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Pregnancy And What To Expect

There are no two pregnancies that are alike so, while it is difficult to say

exactly how each will progress, there are certain factors that are common

among all women going through pregnancy. Quite often, early symptoms of

pregnancy will appear and prompt the soon-to-be mom to purchase a home

pregnancy test. These can be found at virtually every retail and/or grocery

store. It is important to remember that pregnancy tests, while designed to be

accurate, are sometimes wrong. Regardless of the result, it is recommended

that women experiencing pregnancy symptoms should schedule an

appointment with a health care professional who will accurately test for

pregnancy.

Among the pregnancy symptoms that most women experience are

heightened sensitivity to certain smells and/or food, exhaustion, recurring

morning sickness and mood swings. During the entire pregnancy, it is very

important that the woman participate in a healthy lifestyle. Among other

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things, this would include not smoking or being near secondhand smoke, avoid

drinking alcohol, etc. In addition, the mom-to-be should drink plenty of milk

and eat healthy foods. This will help to promote good development for the

child and will be a healthy start for him/her.

Once a woman is confirmed with pregnancy, the next step is shopping

for maternity clothes. There is generally a maternity section of every store, but

many women simply wear oversized shirts and comfortable elastic waist pants.

Preparing for a new baby will include shopping for nursery items, including a

rocking chair, bassinet, baby blankets, clothes and toys. If there are plans to

convert any room in the house into a nursery, it’s best to start early. It’s also

very important that the mom-to-be not be near any paint or harmful products

that may cause her, or her unborn child, any problems.

During the nine months of pregnancy, women will go through a lot of

changes - both physically and mentally. Mood swings will become more

intense and there may be frequent trips to the bathroom as the pregnancy

progresses and the growing child begins to press more heavily on the bladder.

After the baby is born, the woman will likely have a desire to lose her pregnancy

weight. Immediately following birth, it may be a good idea to rest before

starting on any exercise program. A licensed medical doctor will be able to

prescribe a timeline for such things as physical activity, which will greatly be

determined by the mom’s overall health.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not

designed to be used in conjunction with, or in place of, professional medical

advice. Any woman who believes she may be experiencing pregnancy

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symptoms, or has reason to believe that she may be pregnant, should consult

a licensed medical physician for proper testing and determination.

Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy is defined as ‘the period from conception to birth when a

woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus’. Let us see some of the

common symptoms of pregnancies among women.

Missing the period is the most common sign and indication of pregnancy.

However a variety of other reasons such as stress, illness, and weight

fluctuations etc also can cause the late or missed periods. Missing periods

normally can also be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition in

which periods can occur months apart. Hence one has to observe rather

examine the other symptoms to confirm the pregnancy. Another important

symptom of pregnancy is the change in the size and feel of the breast

immediately after the conception. Breasts begin to enlarge to get ready for

breast feeding and women claim that the breasts become sensitive and they

experience a very sharp and twinkling sensation.

Another most common symptom of pregnancy is nausea and vomiting

normally seen among women. This is also known as morning sickness. A feeling

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of sickness is also being experienced by most women from the fifth and sixth

week of the pregnancy. The morning sickness can start as early as 2 weeks of

pregnancy.. The degree of nausea and vomiting differs from person to person.

Mostly this symptom may disappear after period of 3 to 4 months. Most of the

pregnant woman experience tiredness and fatigue.

Frequent urination is also a common feature among pregnant women

within 2-3 weeks after consumption due to the reduction in the size of the

bladder . Drastic change in the taste and smell is also another factor resulting

in craving for certain foods and start hating certain other types of food. All the

above symptoms though normally confirm the pregnancy a clinical cal test is

the ultimate proof.

One can confirm pregnancy by conducting the small home pregnancy

test by detecting the level of HCG in the urine and if the result is positive one

may need to make an appointment with family doctor to confirm the pregnancy

and to start the follow up. Like the home pregnancy test the office urine test

also confirms pregnancy by detecting the level of HCG in the urine.

Similarly a blood test can also be made that may give a positive or

negative results normally conducted when there are apprehensions of

miscarriage or unusual pregnancy. After a period 0f 4 to 6 weeks the

obstetrician can confirm the pregnancy by a physical examination. The

thickening of the vaginal tissues and softening uterus confirms the pregnancy.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information

contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with,

professional medical advice regarding pregnancy. Prior to beginning any

treatment regimen or taking any medication, the patient must consult a

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licensed medical doctor for advice and/or to determine the best course of

action for his/her individual situation.

Morning Sickness : Causes and Cures

Morning sickness is often the first sign of pregnancy, as it can start as

early as 2 weeks after conception. Despite the name, the sufferer can feel ill at

any time of the day, although as an empty stomach is thought to be one of the

triggers then mornings are a common time for it to appear.

Not every pregnant woman will experience morning sickness, although

most do to some degree, and it can vary from a feeling of mild nausea or

queasiness ranging up to feeling truly dreadful and unable to keep any food or

liquids down. The severity of the effects seems to be greatest in women with a

history of migraine or travel sickness.

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It's not known exactly what causes it, but most doctors agree that the

changes in hormone levels that pregnancy triggers are the most major factor.

One of the effects of these hormones is to change the way your digestive

system works, which can lead to higher levels of acid.

Another possible cause is that many women experience a heightened

sense of taste and smell while pregnant, which can make nausea feel worse

when unpleasant or strong odors are around.

Finally, tiredness and stress play a part, and most pregnant women are

tired and stressed a lot of the time!

Morning sickness can occur over the full range of your pregnancy, but

most women find that it more or less disappears by around 14 weeks as

hormone levels in the body stabilize.

There are dozens and dozens of traditional 'cures' for the feelings of

nausea, with every mother having an opinion on the subject! The fact is that

every woman's body is different and so no single thing will work for everyone.

However, there are some simple things to try which can help most feel better.

As previously mentioned, an empty stomach can be a cause, so snack

little and often to keep hunger at bay, and keep a couple of biscuits by your

bed for if you wake up during the night.

Sucking on an ice cube can help, as can fizzy drinks. Fresh ginger is

reputed to calm the stomach, so making a tea from crushed root ginger or even

chewing on a piece can be worth a try.

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Remedies for travel sickness can also help, so it might be worth trying the

magnetic wristbands you can buy, but you should never take any medication

while pregnant without consulting your doctor.

Morning sickness is a natural part of pregnancy and will not harm your

baby in any way, but in severe cases you may be unable to keep any food or

fluids down and if this continues you could become dehydrated, which is very

dangerous for your baby. If your urine starts to become very dark in colour this

is a sign that your fluid levels are too low, and you should speak to your midwife

or doctor.

Finally, when you're in a bout of morning sickness, don't worry too much

about what you're eating - getting enough energy is more important than a

balanced diet at that moment, so if chocolate makes you feel better then go

for it! You can always stock up on healthier foods when the sickness has abated

a little.

Pregnancy And Hair Loss

One of the major changes is change with the hair like other parts of the

bd. It could thin or fall out, or it could also thicken. Understanding why this

happens during pregnancy and what you can do to help the problem will help

you in fighting the thinning and loss of your hair or with extra hair growth.

Hormones have lot of effects on your hair. The main reason your hair will

change during pregnancy is the change in hormones. Estrogen plays a large

part in the way that your hair is shaped. If your hair begins to grow faster and

becomes thicker, it is most likely because there is an increased amount of

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estrogen that is moving through your body. Estrogen moves to the hair follicles

in your body to increase the growth rate. There will also be extra nutrients that

are provided from the estrogen increase, which will also increase hair growth.

This is usually a result of the estrogen allowing the metabolism to move faster,

which then supplies extra nutrients throughout the body.

Another change that you may notice from pregnancy is a change in the

style. Your hair may not only be fuller or thinner, but may also change from

straight to curly, or have the opposite effect. This is usually attributed to the

hormone changes as well. The hormone increase that you experience will

automatically move into the cortex, where hair begins to grow and add the

texture to it. Usually, this will not change back until the hormones return to

normal after pregnancy.

These same changes also occur after your baby is born. You may realize

that your hair is thinning or falling out. Usually, the first three to six months

after pregnancy will cause a change in your hair. This should be expected and

is normal after a pregnancy. This usually occurs because the estrogen levels are

able to move back to normal and slow down the nutrients that are moving

through your body.

If your hair falls out during pregnancy, it’s because of not receiving the

nutrients your body needs. Without those essential nutrients, your body is

unable to produce the amount of estrogen it needs. One of the things to be

aware of is if your hair falls out during your pregnancy. If this occurs, it is most

likely a result of not receiving enough nutrients for your body to produce the

right amounts of estrogen. This is especially a problem within the first trimester

because of morning sickness and nausea. It is important to make sure that you

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are getting the right amounts of nutrients during this time to allow your body

to stay balanced.

Knowing what changes your body goes through during pregnancy will

help you adjust your hair routine to keep it healthy. Additional vitamins and

other supplements will help your hair and scalp healthy and your hair beautiful.

Pregnancy and Morning Sickness

The toughest bit of the 1st trimester of pregnancy is morning sickness

and any woman who has gone through or is going through it, knows the first

signs usually develop during the month following the first missed menstrual

period, when hormone levels increase. It may range from mild, occasional

nausea to sever, continuous, debilitating nausea with bouts of vomiting. In

most cases, symptoms may be worse in morning, albeit they can strike day or

night.

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Despite all advances in medicine, there is no way of predicting how long

your morning sickness will last even if you have suffered it before. Generally,

nausea and vomiting last till about 12 - 13 weeks of pregnancy. However, some

women continue to feel ill beyond their 22nd week as well.

However, some studies show that mild to moderate sickness is a sign of

a good pregnancy, and less risk of miscarriage.

There is no simple treatment. The best course of action is home

treatment. The following tips work wonders not only when you wake up feeling

nauseous but also work when you get that queasy feeling during the day.

Changing what, when and how much you eat coupled with certain

changes to the way foods cooked helps.

During morning or for that matter all day sickness, you may find that

eating five or six small meals, rather than the usual three large ones, is easier

on the body. Make sure each meal contains some protein and carbohydrate,

like whole wheat bread with grated cheese and a slice of tomato, rice or wheat

preparation with some easily digestible / light cereals, orange juice and a whole

wheat biscuit. Be creative; choose low fat health foods you know will tempt

your appetite. Aversions to food because of nausea are perfectly normal and

understandable.

Try not to kiss meals

Eat small, dry snacks.

Don’t jump up out of bed immediately. Lie quietly for a while and ask you

husband to bring you a slice of fresh lemon or orange or a dry, bland biscuit.

Avoid large drinks, have frequent small one between meals.

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Spicy, fried foods, and fatty foods like very rich sweets, are best avoided.

Avoid excessive consumption of pickles or chutney, which is rich in salt.

Don’t spend much time in the kitchen and avoid the strong smell of

certain foods when shopping.

Prepare food when feeling least nauseous.

Taking lemon or orange juice in the morning and before meals relieves

nausea of early pregnancy.

Suck an ice cube till the nausea passes off.

Sip on cool water.

However, if you have severe, persistent nausea and vomiting, see your

doctor. This not so common complication of pregnancy can lead to

dehydration and malnutrition, sometimes calling for prescribed medication and

in some cases even hospitalization. Although drugs are best avoided in

pregnancy, especially in the early months, there are some that have been in use

for many years with no apparent danger to the developing baby.

Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

Giving birth will no doubt be one of the most magical moments of your

life and to ensure that your child is strong and happy, it is important you do all

you can to have a healthy pregnancy. To help you and your baby on your way,

this article has compiled a number of tips that are guaranteed to make those

nine pregnancy months the best they can be!

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The first thing you must do when you find you are pregnant is to visit an

obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYN). They will give you an ultrasound to see

how far along you are and whether your pregnancy appears to be normal. This

stage is crucial and it is important not to leave this too late.

After this, you must begin to change your lifestyle. Remember, you are

no longer eating and exercising for yourself but for two! Firstly, if you are a

smoker or a drinker, you must quit. Cigarette smoke can lead to low birth

weight in babies as well as miscarriages and tubal pregnancies so try to avoid

second hand smoke as it is not conducive to a healthy pregnancy. The same

can be said for alcohol and other toxic chemicals and substances such as paint

fumes. These items are both damaging to the mother and to the pregnancy.

Another part of changing your lifestyle is your diet during pregnancy.

Make sure to drink plenty of water – about 6 to 8 glasses a day. It is not healthy

to be overweight or underweight during a pregnancy but do remember that

you shouldn’t diet during pregnancy. Pregnancy is not a time to be worrying

about your weight! Don’t skip meals as you and your baby need as much

nutrition and calories as possible, although not the fattening kind so make sure

you get a balance. Junk food is great to satisfy those crazy pregnancy cravings

but try not to go overboard!

If you are worried about weight gain during pregnancy, a great alternative

to dieting is light exercise. You may not have loved it before your pregnancy,

but learn to love it now as it will definitely pay off in the long run by keeping

your baby healthy and your body fit. Light exercises will not harm your

pregnancy so try swimming, yoga and walking.

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An additional healthy pregnancy tip that those with busy schedules tend

to forget is the importance of sleep. Make sure to get plenty of rest so that you

and your baby can recuperate and to ensure that your immune system is as

strong as possible. It is advised that you rest on your side to reduce swelling

and generate the best circulation to your baby.

To recap: avoid damaging substances such as nicotine and alcohol, don’t

diet during pregnancy, drink plenty of water, practice as much exercise as safely

possible, and get plenty of sleep! Following these pregnancy tips will make

certain that you have a healthy pregnancy and have a happy and fit child.