By: Lesley Lyon

Pregnancy is a process in which a woman carries one or more kids known as fetus or embryo. When the sperm of the man gets fertilized with the eggs of woman in the reproductive system, pregnancy occurs. Childbirth occurs about 38 weeks from fertilization-more or less 40 weeks from the last menstruation. The scientific term for pregnancy is ‘gravid’ and pregnant female is referred to as ‘gravida’. The developing human during initial week is the embryo and from two months till the birth, it is known as fetus.

Generally, human pregnancy is divided into three trimester periods of different stages of pre-natal development. In the first trimester, the embryo is under the peril of mis-carriage, in the second trimester, the development is well monitored and in the third trimester, the feasibility of the fetus to survive with or without medical help is high.

Since every pregnancy is different, there are various pregnancy symptoms. Some of the prominent symptoms are missed period, nausea, tender breasts, fatigue, frequent urination or fluid retention and aches and pains.

For women who have a predictable menstrual cycle, missed period will be a clear indication of pregnancy. Another characteristic symptom of pregnancy is vomiting combined with morning sickness. Women suffering with such a symptom may suddenly experience repugnance to food and certain smells for two to eight weeks after conception.

Early in the pregnancy, a pregnant women’s breast may become tender, swollen and even painful which may be attributed to hormonal changes. Fatigue is a frequent pregnancy symptom-it could be intense even for an energetic woman-which can also be attributed to hormonal imbalance or lack of sleep. Head ache and back ache are common for pregnant women which are caused due to the stretching and thickening of the ligaments supporting the expanding uterus and they will be felt only during the second trimester. The release of the hormone.

Progesterone enables ligaments to soften and stretch around the pelvis and back which causes backache.

During pregnancy, hormones enhance the blood supply to cater to the growing fetus. This causes swelling of gums accumulation of food in the teeth, leading to tooth decay, and gum infection. Regular brushing of teeth after every meal can rectify this but taking x rays should be avoided.

Drinking lots of water and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may help to avoid anemia or constipation, which are quite common during pregnancy. Fainting also can happen to some when the brain is deprived of adequate blood supply. Insomnia, anxiety and poor diet may cause fatigue, which can be rectified by getting good sleep. A dramatic or sudden increase in hormone level along with low blood sugar and tiredness causes morning sickness, which may subside after the first trimester.

There may be certain complications arising during pregnancy like ectopic pregnancy (embryo developing out of the uterus) anti phospho lipid syndrome (because of repeated miscarriages) low lying placenta or cervical incompetence. It is better to have periodical check ups with the Doctor to avoid complications at the time of delivery of the child.

Article Source: http://www.articlebankonline.com

The web guide on pregnancy - www.myhealthinfo.info deals extensively with pregnancy related topics. You can find useful resources on a proper weight management during pregnancy on www.healthopts.com

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By: Lesley Lyon

Morning sickness otherwise known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a condition of pregnant women during the first trimester characterized by severe nausea, weight loss and sometimes electrolyte disturbance. Although, as the name indicates, it occurs in the morning, it may last throughout the day for some women. Since each woman and each pregnancy is different there is no timeframe for morning sickness to stop. Unless and until it becomes severe, causing dehydration and loss in weight morning sickness is not a symptom to be worried of and it does not affect the baby. On the other hand, it is a good sign because it means the placenta and fetal membrane are developing well.

Though it is difficult to pin point one a single reason, there may be various causes for morning sickness, the most prominent one being the sudden increase in hormones, enhanced sense of smell and stomach and also the stress and fatigue accompanying pregnancy. Progesterone, a hormone dominant during pregnancy, helps to prevent miscarriages and helps in the digestion of food. Therefore morning sickness should not be averted.

Eventhough morning sickness cannot be totally prevented; there are certain precautions that can be taken. Eating frequent (6 to small meals instead of 3 full meals a day, avoiding fatty fried and spicy foods, eating starchy snacks, drinking carbonated drinks like ginger, drinking water in between meals, taking prenatal vitamin tablets at night and not in the morning, avoiding food and smell that increase nausea, taking ample rest and mild exercises will help a long way in overcoming morning sickness during pregnancy. Sometimes cold foods are better since they don’t smell as much.

If vomiting persists excessively, it is always better to consult a physician because excessive vomiting may cause dehydration, which would be dangerous for the baby and the mother as well. Persistent nausea may make going to office or doing other daily work very difficult.

A few home remedies for morning sickness are:

Drink a mixture of ½ tsp ginger juice 1 tsp fresh limejuice, 1 tsp mint juice and 1 tsp honey-3 to 4 times a day.
2 tsp of fresh limejuice, extraction of 15 to 20 fresh curry leaves and 1 tsp of honey – this mixture can be taken 3 to 4 times a day.

Generally there are certain remedies that can be followed.

Avoid warm places since heat can increase the nausea feelings.
Tiredness also results in nausea. So take a nap at daytime.
In the morning, get out of bed slowly.
Get adequate sleep at night.
Before getting out of bed in the morning, try to eat plain crackers or dry cereal
Usually microwave ovens produce fewer odors.

Wearing ‘acupressure’ wrist bands (used by passengers to prevent seasickness) might help to prevent morning sickness.

Though morning sickness is a good sign of healthy pregnancy, lack of morning sickness does not mean any harm to the baby or the mother who can enjoy the early part of pregnancy.

Article Source: http://www.articlebankonline.com

The web guide on pregnancy - www.myhealthinfo.info deals extensively with pregnancy related topics. You can find useful resources on a proper weight management during pregnancy on www.healthopts.com

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By: Lesley Lyon

Pregnancy is the time when every woman is motivated since she wants to do the best for herself as well as the baby. In this way, even for women who have not exercised before, pregnancy is the time to start by beginning with simple ones with stretching, relaxation, meditation and deep breathing. Thus exercises relieve simple day-to-day problems of pregnancy but precautions should be taken not to be hard and fast on exercises. Since during the first trimester, maximum number of mis-carriages take place, it is important to be extra careful and start exercising from first trimester onwards. If the pregnancy is normal and the woman can do normal activities, exercises can be carried on until the time of childbirth. Exercises should be a combination of physical and relaxation kind.

During pregnancy, a gentle way of keeping active and agile is doing yoga. The magnificent effects of yoga asanas ensure a smooth pregnancy, natural childbirth and restoration of body shape after childbirth. It also does wonders on the physical and mental development of the fetus.

Yoga has five important tools for pregnancy.

Yoga exercises: At the subtle level, exercises ensure optimum blood supply and nutrients to the developing fetus and a relatively easy childbirth.

Pranayama: This gives abundant oxygen supply to the child.

Mudras and Bandas: They have powerful effect on the reproductive organs of the woman.

Meditation: Fears conflicts and trauma, which are so common during pregnancy, can be alleviated through meditation and it also brings an inexplicable bondage between the mother and the child.

Deep relaxation: Yogic sleep is very effective for childbirth preparation as it gives mental and physical relaxation.

Following these practices gives a delightful pregnancy and a chance for the best development of the child. Yogic exercises also help in relieving fluid retention, which is quite common in the last month. It also raises the level of energy and slows down the metabolism to restore calm. Pranayama also reduces nausea and mood swings quite prevalent during the first trimester. Even in postnatal care, yoga exercises restore the uterus abdomen and pelvic floor, relieving back tension and breast discomfort.

Women who have had frequent mis-carriages and bleeding during pregnancy and who have twins or low birth weight babies are advised not to exercise. Women with frequent backache feel relieved after exercises. Of all the exercises, walking for twenty to thirty minutes is the easiest and the best because it makes the blood flows right down evenly. But exercises need to be supervised and done in a controlled manner during pregnancy.

Article Source: http://www.articlebankonline.com

The web guide on pregnancy - www.myhealthinfo.info deals extensively with pregnancy related topics. You can find useful resources on a proper weight management during pregnancy on www.healthopts.com

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By: Lesley Lyon

The foremost objective throughout the pregnancy should be to stay robust and healthy for the growth and development of the baby and the mother. The pregnancy period (Latin word meaning three months) is divided into three divisions of three months each, the first, second, and third trimesters covering 40 weeks of gestation period.

The first trimester is the term of pregnancy from conception to 12 weeks that is invariably marked by nausea, increased fatigue, and vomiting and high emotional compassion due to hormonal changes.

For the baby, which is called an embryo at this stage, the heart lungs and brain begin to develop and the heart will beat by the 25th day. During the second month, the embryo now called the fetus develops limbs, stomach liver, brain, spine and the central nervous system. By the end o f first trimester i.e. during the 3rd month of pregnancy the baby is about 3”in length and baby’s sex is determined. Facial features are well developed and the baby moves its legs and head. There will be a weight gain of 3 to 4 pounds for the mother.

The various “gifts” of pregnancy during the first trimester are food aversion and changes, heartburn and indigestion, complex change, frequent urination, constipation and dizziness. Such problems can be mitigated through changes in habits, nutritive diet, light exercises, taking sufficient rest and drinking ample water.

Pregnancy period from 13th to 27th week is the second trimester. The nausea and fatigue that was prevalent during the first trimester will subside and the baby grows fast showing movements of the limbs. The umbilical cord that carries oxygen and nourishment to the foetus thickens. For the healthy growth of the baby light exercises nutritious food and good personal hygiene are essential.

During the fourth month the baby is about 6 ounces in weight grows rapidly about 8 to 10 inches long. By the end of the 5th month, the physician can hear the baby’s heartbeat. Sounds from outside the uterus will be audible and the baby responds to sound and music. During the sixth month except for the fat under the skin, the baby is fully formed but weighs only about 11/2 pounds. The baby sucks the thumb and can open the eyelids and at this time, brain tissue also increases.

The period from the 28th week of pregnancy till the childbirth is the third trimester. The baby continues to grow in size and shows changes in physical appearance. Adequate oxygen supply should be provided to the fetus through deep breathing. Precautions should be taken against lifting of heavy weights and standing for a long time and taking care has to be taken in eating timely and regular balanced diet and doing mild exercises like walking. During the seventh month the baby kicks and stretches and changes its position, which can be felt by the mother. It is natural to have swelling of the feet. By eighth month the baby’s face becomes smooth resembling that of a newborn and continues to put on weight. During ninth month the baby’s weight gain is about ½ pound per week. At 40 weeks it is full term. The baby settles further down the mother’s pelvis and it is still growing and moving but has less room to move about. Since one pound of weight gain per week is essential for the mother during this period, 300 extra calories day, prenatal vitamins, at least eight glasses of water and 1000mg of calcium should be taken. The immune system of the baby is not yet mature and therefore it continues to take antibodies of the mother through the placenta.

Article Source: http://www.articlebankonline.com

The web guide on pregnancy - www.myhealthinfo.info deals extensively with pregnancy related topics. You can find useful resources on a proper weight management during pregnancy on www.healthopts.com

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