Finding out you are expecting a baby is an extremely exciting moment for you and your partner. You will be filled with joy but you will most probably also feel a bit scared and uncertain (especially if it is your first child). Some women "know" they are pregnant but the most don't realize until they notice their period is late. With my first child I "knew" I was pregnant even though 3 home testing kits showed otherwise but with my second baby I had no idea and it was a bit of a suprise. A period that is late is probably the number one sign that you are pregnant, however it is possible to have light bleeding when you're pregnant - if your test is positive and you are experiencing bleeding rather go and see your doctor.
Different types of tests
- Home testing kit: you can buy them at the supermarket or pharmacy. They are simple to use and very accurate if you follow the instructions.
- Doctor testing kit: they are very similar to the home tests.
- Blood (serum) tests: many women use a blood pregnancy test performed by a doctor especially if they are in doubt.
The first two testing kits check your urine for a hormone called CHG (human chorionic gonadotrophin). The kit will tell you to urinate on the stick and then wait a few minutes for the colour to change or two stripes to appear in the little window, this indicates that you are pregnant. Sometimes ( like in my case with my fist baby) the test might show a negative result but if you still feel that you might be pregnant repeat the test a few days later.
Other indications that you've conceived is
- feeling more tired, especially in the early evening ( this usually last for the whole 1st trimester)
- a kind of meatllic taste in the mouth
- feeling nauseous, some women feel it in the mornings "morningsickness" but quite a few women feel sick throughout the whole day.
- needing to urinate more frequently
- tender breasts and nipples
Your delivery date
The average pregnancy lasts for 266 days.Doctors consider anything between 38 to 42 weeks as a normal pregnancy. It is difficult to know exactly when conception occured therefore the delivery date is usually calculated from the first day of your last menstrual cycle. This means that your estimated delivery date will be 280 days from your last menstrual period. It is difficult to predict the EDD if you do not have regular 28 day cycles.
Please remember that this is only a estimated date and only few babies actually arrive on that day.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Fact and Opinion on Baby and Pregnancy
Being a mom is the best thing that could ever happen to a women. Some women LOVE being pregnant while for others it is the hardest thing they ever have to do.
I have two little angels myself and for me being pregnant was wonderful and giving birth was THE BEST FEELING EVER!
From the day you find out you are pregnant, the first movement, the birth of your precious baby and then every single day after that, makes life worthwhile.
Planning a baby
It's a big decision because it's going to change your life forever. For some couples trying for a baby can be an anxious time (especially if you have trouble falling pregnant) but luckily most couples do not experience any problems.
9 out of 10 women conceive during the first year of trying (a year is considered as normal). Women in their 20s are less likely to have fertility problems while women in their late 30s and 40s might experience a bit more trouble falling pregnant. Saying that I know a few ladies who had their babies at an older age without any difficulty. BUT if you are older and you don't conceive within six months, it's worth going to a gynae to get some advice.
Before you start planning for a baby it is wise to take a look at the type of lifestyle you have. You don't have to make big changes but maybe some of you are going to have to take somethings into consideration to ensure you are in good health AND give birth to a healthy baby.
Things to take into consideration:
- Diet
- Smoking
- Alcohol (drinking can increase the risk of miscarriage and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
- Medical Conditions (you or partner are taking medication for on regular basis)
- Genetic or Congenital condition ( in the two families)
- Rubella ( if you think you are not protected against this desease you must get a vaccination 3 months before you start trying to conceive. Rubella causes birthdefects in unborn babies)
If you have a hectic lifestyle try to slow things down a bit, cut down on the coffee if you are drinking more than 3 cups a day and remember that you are most fertile in the middle of your menstrual cycle.
I almost forgot one of the most important things FOLIC ACID. You have to start taking a supplement (0.4mg) at least 2 months before falling pregnant and for the 1st trimester. This has been shown to reduce spina bifida and other neural tube defects in babies.
Ty not to let your attempts to have a baby become the focal point of your life. Just relax and enjoy!
I have two little angels myself and for me being pregnant was wonderful and giving birth was THE BEST FEELING EVER!
From the day you find out you are pregnant, the first movement, the birth of your precious baby and then every single day after that, makes life worthwhile.
Planning a baby
It's a big decision because it's going to change your life forever. For some couples trying for a baby can be an anxious time (especially if you have trouble falling pregnant) but luckily most couples do not experience any problems.
9 out of 10 women conceive during the first year of trying (a year is considered as normal). Women in their 20s are less likely to have fertility problems while women in their late 30s and 40s might experience a bit more trouble falling pregnant. Saying that I know a few ladies who had their babies at an older age without any difficulty. BUT if you are older and you don't conceive within six months, it's worth going to a gynae to get some advice.
Before you start planning for a baby it is wise to take a look at the type of lifestyle you have. You don't have to make big changes but maybe some of you are going to have to take somethings into consideration to ensure you are in good health AND give birth to a healthy baby.
Things to take into consideration:
- Diet
- Smoking
- Alcohol (drinking can increase the risk of miscarriage and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
- Medical Conditions (you or partner are taking medication for on regular basis)
- Genetic or Congenital condition ( in the two families)
- Rubella ( if you think you are not protected against this desease you must get a vaccination 3 months before you start trying to conceive. Rubella causes birthdefects in unborn babies)
If you have a hectic lifestyle try to slow things down a bit, cut down on the coffee if you are drinking more than 3 cups a day and remember that you are most fertile in the middle of your menstrual cycle.
I almost forgot one of the most important things FOLIC ACID. You have to start taking a supplement (0.4mg) at least 2 months before falling pregnant and for the 1st trimester. This has been shown to reduce spina bifida and other neural tube defects in babies.
Ty not to let your attempts to have a baby become the focal point of your life. Just relax and enjoy!
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