor are elucidated below. If you happen to experience any of the following symptoms, make no delays in contacting your doctor at the earliest.

* Frequent contractions
* Pelvic pressure, a feeling where it seems like a mass is pushing itself down.
* Cramps similar to period
* Change in vaginal discharge
* Experiencing Preclampsia

Even though pre-term labor is not very common, do not neglect any potential medical indications. Medicine has progressed drastically and there are ways to deal with premature birth if handled expertly. Therefore tread with caution as you progress towards the next week of the pregnancy wheel.

Pregnancy Week 26

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Congratulations, another crucial phase of your pregnancy has been successfully completed. There are just a few weeks left to go. In week 26, the baby is 14 inches and weighs close to 2 pounds. If your baby is a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum. The skin is changing from transparent to opaque. You will be surprised to know that as the baby grows she would now respond in a certain fashion to various external noises. Try finding out what excites your child. She can also now differentiate between light and dark.

As for you, in week 26 even others can start to feel the baby. Dads will now certainly be delighted. After all, feeling one's own child is a joy that cannot be replicated. Mood swings are a common phenomenon during pregnancy and will certainly be present in the 26th week as well. Pregnancy high blood pressure can make you irritated. Pregnancy back pain is another issue that will unfortunately only become worse. These changes and problems are all normal. To distract yourself, now would be a good time to start decorating the child's room and thinking of baby names. These preparations will take you closer to your child during the remaining weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 24

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At 24 weeks pregnant, it is appropriate to make a decision regarding cord blood banking. However, before getting into the intricacies of the cord blood banking, let's have a note on how you feel and the how the baby is progressing in the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy.

The uterus will now be about an inch and a half above the belly button. The baby is in full spirits to make sure that you, even for a single minute, cannot ignore his existence inside of you. And the best way chosen by the little one is by practicing kicks and jumps and flips and flops inside your womb. The baby has gained about a quarter of a pound in weight and is almost developed by now. The child's skin is red in color and the bones are solidifying. He is getting prepared for breathing and is all set to charm you with monstrous yet cute acts.

A few expectant mothers might have encountered headaches during the first trimester of pregnancy. The issue should now have subsided. Don't be relaxed, another concern, namely, swellings in ankles and feet, will soon begin to bother you. Technically known as edema, swelling is a result of changes in blood chemistry and the excessive pressure exerted by the expanding uterus on blood veins. Drinking fluids is again the only suggestion to aid this problem. A simple yet important pregnancy tip therefore is, make huge posters with water written all over them and hang them in very corner of your house or office. Do whatever you must do to remind yourself to drink lots and lots of water during every day of pregnancy.
About Cord Blood Preservation

Cord blood banking is a technique wherein the excess blood present in mother's body after birth is collected and stored frozen for future medical use. Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells. It is also referred to as stem cell cord blood and can be used to treat a host of diseases. The process is completely safe. This cord blood preservation process takes just about 10 minutes. The blood can either be donated for public use or can be stored for your own personal use at a later date. Personal storage usually costs a nominal fee. It is a completely voluntary decision and talking with experts in greater detail can help you make up your mind with regards to cord blood banking.

Pregnancy Week 23

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By the twenty-third week of pregnancy, issues like skin discolorations or stretch marks become a concern to many of the first time mothers.

In addition to the noticeable stretch marks, your body will undergo various other changes while preparing itself for the scheduled delivery. For instance, the uterine muscle will begin having contractions to signal that it is getting prepared for delivery. Signs of premature labor can also be felt during this phase. The key cause of premature labor is dehydration. This makes premature labor more likely to occur in the summertime. This should once again emphasize the importance of drinking a plentiful amount of water every day.

Preclampsia is a situation that a few expectant mothers might encounter. Medically, it is state of significant swelling all over the face and hands, weight gain, blurry vision and continual headaches. Any expecting mother experiencing such symptoms should make an appointment with the practitioner at the earliest. Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood, thus depriving your baby of essential nutrients and lower oxygen levels, possibly resulting in low birth weights and other problems.
The Baby's Growth Chart In Week 23

The child weighs approximately one pound and is about 11 inches long. The skin is translucent and baby has a thin figure, but it will soon fill up with baby fat. In about a week, the child's lungs will develop branches of the respiratory tree and cells that produce surfactant, to help with the air sacs inflation.
About Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are basically streaks in the skin and are an issue faced by the majority of women during their later stages of pregnancy. Bright red or purplish in color, stretch marks are prominently visible on lower abdominal and can also be found on buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. The key cause of stretch marks is the expanding belly to accommodate the child. This expansion results in changes in the elastic supportive tissue that lies just beneath the skin.

Unfortunately there are no sure-fire ways to prevent pregnancy stretch marks. Thankfully most of them disappear in the 6 to 12 months that follow pregnancy. If you feel that you must undertake a specific stretch mark removal treatment, there are various options available. Topical medications or laser treatment are among the few medical treatment paths to select from. The best home remedy for stretch marks is to gain no more than 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. However, pregnancy is a time when more important concerns like proper nutritional intake and child's health must be taken as a priority over stretch marks. Therefore, while in the second trimester of pregnancy, just eat and drink well and leave concerns like stretch marks to fade away at a later date.

Pregnancy Week 22

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If you have been observing the baby's development closely over the last few weeks you will have noticed the changes the child undergone over time. The baby goes through high paced changes in the second trimester of pregnancy. The child is about one pound in weight and 11 inches long. The baby's eyelids and eyebrows are now fully formed. The lanugo mask that has been covering baby is now visible.
The Expected Changes Moms Will Face During Week 22

Pregnancy moves another stage forward with your weight steadily increasing over time. By now the heeled shoes are a strict no for all you expecting mothers. Regarding the physical changes to expect, the uterus would be about an inch above your navel. For mothers expecting multiple babies, leg cramps resulting from a shortage of calcium will be a regular phenomenon by now. Skin changes are also quite normal during this phase of pregnancy. Many also face a peculiar situation known as vascular spiders in which reddish areas appear all over the body due to increased estrogen levels. This issue along with other pregnancy appearance related problems like thicker, lustrous hair, faster growing fingernails, skin discolorations, pigmented circles around nipples, and swelling are all temporary and will fade away within a few weeks following delivery.

Pregnancy Week 21

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This 21st pregnancy week is comparatively easier to the times you've already gone through or will undergo in a few weeks. These are just minor issues here and there. The irritating very early pregnancy symptoms have subsided and the baby is also not yet fully formed which makes life a little easier. Around this time the only changes include mild acne issues (due to increased oil production) and aching legs due to added pressure on the veins in your legs. Both of these problems can be dealt with. The former concern can be managed by washing the face quite a number of times through the day and drinking water, which hopefully you have been doing anyway. The latter issue, pressure on the veins of the legs, can be aided by increasing circulation with a brisk walk. For either of the issues, please do not apply or consume any medication without doctor's prescription.
Fetal Development In Week 21

The baby in this week is about ten and a half inches long and weighs approximately about three quarters of a pound. By now the child's moves inside the womb are quite articulate and if the baby is a girl, her vagina will be formed by now. The child also adds rapid eye movement, which are vital for baby's healthy sleep schedule in his growth chart. The little one has translucent, soft red skin and by this time of the pregnancy weekly growth, he is ready to tease you with his unexpected moves.

Pregnancy Week 20

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The glass is half full and half empty at 20 weeks pregnant. A long path has already been traveled and the same distance is still yet to be covered. While the barricades have taken different forms from one phase to another, pregnancy remains a tough time to deal with. Childbirth lessons, eating healthy, drinking a lot of water, exercising, petite maternity clothes and maternity body pillows can be your weapons to fight the battle.
Changes to Expect in Week 20 of Pregnancy

Sleeping will grow to be more and more uncomfortable as pregnancy progresses. The increased waistline, changes in the uterus position, stuffed internal organs, heartburn and indigestion, and cramped legs all work together to make for some restless nights. Despite tiredness and a dire requirement to sleep, there could be sleepless nights. Pregnancy body pillows might soothe the tricky situation. The top of the uterus in week 20 is almost at the belly button now. If it is your first delivery, the baby will drop or engage into the pelvis a few weeks before delivery and remain almost same until childbirth. As for the second pregnancy (or who have had more children before), this will not happen until birth.
About The Child's Development In Week 20

The baby is about 10 inches long now, again measuring from head to toe. The protective layer of the greasy white substance Vernix that began forming a few weeks earlier now covers the baby and protects him/her during pregnancy. This substance's smooth texture helps during pregnancy delivery. The child is now swallowing at a better rate than earlier and has developed teeth buds beneath the gum line. The limbs are almost proportionate to normal sizes and around this week of pregnancy, the child's eyelashes and eyebrows are almost formed.

Pregnancy Week 19

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Your baby undergoes radical changes in the 19th week of pregnancy. There are two reasons for this. First, there actually are faster changes and secondly, the changes are much more noticeable now. For instance, the baby might suddenly seem taller. Height does increase as time progresses but now because the child's legs are developed and straightened, doctors measure fetal growth from head to toe and not from crown to rump. Therefore, the child's ultrasound picture at this stage of pregnancy presents seemingly drastic growth. The actual height increase actually is just about another two inches from the last week, however, measuring from head to heal, the baby's height is now around 9 inches. The child's weight in this month is approximately eight and a half ounces. Other growth taking place in this week includes regular functioning of the kidneys as they continue to make urine, growth of hair on the child's scalp of (which may be prominent on the face and ears for some time after birth as well) and many specialized tasks like smelling, hearing, sensing, touching and seeing are being coordinated by brain with the respective sense organs.
The Week's Progress And Task For You

Your pregnancy is almost halfway over. By now you must have adjusted to the changes that pregnancy and childbirth has in store for mothers to be. As for the expected physical changes this week, the skin might be drier than usual and some expectant mothers might also experience itchy skin. As advised earlier, drink gallons of water to beat all such issues during pregnancy. Other remedies include a gentle massage using a warm facecloth.

A much more crucial issue that now must be catered to is registering with childbirth classes. Such classes can help to a large extent in dealing with the various issues confronted during pregnancy and childbirth. Researches have indicated that those enrolled in childbirth classes have easier times during childbirth. Such classes touch upon a variety of subjects that are extremely vital for any soon-to-be mother and therefore present a convenient solution to various pregnancy related problems.

In addition to various other subjects, childbirth classes will highlight the importance of exercising during pregnancy. Diligent and careful workout during the pregnancy weekly stages can help curb the dreaded pains of childbirth.

Pregnancy Week 18

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In the eighteenth week of pregnancy, the most apparent of pregnancy symptoms become very real. You will love to eat and the huge appetite would be beyond control. The cravings will leave chance at any dieting attempts and it will soon show by way of an enlarged belly. Soon, expecting mothers will notice a difficulty in maintaining balance all thanks to the huge body size. Don't panic, all these side effects of pregnancy will return to normal after giving birth. Right now, just eat and enjoy life. As for the other tips and changes around this time, it is suggested that you lie on your left side as otherwise there is unnecessary pressure on your pelvic veins.
Baby's Growth Chart In Week 18

The baby is now about five and a half inches long and weighs approximately 7 ounces. The child's growth is faster in this phase of the second trimester of pregnancy. Baby's stomach, intestine and colon are developing. The stool that the child will soon pass after birth is also being formed. He can now sleep inside your body. Skin remains transparent and is kind of pink in color. Blood vessels are visible through the skin. The child's protective cover known as Myelin, that continues to form till about one year after birth, is beginning to form. The prostate gland is also beginning to develop. Vernix, a textured substance, is now covering the child's body to protect him/her during the remaining weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 17

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A few weeks ago, you were blessed with the sound of the baby's heartbeat in your womb. In the seventeenth week pregnancy, you can feel the child move inside you. At first, expecting mothers might not recognize the movement inside their body and therefore might have a tendency to ignore the initial movements. Slightly overweight moms might not feel the child this early, however those who have already given birth before know how its feels and therefore can recognize the movements sooner. Thinner moms might feel the baby move even earlier than week 17.

The movements are primarily due to the muscular developments the child is undergoing. Other vital developments in the child during this week include the formation of brown fat deposits under the skin (this helps maintain the body temperature of the child during the birth and soon after), the baby's size has also increased to generally around 5 inches by now and the placenta is growing thicker every week.
Changes In You

Week 17 suggests that you hide away all your heels for the weeks ahead. As for the physical changes, the uterus is now between your pubic bone and navel. The baby's movements known as quickening are now experienced and act as an important determinant of the pregnancy due date calculation. The feeling is compared to having butterflies in the stomach and is therefore also referred to as fluttering. The heart continues to pump at an increased rate and few soon-to-be mothers might also notice increased vaginal discharge as the pregnancy stages continue. If you notice these changes, simply lay back and relax as they are normal and will fade away after birth. The biggest gift of 17th week pregnancy is that it takes you another week closer to your baby.

Pregnancy Week 15

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This is one of the first stages of pregnancy that can yield vital information about the sex of the child. Though not 100% accurate, ultrasound results in the 15th week of pregnancy could yield information as to the sex of the child. Knowing whether the little one in your womb is a baby boy or a girl is now possible. The question however is, do you want to know now or wait for the day of the birth and see your child to unearth the little secret? There are no suggestions to the situation and medically there is no harm in knowing the details. The general opinion is divided. Many feel that the right time is during birth while others feel that knowing this information can help with the planning. Decide which side of the fence you're on and proceed accordingly.
Baby's Growth Synopsis

The child has stretched another half inch and is now about 4 inches long. The baby is now inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. The child has already started reacting and now can sense light as well. The taste buds are beginning to form. Sweat glands appear and the hair growth continues through this week. The baby's ears are almost in place and muscular developments continue on their normal course. Lanugo now covers every part of the baby in utero, except for the palms, soles of the feet, lips, penis, nails and inner fingers and toes. Some babies start sucking their thumb around this time.
How Are You Feeling This Week?

Certainly better than the last few weeks, right! As for the changes your body is undergoing this week the key ones include, higher output supply by the heart to provide baby with the required oxygen (about 20% higher and will increase further as pregnancy matures), an expanding figure that will soon require maternity clothes and a pregnancy weight gain of about 5 pounds (slightly higher or lower gain is alright). Some expecting mothers may experience a stuffed up nose, increased salivation and maybe a little restlessness. But all these issues won't irritate you for long. Another few weeks and you will be the proud mother of the sweetest child on earth.

Pregnancy Week 14

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There is a real life developing inside you with every passing day at 14 weeks pregnant. The baby is growing and is now about three and a half inches long. The child weighs approximately three and a half ounces in the 14th week of pregnancy. The child's body is growing: arms and legs are getting in place, fingerprints are also formed, the liver starts secreting bile and the child now has a grip. The baby can also start breathing fluid in and out of the lungs. Baby's hair is sprouting all over forming the hair mask known as Lanugo, with even the eyebrows getting their share of the hair.

And if so much is happening inside, then why not connect with the life living inside you. Start sparing a few minutes everyday, just to be with you baby. Even the experts feel that being with the child for a little while during pregnancy helps create a special parent-child bond. Just resting your hands on the belly and thinking about your child can make a difference. So grab some time from the over occupied schedule and be with the life you will shortly give birth to.
Changes In You

The 14th week of pregnancy marks another step ahead and brings along with it a host of changes. Depending upon the sex of the child, the prostrate gland will develop or the ovaries would descend down. Pregnancy constipation is an issue that some mothers experience during this stage of pregnancy. Some tips to deal with pregnancy constipation include, taking in ample quantities of water (just remember that even too much is not enough) and eating high fiber food (though make sure not to overdo it, as this could lead to excess gas). As for the rest just enjoy and maintain high spirits while you wait for D-Day during the remainder of your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 13

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Welcome to the first week of the second trimester of pregnancy. The energy lost during the initial weeks of pregnancy is now back to their original levels and even the physical desires are back to a normal level. A new liveliness replaces the previous feelings of continuous tiredness and nausea. Regarding pregnancy trimesters, the second is generally the smoothest for most women. As for the physical changes for week 13, expect the breasts continue to change. You'll find yourself wearing less fitted clothes as the pregnancy progresses. The uterus is also expanding and a painful sensation in the abdomen area could now accompany. Round ligament pain is the technical term to explain the stretching of the uterus and the corresponding abdomen pains. Simply relaxing can cure the pains however if they stay for longer durations and are complemented with other issues like bleeding or vomiting, get an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

Regarding regular prenatal development, the doctor will keep an eye on blood pressure count, weight, fundal height (uterus growth), baby's heart tones and urine.

Pregnancy pillows are a great way to beat the un-welcomed pregnancy pains and steal some hours of relaxation. The increased uterus size, along with other factors like stress or discomfort of carrying a baby makes it tougher, as time progresses, to rest easily. A pregnancy pillow then can provide the desired comfort with ease.
Baby's Growth In Week 13

The tiny creature nurturing inside you is now about 3 inches long. The body is now growing faster than the head to balance out the head to body ratio. The child will now start urinating out the amniotic fluid he started drinking a few days ago. The pancreas is now fully formed and is secreting insulin. The villi, which help in peristaltic movement and digestion, are also forming in the intestine by the second trimester of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 12

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The beginning of the twelth week of pregnancy marks the beginning to the end of the first trimester. There are a host of changes that have happened in your life during the last 12 weeks, so take some time to fill out the change guide appended at the end of this week's developments.
The Baby In Week 12

Your baby is a little more developed than the last week. He might just achieve the 2-inch mark while you are 12 weeks pregnant. The eyes and ears are moving closer to occupy their final positions on the face. The child's kidneys are secreting urine into the bladder and the nerve cells are multiplying at an excellent rate. The brain's structure is same as it will be during her/his birth and the reflex movements are also improving. Knowing the sex of the child however is still not possible.
About You

The best news in the 12th week of pregnancy is that the risk of miscarriage has subsided. The other frustrating early pregnancy symptoms like tiredness, morning sickness and nausea plan to leave you alone while you head for the second trimester of pregnancy. You will soon start to feel better and recover from the earlier experienced issues.

The other most noticeable change in the body is the increased uterus size. The uterus in weeks to follow will grow enough to appear just above the pubic bone, out of the pelvis. It further continues to grow into your abdomen. In case of twin pregnancy, the size will be even larger. Don't fret this increased size; the uterus will return to its pre-pregnancy size within few weeks of the delivery. Other changes could include patching on areas of the skin for some expecting mothers. Use sunscreen when outdoors as at this time your skin is quite sensitive to the harmful ultraviolet rays. You might also have to deal with freckles or darkening as the 12th week of pregnancy passes. A burning sensation in the throat, chest and abdomen area could also occur in this week.

To deal with the issue, try eating more frequently. Drink liquids before and after a meal (avoid liquid in take while taking a meal). Stay away from fizzy drinks and spicy food as this will worsen heartburn. You've worked your way towards the end of first trimester of pregnancy and living carefully can certainly take you easily through the remaining two trimesters.
A Journey Through The First Trimester Pregnancy

Before we move to the second trimester pregnancy it is imperative to look into the overall changes that have transpired so far and mark a checklist of essential Do's and Don'ts.
The Key Changes For Mothers

* You have conceived and the body has undergone various hormonal changes.
* Early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, pregnancy back pain, darkening of the areolas, pregnancy constipation, excessive salivation, food cravings, frequent urination, headaches, increased sense of smell, lower abdominal cramps, and tender or swollen breasts that have made life difficult in the initial weeks of pregnancy have almost faded by the 12th week.
* Pregnancy weight initially decreased due to nausea and morning sickness but has now begun to increase as the symptoms have subsided.
* The most critical pregnancy risk of miscarriage has been dealt with by the end of the 12th week.
* The body is releasing necessary hormones like hCG and the natural changes like increased uterus size, development of placenta, etc are all in place.

The Key Changes For The Baby

* The baby is growing rapidly.
* From a mass of cells bundled together, the baby is now a real life growing inside you.
* The child's heartbeat can now be heard.
* Baby's face complete with a tiny chin and nose is now apparent
* The skin however is like a transparent sheet
* It is not possible to find out the child's sex during the first trimester pregnancy.
* The baby now has reflex actions however due the small size these movements cannot really be felt.
* There are reasonable muscular developments

Essential Preparation

Here are a few essentials which expectant mothers must have fulfilled by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy.

* Diet considerations - eat healthy to stay healthy and give birth to a fit child. Make sure that your food habits include all that is required to meet the complete diet requirements during pregnancy.
* Exercise - regular pregnancy exercise is the secret to easy and safe delivery. The post pregnancy health is also largely affected by the exercise schedule maintained during pregnancy.
* Unhealthy habit forming substances - banning all unhealthy habit forming substances like alcohol, cigarettes or tobacco is a definite requirement during pregnancy. Any casual approach to this mandate can result in harmful, irrevocable consequences to both the mother and the child.
* Maternity leave - the end of the 12th week of pregnancy calls for serious planning of any potential maternity leaves from a job. A balance between personal and professional commitments must be maintained.
* Finances - start saving for tomorrow. Your family is expanding and the effort to give your child a comfortable life must now begin.
* Health care - regular checkups and following your doctor's advice is again a strict pregnancy mandate.
* Informing others - if you still haven't informed other important people around you about the good news and then start preparing your announcement speech.

The baby's room - and if all the mentioned tasks have been successfully accomplished then you can start using your spare time to decorate the little one's paradise.

Pregnancy Week 11

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As we approach the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, for many expecting mothers, the pregnancy begins to show. The changes happening to your body will soon apparent and noticeable to all during your eleventh week pregnancy. Now is a good time to inform others about the good news, especially those in your professional circle. Your work commitments for the next few months need to be planned accordingly.

Another very crucial debate that enters the picture at this stage of pregnancy development is the growing argument regarding the right food intake and proper amount of weight gain during pregnancy. Before looking into the right pregnancy weight gain parameters let us have a look at the 11th week of prenatal development.
Baby's Growth

Your baby is doing well. His head is exceptionally huge, about half of the body size, in this stage. But this of course is temporary and normal. Other developments include slight hardening of the bones, separation of fingers and toes and the cutest of kicking and stretching acts. The movements will increase as the baby grows and soon you will experience the first feel of your child inside you.

The child is doing fine and hope that you too are doing great on both personal and professional fronts. If the Dad is not very receptive about the dynamic changes within you, take him along for the next doctor's visit and make sure he hears the child's heart beat. This will help win the desired support and comfort from your partner.
The Right Food Intake During Pregnancy

Coming back to the weight gain issue, to begin with, stop thinking too much about it. An increase in weight during pregnancy is quite normal and in fact very much required. A pregnancy weight gain chart can confirm this. Slight weight loss during the first trimester of pregnancy, due to issues like nausea, is all right but eventually in the weeks that follow, a weight increase must happen. It is essential for you and your baby. Normal pregnancy weight gain will be naturally lost in the post pregnancy period. Breast-feeding takes up ample calories and is the trick to get back in shape.

If you are over weight, you still need to gain weight during pregnancy. For the underweight pregnant mothers, the pregnancy weight gain is especially essential. The pregnancy weight however must not increase because you are taking in too much fat and sugar as provided by junk food. Your weight must increase by intaking nutrition-rich foods during pregnancy. Pregnancy nutrition is not dependent upon non-vegetarian foods and can be accomplished through a vegetarian diet as well.

Relax your worries regarding pregnancy weight gain and eat smartly over the next 29 weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week 10

2010-05-11T00:47:00.001-07:00

Nine weeks of pregnancy have successfully passed. The tenth week of pregnancy promises to present you the most special gift for nurturing the beautiful baby inside you with care and loads of love. In this stage of prenatal development, you might be able to feel the baby's heart beat. It gives a chance to experience the life inside you as closely as possible. Those who have heard it say that it is like the thunder of horses but who better than you to explain how it feels to hear your baby live for the first time.

In addition to the heart beat, the other changes happening to your baby in the 10th week of pregnancy include the formation of toes, the opening of the eyes, the forming of external genitalia and ears. The embryonic tail is now completely gone. The risk of miscarriage is also about to end in the 10th week.

Expecting mothers will notice that the uterus size increases by the end of week 10. Irritating early pregnancy symptoms like nausea and morning sickness, which were at a peak in the 9th week, are also beginning to fade away. By the 12th week, for most women, morning sickness symptoms and nausea during will be a thing of the past.

No wonder the tenth week of pregnancy is greeted with a broad smile by the mother-to-be.

Pregnancy Week 9

2010-05-11T00:46:00.001-07:00

During ninth week of pregnancy, you can begin to shop for pregnancy clothes. There are various stores that offer plus sizes meant for pregnant women. Consider buying cheap maternity clothes as the clothes would anyway be redundant shortly anyway. You can buy funky maternity clothes (like a maternity novelty t shirt), and stylish maternity clothes (to add that extra zing).

Baby is Developing Fine

While you are satisfying your shopping drive, the pregnancy stages are continuing to cause changes within your body. The embryonic period ends in nine week and the placenta is also quite developed. The tiny child inside you is growing well. The baby is drinking amniotic fluid. Reflex muscle movements continue and the baby now has a tendency to move away if touched by the uterus walls. Many mothers are quite apprehensive about the child's features and especially the nose. Many would prefer it to be sharp and pointed. At this stage of pregnancy development, the tip of the nose is becoming visible.

Pregnancy Week 8

2010-05-11T00:45:00.001-07:00

If you like checking yourself out in the mirror, you should do it a few extra times during the eight week of pregnancy. Soon, your body will change and become rounded with a belly. Pregnancy weight gain usually begins around the eighth week of pregnancy. Maintaining a good pregnancy diet becomes very important in the eight week of pregnancy to ensure that pregnancy weight increases.

About the Baby

Your baby is quite small right now, just about 5/8ths of an inch. The growth continues in this week with the highlight being bone formation. The fingers and toes are growing and the knee joints have also formed. The digestive system also begins to develop during this week. More facial developments can also be noticed in pregnancy eight week. Blood begins to flow through a rudimentary circulatory system, while the digestive tract continues to grow.

Get extensively checked

Missing the second menstrual cycle tops the list of the other important things that happen during this week. And because this has happened your Doctor is willing to take your pregnancy seriously. Now is the time for undergoing a few important tests to ensure the right prenatal development. Blood pressure and weight readings are recorded (and should be monitored weekly), a pelvic exam is conducted which checks the size of uterus, cysts, coloring of cervix, as is a blood test to check immunities, Rh factor, and iron level. The urine sample is also checked for hCG and other important proteins.

Apart from the tests, this stage also answers one of your awaited questions. When is the pregnancy due date? Because tests have been conducted and growth has been checked your doctor will be able to indicate your pregnancy due date. Many online pregnancy calculators can also give you a good estimation of your due date.

Pregnancy Week 6

2010-05-11T00:43:00.001-07:00

The beginning of pregnancy week six marks another step forward in the direction of pregnancy weekly development during the first trimester of pregnancy. The early pregnancy symptoms typically begin to magnify by the sixth week. Your baby is growing. In week six, the heart is beginning to beat. The umbilical cord develops. The growth of the child is quite rapid and your baby's features begin to take shape. Those beautiful eyes waiting to see the world are already forming in the tiny life cuddled safely inside you. But the question is, is the sensitive baby of yours really safe?

Deal carefully with the threat of miscarriage

The first trimester of pregnancy carries the biggest pregnancy risk, the risk of miscarriage. This is one reason why most expecting parents tend to keep the good news a secret for at least the first few weeks. Many expecting mothers for obvious reasons are quite apprehensive about what might happen, especially considering the kind of lifestyle they may be leading. Irregular and bad consumption habits, tiring schedules and carefree attitudes all heighten the risk of miscarriage. The baby is forming in the sixth week of pregnancy. It's no longer just a mass of cells bundled together. There is real life developing inside you.

The typical indications of a miscarriage pregnancy are bleeding, abdominal pains and/or passing of blood clots or grayish or pinkish tissues. Basic early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, pregnancy back pain, darkening of areola, pregnancy constipation, excessive salivation, food cravings, frequent urination, headaches, increased sense of smell, lower abdominal cramps, tender or swollen breasts are normal and will stay with you for another few weeks. For the father, the well being of your wife should be ensured through regular check ups and the right nutritional intake.

Pregnancy Week 5

2010-05-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, the fifth week pregnancy ensures that all you happy would-be mothers are aware that you will soon be giving birth to a beautiful baby. The very obvious symptom would be your missed monthly cycle. In case the cycle has been regular so far, this is the time to celebrate. However, the next most prominent pregnancy symptoms will leave little time for celebrations. It is a desire to sleep endlessly. Other early signs of pregnancy includes swollen and tender breasts (as the milk glands start multiplying) and abdominal pains.

The Baby Is Growing

At pregnancy week five, the baby's brain and nervous system starting to grow. The features are forming. Your heart is beating hard, right! Well, you'll be surprised to know that the little one's heart is beating twice as strong as your heart. Your baby in the fifth week of pregnancy could be as huge as one long grain of rice. It is time you consult a health care provider when you first detect early pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Week 4

2010-03-30T02:57:00.000-07:00

The fourth week of pregnancy marks definite hormonal changes. You might now experience early pregnancy symptoms including fatigue, swollen breasts, bloating and frequent urination. These will be the first noticable symptoms of pregnancy.

Implantation Begins

The fourth week of pregnancy is the week just before your next menstrual cycle would have occured. Implantation takes place during this week. During implantation, the baby searches for a comfortable place in the uterus where it implants, that is to say, settles, for the rest of the pregnancy term. The cells now begin to divide into two groups: the group that forms placenta and the other group that forms the baby.

The Baby Begins To Take Shape

The chorionic villi are formed, the placenta that is supposed to take care of child till birth is appearing and most importantly, the little one's heart is beginning to beat. In the true sense, this is the week when life is actually generated. From the initial cells to the present blurred images that begin to form, there has been a major movement towards creating life.

Plan To Test

By now you must be very anxious to find out if you are indeed pregnant. The wait game to get concrete results by an early pregnancy test however could stretch forward to the fifth week. Though a urine pregnancy test can be undertaken during the fourth week, the results won't be as accurate until one more week. It is a home pregnancy test also known as ept pregnancy test (early home pregnancy test) that checks for the special pregnancy hormone known as HCG (human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) hormone required to confirm a pregnancy.

You can humor yourself during this time by taking the free online pregnancy tests.

Source

Pregnancy Week3

2010-03-30T02:54:00.000-07:00

During week three of pregnancy, many expecting mothers are not even aware of the fact that a new life is taking shape in their bodies. However, the week by week calendar of pregnancy has already entered the third week of first trimester pregnancy. The required sperm cell has hit the right spot on the female's fallopian tube. The resulting fertilized egg is busy expanding in the fallopian tube to become a zygote. The next stage entails shifting of this multiplied zygote into the uterus where it rests under the shed of thick uterus walls for the upcoming weeks of pregnancy.

The entire process as mentioned takes about 8 - 12 days. Slight pregnancy spotting can occur during the third week of pregnancy. This is very normal and can be ignored.

In the event that more than one egg is fertilized or one egg divides into two, twin pregnancy is expected. During week three of pregnancy, the zygote or your cherished baby is just about 0.1 - 0.2 mm large.

The Caretaker

Although you might not notice the new changes that will soon be visible within, your body however is cautious enough to take appropriate steps to help the new one nurture in your womb. The much-required early Pregnancy Factor Protein is already being produced. With time your body takes other vital steps for healthy development like forming a water tight sac known as amniotic sac to cushion the embryo and shaping up of the placenta.

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Weekly Pregnanncy Calender

2009-06-20T00:54:00.000-07:00

A weekly pregnancy calendar is a manual that records the journey of the fetus from conception to birth. It expounds in detail, the pregnancy week by week development that the fetus should achieve in the mother womb. The pregnancy calendar also gives the details about the changes that occur in the mother body and tells how to cope with these changes. This information can help the would-be-mother to ascertain that the fetus is growing in a healthy manner and her pregnancy is safe. Hence, every mother-to-be must possess a pregnancy week by week calendar to keep track of the milestones that the growing fetus achieves every week. Nowadays, there are numerous websites from where you can download these pregnancy calendars for free.

A Look At The Pregnancy Calendar

A weekly pregnancy calendar generally follows a forty week schedule. The calculation of the calendar is very simple. The LMP i.e. the last menstrual period date is the first day of the pregnancy calendar. Forty weeks from the date is the due date. Here, it has to be noted that only in very few cases, the baby is delivered on the due date. Generally any day after the 37th week is safe, because the baby would have attained full development by the 37th week.

A pregnancy calendar generally makes the following information available.

1. The growth and development that the fetus must achieve in each week of pregnancy,
2. The physical and the emotional changes that the mother-to-be undergoes and coping with these changes,
3. Nutritional requirements and exercises for a health pregnancy,
4. The do and do not during the nine months.

In a nutshell, a weekly pregnancy calendar is an excellent reference guide for every anxious would-be mother. It helps her to understand every change and emotion that she would be undergoing through the forty weeks of the pregnancy wheel. It helps her to keep track of what is going on in her womb every minute. The calendar helps in alleviating her anxiety and comforts her.

Maintaining Your Own Weekly Pregnancy Calendar

You can also make your own pregnancy calendar. It is very simple. Once you know your LMP and due date, you can yourself start maintaining the physical and emotional changes that you undergo on a weekly basis. You can compare this with any standard pregnancy calendar to assure yourself that everything is well.

Advantages Of Maintaining Your Own Pregnancy Calendar
In addition to the above mentioned benefits, maintaining your own weekly pregnancy calendar has some apparent advantages.
1. You can use the calendar as a jotting notepad to record your queries, doubts and apprehensions. This will be useful in future appointments with your doctor.
2. The pregnancy calendar is particularly useful in the third trimester of pregnancy (week 26 to week 40). In this final trimester, there are many changes happening in the mother body. The would-be mother will then find the pregnancy calendar handy. With the help of a good calendar, she can identify if her contraction are true or false and if there is a need to consult the doctor.
3. A religiously written pregnancy calendar will be very useful for the doctor in case any emergency arises in the course of delivery.
4. You can use your weekly pregnancy calendar to understand your future pregnancies better.

The weekly pregnancy calendar can also be called a pregnancy week by week calendar. It charts the fetal developments through the 40 week run of the pregnancy wheel.

By: Apurva Shree
Home & Family-ArticlesBase

Pregnancy week 7

2009-05-28T02:37:00.001-07:00

There are usually early pregnancy classes for you and your partner. Always keep a pregnancy calendar that will provide a week by week display of your pregnancy and will attempt to calculate a probable conception date. As the fetus develops, your healthy baby now has reflexes, so can move spontaneously. The muscles and nerves begin to function. Week seven of your pregnancy is very much the same in terms of pregnancy first weeks. You are now probably in the throes of morning sickness.

Pregnancy first weeks can have you craving certain foods. This may be the body's way of getting the nutrients it needs. Sometimes, food you loved before may be repulsive to you now. Always bear in mind that a healthy balance of foods will produce a healthy baby as the growing fetus should get the correct nutrients. Keep a pregnancy calendar to track your pregnancy and development milestones.

If you could see inside yourself, you would find the fetus has an oversized head in proportion to its body. Pregnancy first weeks shows the changes taking place as the embryo's facial features are forming - also the baby's hands and feet look like paddles. At the beginning of the 7th week, a healthy baby is approximately 1/4 inch, but by the end of this week will grow to about 1/2 inch. Use your personal pregnancy calendar to follow your baby's development from conception to birth.

By the seventh week of pregnancy, the fetus is growing rapidly and the umbilical cord is formed and a healthy baby is growing rapidly within the uterus. Pregnancy first weeks shows the development of the features of the baby like its eyes, nose and ears. The thorax and abdomen are entirely formed and lungs begin its slow development. The baby can open its mouth during the seventh week and you can see the development of the baby's fingers. Your pregnancy calendar is an important aspect of keeping track of your baby's development.

Shilpa Agarwal sports content writing as a game rather than work xp. Whether your requirement is for content for your website or for academic publishing, journals or newspapers, PR, blog articles, SEO articles, product descriptions or just general articles; she is just the right stop for you. Currently she is developing the content for a health blog. Healthpoints.info is dedicated to create a community where people can find information or share experiences relating to several health issues like pregnancy, diseases, healthy tips. Whether you are seeking information or would like to know about the places where you can get treatments for your problems, this is the place to get reliable information. If you need an expert for your content related demands, feel free to contact her.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shilpa_Agarwal

Pregnancy week 30

2009-05-28T02:20:00.000-07:00

80% of pregnant women face pregnancy complications at some point or the other in their pregnancy term. While most complications can be dealt with, many complications also stay through the entire term of the pregnancy. Read out further to get all the information related to pregnancy complications.

It is common knowledge that women above the age of 30 face more complications than pregnant women younger to them. While it is not easy to conceive after the age of 30, women in this age group should not be disheartened. After the age of 30, correct advice from a good doctor can really lift your spirits.

The 40-Week Pregnancy Period

It takes approximately 40 weeks for a healthy pregnancy to reach full term. Pregnancy ends and birth begins when the membranes of the sac holding the developed fetus and the amniotic fluid ruptures and the vagina contracts in readiness to push the fetus out of the body.

Many women who have crossed the age of 30 deliver before the stipulated 40-week term and give birth to premature babies. Such babies are at a risk of having underdeveloped organs and are susceptible to life threatening infections.

Planning Your Pregnancy Post 30

Consulting a good doctor is the first step one must take while planning pregnancy post 30. Fertility treatment taken under the doctor guidance is the best bet for women above 30, suffering from fertility problems. It is widely acknowledged that unmonitored intake of fertility drugs can cause multiple births and further pregnancy complications; especially in cases of the first pregnancy. So do as your doc says!

The next step to ensure a healthy pregnancy after 30 is to change your lifestyle. Post 30, pregnant women have to eat meals with the right mix of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, rich proteins, and low fat. Consulting a dietitian to draw up a healthy diet plan is a good idea. They will have to avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Also mild to moderate exercise will have to be included in the daily routine.

Intake of medication such as Folic acids, Vitamin C tablets, iron tablets, etc., should be taken after consultation with doctor. These can go a long way in helping you to prevent possible pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience and one should enjoy the nine months towards motherhood. Keep a pregnancy journal and read pregnancy books to monitor pregnancy week by week development. Enjoy your pregnancy!

By: Apurva Shree
Home & Family-ArticlesBase.

Pregnancy week 16

2009-05-28T02:18:00.000-07:00

Are you sick of being sick in your pregnancy? Week 16 is usually the time when expectant moms start to feel better and have more energy. This is the time when you should start relaxing and enjoying the fact that you will soon have a little one in the house with you. It is a long way to look forward to another 24 weeks, but you need to rest as much as possible because you will need it in the weeks to come. This is a great time to get out and about meeting other pregnant women and learning from them.

At sixteen weeks the baby weighs about four ounces and is about five and half inches long. You will start feeling life inside at this point as the baby moves and reaches for the umbilical cord. First time mothers may not realize that the fluttering feelings in their stomach are the movements of the baby. However, once you realize that they are becoming more frequent, if you don? know what is happening, all you have to do is ask someone who is farther along in the pregnancy or a woman who has had children.

The baby movements are starting to become more coordinated. The head is not as large as it was in previous weeks and is now more in proportion with the rest of the body. The fingernails and toenails are growing by this week as well. The lungs are starting to develop and although the baby can breathe air yet, it does inhale and exhale the amniotic fluid.

The 17th week is the one in which the doctor will order some tests. This includes a glucose test to see how well your body can manage a high dose of sugar when you drink a really sweet mixture. If you pass this test, you won have to worry about gestational diabetes and follow a special diet. Another of the tests your doctor will order at this time is a blood test to see whether you are Rh positive or negative. If you are Rh negative, you will need to have a needle during the 28th week.

One of the most noticeable changes during the 17th week is that you will have aches and pains in your abdomen if you make any sudden movements. You may also have achy pains in your hips and buttocks and in your sides. This is because the ligaments and muscles are stretching to make room for the uterus to expand as the baby grows. Many mothers first think they are experiencing slight contractions, but these aches and pains are normal.

You are prone to infection when you are pregnant. When you do eat meat make sure it is thoroughly cooked so that you can avoid becoming ill or contracting a virus. You can also contract a virus if you have cats as pets when you change the litter or spend any amount of time with them. During your pregnancy it is better to have someone else in your household to take over changing the litter.

By:Ling Tong
Source;Home & Family-ArticlesBase.

Pregnancy week 38

2009-05-28T01:19:00.000-07:00

The nesting instinct will be in full swing as you get close to the end of your pregnancy. Week 38 is one on which women start cleaning with a frenzy, doing laundry and making sure that everything is in readiness for the baby. You may wonder why you don feel like this during the rest of the year when you just hate to tackle all the housework. This is a natural part of nearing the end of your pregnancy and you are likely to go into labour at any time. Pregnancies usually last for 40 weeks, but births after 37 weeks are considered to be full-term. It is quite possible that your doctor has informed you that the baby is in the proper position and that you are ready to give birth.

You may start to experience swelling of your feet. This is quite normal, but if the swelling is excessive or spreads to your hands and face, you should contact your doctor. It could mean that you are retaining fluid or that you have toxaemia or hypertension. Doctors like to really check on an expectant mother blood pressure levels during the latter stages of pregnancy. When your blood pressure increases, you do retain water and there is protein in your urine. If the doctor thinks the baby is developed enough, which it is at 38 weeks, he/she may induce labour to deliver the baby as soon as possible.

During the last few weeks of pregnancy there is no one weight or size for a baby in the uterus. Some may still be quite small and others may be 10 pounds or more. The average size of baby at 38 weeks is about 6 to 7 pounds and between 17 to 20 inches in length. Even though the baby is positioned head down in the birth canal, it is still continuing to grow. You may not feel as much movement as you did in the earlier weeks because there is not as much room for the baby to move around. However, you will still feel movement and kicks.

The baby has moved down lower, or dropped, and this means that you are a bit more comfortable when taking a deep breath. You no longer feel as if you have a huge basketball under your ribs. At the same time, your belly has really expanded and you may find it hard to get up once you sit in a soft chair, such as a sofa chair. When you stand, you won be able to see your feet and unless you wear slip on footwear, you will need someone to tie your laces or buckle your shoes for you. At night you will likely have difficulty getting rest because you feel uncomfortable when you lie down and you find it hard to turn over in bed. One solution many women say helped them with this is wearing silk or satin pyjamas that slides easily over the bed linens when you want to turn in the bed.

By:Ling Tong
Source;Home & Family-ArticlesBase

Pregnancy week 40

2009-05-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

So, you have finally become pregnant after 40 after years of struggle with infertility. Congratulations, you are expecting a baby.

Getting pregnant after the age of 40 brings with it a gamut of emotions. You are excited that finally you will have your own little angel, yet you are apprehensive because you have read and heard so many sad stories about getting pregnant over 40 or late pregnancy. However, you do not have to be anxious at all. The number of women giving birth to healthy babies even after 40 has increased considerably. Experts believe that if expectant mothers take care of themselves, they have as much a chance of delivering a healthy baby as any other 20 year old woman! So make sure, you eat well, eat right, and get plenty of rest.

Reasons For Pregnancy After 40

A lot of women choose to delay their pregnancy due to various reasons. They may be pursuing their career or married late. Sometimes, infertility is also the reason for delayed pregnancy. The perfectionist attitude, approval addiction, or volatile relationship in the past are cited as common reasons for infertility.

Pre-natal Tests

While routine pre-natal tests, such as blood, urine, and blood pressure checks are performed on all pregnant women; your physician will recommend some other tests to you. These tests include Down syndrome, Amniocentesis, and Chronic Villus Sampling or CVS. These tests are aimed at diagnosing any genetically birth defects in the baby.

When do you break the news?

Most women, who are pregnant after 40, choose to break the news only after they have received a normal result from the prenatal tests. Since a majority of miscarriages occurs before 12 weeks, most women prefer to wait until the first trimester of the pregnancy wheel to announce their pregnancy to the world.

Be Prepared For The Reactions

Most women who have got pregnant over 40 face this. Your news of pregnancy will evoke all sorts of reactions, ranging from joy to amazement to disapproval. Do not get discouraged by this behavior. Instead, enjoy this period of your life. Besides yourself, you need to prepare others around you for this big change in life. Assure them that your love for the family will not change. Prepare yourself and the others around you emotionally to usher in this new period in your life.

Remove The Negativity Around You

Your body releases all sorts of hormones during different stages of pregnancy making you highly volatile emotionally. You go through a roller coaster of emotions. During such an emotionally turbulent time, you will do well by removing all the negativity around you. Avoid people who disapprove of pregnancy after 40. Take time to relax and pamper yourself and cherish this beautiful moment in your life.

Change Your Lifestyle

Now that you are pregnant, you need to make some vital changes in your lifestyle. To start with, you need to go a little easy on your job. Too much stress can be very harmful to the baby. Remove harmful substances like caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol from your diet. Change your diet plan to include nutritious food, such as green vegetables and fruits. Meditation and light exercises are also known to help.

By: Apurva Shree
Home & Family-ArticlesBase