Pregnancy and Childbirth

Weight Loss after Pregnancy
First Trimester

You already know that women may gain up to 30 lb or even more during the nine months of pregnancy. And then, when your baby is born, it’s often a huge problem to get rid of the excess pregnancy weight. But you should still stay positive and work hard in striving for “the slim yourself” all the nine months after pregnancy. Here’s what prevents you from losing excess weight and what to start with during the first postpartum trimester.


New Life after Pregnancy
Got new experience? Childbirth is actually an eye-opening thing. First, you realize the view that babies sleep up to 15 hours a day is far from being true. Even calm babies are likely to catnap and give their parents a hard time round the clock. Second, realizing that those pounds are still there, a young mom goes into a tailspin.

What Prevents from Getting Slim?
But what prevents you from getting slim during the first trimester? Progesterone and lactation hormone still prevail in the hormone profile. It is linked to the increased appetite. That’s why your belly and hips are still a problem. Obviously, lack of sleep and unhealthy sleep contribute to your inability to lose weight (it relates to all people).

Losing Weight during the First Postpartum Period
How to lose weight? Breastfeeding does not impede your efforts towards being slim. With no childbirth complications and a healthy lactation, you will be losing excessive weight naturally as the fat is used to produce milk. At average, your body consumes 30-40 g of fat daily.

Postpartum Weight Loss Tips
Tips. Here is a hard and simple rule for you –don’t ever try to start a strict diet. Make sure you don’t eat more than usually, though. Breastfeeding mothers often make the same mistakes, trying to eat more of fatty food (to make milk more nourishing), chose too big portions (to ensure their milk is good) and even have a hamburger before sleep (to make sure they have enough milk at night).

In reality, the quantity of breast milk has nothing to do with breastfeeding mother’s diet.

What Stimulates Lactation?
The secretion of lactation hormone is influenced by the other female hormones –estrogen in particular, not by eating more. It also depends on how right the breastfeeding process is as well as on your psycho-emotional state. Both for the mother and her baby, emotional state and healthy sleep is much more important than portion sizes.

Pregnancy Help - How to Get Pregnant Even at 40++?

Pregnancy Help - How to Get Pregnant Even at 40++?

Even if you are on you late 30's or 40's, you are definitely not too old to get a child. If you were having multiple cycle of IVF s but still have not succeeded, you should listen to me on what are steps you need to do in order to "Get Pregnant". Some of the factors that even you encountered now,

- Even If You Have Tubal Obstruction

- Even If You Have Endometriosis

- Even If You Have Ovarian Cysts Or 'Lazy Ovaries'

- No need to go through expensive IUI or expensive Drugs

- Success chance can be in month(s). Even faster than you thought!!

Success Story #1: Nicole Terry : Pregnant at 44+ after followed this "secret"

Success Story #2: Lauren Ross : After one month trying with "secret" tip getting pregnant

Success Story #3: Beth Carrigan : 7 years trying without this "secret". Followed these "secret" and pregnant very fast

Success Story #4: Emma Yager : Following this program and get pregnant naturally at 46

If you've put off pregnancy schedule because of work or relationship concerns or because you simply weren't ready or tried but not "lucky" so to say, and you delay it until late 30's or even at 40's There's no denying your odds of getting pregnant are now far lower than at 20's. After 45, experts say, it's almost impossible to get pregnant using your own eggs. But I can show you more details on pregnant faster even at old age. Pregnancy Advice.

At the same time, many 40-plus women do get pregnant with guidance and tips, some using fertility treatments method and some not. It will be very costly and some even tried many IVF and even IUI but still crying to find "hope" on pregnancy miracle.

The risk of miscarriage in pregnant women who are 40 years of age is approximately high at 25 percent.

Tips for Older Mothers-to-be: Pregnancy Tips

Although there are potential risk factors for an older mom-to-be, the number of success pregnancies to mothers over 40+ has increased with tips that I am going to show you. The reason for that is taking great strides forward of the older moms themselves in improving their chances of having a baby. An older woman can get pregnant and successfully deliver a baby if she:

* makes sure that she follows a healthy diet plan - Correct diet recipes will definitely help

* ensures that she receives optimal prenatal care

* be sure to get a proper amount of exercise before during and after their pregnancies

* Chinese acupuncture way of improving Chi / Yang will definitely help you to get pregnant

I'm really passionate and looking forward to help older women to conceive naturally, and I'd like to share with you more benefits and ways on pregnancy miracle. I haven't had time to sit down personally with you and talk about details of getting pregnant at an advanced maternal age, but you can read more on document listed below on pregnancy help.

5 Simple Tips How to get Pregnant FASTER!

How to get pregnant is on the mind of many women who have tryed but not succeeded, i had the same experience an till i learn some basic points, which makes the whole process abit easyer to understand, so here are 5 key Tips how to get pregnant. also i recommend a book which also helped me which you can find the weblink to at the bottom of this 5 basic points. good luck!

1. Have sex frequently.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but given many couples' hectic schedules, it's easy to overlook this one. If you're not timing your cycles or you have irregular periods, you can cover your bases by having sex every other day, say fertility specialists.

2. Figure out when you ovulate.
Women with very regular 28-day cycles can just count 14 days from the first day of their period to determine their ovulation date. If your cycles aren't regular (or even if they are), an ovulation kit can help you pinpoint your most fertile time. once i figured out when i ovulate it became easy and i was prenant within 4 months of trying. so this is a very important step in how to get pregnant.

3.Step up sex before ovulation.
As soon as you pick up a hormonal surge, have sex that day, plus the next two days. Pregnancy rates peak two days before ovulation, says Clarice Weinberg, Ph.D., chief of biostatistics at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Some experts speculate that's when cervical mucus is at its optimum for helping sperm travel to the egg and break down its shell-like coating.

Sperm can live inside the uterus for 24 to 48 hours, which means there will be plenty on hand to greet the egg once ovulation starts. Another reason to have sex before you ovulate, as opposed to the day it happens: An egg survives for only 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, so if you begin to ovulate in the morning and wait until
night time to have sex, the egg may lose its viability by the time the sperm gets to it. In addition, saysDr. Zarmakoupis, cervical mucus starts to become thick and impenetrable right after ovulation, rendering it "hostile" to the passage of sperm.

4.Enjoy yourself.
"The most important thing to remember is to keep sex fun," says Felicia Stewart, M.D., coauthor of Understanding Your Body: Every Woman's Guide to Gynecology and Health. When it becomes a chore, it's easy to view sex as just

5.Give it time.
Barring fertility problems and other conditions or habits that can interfere with conception, half of all couples get pregnant within six months, says Dr. Stewart, and 85 percent do so within a year.

How to Get Pregnant Even at 40++?

How to Get Pregnant Even at 40++?

Even if you are on you late 30's or 40's, you are definitely not too old to get a child. If you were having multiple cycle of IVF s but still have not succeeded, you should listen to me on what are steps you need to do in order to "Get Pregnant". Some of the factors that even you encountered now,

- Even If You Have Tubal Obstruction

- Even If You Have Endometriosis

- Even If You Have Ovarian Cysts Or 'Lazy Ovaries'

- No need to go through expensive IUI or expensive Drugs

- Success chance can be in month(s). Even faster than you thought!!!

Success Story #1: Nicole Terry : Pregnant at 44+ after followed this "secret"

Success Story #2: Lauren Ross : After one month trying with "secret" tip getting pregnant

Success Story #3: Beth Carrigan : 7 years trying without this "secret". Followed these "secret" and pregnant very fast

Success Story #4: Emma Yager : Following this program and get pregnant naturally at 46

If you've put off pregnancy schedule because of work or relationship concerns or because you simply weren't ready or tried but not "lucky" so to say, and you delay it until late 30's or even at 40's There's no denying your odds of getting pregnant are now far lower than at 20's. After 45, experts say, it's almost impossible to get pregnant using your own eggs. But I can show you more details on pregnant faster even at old age.

At the same time, many 40-plus women do get pregnant with guidance and tips, some using fertility treatments method and some not. It will be very costly and some even tried many IVF and even IUI but still crying to find "hope" on pregnancy miracle.

The risk of miscarriage in pregnant women who are 40 years of age is approximately high at 25 percent.

Tips for Older Mothers-to-be:

Although there are potential risk factors for an older mom-to-be, the number of success pregnancies to mothers over 40+ has increased with tips that I am going to show you. The reason for that is taking great strides forward of the older moms themselves in improving their chances of having a baby. An older woman can get pregnant and successfully deliver a baby if she:

* makes sure that she follows a healthy diet plan - Correct diet recipes will definitely help

* ensures that she receives optimal prenatal care

* be sure to get a proper amount of exercise before during and after their pregnancies

* Chinese acupuncture way of improving Chi / Yang will definitely help you to get pregnant

I'm really passionate and looking forward to help older women to conceive naturally, and I'd like to share with you more benefits and ways on pregnancy miracle. I haven't had time to sit down personally with you and talk about details of getting pregnant at an advanced maternal age, but you can read more on document listed below.

Body Changes in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a nine month journey for both you and your baby. During this time your own body will change, both internally and externally. During pregnancy the breasts will grow larger under the influence of hormones. Enormous physical, hormonal and emotional changes take place during pregnancy over a relatively short period of time. Pregnancy typically lasts 40 weeks (about 9 months). That time is divided into three sections called trimesters (three-month periods), during which different things happen to a woman's body and to the fetusThe body has to adapt to carrying up to 20lb of baby, waters and placenta, which can impose physical strain on all the organs and tissues. Most of this weight will be carried infront causing your centre of gravity to change. Postural changes may cause backache, neckache, headaches, aching legs and undue fatigue. Postural changes through the lower ribs and spine can impede the action of the diaphragm and make breathing difficult. Nausea and vomiting are common during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Eating several small meals and eating bland food , such as crackers or dry toast ,may reduce nausea.

Tension within the pelvis or diaphragm area can increase resistance to the return of venous blood to the heart from the lower half of the body. This can cause or aggravate varicose veins in the legs, and haemorrhoids. Most women experience emotional shifts and mood swings during pregnancy. It's natural to feel doubt, anxiety, and fear about pregnancy and childbirth, as well as happiness, excitement, and anticipation. Women may notice an increase in size and possibly some tenderness very early, often before the pregnancy is confirmed. Being tired is common during pregnancy, especially in the first few months and then towards the end. Exercise, rest, and proper diet all may impact the degree of tiredness that you feel. A urine infection causing a burning sensation on passing urine, and the feeling of needing to pass urine all the time. Approximately 50% of women will suffer from morning sickness. Morning sickness often goes away around week twelve but some women feel sick and nauseous for the full nine months.

Headaches are common during pregnancy. Severe headaches can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. During pregnancy , each kidney increases in leagth by 1-1,5cm, with a concomitant increase in weight. The renal pelvis is dilated.The ureters are dilated above the brim of the bony pelvis.The ureters also elongate, widen, and become more curved. Constipation is very common during pregnancy because of hormonal changes that slow down the digestion of food. In the later part of your pregnancy, the pressure from your uterus on the rectum may also contribute to the problem. Glucosuria during pregnancy is not necessarily abnormal, may be explained by the increase in GFR with impairment of tubular reabsortion capacity for filtered glucose.Increased levels of urinary glucose also contribute toincreased susceptibility of pregnant women to urinary tract infection. Proteinuria changes litlle during pregnancy and if more than 500mg/24h is lost,a desease process shoud be suspected. During pregnancy, levels of several essential coagulation factors isincrease.

Pregnancy Week by Week

Most of the pregnancy calendars or guides chart baby’s growth during pregnancy week by week. Though the baby continues to grow with every passing day, but changes and development of baby usually becomes manifest over a week’s time. Therefore, the complete pregnancy period has been divided into three trimesters comprising 40 weeks. By following the baby’s growth in pregnancy week-by-week information and or pregnancy calendars, you can have an idea as to what your baby looks like at a particular point in time. Moreover, if you find something lacking, you can get medical advice promptly. Let’s take a glance at some salient developments of your little one’s growth during the forty weeks.

The First Trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy week by week covers week 1 to week 14. First 2 weeks of this trimester denote the period from your last menses till conception or till that time when the sperm fertilizes the egg. By the end of week 3, the fertilized egg is metamorphosed into an embryo. During week 4 you begin to feel the early pregnancy symptom of nausea. Week 5 marks the beginning of formation of all major organs of the baby’s body. In fact this is the week, when the embryo’s metamorphosis into a baby begins. Come week 6 and your baby’s heart beats for the first time. Your baby doubles in size during week 7. By week 9, baby’s sex can be determined and your embryo becomes a small baby by week 10. Week 14 will make manifest another sign of pregnancy – enlarging and darkening of the area around your nipples.

The Second Trimester

The second trimester comprises week 15 to week 26. In the beginning of this trimester i.e. week 15, the baby begins movement of head, lips, and feet. Due to upward movement of uterus, the pregnancy symptom of frequent urination would abate by week 16. Baby begins blinking, sucking, and swallowing in week 17. Due to myelinization of nerves, nerve cell transmission registers a significant increase making body reflexes quicker. During week 20, baby begins to sleep and wake on regular basis. By week 24, baby’s heart beat becomes so distinct that it can be heard by placing an ear on stomach. And before the second trimester ends, brain wave activity commences for ears and eyes.

The Third Trimester

The third trimester as per pregnancy week by week commences with week 27 and ends with the birth of baby i.e. approximately week 40. Week 27 heralds increased movements of the baby. Senses of sound, smell, and taste develop by week 29. During week 34, baby’s own immune system begins to develop. Most of the babies are born around this period. By this week, look out for any signs of labor. In any case, your baby is born by the end of week 40. Sometimes, this period may extend by two more weeks.

Pregnancy Complications in Women Over Thirty

Pregnancy complications in women over thirty are several as age plays an important role in pregnancy. There has been a growing tendency to have children well over the age of thirty as nowadays in many families both partners are busy with their professional lives. This is also because many couples are unaware that the risks during pregnancy are higher in a women aged 30 and above. In fact these days it is not unusual for women above 40 and even 50 planning a pregnancy! It is a fact that many older women have successfully given birth to healthy babies and have had no complications, but there are a few risk factors associated with the advancing age of the expectant mother.

Factors That Affect Pregnancy In Older Women

The foremost pregnancy problem in women above 30 is getting pregnant itself! This is because fertility of women starts to decrease with age and in cases where women are over 30 they may even need fertility treatment which has the increased risk of inducing multiple pregnancies in some cases.

A few of the most common pregnancy complications in women over thirty are hypertension, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placental abruption or placental pervia and bleeding or spotting. Women older than 35 years also have a greater risk of carrying pre-term babies, low birth weight babies and in many cases the babies may be in need of neonatal care. Older expectant women also have an increased chance of having multiple pregnancies. The incidence of fetal death during the last trimester is also high in women older than 35.

Other pregnancy complications in women over thirty include the risks of giving birth to a baby with Down's syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. Medical tests such as amniocentesis are done to determine risks to the unborn child.

One other risk during pregnancy in older women is the effect that disease conditions of the heart, kidney, or diabetes and hypertension have on the health of the pregnant women. The chances of still birth also increase with age as does the need for a C-section.

These are just a few of the pregnancy complications in women over thirty. It gives you a general idea of some of the risk factors associated with the advancing age of the expectant mother. Remember that women from all age brackets do have their set of pregnancy complications and that despite the high risk and complications involved, many of them have ensured that they have a safe and healthy pregnancy by following the advice of their consultants and by adopting proper pregnancy planning techniques.

Charting your Pregnancy Week by Week

This calendar can help you be mentally prepared to face whatever happens to your body during pregnancy week by week and not rush to the pregnancy doctor whenever something new is experienced. However, please make sure to consult your doctor regarding any unusual symptoms that you witness because some unusual symptoms could signal severe pregnancy complications.

Weeks 1 to 4

You are still not pregnant in Week 1. Pregnancy is calculated from the first day of your period. Your fertile period will start towards the end of the second week when you will ovulate. You should be pregnant by the middle of the third week. You however, will not feel anything until you miss your period. Some women have implantation bleeding during this time.

Weeks 5 to 8

You have missed your period. You really start to feel pregnant. A urine test will confirm your pregnancy. You are experiencing pregnancy symptoms like mood swings, nausea, tender breasts, and lower abdomen cramps etc. Your bundle of joy is right now actually just a few tiny cells. In your 7th week, your pregnancy is confirmed beyond doubt. Start looking for the various medical tests you might need after consultation with the doctor. You baby is growing very fast now! Your uterus is expanding- you may feel the stretch.

Weeks 9 to 14

You should start gaining weight by now. You will notice that you are visiting the toilet too often! The fetus has started developing most of its organs, especially noticeable at the limbs that look like buds! Many side effects of early pregnancy, like morning sickness, will have disappeared. Your baby is growing rather than developing new parts. All the main organs of your baby have been formed. You can hear the heart beat around this time.

Weeks 15 to 23

This the best part of your pregnancy period. You are in the second trimester. Life will be a lot simpler and all pregnancy symptoms have disappeared... You can feel your baby moving – more like a tickle! You are getting heavy now. Be careful about your sleeping posture and shoes. Your baby probably has hair, teeth, all its organs have formed... it will start growing with every passing day.

Weeks 24 to 33

What was that? Yes, you may get a few contractions during this time. Nothing to worry about- it’s your body preparing for a normal delivery. Start planning your maternity application. You will have to wind up your work quite soon. Take special care of your back and your knees. You will tend to lose balance easily. You have entered the pregnancy third trimester. Your baby has perfectly formed fingernails. It can react to sounds and touch too! Your baby is too big to move around freely now. Movements will be restricted other than a few pokes!

Weeks 34 to 39

You are almost there. Life seems slow and cumbersome now and you cannot wait to see your baby... hold on for a few more days! Your baby is fully developed and will have very high chances of survival even if it decides to enter the world earlier than planned! The time has come; it can happen any day now. Take rest. You will need the energy after your little darling is born! Your baby is ready, you need to be ready too, and you never know when it decides to give the push! Arrange necessary items like nursing gowns, breastfeeding bras, baby cloths etc. for the coming future requirements.

Weekly Pregnancy Calendar

Pregnancy is a miracle of nature that brings a mother at par with the creator. It is the happiest and a most exciting moment in the life of a woman. Of course the sign of pregnancy causes scary and nervous feelings too since you dont know what is happening in side your body. It is always better to have knowledge of pregnancy and ways to make it better and healthier. Weekly pregnancy calendar can be fine guide on your journey to motherhood. There are many websites that offer pregnancy calendars for free offloading. They offer a precise knowledge of how the baby grows inside a mothers womb and developing babys weekly milestones.

Weekly Pregnancy Calendar

A weekly pregnancy calendar is a chronological record of the changes a woman and her fetus will undergo during the course of her pregnancy. It describes at length the growth and development of growing baby and expected changes in the mothers body with advancing pregnancy, on a weekly basis. At the early sign of pregnancy, print out one such web weekly pregnancy calendar and put it on a spot where you can see it daily for monitoring your pregnancy progress.

Importance of a weekly pregnancy calendar

A visit to a doctor after experiencing the early signs of pregnancy will confirm your pregnancy. The doctor will calculate your probable due date of delivery. This date is usually about forty weeks from the first day of your last menstruation. A very small number of babies are actually born on their exact due date. Most are born two weeks earlier or two weeks later than the expected due date. This is where the weekly pregnancy calendar becomes important. It helps in keeping the dates of conception, expected due date, track of babys development through various stages of growth per week and monitors mothers health by telling of body changes you will experience every week.

A full term of pregnancy is separated and divided into three trimesters.

First trimester. First week to twelfth week.

Second trimester. Thirteenth week to twenty- sixth weeks.

Third trimester. Twenty seventh week till the date of babys delivery.

As the delivery date draws nearer, there will be more pressure on the pregnancy. In last two weeks the baby takes birthing position and pushes down in the cervical canal resulting in woman experiencing change in balance while walking. During this time a mother provides antibodies to baby for fighting off infections. A mother may experience discomfort and pronounced contractions or false labor. A weekly pregnancy calendar is of utmost importance at this time as it keeps a track of her and her babys progressive developments. It helps in explaining when to contact doctor and when to sleep off the discomfort. Breaking of amniotic sac is the time for notifying medical health care provider for it signifies the end of pregnancy.

Sign Of Pregnancy

Sign of pregnancy

There are several symptoms and signs of pregnancy experienced fairly early, even before the missed periods stage. Nearly all women go through it. Some women may overlook it, as they are not able to distinguish the early signs of pregnancy from similar health problems. While some women immediately sense the abrupt change in their body and take precaution. Some of these early signs of pregnancy are:

General fatigue: You may notice that you feel tired, fatigued and lack of energy. A feeling of laziness engulfs with no apparent cause. This fatigue is the result of change in hormones and body chemistry as it prepares it self to welcome a new life. The fatigue starts soon after conception and is generally the first and foremost sign of pregnancy. Do not resort to pep pills but instead get into the bed and sleep till later. Work off fatigue with short naps and relaxation as and when you feel low.

Tenderness of breasts: Raging hormones cause tenderness in the breasts, swelling and soreness soon after conception. Many women ignore this symptom associating it with PMS syndrome. Change in the breast is one of the early sign of pregnancy and stays till end of the pregnancy. It is the natures way to prepare a woman for impending motherhood and nurturing of the baby.

Slight spotting before periods: It is a rare but important sign of pregnancy and happens before your due period date. This spotting or light bleeding or a pink vaginal discharge occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus.

While nausea, missed periods and general aches and pains are the sure signs of pregnancy in early stages. It is best to record these body changes and early signs of pregnancy in a pregnancy journal. The journal records your experiences, feelings and thoughts that can be shared with family or friends either for their benefit or for enjoying your happy moments. A pregnancy journal has a way of taking away your attention from general pains and aches to make you a happier person.

Once the pregnancy is confirmed maintain a weekly pregnancy calendar to record the growth and progress of the embryo to babyhood. This also helps in keeping track of your due date, babys development and mothers health starting from the day you discover the first sign of pregnancy.

Facts and Symptoms Regarding Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an important stage for every woman bringing joy in the family but on the other hand, pregnancy involves many changes in women's body and lifestyle. Even though being pregnant is not a disease, there are certain symptoms that indicate a possible pregnancy. Much more, pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman but most of them are the same in every case. In addition to this, signs of a possible pregnancy usually occur within a week of conception or several weeks or even cannot be present at all.

For instance, a first sign which may indicate the presence of pregnancy is the lack of menstrual cycle. Moreover some women may have a light bleeding or they can face another pregnancy symptom which usually appears in less than 2 weeks from conceptions and it is known as implantation bleeding. This symptom occurs when the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, producing in this way bleeding and sometimes cramps.

Secondly, a common symptom of pregnancy which usually occurs or not between 2-8 weeks after conceptions is the morning sickness. Many women feel nausea at the beginning of their pregnancy and even during it and much more they may feel sick because of certain foods and odors. On the other hand, some women may feel the strong desire to eat certain dishes or even foods that used to hate before their pregnancy.

Some other signs which may show a possible pregnancy are some changes that affect the woman's body. In addition to this some of these changes are the swollen or tender breasts, lower backaches, the sudden rise of hormones in the body that might cause headaches, swollen ankles and also weight gain. Pregnant women may notice some changes on their breasts, the skin around their nipples may get darker, a symptom which may have other explanations, such as hormonal imbalances or may be a leftover effect from previous pregnancies.

Thirdly, other sign which is related to pregnancy is the frequent urination. This sign may confirm the presence of a pregnancy only if it comes along with other signs of pregnancy. On the other hand, frequent urination may be caused by the urinary tract infection, diabetes or increasing liquid intake. What is more is that some pregnancy symptoms may be changes in women's behaviour like feeling tired or sensitive, some things might made them angry or cry out of the blue.

To conclude, even though pregnancy is a normal thing which occurs to almost all women, it requires lots of attention and the change of lifestyle. Most of women can esily know if they are pregnant and can handle very well the pregnancy symptoms which sometimes may tend to be hard to carry on.

Sex During Pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, one of the questions uppermost in the minds of the couple is whether they will be able to enjoy any sexual intercourse in the following months. Some couples dread pregnancies as it could put a dampener on their sexual life. But the good news is that pregnancy may not necessarily intervene in your sexual life at all. There are several misconceptions about having sexual intercourse during pregnancy and that is why couples develop wrong notions. However, most of these notions are quite unjustified.

The first thing one must understand is how pregnancy affects the body of the woman. Pregnancy occurs when the male sperm fertilizes the egg cell of the female. This fertilized egg is called as the embryo, which gets implanted in the uterus. Pregnancy brings about a host of changes in the woman, the first of them being the pause in the menstrual cycles. The embryo develops into the fetus. In order to protect the fetus, the amniotic cavity develops around it. The amniotic cavity is a fluid filled cavity meant for supplying the fetus with all the nutrients it requires for its development. At the same time, in order to prevent further fertilizations, the uterus opening, i.e. the cervix, is blocked off by a layer of mucus.

Now we know the changes that take place in the uterus when pregnancy occurs. Nature provides the growing fetus with all the protections necessary. The mucus layer cuts off the growing embryo from the rest of the outside world.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no harm in having sex when a woman is pregnant, and this could continue till late in the pregnancy. First and foremost, there is no way the penis or the seminal and vaginal fluids can come in contact with the embryo and cause any infections. This is because of the mucus layer that blocks off the cervix. Also for this very same reason, there can be no dislodging of the embryo inside the uterus in any manner.

However, care must be taken with the sexual positions that are adopted. The missionary position must be avoided, since in this position there is a tendency to lay more pressure on the uterus. The missionary position is the one in which the male lies on top and both partners are belly-to-belly in contact. Also the woman-on-top position must be avoided. Any other position in which pressure is not exerted on the woman’s uterus is acceptable.

It is necessary to speak to the doctor about sexual intercourse when the woman is pregnant. This is because though there are no technical problems with sexual intercourse during pregnancy, there can be some biological problems linked with the past of the woman. Like if the woman has had a premature birth in the past, then the doctor would advise the couple to refrain from penetrative sexual intercourse in the last three months of pregnancy. Women with miscarriages previously must not indulge in penetrative sexual intercourse during the first three months. And women who have a short cervix (this can be ascertained with a sonography test) must abstain from sexual intercourse throughout the pregnancy.

Yet sexual intercourse during pregnancy takes on a new meaning as the couple soon realizes. Since the woman’s body undergoes numerous changes – including the increase in the size of the breasts and the hips – the male partner may become more aroused. Hormonal changes may also induce the woman to become more libidinous during pregnancy. At the same time, on an emotional level, the partners develop greater love for each other in anticipation of their shared joy.

Calculate Your Due Date Easily

The online ovulation calculator is similar to the calendar pregnancy weekly (calculate due date for pregnancy) in that information regarding a woman's menstrual cycle is entered to come up with estimated information. In the case of the online ovulation calculator a woman must enter the first day of her last menstrual period and the length of the cycle (how many days), to determine her peak fertility period or the best time to get pregnant (increasing a couple's chances at getting pregnant). These online ovulation calculator can be found online for free and are a wonderful tool to help control your fertility period so a couple can have sex during the most fertile period.

Both the online ovulation calculator and online calendar pregnancy weekly (calculate due date for pregnancy) can offer helpful information and tips to couples wanting to get pregnant and during pregnancy. Some of the advice available on the online calendar pregnancy weekly can include:

• having a healthy baby;

• parenting roles;

• health care during pregnancy;

• labor and birth;

• work and pregnancy;

• preparing for the baby;

• first, second and third trimester information;

• baby names;

• baby gear;

• breast feeding and,

• complications that can occur during pregnancy and birth to name a few.

Of course the information provided in the by calendar pregnancy week week is only to be used as a general guide as each pregnancy is unique, with some babies developing faster or slower than others.

To calculate due date for pregnancy a couple can use a calendar pregnancy weekly. Similar to the online ovulation calculator a woman would enter the first day of her last menstrual period, the pregnancy due date calendar will than determine the pregnancy due date. After a pregnancy due date is established the calendar pregnancy weekly will give a week by week update on what is happening with the pregnancy, with plenty of information and advice to look forward to. Again the calendar date due pregnancy is only an estimate, depending on the pregnancy a woman's due date can vary and be earlier or later than the due date.

If you've already used an online ovulation calculator, using a calendar pregnancy weekly to calculate due date for pregnancy will be easy. By simply entering the first day of a woman's last menstrual period the calendar pregnancy weekly will calculate a couple's pregnancy due date. A pregnancy due date calendar is an excellent way to receive regular updates with helpful pregnancy advice and information. Most of the online by calendar pregnancy week week sites available are free with some charging a small fee for additional information such as personalized baby reports, guides, video library, product reviews, consumer reports and saving on baby gear and products.

Starting with the online ovulation calculator a woman can enter the first day of her last menstrual period and determine her peak fertility period. Afterwards during pregnancy a couple's best friend throughout the pregnancy will be the calendar pregnancy weekly, this will calculate due date for pregnancy and offer a multitude of helpful information from conception through to birth. A pregnancy due date calendar will essentially build a day by day customized calendar which will detail the development of baby from before conception until birth.

Symptoms of Early Ivf Pregnancy

Most of the women under in vitro pregnancy feel confused what would be their symptoms of early IVF pregnancy. Women, who do not conceive naturally, can conceive artificially through in vitro process. Therefore, they often feel whether IVF pregnancy symptoms resemble symptoms of natural pregnancies or not. Following an IVF pregnancy, the egg is taken outside in a Petri dish to fertilize. After fertilization, the egg is again implanted in the body. However, this is an artificial process of being pregnant, the course of the pregnancy advances as the normal period of pregnancy advances. However, after much discussion on IVF pregnancy symptoms, confusions related to this topic has prevailed. Let us talk about the procedures of IVF pregnancy and the symptoms of early IVF pregnancy.

What Is IVF Pregnancy?

This IVF pregnancy has brought ray of hopes to many women who have not been able to become pregnant naturally. Fortunately, this IVF pregnancy also consists of painless procedures. As the egg is fertilized in a Petri dish, it is planted in the womb of by the help of a catheter. The symptoms of early IVF pregnancy come to surface as the fertilized egg is implanted at the walls of uterus. Once the egg is implanted, mother’s body starts generating hormones to support advancement of pregnancy. As the pregnancy symptoms start showing up, take note of each of the signs and prepare a pregnancy journal. However, one must know the date when the egg was fertilized in the womb, otherwise, it is pretty challenging to make a pregnancy journal in case of an IVF pregnancy. So, start with recording the date of the implantation of the fertilized egg in your uterus.

What Are The Symptoms Of IVF Pregnancy?

After the egg is implanted in the uterus, and as your pregnancy is determined through an ultrasound, your body commence showing up symptoms of early IVF pregnancy. These symptoms are usually the symptoms of normal pregnancy. Following is a list of probable signs you can expect in an IVF pregnancy –

Enhanced level of basal body temperature

An overdue periods or amenorrhea

Tender and sore breasts

Cramping sensation in lower abdominal area

Discomforts of nausea and queasiness throughout the day

Increased aversion and fondness to certain foods and fragrances.

Dizziness and increased level of exhaustion and fainting.

Sudden onset of mood swings

Lower back pain

Urinating frequently

Early Pregnancy Symptom

Therefore, pregnant women need to be familiar with all the probable early pregnancy symptoms. She also needs to know the difference between pregnancy and non-pregnancy symptoms. The period, intensity and the sequence of arrival of pregnancy symptoms largely vary from one woman to another. So, before you start fretting over absence of a particular symptom that your friend or sister might have undergone at your stage, get facts on each early pregnancy symptom from this article.

How Your Body Tells That You Are Pregnant

During pregnancy, women undergo many changes. Drastic hormonal changes in body are because of the physical and psychological changes a woman undergoes during pregnancy. This hormonal change takes place to support the development of the fetus inside. All women tend to experience some common symptoms in the early trimester of the pregnancy period. Each early pregnancy symptom appears in the same manner, but slight differences can be expected. Now let us discuss about pregnancy symptoms and how to identify them –

Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding is also known as vaginal spotting. This is a very common early pregnancy symptom and takes place when the fertilized egg gets attached to uterus walls. In following ways you will get to differentiate implantation bleeding from common vaginal bleeding -

It appears approximately five days after fertilization

Color of this vaginal discharge appears to be light unlike dark bleeding of menstruation.

An increase in discharge will also signal you about pregnancy.

Many women also experience slight cramping pain during implantation bleeding.

If you happen to experience similar symptoms within a week of conceiving, consider a home pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy.

Frequent Urination

Increased frequency in urination is a significant early pregnancy symptom. Stretch in ligaments and hormonal changes may lead pregnant women rush to loo. As your uterus enlarges to accommodate development of the fetus, it starts occupying spaces of bladder and pushes it, which is why you may feel a surge of urine now and then.

Secrets of Pregnancy Without the Pounds

During pregnancy it is recommended to gain some pounds needed to nurture your baby but most pregnant women find themselves gaining excess pregnancy weight and became overweight. Instead of striving for pregnancy without the pounds, women find themselves gaining excess pregnancy pounds. Gaining too much weight can be harmful to you and the baby, there are studies that babies born to overweight mothers have more tendencies to have birth defects. Monitoring your weight and staying on the required weight during pregnancy is very important for your health and the baby and yet most of the time women get overweight during pregnancy. You don�t have to make pregnancy an excuse to eat all you want and feel fat or overweight later and worst endanger your health and the baby. Discipline during pregnancy when it comes to gaining weight is needed for you to stay healthy and in shape while pregnant and enjoy pregnancy without the pounds.

After giving birth, women struggle to lose weight and regain the body they used to have before pregnancy. There are those who struggle in dieting and shredding the unwanted pregnancy pounds months after giving birth and yet find themselves frustrated to attain their goal of losing that excess weight gained during pregnancy. Aiming for pregnancy without the pounds during pregnancy is easier than try to lose excess pregnancy pounds later.

Pregnancy without the pounds is possible and pregnancy should not be a struggle. If you want to feel good and attractive during and after pregnancy it is possible and can be done. Learn how to control and monitor your weight gain during pregnancy is a decision towards pregnancy without the pounds. You just have to be comfortable with your pregnancy and willing to find the right techniques or methods for you to stay fit and in good shape while pregnant and of course 100% safe for you and your baby.

Pregnancy without the pounds is something pregnant women have to work on to feel good and be attractive while pregnant. Without excess pounds delivery will be easy and your body will be in good shape after giving birth. Women can be pregnant and yet be beautiful and stunning.

Pregnancy should not be that stressful, while your body is going through a lot of dramatic changes, there are still things you can do to feel good and look attractive.

Best Pregnancy Tips

Pregnancy Tip 1:

Let go of your due date: Did you know only 4% of babies are born on their actual due date? Who knew! Once I found out that it is perfectly normal for a baby to arrive anytime between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, I let go of my due date altogether and followed the scout motto of “be prepared” (at any time during that five week window).

Pregnancy Tip 2:

Learn to enjoy your admiring public: Yes, strangers will sometimes see your belly as public property and dish out a host of comments and advice. My husband helped me to start having fun with this new celebrity status. For instance after being annoyed by comments such as, "Looks like your due any time now!" my husband suggested I say things like, "Yup, any minute now!" or even joke, "Can you believe I'm not due for another 8 months?!" The fact of the matter is most people actually mean well—this milestone in your life brings up fond memories for them.

Pregnancy Tip 3:

Find a health care practitioner you love: The ups and downs of your pregnancy require special support and pregnancy resources. Find someone who welcomes your questions, puts your fears to rest and supports you in having the best pregnancy and delivery you can. For me I found this support in my midwives who gave me one hour session and even made house calls. Plus, once I found out my midwives’ statistics on c-sections, forceps use and episiotomies I was hooked! Other friends hired a doula (birth coach), or had a doctor they loved, and were thrilled with the care they received.

Pregnancy Tip 4:

Listen and learn to trust your body: Surrendering to my cravings (turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and chocolate ice cream), the need of extra sleep (sometimes I would simply sit down to rest and suddenly wake up two hours later!) and being gentle with myself was what got me through.

Also, reading parenting books like The Girlfriends Guide… (for the humor and practicality), to fabulous hardcore midwifery books like Ina May's Guide To Pregnancy (my favorite) helped me to learn to trust my body more than ever before. These books (another good one was Birthing From Within) helped to dissolve many of my fears, as I learned things like no matter how big your baby is, babies heads are mostly around the same size, and are designed by nature to make the journey through the birth canal.

Pregnancy Tip 5:

Find other pregnant women and hang out with them: My pre-natal exercise class is a real pregnancy resource blessing. Not only am I getting fit but I found a sense of belonging, where I could really let my belly hang out with the best of them. Whenever I began to pity myself (like on an especially nauseous day) I would find another pregnant woman who was going through a tougher situation (like kidney stones or painful hemorrhoids!), or a real trouper in class would say something that lifted my spirits. Plus, by finding other pregnant women I saved my non-pregnant friends the hassle of listening to me share every play-by-play experience of my pregnancy—which likely saved a few of my friendships. ;-)

Pregnancy Tip 7:

Spend money only on the baby things that will make a real difference to you and borrow or buy the rest second-hand: Babies don’t care about paint chips and décor, only about being close to the milk source—you! The fact they will rapidly grow out of any and all clothes helped put my priorities in order. So we splurged on the things that mattered to me: the stroller (as I am a huge walker), a safe car seat (for obvious reasons) and a rocker/glider (once I realized that I could be feeding up to twelve hours a day for the first six weeks).

The rest we either borrowed or bought second–hand, and we saved a mint! By getting so many great deals from places like eBay, and going to local ‘mothers of multiples’ sales I saved enough to put away for extra cleaning hours, and a special service to bring meals in during the first three months of our child’s life.

Pregnancy Tip 8:

‘Morning sickness’ can happen at anytime!: Morning sickness can happen at any hour of the day, all day or not at all. Fortunately not often, it can even creep into the second or third trimester like it did with me.

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Prenatal Yoga Poses

Practicing yoga and pregnancy in this first trimester helps you to slow down and realize the changes to your body. It encourages you to listen to your body, to accept it as it is, and, occasionally, submit to its uncomfortable changes.

You can develop your physical health through gentle stretches and simple strength-building yoga postures and you can lessen anxiety and improve your mental health with meditation.

Health Benefits of Yoga and Pregnancy

Yoga has increased its popularity with its health benefits. It helps to lower blood pressure, improves sleep and digestion, reinforce muscles and joints, and enhance flexibility. It eliminates impurities from the body through the breath, sweat, liver, kidneys, and digestive system.

Stress

People who practice yoga regularly will feel less stress and more peace in their lives.

Yoga and pregnancy provides several yoga poses to practice during first trimester of pregnancy. When you practice these poses, they work wonder on your health and your capability to have a smooth pregnancy.

Though you have not moved out in public with your pregnancy yet, you ought to have a confidential discussion with your yoga instructor, informing her of your pregnancy and encourage her to be cautious until you are ready to announce the impending birth at your own time.

Morning Sickness

In this first trimester, if you have morning sickness then your body is trying to inform you to relax and take it easy. If you are already practicing yoga and pregnancy, take a breather from yoga classes or take a class that is less vigorous.

You can have more benefits from practicing yoga and pregnancy during this first trimester: relief from back pain and sickness and increased stamina. It is a low-impact exercise that can help you to stay in shape. And the breathing meditations practiced in a prenatal yoga class are helpful during labor.

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Pregnancy Sign and Symptoms

Though these changes bring joy by telling you that a new life is blooming within you, however, you should be prepared for a certain level of discomforts brought up by these symptoms. Check out all of the pregnancy symptoms, or early signs of pregnancy. Create a pregnancy journal or a pregnancy calendar to keep track of each symptom you undergo. Each symptom is potent enough to comprehend the fetus’s development inside you. These signals can also make you aware of arousal of any pregnancy complications and help your doctor to take right step.

Hence, to detect pregnancy, the first step would be to notice every change you feel in your body. If you are not sure if the symptoms are the symptoms of pregnancy, make a list of them in a pregnancy journal and approach your doctor.

How To Make A Pregnancy Journal

A pregnancy journal or pregnancy calendar must be updated every week. Take care not to miss a single symptom or advancement that speaks of progress or development of the fetus growing inside. In this regard, you can take help of the online weekly pregnancy calendars to keep trace of every stage of fetus’s development. These calendars help mothers to make an entry of every sign of pregnancy they notice throughout the nine months of journey toward childbirth.

Now let us find out what are the possible early pregnancy sign and symptoms –

Fatigue – Sudden onset of tiredness is one of the early pregnancy sign and symptoms. Havoc hormonal changes inside your body that supports your baby’s development are to blame for this heightened level of tiredness. You may feel like taking a nap now and then and may make you feel having rest throughout the day.

Fainting – You may faint or may undergo sudden feeling of dizziness. As per medical professionals, this is quite normal is the result of low blood pressure disorder caused during pregnancy.

Spotting/Bleeding – Due to implantation of the fertilized egg at the inner walls of the uterus, you might notice slight vaginal bleeding in the form of pinkish color. This bleeding accompanies slight abdominal pain. However, heavier pain and bleeding draws medical attention and signal pregnancy complications, therefore, call for your doctor immediately.

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Symptoms That Precede a Missed Period

As the symptoms of pregnancy are likely to resemble symptoms of other disorders, hence, confusions related to those pregnancy signs is prevalent among most of the pregnant women. Let us inform you about the symptoms being a pregnant woman, at the very early phase of pregnancy.

Symptoms To Appear Before An Overdue Period

Missed periods or amenorrhea, as termed by medical practitioners are often regarded side effects of different medicine intakes or can be results of certain medical treatments. Women under stress or anxiety or who follow insufficient or proper diet schedule can end up in delaying their periods. Therefore, considering such factors, it is better not to wait until a missed period to identify pregnancy. Watch out for the onset of each following very early pregnancy symptom.

Vaginal Bleeding –> This vaginal bleeding takes place as soon as the fertilized egg is implanted at the inner wall of uterus. This very early pregnancy symptom before period is noticeable within few days of conceiving in the form of a very light bleeding. Unlike menstruation bleeding, this implantation bleeding is usually of pinkish in color. This spotting or bleeding is absolutely normal and harmless; nonetheless, heavy bleeding of dark color must be informed to your physician as it is of serious concern. Heavy bleeding during pregnancy may signal various pregnancy complications including ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages.

Abdominal Cramping – An abdominal cramping a very common very early pregnancy symptom before period and appears along with vaginal spotting. Take rest for a few minutes or change your position to reduce discomforts of cramping pain in abdomen. Had the cramping pain in abdomen increased, rush to your doctor immediately.

Craving for Foods – At the very early stage of pregnancy, your body may crave for some particular types of weird foods. You may either feel an increased crave for foods like pickles, ice cream or may want to munch on some crackers throughout the day. On the other hand, you may possibly experience you do not like foods that you used to die for. Nausea, a very early pregnancy symptom often accompanies this symptom, in such cases, say no to binge eating and lower consumption of food rich in oil and spices. Smell of your earlier favorite foods may irritate your senses and you may feel like vomiting.

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Pregnancy Exercises Are Important

Generally, all pregnancy women can do pregnancy exercises albeit with moderation. These pregnancy exercises help in many ways as you progress in your pregnancy week by week. However it is always advisable to consult your physician, before you start.

Pregnancy Exercises - Types And Benefits

Some of the pregnancy exercises that you can do are walking, swimming, and yoga. Although, there are other forms of exercises also which can be undertaken, you should not indulge in strenuous workouts. In general, pregnant women are advised to exercise 3-4 times a week.

There are various benefits of undertaking pregnancy exercises. First and foremost it reduces the labor time as well as speeds up the recovery time. It also helps in building up of stamina, which helps during childbirth.

Moreover, pregnancy exercises are good and helpful in shedding the extra flab, once the child is born. They also help to keep stress at bay and decrease the risk of a premature birth by at least 50%. In a nutshell we can say that exercising is good for pregnancy health.

Take Care!

While exercising, it is very important that you remain well hydrated. So take care and drink up plenty of fluids before exercising, take a well balanced diet, and avoid over-exertion. Also the moment you feel sick, stop exercising and take rest.

Pregnancy Back Pain And Exercise

More than 50% of the pregnant women suffer from pregnancy back pain. It is generally due to the physical and hormonal changes in the early stages of pregnancy. Sometimes, back pain might be an indication of some other major problem.

Exercising is the best remedy for pregnancy back pain. Walking, pelvic rocking, mini-crunches with bent knees are some good pregnancy exercises. Pregnancy back pain can also be avoided by frequently changing standing or sitting posture.

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Discover How to Lose Pregnancy Weight

Women often feel unattractive during and after pregnancy, which shouldn’t be the case. Pregnancy should not be a struggle; you can be at your best during and after pregnancy. You can feel good during your pregnancy, have a beautiful healthy baby and still get back into your pre-pregnancy shape afterwards. There are things you can do to lose pregnancy weight and get back to your pre-pregnancy shape. Remember that you cannot be the best mom if you aren’t on your best. Here are some tips to help you lose pregnancy weight:

First thing is to have the motivation and the decision to exert effort to lose pregnancy weight. Many women began their life-long struggle with weight after pregnancy. During pregnancy, you may gain 40-60 pounds; you may lose half of it after giving birth and the rest is what you'll have to work for. If you don’t decide to exert effort to lose pregnancy weight you will never lose the other half of the gained weight during pregnancy and worst you will gain more and more weight after each pregnancy until you hardly recognize yourself in the mirror.

Eat properly. You don’t have to go through a crash diet to lose pregnancy weight. This is dangerous not only to your health but to your baby as well especially if you are breastfeeding. Eat a lot of nutritious food while trying to lose pregnancy weight. A balanced diet with vegetables and fruits daily is a good start. Eat foods high in fiber to help you with elimination and keep you from eating too much because fibers are filling.

Engage in an exercise program during and after pregnancy. Consult your doctor, there are safe exercises that you can do while pregnant and there are also exercises for you after giving birth to lose pregnancy weight. Your doctor can advise you when it is safe to exercise after giving birth. Based on your medical history, he can help you decide which exercise programs are best for you and how fast you can shift from one level of exercise to the next. You can also engage in other activities like swimming, yoga and walking.

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Ten Skin Problems Of Pregnancy

You've probably heard the phrase, "the eyes are the window to the soul". If this is true, your skin is the window to your current state of health and the changes taking place on the inside. During pregnancy, aside from all the other issues, you may also have to deal with a variety of skin changes, including rashes, acne, stretch marks, breaking nails, hair growth or loss, and dark blotches on the skin.

Most of these changes are directly linked to the enormous amount of hormonal fluctuations women experience during pregnancy. During pregnancy, there are all kinds of changes which can have impact on your skin, leading to new skin problems or worsening of existing ones. In some cases, pregnancy may actually help improve existing skin conditions. Let's look at various skin conditions in more detail, defining the main ten skin problems of pregnancy.

1) Rashes. Rashes appear due to irritation of the skin. One common pregnancy rash is called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). This is the most frequently seen condition specific to pregnancy. Women with PUPPP demonstrate a rash which starts on the abdomen and can spread to the breasts, arms, thighs, and buttocks.

2) Acne. Acne is another skin condition that may get better or worse during pregnancy. Acne is, at least in part, driven by hormones, so the hormones of pregnancy can lead to more breakouts for some women, and clearer skin for others.

3) Oily skin. Oily skin is third skin condition which may arise during pregnancy. This is related to increased levels of androgen, the male sex hormone, which causes an increase in sebum production. The more sebum produced, the oilier the skin. Many women report that their skin and hair becomes oilier during pregnancy. Most of the time, these issues can be addressed with over the counter oil controlling cleansers and products.

4) Stretch marks. The fourth skin problem of pregnancy, stretch marks arise when the under layers of the skin is stretched, resulting in visible striations on the surface of the skin. Stretch marks can be treated after the fact, but the best treatment is always prevention. Keeping your skin well moisturized, especially on your tummy, breasts, thighs, can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

5) Spider angiomas. These are another possible skin problem of pregnancy. Spider angiomas are groups of very tiny blood vessels which gather around a central point and radiate out like the legs of a spider. Pregnant women are likely to develop these on their chest, faces, arms, and sometimes on other places on the body. Most of these spider angiomas clear up after pregnancy.

6) Chloasma. Chloasma, also called melasma, or the "mask of pregnancy" is another skin condition which is diagnosed when certain areas of the skin turn darker because of excess pigmentation. Most often, this condition affects places of the skin which are most often exposed to sun, like the upper lip, forehead, cheeks. This condition is likely to clear up after pregnancy. Again, you can lessen your chances of chloasma by using a good (baby safe) doctor recommended sunscreen throughout the course of your pregnancy.

7) Too much hair. Changes in the hair are also common during pregnancy. Some women lose a lot of hair within a few months after delivery, while many are troubled with excess hair growth during pregnancy. Excess hair growth is most often seen on the lip and chin, and is triggered by an increase in androgen and other male hormones during pregnancy.

8) Brittle nails. Many women experience breaking, splitting, or brittleness to their nails during pregnancy. Physicians aren't quite sure why this occurs, but it may be managed with an over the counter nail hardening polish. Check with your doctor.

9) Skin tags. Skin tags are little pieces of skin which over-grow and hang from the neck. These can increase in number during pregnancy. If you have skin tags before pregnancy, it may be that pregnancy will cause these to increase.

10) Atopic dermatitis. Also known as eczema, this skin condition may appear or worsen during pregnancy. Marked by extreme skin itchiness, too much scratching can lead to the skin become red, swollen, or cracked.

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Pregnancy Symptom - the Classic Symptoms

Classic pregnancy symptoms

These pregnancy symptoms appear soon after fertilization, within 8-10 days after conception. Some of the pregnancy symptoms stay with you for the entire period of gestation, while some pregnancy symptoms disappear as the pregnancy advances. They stop troubling you as your body starts getting used to change in hormones and settles to the imminent body changes. A few temporary early signs of pregnancy are:

Missed periods or less bleeding at the onset of periods. The absence of periods during the duration of pregnancy is because now the uterine lining need not be shed but used for implantation of the embryo.

Lower abdominal cramps, which begin soon after the implantation of embryo, disappear within a week or two. Headaches caused by rising levels of hormones in the first few days of pregnancy too disappear once the body accepts the change in hormonal levels.

The pregnancy symptoms that last the entire period of pregnancy are:

Nausea and vomiting are the early signs of pregnancy starting in the second week itself. The degree in which you feel sick varies from full fledged to none as the pregnancy advances. It is fairly controlled during the third trimester, making you feel more relaxed and happy.

Tender and swollen breasts appear soon after conception and stays with you till the entire period. It is the nature's way to make the breast ready for baby's breastfeeding. In the last trimester the breasts secrete a liquid called colostrums, which provides immunity to the baby.

Enlarging and darkening of areola is the first sign of pregnancy, and lasts throughout.

Frequent urination and constipation is early sign of pregnancy and increases with the advancing pregnancy due to the pressure of the growing embryo on the surrounding body organs.

Exhaustion and tiredness occurs from initial stages of pregnancy and stay the entire duration of the gestation.

Food cravings for a particular type of food are still an unsolved mystery. Some doctors feel this is the way the body acquires the adequate minerals required by the growing embryo. This pregnancy symptom is an early sign of pregnancy and stays on till the end.

Increased sense of smell and taste too varies in all stages of pregnancy.

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Pregnancy Complications

Pregnancy complications can arise due to various reasons anytime during your pregnancy week by week development. The most common complications like premature birth are often diet and health related. Quite a few are triggered, if conception happens after the age of 30 years.

Preventing Premature Delivery

Quite often, serious problems have simple solutions. Prevention of premature birth, you will be surprised to know, calls for just an increased intake of Vitamin C.

A normal pregnancy usually stretches over 40 weeks. Pregnancy complication arises, if delivery happens before 37 weeks. This occurs when the foetus membrane ruptures untimely. Premature rupture of membrane (PROM) is the most common cause of premature birth and happens in about 10-20% pregnancies worldwide. Studies indicate that while vaginal infection, improper diet, etc., increase PROM risk, the deficiency of Vitamin C is a major contributor. Vitamin C, found in fruits and vegetables, is critical for the maintenance of foetal membrane. Further fortifying the significance of Vitamin C, a recent study revealed that women with high intake of Vitamin C are less susceptible to PROM.

Hence, by simply supplementing pregnancy diet with Vitamin C rich content, you can say good-bye to one of the most common pregnancy complications.

Minimizing Pregnancy Complications After The Age Of 30

In recent times, more couples are deciding to start their family little late in life, once they have settled well in their career. This has led to a rise in pregnancy complications, as age and fertility are closely related. However, taking a few precautions during the pregnancy period will put an end to many pregnancy complications.

Fertility drugs are to be avoided and taken only on doctor advice. Other than increasing the incidence of multiple births, such drugs can become a major health hazard and can cause a number of pregnancy complications.

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Pregnancy Nutrition For A Healthy Mother And Baby

Although, at times during the initial period of pregnancy, it is difficult to maintain any diet because of nausea and morning sickness, but after this phase passes, with the growth of baby in the fetus, the nutrition needs also increase. Thus, a nutritious diet, rich in fiber, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals is advisable for the healthy development of the growing baby.

Nutritional Supplements

Before you decide on taking pregnancy supplements, it is important to point out that such supplements must be taken under medical guidance of the doctor, as their incorrect dosage may affect the developing baby. For example some of the vitamins and minerals, e.g. folic acid and iron, if taken during the initial three months of conception, prove to be very effective during pregnancy. Such supplements are prescribed as a little higher dose, keeping in mind the pregnant woman requirements. A doctor should always be consulted in case of any doubt about the dose or its suitability during pregnancy. Further, it is also prudent to purchase the vitamins from a reputed retail chemist shop that can be trusted for quality.

Fish oil given for pregnancy nutrition helps form a healthy brain and body of the developing baby, since it is contains high levels of omega3 fatty acids. However, different types of fish oil are available in the market, some even with a high level of mercury content. Hence ask your doctor what to do; he knows what best for you.

Herbal supplements as pregnancy nutrition are also in demand. Some herbs are not nutritious at all. Instead they are toxic and may cause harm, if consumed during pregnancy. Some herbs and herbal supplements if taken in tea or as food flavors are safe, but their concentrated doses or pills should be avoided during pregnancy.

A Healthy Diet And Lifestyle

Always remember, healthy people have a healthy pregnancy. Thus, both the parents must eat the nutritious diet before planning to have a baby. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs etc. should be avoided and the medical tests, as recommended by the doctor, must be taken. Useful and healthy pregnancy nutrition guidelines explaining height, weight, diet, etc., during pregnancy should be clearly understood. It is also advisable to maintain the habit of drinking at least eight glasses of water every day during pregnancy week by week. Apart from this keep relaxed, cheerful, and have a happy spirit of mind with a smiling attitude. Avoid anger, bitterness, and pessimistic nature to keep your pregnancy healthy. Listening to music, going for a walk, reading healthy pregnancy books are some of the activities that relaxes the mind and body during pregnancy.

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Safe Pregnancy Sex

Questions that bother lovemaking couples during pregnancy are:

Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, unless your spouse's doctor tells you otherwise, sexual intercourse is safe throughout the pregnancy. Click "Pregnancy Basics - Is it Safe to have Sex?" to learn more.

Can vigorous copulation damage the baby?

The amniotic fluid in the uterus and the mucous membrane in the cervix protect the baby. Therefore, even a larger penis cannot hurt the baby. However, if you put your weight on the mother's stomach, in a missionary position, you can cause her discomfort.

How often can we have sex without danger?

You can have sex as often as you want. Of course, the mother may not welcome sexual intercourse during the first trimester due to morning sickness and other unwelcome pregnancy symptoms. However, you could have enjoyable sex after the fourth month to even the more advanced stages of pregnancy.

Many couples are unsure about how safe it is to continue having sex during the months of pregnancy. Here are some FAQs on sex during pregnancy:

Can sex during pregnancy harm the baby?

Generally, it is safe to have sex during all stages of pregnancy. The baby is well protected in the amniotic sac inside the womb. However, in certain cases where a doctor has specifically advised against it, sexual intercourse during pregnancy can be dangerous.

When is it unsafe to have sex during pregnancy?

Having sex during pregnancy should be avoided if your doctor has advised you against it. This is usually so in a high-risk pregnancy. Your doctor might advise against sexual intercourse if:

• Your spouse has a history or threat of premature labor.

• Your spouse has suffered a miscarriage earlier.

• Your spouse experiences bleeding or discharge from the vagina.

• Your spouse experiences leakage of amniotic fluid.

• Your souse has a low-lying placenta.

• Your spouse's cervix is weak and has a tendency to dilate prematurely.

• You or your spouse suffers from a sexually transmitted disease.

• Your spouse is carrying twins or triplets.

Is it true that having an orgasm can cause contractions or miscarriage?

No. The contractions experienced by a woman during intercourse are different from the contractions that bring on labor. There is no way orgasm can bring on labor or cause miscarriage.

What are the signs to watch out for while having sex during pregnancy?

Consult the doctor immediately should your spouse experiences any abnormal pain, discharge, or bleeding from the vagina.

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Can You Recognize the Signs of Pregnancy?

Here Are The Signs Of Pregnancy You Can Watch Out For –

Did you miss your period?

The first thing you want to check is whether you missed your period. This is not a definite sign of pregnancy since the cause can be varied. But if you are normally regular and missed one, you can get suspicious about being pregnant.

Are your breasts tender?

During early pregnancy, the breasts get tender, similar to how they do before your period. But if you are pregnant, they also get swollen, sort of painful.

Do you have morning sickness?

Morning sickness is a common pregnancy sign. But you will have to also confirm that it is not because of something you ate. Quite a few women experience morning sickness or nausea as the first sign of pregnancy.

Are you more exhausted than usual?

Another early pregnancy sign is exhaustion. But fatigue alone is not decisive when it comes to pregnancy as it could be due to other reasons too. However, when combined with other signs it could mean you are pregnant since you need to rest more during pregnancy due to the changes you experience in your body.

Do you urinate too often?

After you conceive, for the first six or eight weeks, you will find yourself visiting the bathroom too many times. This pregnancy sign is quite common. The reason for this is as your baby grows, you feel the pressure on your abdomen and feel the need to urinate often.

Do you have frequent headaches?

Headaches are one of the pregnancy signs that you can start feeling around the sixth week after conception. Usually taking a nap can get rid of it.

Are you experiencing spotting blood?

Amazingly, pregnant women experience spotting blood as a sign of pregnancy. It happens when the embryo implants itself. So if you have a period that is too light to be called one, it might be a good time to test for pregnancy.

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Pregnancy And Obesity

However there is another problem. If unchecked, pregnancy weight gain in some women may even reach the level of obesity. Many women do not bother about their figure after pregnancy, believing firmly that having a baby leads to losing your once perfect figure, forever. Although, this may be partly true, new moms also need to recognize the link between pregnancy weight gain and pregnancy obesity.

A new mother may have several emotional issues to deal with regarding her newfound status of being a mother. For many women, the incessant pressures and responsibilities that go along with her new role may also lead to overeating, which in turn might cause weight gain, change in her body rhythms and ultimately obesity.

Some women also hold firm the conviction that the weight gained while pregnant is permanent and all attempts to get rid of it would be futile. However, they do not seem to realize that it would only take about a year to overcome the effects of pregnancy weight gain and regain their earlier figure.

Determining of the link between obesity and pregnancy could disclose other health issues apart from obesity. A sudden excessive pregnancy weight gain could be indicative of other factors, such as depression or physical factors such as difficulties faced in the course of pregnancy, ailments of the reproductive system or incontinence.

Conversely, a new mom faces another risk due to her pregnancy weight gain. As her body changes to adapt to her weight gain, the effect may be a further increase in weight gain.

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Teen Pregnancy - Made Easier

Whom To Contact During Teen Pregnancy?

Constant pre-natal care from your doctor, nutrition experts and clinic as well as family and friends is one of the basic things to be followed. Drinking and smoking should be avoided at all costs as it causes irreparable damage to the little one inside. Drugs prescribed by the doctor are the only ones to be taken. A balanced and nutritional diet should be top priority. Teenage pregnancies are always laden with the risks of going back to drugs, smoking; as a result the babies develop immature organs/systems, even retardation in many cases and the most dominant, early death during infancy.

Correct Nutrition and Medication during Teen Pregnancy:

Since, a teenager’s body is still growing, it is necessary to eat the right amount of pregnancy diet that is essential for you as well as your baby. Correct composition of vitamins and minerals are required mainly in case of a teen pregnancy. It is normal to gain 25-30 pounds during pregnancy and the minimum intake of calories per day should be no less than 300.Gaining weight is much more important if you want to breastfeed the child. Never skip meals and avoid junk food as much as possible as the have very little or no nutrient value at all. If you cannot afford nutritious food, inform your health care providers and ask them for advice and they will enroll you into the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program.

LOVE AND CARE MOST REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH TEEN PREGNANCY:

The prevalence of teenage pregnancy is the highest in the U.S and most of such pregnancies end up in premature deliveries or abortions. Most of them are unintended. No strenuous exercises should be done during this period, but a brisk walk for 15-20 minutes or a game of basketball would be fine. The main cause of teenage pregnancy is the lack of knowledge and awareness. Every parent should discuss the pros and cons of having teenage pregnancies. School education has led to a 10% decrease in teenage pregnancy. Even though it is good to see this, we should understand that a teenage mother-to-be needs extra support and care, as they are incapable of handling the stress of teenage pregnancy. As they are not educated enough, many teenagers do not understand the problem associated with teenage pregnancy and smoking/drinking and intake of drugs. Therefore, all they require during this hard time is to get the unconditional and unending support and advice of their gynecologist and family as well as loved ones. Therefore, teenage pregnancy can be done away with proper communication and education about it, but until that time all the teenage pregnancies and the teenage mothers need to be handled with all the care and love possible.

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Pregnancy Complications

Most pregnancy complications in women over thirty can be prevented and the chances of a health pregnancy and birth increased by following a regime of regular nutritious meals, recommended exercise, prescribed increased intake of folic acid and other supplements and by having a positive outlook and attitude.

Factors That Affect Pregnancy In Older Women

The foremost pregnancy problem in women above 30 is getting pregnant itself! This is because fertility of women starts to decrease with age and in cases where women are over 30 they may even need fertility treatment which has the increased risk of inducing multiple pregnancies in some cases.

A few of the most common pregnancy complications in women over thirty are hypertension, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placental abruption or placental pervia and bleeding or spotting. Women older than 35 years also have a greater risk of carrying pre-term babies, low birth weight babies and in many cases the babies may be in need of neonatal care. Older expectant women also have an increased chance of having multiple pregnancies. The incidence of fetal death during the last trimester is also high in women older than 35.

Other pregnancy complications in women over thirty include the risks of giving birth to a baby with Down's syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. Medical tests such as amniocentesis are done to determine risks to the unborn child.

One other risk during pregnancy in older women is the effect that disease conditions of the heart, kidney, or diabetes and hypertension have on the health of the pregnant women. The chances of still birth also increase with age as does the need for a C-section.

These are just a few of the pregnancy complications in women over thirty. It gives you a general idea of some of the risk factors associated with the advancing age of the expectant mother. Remember that women from all age brackets do have their set of pregnancy complications and that despite the high risk and complications involved, many of them have ensured that they have a safe and healthy pregnancy by following the advice of their consultants and by adopting proper pregnancy planning techniques.

Pregnancy complications in women over thirty are several as age plays an important role in pregnancy. There has been a growing tendency to have children well over the age of thirty as nowadays in many families both partners are busy with their professional lives. This is also because many couples are unaware that the risks during pregnancy are higher in a women aged 30 and above. In fact these days it is not unusual for women above 40 and even 50 planning a pregnancy! It is a fact that many older women have successfully given birth to healthy babies and have had no complications, but there are a few risk factors associated with the advancing age of the expectant mother.

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Pregnancy Health Concerns

An early pregnancy symptom involves dizziness and lightheadedness and continues throughout pregnancy. Fainting is a very rare phenomenon but do occur even in some healthy pregnant women. This is not at all a serious pregnancy health related concern. At this stage, there is growth of more blood vessels and the pressure of expanding uterus is felt on the growing blood vessels. Moreover, continuous urge for food during pregnancy can make you feel dizzy and giddy.

Effective remedies for such pregnancy health related problems, as mentioned above, mainly require you to stand up slowly, and lay on your left side when you feel lightheaded. Do not overeat but try to have healthy snacks and small means frequently. Change your sitting or standing position continuously as eases the problem of dizziness.

Early sign of pregnancy such as weight gain, dizziness, lightheadedness, cramps, needs to be continuously monitored and consulted. Pregnancy health issues especially to matters concerning weight gain generally depend on how much you weighed before pregnancy. Safe sex is something which all doctors will advise under pregnancy health related issues. Pregnancy increases the sexual urge in some women and vice versa. Incase, you face any difficulty during sexual intercourse such as pain in the vagina, bleeding or leaking of fluid from the vagina, vomiting and nauseatic feeling and so on, you should immediately consult the doctor.

Initial Problems, Natural Remedies:

The initial signs of pregnancy health issues are the leak of colostrums during the third month. Colostrum is a thick, yellowish fluid that contains antibodies and protects the newborns from infection. Oozing out of Colostrum from breasts can be quite an embarrassing situation for pregnant mothers and this pregnancy health problem has to be dealt effectively. Wash you nipples regularly and avoid the application of soap. Moisturize your nipples regularly to avoid cracked nipples. The use of maternity or nursing bra is advisable as it provides extra support.

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Pregnancy Stages

The Distinct Pregnancy Stages

It is very important for a woman to know and respect the limitations of the body and the growing fetus during her pregnancy. Good diet, light exercise, positive attitude and adequate relaxation should become a part of your daily routine for the birth of a healthy and happy baby. The three distinct pregnancy stages or trimesters are the distinct stages of baby’s growth in the womb.

The first trimester is the start of pregnancy. Hormonal changes during the first three months of pregnancy will increase fatigue, nausea, bowel movements, excessive urination and heightened emotional sensitivity. Do not be too shocked or frightened by these changes, just deal with them in a most sensible ways to overcome them. Guard against any infections and sickness to protect your baby’s health.

The second pregnancy stage is called the second trimester. Your body starts showing the ‘baby bump’ and you can feel the baby’s movement. Initial fatigue and nausea abates and you develop the ‘bloom’ of pregnancy with a general glow of wellbeing. Keep a meticulous routine of personal hygiene, and take adequate calcium for the growth of baby’s skeletal system.

The third pregnancy stage is the last trimester, as baby completes its growth. As the belly grows you feel more tired, so take adequate rest and diet to ensure proper oxygen and nutrients to the baby. Avoid lifting heavy weights and discomfort of any kind. Soon your baby will be born. This last stage of pregnancy culminates in labor. The three stages of labor are – the dilation of the cervix, the delivery of the baby and the delivery of the placenta.

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Handle Pregnancy Due Date

To Prepare For Pregnancy Due Date

# It’s high time you took classes on childbirth. And this is not for the mom-to-be alone. Your spouse should also attend such classes to get prepared to be a better father.
# You can also plan your delivery process. Make a list of the people whom you want to be present during delivery, the selection of birth center, the type of delivery you wish to go for, the kind of treatment you would want at the center, and other concerns.
# Make sure you have your pregnancy bag ready. It should have a set of comfortable clothes for your baby and a pregnancy gown for you, toothbrushes, soaps, and other such basic items.

To Detect Your Pregnancy Due Date

# False labor pains – Most women are tricked by them and think them to be the commencement of true labor. These contractions disappear as soon as you start breathing deeply or engage in some physical activity. This happens in the third trimester pregnancy. False labor becomes more frequent as you approach your pregnancy due date.
# Expelling of mucous plug - As the plug blocking your cervix is ejected, coming out. This happens three days before delivery.
# Water breaks – Due to the removal of mucous plug from the cervix, there is a gush of water. Some women experience trickling of water. This is known as water breaks and it takes place a day before delivery. Once the water breaks, no one can stop the baby from coming out!
# In addition to this, you might experience back pain, accumulation of gas, and even diarrhea as you approach your pregnancy due date. There is nothing to worry about, as these are your body’s ways of telling you that the last pregnancy trimester is about to get over and it’s time to give birth to your baby.
# Nesting – This is an interesting phenomenon that occurs just a few hours before delivery! You feel full of energy and start preparing to welcome the new born by arranging your baby’s pram, arranging the wardrobe and such other things. Although this sudden activity on the part of the mom-to-be seems surprising, but it’s true! Your motherly instincts start showing up in the last stage of pregnancy and you are ready to take up the job of rearing your new born!

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Pregnancy Miscarriage

Basically the baby’s failure to be developed in the uterus marks pregnancy miscarriage. Sometimes miscarriages can take place without the pregnant woman even coming to know that she was pregnant. Usually, the bleeding secreted from the vagina is one of the most common and prominent indicators of miscarriage. If you are pregnant and display this symptom, call your physician immediately.

You must hurry and call your doctor to prevent losing your baby. Medical experts suggest if a pregnant woman shows vaginal bleeding, she must lie down to protect her pregnancy from coming to an end. Consult with your doctor to find ways to save your babies from succumbing to pregnancy miscarriage. Most of the doctors instruct patients to take adequate bed rest for a few days to stop bleeding. Call for another pregnancy test or ultrasound to confirm you are still at a safe distance from risk of miscarriage. You should always place yourself under keen observation so as to detect that the pregnancy is advancing normally and there is no abnormality in the baby’s development.

As long as the vaginal bleeding is experienced as mild and painless, there is little risk of pregnancy miscarriage involved. When you find the bleeding to be heavy and terribly hurting, then it marks pregnancy miscarriage. Painful vaginal bleeding indicates that the baby has stopped developing. Consult your doctor to clean out your womb in such a case. Such miscarriages can immensely affect the woman’s mental health and can push her towards depression. It is up to her spouse and family members to give her adequate attention and care to overcome the loss of baby. Medical professionals plan measures on the basis of the period of pregnancy in which the vaginal bleeding takes place. If the bleeding appears anytime after 28 weeks, then it will not necessarily be a signal of pregnancy miscarriage.

Bleeding after 28 weeks may signal complications in the placenta. The placenta is considered to be the ‘lifeline’ of your baby growing inside, so if there are any risks related to placenta that is apparent through vaginal bleeding, you must contact your doctor at the earliest and get yourself admitted to the hospital. The doctors may carry out ultrasound to determine the position of placenta. You may be retained in the hospital for giving birth. Often the patients undergo blood transfusion to make up for loss of blood and the babies are delivered by either induction or the caesarean method.

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