Pregnancy Planner - A Quick Guide

Pregnancy Planner - A Quick Guide

Weeks 1 to 3 are the first weeks of pregnancy. Week 1 begins on the first day of your last menstrual period. You will have no pregnancy symptoms yet, it?s too early right now. By week 4 nearly all of the organs and structure of the fetus have formed, you will start to feel the first pregnancy symptoms which will feel a bit like period symptoms such as tiredness and tender breasts.
Weeks 5/6/7. By now mother?s breast have swelled and are sensitive as milk glands multiply. Morning sickness will kick in and your appetite will increase. The embryo has developed the heart and primitive circulatory system. The first heartbeats begin and facial features begin to develop. Cravings might start and be expected to gain or loose a few pounds over these few weeks. Your uterus is putting pressure on your bladder so be prepared for frequent visits to the ladies.
Weeks 8/9/10. You can have an Ultra sound now and your uterus has grown to the size of a small grapefruit. The baby?s fingers and thumbs have now appeared and teeth are developing under the gums. Your breasts are fuller than ever before this maybe uncomfortable, a maternity bra can help.
In the tenth week the baby may begin to move inside the womb and most of the joints are formed. Morning sickness will ease and your blood volume may increase by 40 to 50% resulting in prominent veins mostly on the tummy, breasts and legs.
Weeks 11/12/13. The most critical part of the babys development is over. The genitals will begin to take on their gender characteristics and your uterus will move upwards, this will take pressure off the bladder. Light-headedness and headaches can be expected thanks to the increased blood volume, this is normal but make sure to discuss these and any other symptoms with your doctor.
Week 13 is the beginning of your half way point (weeks 13 to 27). This is a very busy week indeed for the babys development. The vocal cords develop and the baby?s facial features are beginning to look more human. The intestines move further into the baby?s body, the liver begins to secrete bile and the pancreas produces insulin. Most of the early pregnancy symptoms are over, though you may feel some abdominal pain due to the stretching of the uterus.
Weeks 14/15/16. The baby is about 3 to 4 inches long and is beginning to practice inhaling and exhaling movements. By now pregnancy hormones are leveling off. This means less nausea, less frequent urination and less tiredness. Constipation may become a problem due to those darned hormones so be sure to increase your fibre intake. Also the areolas of your breasts may be growing in diameter and darkening, this is in preparation for breastfeeding.
If you have an ultra sound now you will probably see the baby sucking its thumb. A fine hair called Lanugo is growing all over it?s body.
Your uterus is now ascending above your hipbones and your doctor will begin to measure ?fundal height? to make sure your baby is growing adequately. At week 16 you will begin to feel movement as the baby?s bones harden, fingernails and toenails begin to grow too.
The rising of estrogen levels may cause inflammation of your nasal membranes resulting in nosebleeds. Keep in mind that if you are planning to have an amniocentesis this may be scheduled between 16 and 18 weeks.
Weeks 17/18/19. The baby?s heart is pumping as much as 25 quarts of blood per day. The reflexes are in place as the baby sucks, swallows and blinks. Meconium the baby?s first bowel movement is accumulating within the bowel. If you feel jerky movements this could be due to the baby hiccupping. It is possible to determine sex at this stage. Average weight gain for mum is between 5 and 10 pounds at this point.
You could be experiencing several skin changes at this stage including blotchy patches and dry itchy skin is common. Remember you cannot prevent stretch marks but oils and lotions may help ease the discomfort of dry itchy skin. Also drinking plenty of water will help hydrate dry skin.
Weeks 20 to 27. You are half way through the pregnancy and it?s probably a good time to look into childbirth classes. The baby?s growth may have slowed down but you may have put on 10 to 20pounds. You are feeling emotionally more stable and comfortable, your ankles and feet may swell so keep them elevated and drink plenty of water. The baby will grow from one to two pounds in these weeks and will be moving about a lot, you will probably see your abdomen move.
Your uterus will grow to the size of a football within this period and this will put pressure on your back and legs so rest as much as you can.
At week 26 you may experience ?Braxton hicks? contractions, these are similar to cramps it is your bodys way of practicing for laybor. By week 27 your uterus is close to you rib cage and you may feel a shortness in breath due to your lungs not being able to fully expand, don?t worry though this is normal.
The Final Straight weeks 28 to 40
During these last weeks of pregnancy the baby and mother get a lot heavier causing discomfort for mother. There will be a lot of growth and movement in the uterus. The growth of the uterus puts a lot of pressure on all the other organs in the body causing heartburn indigestion, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and lots of aches and pains. Due to the rapid growth of the baby your levels of calcium and nutrients will be low so make sure your diet consists of plenty of calcium, protein, iron and folic acid.
Drink plenty of water and eat a lot of fibre rich foods or take some fibre supplements, this should ease constipation. Be sure to look after yourself and rest as much as possible in preparation for birth. Mood swings and blue feelings can be common, but don?t be too hard on your self after all your body is going through an enormous change. So take care and try to relax, as your life is about to change forever with the arrival of this new little person in your life.

About the AuthorDeclan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice for parents and consumers on purchasing a variety of baby products which includes baby crib bedding, strollers, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

Five Powerful Tips to Ease Morning Sickness in Pregnancy

Five Powerful Tips to Ease Morning Sickness in Pregnancy
by: Rebecca Smith

Some pregnant women suffer not only morning sickness, it's often more morning, noon, and night sickness. They feel sick all the time, and want to crawl back into bed. Pregnant women will learn in this article five powerful tips that will ease morning sickness.1. Control your blood sugar levelAllevate morning sickness pregnancy by keeping your blood sugar level stable. Obviously, sleeping is a major problem when you are trying to regulate your blood sugar. Try to eat without getting out of bed. Your partner will be happy to bring food to you every morning. Take only small bites. Try to eat a little bit, then wait to stand up. Give your body time to get the food into your system.2. Watch out what you eat! Morning sickness pregnancy is also triggered by certain foods. Avoid foods that will spike your blood sugar level. Foods such as processed sugars and white flour can cause morning sickness pregnancy. Whole grain foods and protein are a good alternative as they are less likely to cause nausea.3. Be careful with drinking too much waterAlthough Doctors will tell you repeatedly to drink plenty of water, it can make morning sickness pregnancy worse. They are trying to ensure that dehydration doesn’t become a problem. Try some alternatives to water. Try drinking smoothies with a little plain yogurt with fruit mixed in. Mix the water with a little lime or lemon. You can even try tea – cold or hot tea very watered down. Fruits such as melons can help with morning sickness pregnancy. Regardless of your preference, it is extremely important to stay hydrated. If water is exacerbating morning sickness pregnancy, you do need alternatives.4. Smells can trigger morning sickness pregnancyAnother issue that can cause morning sickness pregnancy is odors. There are steps you can take to alleviate morning sickness pregnancy due to smells. One hint is to let your husband change diapers if you have other children. Cook odor-neutral foods – no garlic, onions, or oily fish. Stay away from people that have odor problems. They can make your morning sickness pregnancy worse.5. Positive ThinkingYou can ease morning sickness pregnancy by focusing on positive things. Remember, while your face is in the toilet, you are growing another person inside you. This is one of the most wonderful times in your life, and the morning sickness pregnancy will not last forever. In a few months, a beautiful baby will come out and your life will be more fulfilled than you could ever imagine. Read baby name books, look at pregnancy clothes, and try to get yourself excited that you are about to have one of life’s greatest little gifts.About the author:About The Author - Rebecca Smith is the owner of Pregnany Health Information Center, the free Resource for Pregnancy Information and Health Tips.

Pregnancy Exercise

Pregnancy Exercise
by: Beverley Brooke

One of the best things you can do to prepare for pregnancy is start exercising regularly. You don’t have to join the Boston Marathon, but even walking around the block a few times per week will help tone and condition your body and help you prepare for the journey ahead.Women who regularly engage in some form of exercise before and during pregnancy are more likely to experience quicker and less problematic labors. That is a good enough reason in and of itself to start exercising as soon as you can.The other important thing you need to do during your pregnancy is make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. Good prenatal care throughout your pregnancy is essential for maintaining a happy and healthy pregnancy. If you are not yet pregnant but thinking about becoming pregnant, many practitioners recommend scheduling a visit so they can review your health history for you and help overcome any potential barriers to your fertility.Your healthcare provider can also set you up on a regimen of prenatal vitamins, and help you understand your cycle better so you know the times of the month you are most likely to get pregnant.Most practitioners will schedule your first visit between 8-11 weeks if you are having a normal, low risk pregnancy. If you aren’t sure when you became pregnant, you should consider scheduling an appointment with your provider right away to ensure that everything is going along as it should and that you have no risk factors for possible complications.

About the author:Article by Beverley Brooke, author of "Ensure a healthy safe pregnancy for you and your baby", visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.comfor more on pregnancy exercise

Stress And Pregnancy

Stress And Pregnancy
by: Beverley Brooke

Stress Relief During Pregnancy If you truly want to ensure a great pregnancy, you should work on keeping a healthy and positive physical, mental and spiritual state. There is substantial evidence which suggests that a mother’s physical and mental wellness during pregnancy can affect not only the outcome of their pregnancy but the well being of their child later in life. You relationship with your baby begins at the moment of conception.There are many things aside from physical factors that can impact your pregnancy. Stress is one of the more common problems many pregnant mothers face at some point during their pregnancy. While stress in and of itself isn’t always bad, prolonged stress can be damaging to a pregnancy. Most people associate stress that is harmful during pregnancy with physical labor. However, emotional stress may be just as damaging. Stress actually causes certain hormones in the body to be produced, and some scientists have suggested that these hormones can promote miscarriage or even bring on pre-term labor.The best thin you can to do to ensure the well being of your baby is to minimize both physical and emotional stress as much as possible. Here are some stress reducing tips you can engage in during your pregnancy to promote a happy and healthy outcome:Accept the fact that you are pregnant. Some women stress because they thrive on working a very demanding schedule, and attempt to continue to do so throughout their pregnancy. At some point or another however your pregnancy will catch up with you, and you will need to slow down a little bit. Rather than see this is as a burden, consider this a great time to prepare yourself for the life you are about to bring into the world. Take some time to pamper yourself a bit and give yourself more time for rest and relaxation during the week. This can be time that you spend just with yourself and your baby, without having to share with the world around you.Give up some control. Having a baby changes everything. If you are the type of person that likes to be in control, keep in mind that there are many things related to pregnancy and child raising that will be out of your control. You won’t for example be able to sail through pregnancy without any aches and pains (unless you are extraordinarily lucky) but you can work to minimize them. You may have other symptoms such as fatigue and nausea that don’t go away. Some women have to go on bed rest during pregnancy. Simply recognizing however that some things are not under your control will help you get a better grip on your pregnancy and arm you to face the challenges that lie ahead.Expect the unexpected. You just never know what will happen when you are pregnant. Your baby for example, might decide to come a few weeks early. You may find that midway through your pregnancy your physician recommends bed rest. If you prepare for the unexpected ahead of time however, when it happens it won’t seem like such a challenge and you will be better prepared to handle it.Maintain close ties with friends, family and loved ones. Pregnancy is an emotional time. The more people you have around you to lean on, the less likely you will be to feel stressed.Accept help. Let people know when you can use a hand. You don’t have to manage everything alone during pregnancy. If people offer to help you out and relieve some of the burden you are facing, be glad that there are people around you that love you enough to help out.Another important thing to consider during pregnancy is communication. It is particularly important that you keep the lines of communication open with your partner during pregnancy. Remember that pregnancy is a very emotional time, and many women act in ways they would not ordinarily during their pregnancy. Don’t assume that your partner is a mind reader. This assumption has negatively impacted many relationships. If you have concerns, anxiety, feel sad or are even angry, be sure you share your feelings with your loved ones. Let people know what you are experiencing physically and emotionally and how it is affecting you. This will help them understand where you are coming from, and will help them learn the best way to help you during your pregnancy.If you haven’t considered a prenatal massage already, you should during your pregnancy. Prenatal massage can be particularly helpful during the third trimester when your body is feeling burdened by the heavy load it is carrying. There are many qualified practitioners that offer prenatal massage in medical offices, chiropractic offices and even in traditional spa settings.
About the author:Article by Beverley Brooke, author of "Ensure a healthy safe pregnancy for you and your baby", visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.comfor more on stress and pregnancy

So You Think You’re Pregnant? A Brief Discussion Of Common Pregnancy Symptoms

So You Think You’re Pregnant? A Brief Discussion Of Common Pregnancy Symptoms
by: Charlene J. Nuble

A baby begins life even before he is born – from conception until the uterus finally pushes him out of his mother’s body. This is the phenomenon we call pregnancy. It starts when the male sperm unites with the female egg and develops into an embryo. While several women say they can already detect pregnancy from the moment of conception, some see the pregnancy symptoms much later.As the woman’s body prepares itself for child-bearing, she will notice several changes. The telltale signs of pregnancy include the following:Absence of menstruationThis is usually the first sign of pregnancy. Take note, though, that it should not always be linked with pregnancy symptoms, as missing your monthly period can also mean some other kind of hormonal imbalance or condition.Morning sicknessIt would be prudent to note that the pregnancy symptom called “morning sickness” does not happen only in the mornings. This feeling of dizziness can happen at any time of the day. The hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy generally trigger bouts of nausea and vomiting. Another related symptom would be constant tiredness, which a possibly pregnant woman experiences even if no physical activity had been performed (but, then, again, it could also be due to improper nutrition).Strong craving for certain foodsThe cause of this pregnancy symptom is still undetermined. But pregnant women have been infamous for requesting/demanding different kinds of food, owing to uncontrollable appetite urges. On some cases, “strong craving” is an understatement.Mood swings and headachesA woman’s emotions sometimes become slave to the hormonal changes linked with pregnancy. Quite common are bouts of depression, vagueness, listlessness and irritability.SleepinessThis symptom is not due to fatigue. Women who are pregnant usually long for sleep early in the evening. Again, blame the hormones.Frequent urinationAs the womb expands to make room for the growing fetus, it bears down on the urinary bladder, causing constant urges to pass urine. Some women have also been observed to develop white, creamy vaginal discharge during pregnancy, while the breasts tend to swell and grow tender (as the mammary glands brace themselves for breastfeeding).Not all signs of pregnancy are obvious. But when the above mentioned symptoms present themselves to you, and you have enough reason to suspect that you are pregnant, you must consult your doctor at once, preferably an obstetrician. (An obstetrician specializes in caring for women while they are pregnant and even after pregnancy.) The doctor will then run tests to find out whether you ARE pregnant and in which pregnancy level you are already in. If your doctor bears good news, that, indeed, a miracle has formed in your womb, congratulations! You will soon be holding in your arms the greatest gift you will ever receive.

About the author:Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about pregnancy, please go to: http://pregnancy.besthealthlink.net/or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/