Archive for the ‘about pregnancy’ Category
Are you pregnant? Take precautionary measures to make sure you will have a healthy pregnancy. It is beneficial to know what to do during your pregnancy week by week and stay healthy while you are pregnant; get a regular exercise, health diet, proper vitamin supplementation and manage stress during pregnancy.
What To Do?
It is very helpful to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle once you know that you are pregnant. Here are some tips to guide you on what to do during your pregnancy for the safety of your baby.
1. Cigarette smoking has been related to low birth weight, premature birth and other pregnancy problems. If you smoke, stop or quit immediately.
2. Take regular exercise, or begin with less strenuous activities. This can be done by simple walking and swimming.
3. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake or cease drinking during the whole pregnancy.
4. Take prenatal vitamins such as iron and folic acid. You can get them over the counter or get a prescription from your doctor.
5. Have a regular prenatal check up with your physician. The doctor can suggest any tests that are necessary for you and your baby’s health. He will also assist you in planning your care and delivery choices.
Pregnancy And Weight Gain
In most cases it is not ideal to have a weight loss plan during pregnancy. However, if gaining more weight than recommended during the beginning of the pregnancy, consult your health care provider. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and gaining a correct amount of weight during pregnancy is a good sign because your baby is getting all the nutrients he or she needs and is growing at a healthy rate.
Too much weight gain is dangerous especially in the second trimester, to be more specific, on the 20th week of pregnancy. And the earlier such complications happen, the more difficult confinement a woman will have. It is recommended you take care of their weight and take arterial pressure on both hands and urine tests. Monitoring of blood pressure is also important. If symptoms like edemas, high blood pressure and presence of albumin is present, you should go immediately in a hospital.
Normal Pregnancy Weight Gain Week By Week
Normal Weight
If your weight before pregnancy was in a healthy state like BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, 0.5 -2 kilos in the first trimester and about 0.4 kilo’s every week for the rest of pregnancy. A total of gain weight between 10 and 20 kilo’s is usual.
Overweight
If your weight prior to your pregnancy is overweight for your height like BMI of 25 to 30, a weight gain of 7 to 10 kilos is more ideal. However, if you were obese like BMI of 30 or higher, the gain weight should be between 5 to 8 kilos.
Underweight
If your weight before pregnancy is underweight for your height like a BMI below 18.5, the healthy weight gain for you is between 12 to 18 kilos.
For twin pregnancy, the ideal weight gain should be 17 to 25 kilo’s if you had a healthy weight before pregnancy. If you were overweight before pregnancy, it’s 14 to 23 kilo’s and 12 to 20 kilo’s if you were obese.
Posted by Lynn Shannon M Bailey
About the Author:
What To Do?
It is very helpful to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle once you know that you are pregnant. Here are some tips to guide you on what to do during your pregnancy for the safety of your baby.
1. Cigarette smoking has been related to low birth weight, premature birth and other pregnancy problems. If you smoke, stop or quit immediately.
2. Take regular exercise, or begin with less strenuous activities. This can be done by simple walking and swimming.
3. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake or cease drinking during the whole pregnancy.
4. Take prenatal vitamins such as iron and folic acid. You can get them over the counter or get a prescription from your doctor.
5. Have a regular prenatal check up with your physician. The doctor can suggest any tests that are necessary for you and your baby’s health. He will also assist you in planning your care and delivery choices.
Pregnancy And Weight Gain
In most cases it is not ideal to have a weight loss plan during pregnancy. However, if gaining more weight than recommended during the beginning of the pregnancy, consult your health care provider. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and gaining a correct amount of weight during pregnancy is a good sign because your baby is getting all the nutrients he or she needs and is growing at a healthy rate.
Too much weight gain is dangerous especially in the second trimester, to be more specific, on the 20th week of pregnancy. And the earlier such complications happen, the more difficult confinement a woman will have. It is recommended you take care of their weight and take arterial pressure on both hands and urine tests. Monitoring of blood pressure is also important. If symptoms like edemas, high blood pressure and presence of albumin is present, you should go immediately in a hospital.
Normal Pregnancy Weight Gain Week By Week
Normal Weight
If your weight before pregnancy was in a healthy state like BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, 0.5 -2 kilos in the first trimester and about 0.4 kilo’s every week for the rest of pregnancy. A total of gain weight between 10 and 20 kilo’s is usual.
Overweight
If your weight prior to your pregnancy is overweight for your height like BMI of 25 to 30, a weight gain of 7 to 10 kilos is more ideal. However, if you were obese like BMI of 30 or higher, the gain weight should be between 5 to 8 kilos.
Underweight
If your weight before pregnancy is underweight for your height like a BMI below 18.5, the healthy weight gain for you is between 12 to 18 kilos.
For twin pregnancy, the ideal weight gain should be 17 to 25 kilo’s if you had a healthy weight before pregnancy. If you were overweight before pregnancy, it’s 14 to 23 kilo’s and 12 to 20 kilo’s if you were obese.
Posted by Lynn Shannon M Bailey
About the Author:
Find out more information about the pregnancy calculator week by week and pregnancy at Newborn Baby. The site of choice for answers on all aspects of pregnancy and birth.
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.
Posted by Groshan Fabiola
About the Author:
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.
Posted by Groshan Fabiola
About the Author:
For more information about ectopic pregnancy please visit http://www.pregnancy-1st-guide.com/ectopic-pregnancy.htm or http://www.pregnancy-1st-guide.com/
Pregnancy tests are essential not only to detect the pregnancy, but the detection of pregnancy at the right time is essential for the better health of expectant mother and the healthy growth of the baby.
As the technology is advancing every day, the pregnancy test being carried out today are much more dependable and convenient. Over- the – counter pregnancy tests are equally effective. These pregnancy tests are the first step which makes you to fix the appointment with your nearby doctor. The importance of these appointments should not be underestimated as they confirm any abnormality in pregnancy or determines if there are any risk factors involved in the pregnancy. Different types of pregnancy test are mentioned below.
Urine test
Urine tests are most famous and provide a convenient way to confirm the pregnancy compared to others options of pregnancy tests. The women suspecting pregnancy has only to buy an over-the-counter test kit. Normally it comprises of a cup in which the women suspecting pregnancy has to collect her urine sample and specifically designed stick that is dipped in the urine for a specified time. It is important to follow the instruction of the kit manually. The results obtained after carefully following the instructions are mostly fairly accurate. Some clinics adopt the same method for the pregnancy test.
There is a different preferable type of urine pregnancy test in which the expectant mother has to hold a specifically designed strip in the stream of urine while urinating for a specified period of time. This is a comparatively neater and cleaner type of urine pregnancy test. This method is widely used to detect the pregnancy at the earliest stage as the stick detects the presence of hCG hormones the moment the embryo is attached to the wall of uterine.
Pregnancy Blood Test
Blood tests are more reliable compared to the urine tests. These tests are conducted by the doctor to detect the presence of hCG in the blood. The presence of hCG in the blood indicates the embryo has attached itself to the uterine wall and placenta has started growing. Doctors have to conduct some further tests after the determination of pregnancy to evaluate the overall health of the women and the growing fetus inside her. With the help of these tests he prescribes various prenatal vitamins for the healthy growth of the fetus.
These pregnancy blood tests are preferable by those who have the infertility problem and are eager to determine their pregnancy. As the presence of hCG hormone can be determined in the blood only even after 7 days of expected conception. This hCG blood test also determines any probable abnormality. The blood pregnancy tests are usually conducted at the doctor’s office.
The mother has to undergo certain other test after confirming her pregnancy. Like CBC which checks whether the mother is anemic or have certain other abnormality. RH factor, tests for STD’s, screens for viral and bacterial infections and blood glucose tests.
With the technology advancement the pregnancy tests have become convenient and reliable. For all those who are eager to confirm their pregnancy they can perform a home pregnancy test if come out positive, they can fix the appointment with the doctors. The test conducted at home should not be considered as a replacement or substitute of medical confirmation and opinion.
Posted by Amit Patel Bhawani
About the Author:
As the technology is advancing every day, the pregnancy test being carried out today are much more dependable and convenient. Over- the – counter pregnancy tests are equally effective. These pregnancy tests are the first step which makes you to fix the appointment with your nearby doctor. The importance of these appointments should not be underestimated as they confirm any abnormality in pregnancy or determines if there are any risk factors involved in the pregnancy. Different types of pregnancy test are mentioned below.
Urine test
Urine tests are most famous and provide a convenient way to confirm the pregnancy compared to others options of pregnancy tests. The women suspecting pregnancy has only to buy an over-the-counter test kit. Normally it comprises of a cup in which the women suspecting pregnancy has to collect her urine sample and specifically designed stick that is dipped in the urine for a specified time. It is important to follow the instruction of the kit manually. The results obtained after carefully following the instructions are mostly fairly accurate. Some clinics adopt the same method for the pregnancy test.
There is a different preferable type of urine pregnancy test in which the expectant mother has to hold a specifically designed strip in the stream of urine while urinating for a specified period of time. This is a comparatively neater and cleaner type of urine pregnancy test. This method is widely used to detect the pregnancy at the earliest stage as the stick detects the presence of hCG hormones the moment the embryo is attached to the wall of uterine.
Pregnancy Blood Test
Blood tests are more reliable compared to the urine tests. These tests are conducted by the doctor to detect the presence of hCG in the blood. The presence of hCG in the blood indicates the embryo has attached itself to the uterine wall and placenta has started growing. Doctors have to conduct some further tests after the determination of pregnancy to evaluate the overall health of the women and the growing fetus inside her. With the help of these tests he prescribes various prenatal vitamins for the healthy growth of the fetus.
These pregnancy blood tests are preferable by those who have the infertility problem and are eager to determine their pregnancy. As the presence of hCG hormone can be determined in the blood only even after 7 days of expected conception. This hCG blood test also determines any probable abnormality. The blood pregnancy tests are usually conducted at the doctor’s office.
The mother has to undergo certain other test after confirming her pregnancy. Like CBC which checks whether the mother is anemic or have certain other abnormality. RH factor, tests for STD’s, screens for viral and bacterial infections and blood glucose tests.
With the technology advancement the pregnancy tests have become convenient and reliable. For all those who are eager to confirm their pregnancy they can perform a home pregnancy test if come out positive, they can fix the appointment with the doctors. The test conducted at home should not be considered as a replacement or substitute of medical confirmation and opinion.
Posted by Amit Patel Bhawani
About the Author:
Amit Bhawani offers information on different home based pregnancy tests on his Pregnancy Tips website. You can also read articles on different easy tests which are useful to pregnant women. You can check out his web blog at amitbhawani.com
The pregnancy hormone known as progesterone is responsible for causing many incidents of constipation within women who are pregnant, because it causes the muscles within the intestine to become weaker, which leads to problems when attempting to have a bowel movement. Constipation during pregnancy is a problem which is fairly common among women who are pregnant.
It can cause a number of other problems in pregnant women as well, including back pain, nausea, and digestive problems. In addition to this, constipation can also lead to problems giving birth. However, there are a number of solutions which can help women treat this condition.
The first solution is to drink water, lots of water. At the very minimum, a pregnant woman should drink two quarts of water per day, while avoided drinks rich in caffeine or fruit juices. Drinking soda, juice, and other such products will cause more problems than solutions.
A pregnant woman should also avoid consuming large amounts of meat, especially meat which contains lots of fat such as bacon or sausage. Fiber is a must for someone who wants to avoid becoming constipated, and this means eating lots of fruits and vegetables on a consistent basis. Vegetables and fruits should replace foods which are rich in white flour such as breads and cereals.
Exercise is also important, even for pregnant women. Exercising is an important factor in helping you avoid constipation, and while pregnant women are limited in the number of exercises they can perform, taking a simple walk or dancing around the house are basic exercises that can go a long way towards helping you avoid pregnancy constipation.
Certain yoga based exercises can also be useful for pregnant women. However, you will want to consult your doctor to find out which exercises are safe and healthy. If you should become constipated, avoid laxatives or certain remedies, and stick to prune juice instead. Laxatives and certain natural remedies can be detrimental to the growth of the baby.
Posted by Bryan Evans
About the Author:
It can cause a number of other problems in pregnant women as well, including back pain, nausea, and digestive problems. In addition to this, constipation can also lead to problems giving birth. However, there are a number of solutions which can help women treat this condition.
The first solution is to drink water, lots of water. At the very minimum, a pregnant woman should drink two quarts of water per day, while avoided drinks rich in caffeine or fruit juices. Drinking soda, juice, and other such products will cause more problems than solutions.
A pregnant woman should also avoid consuming large amounts of meat, especially meat which contains lots of fat such as bacon or sausage. Fiber is a must for someone who wants to avoid becoming constipated, and this means eating lots of fruits and vegetables on a consistent basis. Vegetables and fruits should replace foods which are rich in white flour such as breads and cereals.
Exercise is also important, even for pregnant women. Exercising is an important factor in helping you avoid constipation, and while pregnant women are limited in the number of exercises they can perform, taking a simple walk or dancing around the house are basic exercises that can go a long way towards helping you avoid pregnancy constipation.
Certain yoga based exercises can also be useful for pregnant women. However, you will want to consult your doctor to find out which exercises are safe and healthy. If you should become constipated, avoid laxatives or certain remedies, and stick to prune juice instead. Laxatives and certain natural remedies can be detrimental to the growth of the baby.
Posted by Bryan Evans
About the Author:
For More information on pregnancy constipation and other constipation related issues, please visit: http://symptomsofconstipation.org
Pregnancy is a beautiful period so do not let the little pregnancy complications that occur to dampen your spirits. Brighten up even if you having problems like stretch marks as there are several treatments available and research has shown that after some time they generally disappear.
What exactly are pregnancy stretch marks?
Stretch marks are defined in Dermatology as scar formation on the skin with a silvery white hue. When they first appear on the skin they may be reddish or purple in color but as time passes they gradually fade to a pale white color and the skin in that area is very soft to touch.
Why and where do they occur?
The human skin includes the outer epidermal layer, the inner dermis layer and the subcutaneous stratum. The dermis is the layer that helps the skin retain its shape and the pregnancy stretch marks appear on the dermis as a result of excessive stretching and sudden weight gain. Pregnancy stretch marks may occur on breasts, belly, thighs, upper arms anywhere where fat tends to accumulate.
Various stretch mark treatments are available for stretch marks removal like ointments, the most popular of which is cocoa butter. You may also use Vitamin E oil or other ointments. If the stretch marks are really severe and these treatments do not help, consult your health care specialist, as there are laser treatments, dermabrasion, tretenoin, isotretenoin, adepalin and many such methods are being discovered. It makes sense consulting your health care specialist before applying any lotions for pregnancy stretch marks, as it may be possible that some medications such as steroids or hormones may be causing the stretch marks.
Who is more prone to getting pregnancy stretch marks?
The more elastic your skin is the less prone you are to getting stretch marks
Sudden weight gain may cause stretch marks so eat healthy and cut down that extra fat.
Genetics plays an important part so if your mother got stretch marks it is likely that you would too.
If you are expecting multiples the chances of stretch marks is higher as the belly usually grows larger than other women
In case you developed stretch marks on your breast during puberty you are more likely to develop stretch marks
In case this is your second pregnancy and you had it the first time it is more likely you’ll develop them again
If you drink lots of water and eat a nutritious diet you are more likely to avoid serious stretch marks
Pregnancy stretch marks should not be seen as such a big problem that it disturbs your peace of mind and happiness. Don’t worry once your baby is born, after a year or so the marks tend to disappear or may appear as light lines. In case you would like to apply ointments like Tretinoin cream it is better to do it after delivery as it may affect your unborn baby. If you are breast-feeding, please consult your doctor before using stretch mark treatments because some treatments for pregnancy stretch marks may be harmful to the breast milk or probably affect the milk supply.
Posted by Saurabh K Jain
About the Author:
What exactly are pregnancy stretch marks?
Stretch marks are defined in Dermatology as scar formation on the skin with a silvery white hue. When they first appear on the skin they may be reddish or purple in color but as time passes they gradually fade to a pale white color and the skin in that area is very soft to touch.
Why and where do they occur?
The human skin includes the outer epidermal layer, the inner dermis layer and the subcutaneous stratum. The dermis is the layer that helps the skin retain its shape and the pregnancy stretch marks appear on the dermis as a result of excessive stretching and sudden weight gain. Pregnancy stretch marks may occur on breasts, belly, thighs, upper arms anywhere where fat tends to accumulate.
Various stretch mark treatments are available for stretch marks removal like ointments, the most popular of which is cocoa butter. You may also use Vitamin E oil or other ointments. If the stretch marks are really severe and these treatments do not help, consult your health care specialist, as there are laser treatments, dermabrasion, tretenoin, isotretenoin, adepalin and many such methods are being discovered. It makes sense consulting your health care specialist before applying any lotions for pregnancy stretch marks, as it may be possible that some medications such as steroids or hormones may be causing the stretch marks.
Who is more prone to getting pregnancy stretch marks?
The more elastic your skin is the less prone you are to getting stretch marks
Sudden weight gain may cause stretch marks so eat healthy and cut down that extra fat.
Genetics plays an important part so if your mother got stretch marks it is likely that you would too.
If you are expecting multiples the chances of stretch marks is higher as the belly usually grows larger than other women
In case you developed stretch marks on your breast during puberty you are more likely to develop stretch marks
In case this is your second pregnancy and you had it the first time it is more likely you’ll develop them again
If you drink lots of water and eat a nutritious diet you are more likely to avoid serious stretch marks
Pregnancy stretch marks should not be seen as such a big problem that it disturbs your peace of mind and happiness. Don’t worry once your baby is born, after a year or so the marks tend to disappear or may appear as light lines. In case you would like to apply ointments like Tretinoin cream it is better to do it after delivery as it may affect your unborn baby. If you are breast-feeding, please consult your doctor before using stretch mark treatments because some treatments for pregnancy stretch marks may be harmful to the breast milk or probably affect the milk supply.
Posted by Saurabh K Jain
About the Author:
Pregnancy stretch marks are one of the many pregnancy complications, which is a cause of concern for pregnant women. However, with some care and precautions, it is possible to avoid stretch marks to a great extent. And if you are facing the problem of ugly looking marks, you can try stretch mark treatments such as lotions for pregnancy stretch marks. In extreme cases, you can even try laser treatment for pregnancy stretch marks. For more details and information visit Pregnancy Complications
A “Very Positive” Or Early Home Pregnancy Result
What do I mean by “very positive”? Well, it’s when you take a home pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period and you get a distinctive, dark, second line or plus sign. Most women experience a faint line when testing this early. Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is believed that a woman carrying twins would have higher levels of this hormone and therefore a stronger positive or earlier result. In my own experience, I decided to get some of those expensive home pregnancy tests that claim to show a positive result (if you are indeed pregnant) slightly before your missed period. Now that I have my twins, I think it kind of funny that I never got a positive result until the day of my missed period (I took several tests during the week before my period was to arrive…All negative!). And although I did get the distinctive second line on the day of my missed period, you would have thought me the perfect candidate for an early result. Keep in mind, a blood test at your doctor’s office will yield a more accurate result.
Early Weight Gain
Due to increased blood volume and a growing uterus, twin mothers usually experience a slightly higher weight gain than mothers of singletons. Approximately five pounds, give or take, more than a singleton mother by their second trimester. But this can still vary greatly due to many other factors including the mother’s pre-pregnancy weight. So think of it as a general guideline.
Measuring Large For Gestational Age
Even though measuring large for gestational age may be a sign of a twin pregnancy, it can also happen during subsequent pregnancies of singletons. It is widely accepted that a second pregnancy shows sooner than a first pregnancy. So, it does not always indicate twins. If this is a first pregnancy it may be harder to determine by yourself without prior experience or your doctor’s advice. Also, your pre-pregnancy size will be a factor. A smaller framed, slim woman will almost always start showing any pregnancy sooner than a larger or heavier woman as a general rule. Coupling a large gestational age measurement with some of the other factors mentioned here would be a stronger indication of a twin pregnancy.
Severe Morning Sickness And/Or Fatigue
As if feeling sick and tired isn’t bad enough, many mothers of twins can experience this twofold. But don’t get discouraged just yet. I do know at least a few moms of twins that had neither the fatigue or morning sickness. Both morning sickness and fatigue have to be among the most common complaints of any pregnancy. Some women experience one, both, or none. The best way to gauge if your symptoms are due to twins would most likely be your experience with a prior pregnancy. But not all of us will have twins our second time around. For many, a twin pregnancy is the first pregnancy. Now what? Well, if this is in fact your first pregnancy and you are also experiencing one or more of the other twin pregnancy symptoms and/or signs mentioned, you may have a better indication. Also, keep in mind that some of the worst fatigue will come towards the end of your twin pregnancy.
Feeling Fetal Movement Early In Pregnancy
Most pregnant women don’t feel fetal movement until about 18 to 22 weeks. It is arguable that you would feel movement earlier than this if you are pregnant with twins. Although many women expecting twins claim to, there are a few factors to consider here. If this is a first pregnancy it may be difficult to determine if what you are feeling is indeed fetal movement. Also, a single fetus may be more active than usual causing stronger sensations in the womb. If this is a subsequent pregnancy you might have a sneaking suspicion or strong indication that that something is different with what you are feeling. I know one mother who, in her first pregnancy, did not feel her twin babies move at all until the 23rd week!
Confirmation Via Ultrasound
There is no better tried and true method of determining a twin pregnancy than having an ultrasound (also called a sonogram). On the ultrasound monitor your doctor or other professional can usually distinguish two fetuses and/or two heartbeats with ease. Indeed, many obstetricians perform an ultrasound as a definite confirmation of pregnancy at your first appointment.
Posted by Kellie Asaro
About the Author:
What do I mean by “very positive”? Well, it’s when you take a home pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period and you get a distinctive, dark, second line or plus sign. Most women experience a faint line when testing this early. Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is believed that a woman carrying twins would have higher levels of this hormone and therefore a stronger positive or earlier result. In my own experience, I decided to get some of those expensive home pregnancy tests that claim to show a positive result (if you are indeed pregnant) slightly before your missed period. Now that I have my twins, I think it kind of funny that I never got a positive result until the day of my missed period (I took several tests during the week before my period was to arrive…All negative!). And although I did get the distinctive second line on the day of my missed period, you would have thought me the perfect candidate for an early result. Keep in mind, a blood test at your doctor’s office will yield a more accurate result.
Early Weight Gain
Due to increased blood volume and a growing uterus, twin mothers usually experience a slightly higher weight gain than mothers of singletons. Approximately five pounds, give or take, more than a singleton mother by their second trimester. But this can still vary greatly due to many other factors including the mother’s pre-pregnancy weight. So think of it as a general guideline.
Measuring Large For Gestational Age
Even though measuring large for gestational age may be a sign of a twin pregnancy, it can also happen during subsequent pregnancies of singletons. It is widely accepted that a second pregnancy shows sooner than a first pregnancy. So, it does not always indicate twins. If this is a first pregnancy it may be harder to determine by yourself without prior experience or your doctor’s advice. Also, your pre-pregnancy size will be a factor. A smaller framed, slim woman will almost always start showing any pregnancy sooner than a larger or heavier woman as a general rule. Coupling a large gestational age measurement with some of the other factors mentioned here would be a stronger indication of a twin pregnancy.
Severe Morning Sickness And/Or Fatigue
As if feeling sick and tired isn’t bad enough, many mothers of twins can experience this twofold. But don’t get discouraged just yet. I do know at least a few moms of twins that had neither the fatigue or morning sickness. Both morning sickness and fatigue have to be among the most common complaints of any pregnancy. Some women experience one, both, or none. The best way to gauge if your symptoms are due to twins would most likely be your experience with a prior pregnancy. But not all of us will have twins our second time around. For many, a twin pregnancy is the first pregnancy. Now what? Well, if this is in fact your first pregnancy and you are also experiencing one or more of the other twin pregnancy symptoms and/or signs mentioned, you may have a better indication. Also, keep in mind that some of the worst fatigue will come towards the end of your twin pregnancy.
Feeling Fetal Movement Early In Pregnancy
Most pregnant women don’t feel fetal movement until about 18 to 22 weeks. It is arguable that you would feel movement earlier than this if you are pregnant with twins. Although many women expecting twins claim to, there are a few factors to consider here. If this is a first pregnancy it may be difficult to determine if what you are feeling is indeed fetal movement. Also, a single fetus may be more active than usual causing stronger sensations in the womb. If this is a subsequent pregnancy you might have a sneaking suspicion or strong indication that that something is different with what you are feeling. I know one mother who, in her first pregnancy, did not feel her twin babies move at all until the 23rd week!
Confirmation Via Ultrasound
There is no better tried and true method of determining a twin pregnancy than having an ultrasound (also called a sonogram). On the ultrasound monitor your doctor or other professional can usually distinguish two fetuses and/or two heartbeats with ease. Indeed, many obstetricians perform an ultrasound as a definite confirmation of pregnancy at your first appointment.
Posted by Kellie Asaro
About the Author:
By Kellie Asaro: Mom-treprenuer, Author, Designer of Twin Clothing & Gifts
Kellie is the proud mother of identical twin boys and a daughter. She is the founder and author of http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com, a wonderful resource for parents and families who have or are expecting twins. She also owns Trends In Twos – http://www.trendsintwos.com, a chic boutique specializing in clothing and gifts for twins and their families.
Have you ever wanted to know how your doctor or health care provider calculates your estimated due date and age of your baby? Well, it is actually a simple process. If you want to calculate your pregnancy due date and find out when your baby was conceive, try a pregnancy calculator. A pregnancy calculator is used very often these days because most women prefer to have complete information about their unborn baby. Excited mothers are now very aware of the pregnancy stages and the different implications at each stage, making them want to know all about the conception, due date and childbirth.
What Are The Uses Of Pregnancy Calculator?
The primary use of pregnancy calculator is to determine the due date and calculate the likely conception date. This tool may also calculate the end of the first and second trimesters, determine the weeks you have been pregnant, estimate fetal age, calculate the weeks you will be pregnant on a given date, calculate which date you will be pregnant the specified number of weeks, and determine the likely conception date when you know the birthday or due date. This tool is also great to use in conjunction with a detailed week by week pregnancy calendar.
How To Use A Pregnancy Calculator?
There are a lot of free pregnancy calculators available online. You can use it by simply entering the date of your last menstrual and the number of days in your menstrual cycle into the pregnancy calculator, and click on the calculate button. Generally, during menstrual cycle, there are 28 days and it can last from as little as 22 to as long as 44 days. The pregnancy calculator takes your menstrual cycle into account when calculating the due date and the conception date. In addition, pregnancy calculator also needs the number of days in your menstrual cycle when calculating the likely conception date from the given birthday or due date. Always remember, the more you know about your own monthly cycle the more accurate the result will be.
How Pregnancy Starts?
Pregnancy starts during ovulation and it happens 14 days after the beginning o the menstrual cycle. Most women have a 28 day cycle, hence the ovulation is assumed to start on the 14th day. However, if you have a longer ovulation cycle, you may ovulate a little after 14 days. Conception may also occur 5 to 6days before the ovulation date.
Conception is the condition within the body when the man’s sperm fertilizes a woman’s egg. The sperm and egg join in the fallopian tube to form a zygote, which develops into an embryo and eventually, it would become a fetus. Only if the fertilization of the egg is followed by an implantation, pregnancy will take place. Approximately, 7-10 days the zygote becomes a blastocyst, which is a product of approximately 100 cells. The human blastocyst implants in the woman’s uterus. The implanted blastocyst grows three germ layers. The inner layer is called mesoderm, the middle layer is the exoderm and the outermost layer is the endoderm. At this period of development the genetic father is completely involved into the formation of the embryo. Twin pregnancy is possible only till this stage in development.
Posted by Lynn Shannon M Bailey
About the Author:
What Are The Uses Of Pregnancy Calculator?
The primary use of pregnancy calculator is to determine the due date and calculate the likely conception date. This tool may also calculate the end of the first and second trimesters, determine the weeks you have been pregnant, estimate fetal age, calculate the weeks you will be pregnant on a given date, calculate which date you will be pregnant the specified number of weeks, and determine the likely conception date when you know the birthday or due date. This tool is also great to use in conjunction with a detailed week by week pregnancy calendar.
How To Use A Pregnancy Calculator?
There are a lot of free pregnancy calculators available online. You can use it by simply entering the date of your last menstrual and the number of days in your menstrual cycle into the pregnancy calculator, and click on the calculate button. Generally, during menstrual cycle, there are 28 days and it can last from as little as 22 to as long as 44 days. The pregnancy calculator takes your menstrual cycle into account when calculating the due date and the conception date. In addition, pregnancy calculator also needs the number of days in your menstrual cycle when calculating the likely conception date from the given birthday or due date. Always remember, the more you know about your own monthly cycle the more accurate the result will be.
How Pregnancy Starts?
Pregnancy starts during ovulation and it happens 14 days after the beginning o the menstrual cycle. Most women have a 28 day cycle, hence the ovulation is assumed to start on the 14th day. However, if you have a longer ovulation cycle, you may ovulate a little after 14 days. Conception may also occur 5 to 6days before the ovulation date.
Conception is the condition within the body when the man’s sperm fertilizes a woman’s egg. The sperm and egg join in the fallopian tube to form a zygote, which develops into an embryo and eventually, it would become a fetus. Only if the fertilization of the egg is followed by an implantation, pregnancy will take place. Approximately, 7-10 days the zygote becomes a blastocyst, which is a product of approximately 100 cells. The human blastocyst implants in the woman’s uterus. The implanted blastocyst grows three germ layers. The inner layer is called mesoderm, the middle layer is the exoderm and the outermost layer is the endoderm. At this period of development the genetic father is completely involved into the formation of the embryo. Twin pregnancy is possible only till this stage in development.
Posted by Lynn Shannon M Bailey
About the Author:
For more information on pregnancy calculator visit Newborn Baby. We provide information on a range of baby topics including things like pregnancy calendars. Visit now to download you free Parenting book.
During my pregnancy I didn’t really have the desire to have my pregnancy-photos taken, I really wish I would have made more time to get them done.
If you’re anything like me, you’re usually the one holding the camera. Make sure to give the camera to hubbie so he can get the shots you can’t.
Here is what I believe are the best pregnancy-photos that you need to have done. Ok, some may sound a little strange, but believe me you will love looking back on even the silly ones!
Read my list of must have pictures!
Photo #1 Of course the day you found out you were pregnant! There are lots of women who keep the actual pregnancy test… why not take a picture of it and that can go into your pregnancy album?
Photo #2 If you have children…. take a picture of their reaction to the news.
Photo #3 Don’t forget the picture of the surprised daddy!
Photo #4 Get hubbie to take a picture of you calling your family & friends. If you’re having a dinner party to announce the wonderful news, be sure to click away that night.
Photo #5 Get a picture of yourself in front of the doctor’s office on your first visit, even get one with your doctor.
Photo #6 The next time I would bring the camera is when you get to hear the heartbeat for the first time. What a moment to capture! That’s the best moment there is for a mom to be.
Photo #7 Time for some mugshots! Get a nice front shot of yourself, then turn to your side for a profile shot. Do this every month as your pregnancy progresses. Easy to do.
Photo #8 Do you know a friend who can take some pictures of you and your husband? Get some nice shots of your husband with his head on your tummy….putting the music to your tummy…. kissing your tummy…. I could go on and on. Very cute and loving pictures.
Photo #9 Repeat Photo #8, but insert your older children.
Photo #10 Did your older children make something for your baby? Take pictures of them with their proud creations.
Photo #11 Get at least one picture of your doctor measure your belly. This is something that us women do every month with the doctor and it’s so comforting that the baby is growing properly.
Photo #12 Waiting around for an ultrasound? Bring the camera, get a picture of you in front of the hospital. You know they will make you drink a ton of water, so you’re doing the dance anyhow. Bring the camera to keep yourself busy. If there’s no one there with you…you’re in your gown right? Get a nice shot of those swollen feet.
Have fun with your pregnancy-photos! Create your pregnancy album during pregnancy is a lot of fun.
Posted by Vera Raposo
About the Author:
If you’re anything like me, you’re usually the one holding the camera. Make sure to give the camera to hubbie so he can get the shots you can’t.
Here is what I believe are the best pregnancy-photos that you need to have done. Ok, some may sound a little strange, but believe me you will love looking back on even the silly ones!
Read my list of must have pictures!
Photo #1 Of course the day you found out you were pregnant! There are lots of women who keep the actual pregnancy test… why not take a picture of it and that can go into your pregnancy album?
Photo #2 If you have children…. take a picture of their reaction to the news.
Photo #3 Don’t forget the picture of the surprised daddy!
Photo #4 Get hubbie to take a picture of you calling your family & friends. If you’re having a dinner party to announce the wonderful news, be sure to click away that night.
Photo #5 Get a picture of yourself in front of the doctor’s office on your first visit, even get one with your doctor.
Photo #6 The next time I would bring the camera is when you get to hear the heartbeat for the first time. What a moment to capture! That’s the best moment there is for a mom to be.
Photo #7 Time for some mugshots! Get a nice front shot of yourself, then turn to your side for a profile shot. Do this every month as your pregnancy progresses. Easy to do.
Photo #8 Do you know a friend who can take some pictures of you and your husband? Get some nice shots of your husband with his head on your tummy….putting the music to your tummy…. kissing your tummy…. I could go on and on. Very cute and loving pictures.
Photo #9 Repeat Photo #8, but insert your older children.
Photo #10 Did your older children make something for your baby? Take pictures of them with their proud creations.
Photo #11 Get at least one picture of your doctor measure your belly. This is something that us women do every month with the doctor and it’s so comforting that the baby is growing properly.
Photo #12 Waiting around for an ultrasound? Bring the camera, get a picture of you in front of the hospital. You know they will make you drink a ton of water, so you’re doing the dance anyhow. Bring the camera to keep yourself busy. If there’s no one there with you…you’re in your gown right? Get a nice shot of those swollen feet.
Have fun with your pregnancy-photos! Create your pregnancy album during pregnancy is a lot of fun.
Posted by Vera Raposo
About the Author:
Vera Raposo has been scrapbooking since her oldest child was 5. With tons of scrapbooking tips and ideas, Vera is now sharing some of her best scrapbooking ideas on her radio show at http://www.scrapperstalkradio.com
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Maternity Acupressure… so what is it? Very simply it’s a series of natural techniques used to induce labor from the comfort of your own home. This results in a shorter labor during the birthing process, because by the time you arrive at the hospital your cervix has already begun to dilate. When applied correctly, this safe, proven process has been shown to stimulate natural contractions associated with childbirth. Midwives and professional Doulas have been using acupressure to induce labor for years and years, both to gently begin the delivery process and to alleviate the pressure, pain, and discomfort associated with going through labor.
If you can press gently with your thumb, you can perform pregnancy acupressure. It doesn’t require any previous experience: these very hands-on methods can be performed by you or your partner with only minimal instruction. It’s very simple for even the most basic novice to locate the acupressure points, and once shown where they are these can be stimulated to induce the early stages of labor. Stimulation of these specific points within a woman’s body have been proven to induce labor in over 80% of women within just a few short hours. Delivery time in the hospital is significantly reduced because you’ve already started labor naturally from within the comfort of your own home. The onset of these contractions will continue to dilate your cervix, and the techniques you learn can be utilized throughout the birthing process to help a mother who might be having problems pushing her baby through the birth canal.
The Maternity Acupressure Guide is an amazing system that will teach you how to have a safe, quick, and easy childbirth. Thousands of women who have already utilized this plan have had fantastic experiences both inside and outside of the delivery room. You can read about their experiences and browse their glowing testimonials: once these techniques are at your fingertips you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to learn the following:
* How to prevent nausea and vomiting during the labor process.
* Methods for calming anxiety and nervousness during the birthing process – whether you’re a first-time mom or you’ve already had children.
* Techniques that allow you to use maternity acupressure to turn a posterior baby.
* How to soothe and reduce your labor pains and symptoms with just a few pressure points.
* Increased dilation of the cervix, leading to a much easier delivery of your child.
* Techniques to strengthen your contractions, providing for a shortened labor and a quicker delivery process.
In addition, you’ll learn fantastic facts about the best birthing positions. These go hand in hand with the maternity acupressure guide, and can have great benefits such as reducing childbirth pain, shorten labor, and help lessen the chance of an episiotomy or medical intervention. These positions will also promote a better supply of oxygen for your baby and reduce fetal distress during the birth itself.
Posted by Aurelia McAleese
About the Author:
If you can press gently with your thumb, you can perform pregnancy acupressure. It doesn’t require any previous experience: these very hands-on methods can be performed by you or your partner with only minimal instruction. It’s very simple for even the most basic novice to locate the acupressure points, and once shown where they are these can be stimulated to induce the early stages of labor. Stimulation of these specific points within a woman’s body have been proven to induce labor in over 80% of women within just a few short hours. Delivery time in the hospital is significantly reduced because you’ve already started labor naturally from within the comfort of your own home. The onset of these contractions will continue to dilate your cervix, and the techniques you learn can be utilized throughout the birthing process to help a mother who might be having problems pushing her baby through the birth canal.
The Maternity Acupressure Guide is an amazing system that will teach you how to have a safe, quick, and easy childbirth. Thousands of women who have already utilized this plan have had fantastic experiences both inside and outside of the delivery room. You can read about their experiences and browse their glowing testimonials: once these techniques are at your fingertips you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to learn the following:
* How to prevent nausea and vomiting during the labor process.
* Methods for calming anxiety and nervousness during the birthing process – whether you’re a first-time mom or you’ve already had children.
* Techniques that allow you to use maternity acupressure to turn a posterior baby.
* How to soothe and reduce your labor pains and symptoms with just a few pressure points.
* Increased dilation of the cervix, leading to a much easier delivery of your child.
* Techniques to strengthen your contractions, providing for a shortened labor and a quicker delivery process.
In addition, you’ll learn fantastic facts about the best birthing positions. These go hand in hand with the maternity acupressure guide, and can have great benefits such as reducing childbirth pain, shorten labor, and help lessen the chance of an episiotomy or medical intervention. These positions will also promote a better supply of oxygen for your baby and reduce fetal distress during the birth itself.
Posted by Aurelia McAleese
About the Author:
Check out the Maternity Acupressure Guide, backed by a 100% guarantee and thousands of already happy parents. And once your baby is born, be sure to check out The Frog and the Princess Baby Boutique!
If you are trying to conceive, then you are probably expecting and hoping to experience the first symptoms of pregnancy soon. The symptoms of early pregnancy vary from woman to woman, but there are many symptoms that you can almost count on experiencing in the first few weeks after conception. This article will help you know what to look for.
A symptom many woman report experiencing is implantation spotting. This is light bleeding that occurs at around 10 days after ovulation. This may not be a first symptom of pregnancy for all women, since some women experience spotting on a regular basis. But if you do not usually experience any bleeding between cycles, and you experience spotting between 8 days after ovulation and 13 days after ovulation, it could be implantation spotting.
Another first symptom of pregnancy almost every woman reports having early in their pregnancy is breast tenderness. The tenderness can vary from extreme to mild. Some women report that even a slight breeze would cause them pain, while others say they experienced light tenderness. Many women experience breast tenderness before their period begins, however, so this may not always be a sign of pregnancy.
In addition to spotting and breast tenderness there are a few other first symptoms of pregnancy. One of those is hunger. Some women report feeling extremely hungry without being able to get full, while others say they just felt a little hungrier than usual. Some women say they experience extreme thirst rather than hunger. Other symptoms of early pregnancy include fatigue, nausea, bloating, headaches, stomach and abdominal pains, gas, and even itchiness and dizzy spells.
As you can see, the first symptoms of pregnancy vary quite a bit from woman to woman. Most experts say not to count on being pregnant if you have just one or two symptoms, since many early pregnancy symptoms are also symptoms of PMS or the flu. But if you have several symptoms that are not normal for you, it is probably a good sign. Just don’t get too excited until you get a big fat positive on your home pregnancy test!
Posted by Sarah Freeland
About the Author:
A symptom many woman report experiencing is implantation spotting. This is light bleeding that occurs at around 10 days after ovulation. This may not be a first symptom of pregnancy for all women, since some women experience spotting on a regular basis. But if you do not usually experience any bleeding between cycles, and you experience spotting between 8 days after ovulation and 13 days after ovulation, it could be implantation spotting.
Another first symptom of pregnancy almost every woman reports having early in their pregnancy is breast tenderness. The tenderness can vary from extreme to mild. Some women report that even a slight breeze would cause them pain, while others say they experienced light tenderness. Many women experience breast tenderness before their period begins, however, so this may not always be a sign of pregnancy.
In addition to spotting and breast tenderness there are a few other first symptoms of pregnancy. One of those is hunger. Some women report feeling extremely hungry without being able to get full, while others say they just felt a little hungrier than usual. Some women say they experience extreme thirst rather than hunger. Other symptoms of early pregnancy include fatigue, nausea, bloating, headaches, stomach and abdominal pains, gas, and even itchiness and dizzy spells.
As you can see, the first symptoms of pregnancy vary quite a bit from woman to woman. Most experts say not to count on being pregnant if you have just one or two symptoms, since many early pregnancy symptoms are also symptoms of PMS or the flu. But if you have several symptoms that are not normal for you, it is probably a good sign. Just don’t get too excited until you get a big fat positive on your home pregnancy test!
Posted by Sarah Freeland
About the Author:
Pregnancy these days is trendy and fashionable. No more hiding a baby bump, motherhood is redefined! Maternity clothes are evolving too. Funky maternity clothes and punk rock baby clothes and maternity wear are now the norm! Shop for cool pregnancy outfits and funky diaper bags as well as alternative baby clothing and accessories.