Natural Childbirth

Natural Childbirth

As you begin to learn and prepare for the birth of your baby you will be asked whether youre aiming for a natural childbirth It depends on who you ask Ive heard nurses define it as a vaginal birth even with pitocin an IV and an epidural A midwife I knew says its a birth that is within the mothers power even a cesarean is natural But for the most part its defined as an intervention free birth theres no IV no antibiotics no pitocin and no painmedicine All of the common medical interventions involved with childbirth carry sideeffects and health risks for you and your baby Many of them increase your odds for more interventions This can by cyclical each intervention leads to another
For example an epidural might slow down your labor requiring pitocin to speed things up Pitocin can make labor harder and more intense increasing your need for more epidural medicine With more epidural medicine you grow number and might have difficulty pushing your baby out You might need forceps or a vacuum procedure to help your baby be born At worst you might need a cesarean baby clothes,baby name,birth control pills,breastfeeding,during pregnancy,early pregnancy test,exercise during pregnancy,getting pregnant,healthy pregnancy,home pregnancy test,how to get pregnant,maternity,miscarriage,pregnancy,pregnancy due date,pregnancy guide,pregnancy nutrition,pregnancy signs,pregnancy weight gain,signs of pregnancy,teenage pregnancy,trying to conceive,trying to get pregnant This is just an example and getting an epidural does not mean you will need all these interventions but it increases your risk for it
To many women the risk of sideeffects and interventions do not out way the benefits Theres also the philosophy that the pain or discomfort of childbirth has a purpose Many women describe natural childbirth as the most enlightening powerful and wonderful experience of their lives To them what they experience isnt unbearable pain and its worth it for the birth of their children First you need to decide what natural childbirth means to you Would you still consider an induction with pitocin natural What about an IV What about antibiotics if youre betastrep positive At what point do these interventions become acceptable to you You need to talk to the people who will be attending your birth and find a primary birthing coach whether its your mom a friend or your partner You will have to discuss what your goals are make sure everyone is willing to help and support you You need to be on the same page about what you expect from each other You need to learn as much as you can about childbirth The best way is through a childbirth education class You can take one through a local hospital or hire a private childbirth educator to come into your home You can look into the Bradley method or hypnobirthing If you take a hospital course be aware that these courses are aimed for teaching about interventions not on how to get through childbirth without the need for pain medicine The Bradley Method and Hypnobirthing are all geared toward natural childbirth and have very high success rates A birth plan is a list of what you hope for your birth It includes things like would prefer not to be offered pain medicine or would like a few minutes to discuss any possible interventions in private.


The birth plan is primarily a communication tool It should be used to discuss your plans with your birthing coach and support people You need to take it into your care provider a few weeks before you give birth and go over every point with them Your wishes may not be possible or may require a compromise.Keep the list down to one page and only note the important things that you really really want Do not list things such as wanting to play music or keep the lights dimmed Your nurses already know that and will be accommodating even without a birth plan
Finally remember that just because you write it down doesnt mean it will happen A birth plan should be used to discuss your wishes You need to be flexible and understand that birth can not be planned or controlled
You might want to hire a doula or a professional birthing coach She provides physical emotional and informational support Studies have shown that births with doulas have fewer birthing interventions including the need for pain medicine Additionally no matter what happens mothers are much happier with their births much happier with their partners support during it and have a better bond with their baby if a doula was present
Finally you need to look at the statistics of your birthing facility and care provider If you dont want a cesarean you might not want a hospital that has a 50% cesarean rate If you dont want an episiotomy you might not want a care provider that has a 60% episiotomy rate

Birth Control Pills

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills can be purchased under a variety of brand names and offering different chemical makeup and features The two most common types of pills are those that offer a mixed of synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones and those that are progestinbased hormones only The birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progestin prevent ovulation and also thicken the cervical mucus making it more difficult for a mans sperm to travel into the uterus The progestinbased pills work primarily to thicken the cervical mucus The pill creates an artificial period for the week or so that you arent taking any of the hormones

Another interesting feature about the different brands of pills is the number of pills included in a standard supply Birth control pills are normally sold in compacts containing either 21 or 28 pills This is done based on the average womans menstrual cycle which includes 21 days between sevenday periods Whether you purchase a estrogen progestin compact with 21 pills or 28 pills only 21 of those pills will contain the hormones that prevent pregnancy These are taken during the days between your regularly schedule periods The remaining seven pills in the 28pill compact of combined estrogen progestin pills are placebos Many women prefer birth control pill compacts that include 28 pills because it keeps them in the habit of taking a pill every day including during their period During that same sevenday period a woman using a 21day supply of pills would not take a pill

If the prescription is for progestin pills which are sometimes referred to as minipills your entire 28day supply of pills will contain small doses for the hormone and should be taken daily without taking a break A woman taking the minipill may or may not experience a monthly period

You can also purchase birth control pills that decrease the number of menstrual periods to once every three months
The effectiveness is determined by how carefully you take your pills They should be taken daily at approximately the same time Effectivensss also depends on whether you take the pills that contain a mixture of estrogen and progestin or just progestin If you take a estrogen progestin pill every day without missing a day during each 21 day cycle you can expect somewhere between 9598% chance of remaining pregnancyfree Since a progestinbased pill does not normally prevent ovulation your chance of getting pregnant is a bit higher with the minipills

Side Effects
Birth control pills are commonly considered safe but some side effects have been reported including

Blood clots
Weight gain
Mood changes
Irregular menstrual bleeding
Headaches
Dizziness
Breast tenderness
Depression
Jaundice
How To the Pill
You can only get the pill with a prescription from a health care provider or family planning health clinic Your individual health needs will be evaluated for an appropriate method of birth control There are some medical conditions that are counterindicated for birth control pill use Some of these conditions are

Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Pregnancy
An abnormal growth or cancer of the breast
Certain other medical conditions will determine whether your health care provider recommends an estrogen and progestin pill or one that only contains progestin Some conditions will require closer medical supervision while you are on the pill and your health care provider will want to make sure none of your current medications will affect the pills ability to provide adequate protection from pregnancy

In many cases the pill will be covered by your health insurance and will be subject to your normal deductible However if you must pay the cost yourself you can look to spend $20 to $50 a month You can also obtain birth control pills or other family planning methods usually at a reduced rate from a health department family planning clinic or other health clinic such as planned parenthood

It is very important to follow the directions your health care provider gives you for taknig the pill The pill should be taken every day at approximatly the same time and started at the beginning of a cycle when you are having bleeding telling you you are on a period If you miss some pills use a back up method continue the pills and contact your health care provider about how you should make up the pills If you miss some pills you greatly increase your risks of getting pregnant If you are having problems with your pills such as bleeding headaches or anything else that seems serious to you please contact your health care provider for more guidance about what to do

Ovulation Calendar

Ovulation Calendar

Keeping an ovulation calendar might be helpful in understanding your menstrual cycle An ovulation calender is also helpful if you are trying to get pregnant trying to avoid getting pregnant or just interested in learning more about the rhythms of your body Keeping an ovulation calendar just means keeping track of your periods and doing some simple calculations The goal is to figure out your most fertile days the days youre most likely to get pregnant Ovulation refers to the release of an egg from your ovary which happens around the same time in each menstrual cycle
Your most fertile days are approximately 18 to 11 days before your next period There is a smaller window within that time when you are most likely to get pregnant but an ovulation calendar isnt precise enough to show the exact days
Making a Calendar Begin with a regular monthly calendar Circle the day your period starts the first day of bleeding Continue doing this for eight to 12 months so that you can get a good idea of the length of your menstrual cycle Your cycle goes from the first day of bleeding until the day before your next period begins Dont just guess about your cycle length being a day or two off can make a difference Now count the number of days in the shortest cycle Subtract 18 from that number Take the difference and starting with the first day of your next period count that many days forward and mark the calendar with an X That gives you the first day youre likely to be fertile Next subtract 11 from the number of days in your longest cycle Take the difference and starting with the first day of your next period count that many days forward and mark the calendar This is the last day youre likely to be fertile For example if your shortest cycle was 27 days subtracting 18 gives you nine So nine days after your next period starts is your first likely fertile day If your longest cycle was 30 days subtracting 11 gives you 19 Nineteen days after your next period starts is your last likely fertile day If youre using a hormonal method of birth control like the pill the patch or DepoProvera the hormones in your medication are determining when you get your period Youll need to stop all forms of hormonal birth control before beginning to make your ovulation calendar If you are trying to get pregnant be sure to have intercourse during your fertile period as often as you can or want If you are trying not to get pregnant either avoid intercourse entirely during your fertile period or use a barrier method like a condom or diaphragm However ovulation calendars are not considered a reliable method of birth control Ovulation simply is not completely predictable Of 100 women who use the calendar method as birth control for one year without a single mistake nine will become pregnant.

Pregnant Teenagers

Pregnant Teenagers
Pregnant teens often feel frightened and uncertain If youre a pregnant teenager you may feel like youre all alone However teen pregnancy is more common than you may think The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate of all developed countries with over one million teenage girls becoming pregnant each year More than 95 percent of these pregnancies are unplanned Many teenage girls are terrified when they first discover their pregnancies Teen mothers often feel depressed as they contemplate the responsibilities of parenthood It is also very common for teens to worry about the reactions of their friends and family Some girls especially younger teens try to hide the pregnancy from their parents However this is a plan that often backfires While many parents are initially shocked most eventually provide their daughters with the support they need The sooner your parents realize you are pregnant the easier it will be for them to help you through this difficult time in your life Although many teen mothers dont tell their partners about the pregnancy the expectant father deserves to know If youre afraid to tell him try writing a letter or meeting him in the company of a supportive friend or family member If he denies his responsibilities you can later choose to have paternity established through a DNA test However if you decide to seek child support youll be required to produce proof of paternity Since a teenagers body is not yet fully developed a young mother faces additional health risks Pregnant teens are more likely to experience anemia and preeclampsia than older mothers They are also more likely to experience premature labor and or have a baby with a low birth weight If you are a teen mother who is planning to keep her baby its very important to seek early medical attention Proper prenatal care can greatly increase your odds of having a healthy pregnancy Your doctor will recommend that you eat a healthy diet get enough rest and refrain from unsafe sexual activity In addition youll also need to avoid smoking drinking and or illegal drug use for the duration of your pregnancy While over onethird of all teen pregnancies end in abortion or adoption many young mothers decide to keep their babies If youre planning to raise your child on your own there are a number of programs that are designed to provide the assistance you will need Since most pregnant teens dont have a steady income youll probably be able to receive food stamps WIC and medical assistance Depending upon your location childcare assistance may also be available Contact your states Department of Human Services office to learn more about available governmental programs Many communities have local religious and or nonprofit organizations that provide young mothers with counseling parenting classes and other support services They may also offer diapers clothes formula and other essentials In todays society education is more important than ever Finishing high school will dramatically increase your odds of finding stable employment In fact a college education is now a prerequisite for many careers Your school guidance counselor can provide you information on resources that can help you reach your educational goals while raising your child PregnancyIf youve been dreaming of pink baby booties you may be wondering how to conceive a girl Unfortunately nature offers no method to ensure that youll give birth to a baby girl With the exception of artificial insemination gender selection is a 50 50 proposition However there are many theories on how you can tip the odds in your favor While many people insist that the only thing that matters is giving birth to a healthy baby one recent survey of prospective parents found that almost 80% admitted to a preference for one specific gender In fact nearly 84% of parents who decided to have an ultrasound to determine the babys gender said dealing with any potential disappointment before the birth was a significant factor in their decision As you might expect women tend to prefer daughters while men often express a greater desire for sons However couples who already have a child of one gender often wish for the opposite gender on the second pregnancy to create a more balanced family

Pregnancy and Nutrition

Pregnancy and Nutrition

Many women fear gaining weight during pregnancy They fear putting on the extra pounds and developing stretch marks However other women go to the other extreme They eat whatever they want whenever they want But correct nutrition is very important for a healthy pregnancy You should only be taking in an extra 300 calories a day if you are pregnant with a singleton If you are pregnant with multiples you should be eating an extra 500600 calories a day You also should be eating nutritiously You should be eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day plenty of lean protein and primarily whole grains If you are a vegetarian or vegan you should talk with your care provider about getting enough protein and vitamins In addition you should try to cut back on white sugar junk food and fast foodsPregnant women may also want to talk to their care providers about taking a prenatal vitamin Ideally pregnant women should be taking a folic acid iron and calcium supplement before they are even pregnant
Many pregnant women do not drink enough healthy fluids It is vital for the healthy pregnancy that you drink at least eight glasses of water or healthy fluids 64 ounces a day Healthy fluids include milk and 100% fruit juice
Drinking plenty of fluids during pregnancy helps provide amniotic fluid for your baby and flush excess wastes from your body We all know the importance of quitting smoking and not drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs during pregnancy but there are also a few other things you should avoid during pregnancy

1. Deli meats and hotdogs unless reheated until steaming
2. Raw foods
3. Nonpasteurized soft cheeses
4. Raw vegetable sprouts
5. Cleaning the litterbox
6. Gardening without gloves
7. Caffeine
8. Fish high in mercury including swordfish shark king macekel and tilefish
9. Canned tuna should only be eaten once a week

Getting early prenatal care is very important to having a healthy pregnancy Not only can your care provider catch complications before they become serious but women who get prenatal care have less risk of premature birth
Maternity Night Gowns and Robes Look for maternity night gowns and robes to get you through the third trimester of pregnancy with style and comfort As your baby belly gets larger you may tire of wearing your husbands oversize tshirts or pajama pants to bed An added bonus of many maternity gowns is that they can be used as nursing gowns too.

Pregnancy Yoga

Pregnancy Yoga

Pregnancy yoga is one of the best exercises Yoga can help you do more than just prepare your body for the strenuous labor and delivery process it can help you prepare your mind Yoga is a terrific way to get to know your body and to improve your posture which is particularly important as your pregnant body begins to feel like it belongs to someone else Yoga opens the chest and pelvis improves circulation and reduces the body tension that may be leading to that run down tired feeling so many pregnant women suffer from More importantly yoga can help you with your breathing Proper breathing reenergizes the body relieves tension and helps ensure your baby gets the nutrients and oxygen he needs for proper development Some women have even reported that pregnancy yoga has helped them better manage the symptoms of Morning Sickness Doing yoga is all about comfort and the release All you need for a good pregnancy yoga workout is comfortable clothes and a mat The mat acts as padding between you and the floor and it prevents your hands and feet from slipping Other optional items you may want are a blanket blocks or a strap The blanket can be used as additional padding and to help you get into certain poses while still remaining comfortable It is best to use a black that is not slippery such as a wool or thermal blanket The blocks and strap are used to deepen stretches and bridge gaps that may occur because your pregnancy has limited your flexibility

1. Avoid overexertion
2. Avoid over stretching the abdomen
3. During the second and third semester avoid doing exercises that require you lay flat on your back as this can cut off circulation to the uterus
4. Use a nonskid mat Pregnant women tend to experience balance problems and should take extra precaution not to get off balance while doing the poses
5. Avoid poses that put pressure on the abdomen
6. Avoid pushing yourself to get into difficult poses

Exercise during pregnancy is very important For the most part you should be able to continue your exercise regimen Walking swimming and biking are considered extremely safe to continue until your birth If you havent been exercising ask your care provider for exercise tips

Pregnant women should avoid high impact exercises especially later in their pregnancy You will also want to make sure you drink plenty of water wear layers of clothing to prevent overheating and never exercise to the point of exhaustion If you get lightheaded or short of breath you should stop exercising immediately If you notice contractions chest pain vaginal bleeding nauseua or vomiting you should contact your care provider

You may want to consider taking a pregnancy yoga class Pregnancy yoga helps keep you healthy during your pregnancy while preparing your body for childbirth

Pregnancy Weight Gain

Pregnancy Weight Gain

PregnancyEvery woman knows about pregnancy weight gain But it may surprise you to learn how much weight you should gain what the best diet is how to go about gaining weight and when you should gain the majority of your pregnancy weight You should gain 3035 pounds during your entire pregnancy If you are overweight experts want you to gain 2530 pounds If you underweight you will want to gain 3540 pounds If you are carrying multiples you will want to gain about 510 extra pounds for each baby youre carrying if you carry them to term The majority of pregnancy weight gain will be gained during the second and third trimester

Do not eat as if you were eating for two If you really want to eat for two pretend that one of the two is tiny creature that doesnt actually need much sustenance from you
You should be eating about 2 3002 400 calories a day in the second and third trimesters This is not a huge increase over what you should be eating prepregnancy
You should be getting gaining your pregnancy weight slowly

1. 6 to 11 servings of grain products
2. 4 to 6 servings of milk and milk products
3. 3 to 5 servings of vegetables
4. 3 to 4 servings of lean meat and proteins
5. 2 to 4 servings of fruits

You should also be taking a prenatal vitamin to assist with your iron calcium and folic acid needs
Drink at least eight glasses of healthy fluids a day primarily water Healthy fluids include decaffeinated tea milk and some juices If you drink juice watch the sugar content
You need to be eating plenty of fruits and vegetables Make fruits and vegetables easier to eat Nibble on carrots at your desk with a lowfat veggie dip Cut up fruits and vegetables and keep them in a bowl in your refrigerator for a quick snack Munch on dried fruit when you are shopping or stuck in traffic
If youre not eating whole wheat switch your bread from white to whole wheat You can also eat brown rice rather than white and wheat pasta
There are some things you shouldnt eat or ingest during pregnancy primarily alcohol caffeine tobacco products and recreational drugs There are also some food items you should avoid for the health of you and your baby
However if you are worried about pregnancy weight gain consider the following tips
Decrease your sweets intake If you have to have ice cream consider mixing it with fruit or eating a sweeter cereal with milk
Decrease your fast food intake If fast foods are a necessary evil try to choose items like grilled chicken sandwiches salads or fruit
Decrease your junk food intake Try to eat fewer chips crackers cookies and other items Replace them with fruits and vegetables
Pregnancy Exercise
PregnancyDuring pregnancy exercise is very important Labor is enhanced if you are physiclly fit It is important you prepare for labor during your pregnancy by setting up a regular exercise routine Some research studies have shown women who exercise regularly spend less time in labor Pregnancy exercise improves circulation stamina and balance

Premature Birth

Premature Birth

Premature births are those babies that are born less than 37 weeks along According to the March of Dimes about 12 percent of babies in the United States are born preterm Approximately 84 percent are born between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation Roughly 10 percent are born between 28 and 31 weeks and about 6 percent are born at less than 28 weeks of gestation Prematurity is the leading cause of death in newborns during the first month of lifeThere are many risk factors that may help explain why women go into labor early However nearly half of all premature births occur for unknown reasons

Here are some factors that can put you at risk

1. Delivering a previous premature baby
2. Having an infection such as a urinary tract infection beta strep STD or bladder infection
3. Having uterine or cervical complications
4. Being younger than 17 or older than 35
5. Being AfricanAmerican and or economically poor
6. Receiving late or no prenatal care
7. Smoking drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs
8. Being a victim of domestic violence or having little or no social support
9. Being stressed
10. Working long hours or performing a job that requires long periods of standing or walking
11. Being obese or underweight before your pregnancy
12. Carrying multiple babies or carrying a baby with a certain type of birth defect
13. Being diagnosed with high blood pressure or clotting disorders
14. Undergoing in vitro fertilization
15. Waiting a short amount of time between pregnancies less than 69 months

You also may also be induced before your baby is at fullterm if your health or your babys health is in jeopardy Health complications that may require an early induction include

1. Preeclampsia
2. Pregnancyinduced hypertension
3. Maternal diabetes
4. Heart disease
5. Placental abruption when the placenta detaches early from the uterine wall

Your care provider will try very hard to stop preterm labor However if your membranes rupture he she may have no choice but to deliver your baby It is vital if you are going into preterm labor that it is caught quickly If you experience any labor symptoms before 37 weeks you need to contact your care provider immediately If your cervix is dilating or you are having real contractions and not Braxton Hick contractions your care provider may put you on bed rest This can mean anything from not being allowed to get out of bed to being able to move around your house and sit up in bed or on the couch Your care provider may also use certain medicines to halt labor Terbutaline is used to relax the uterus Terbutaline may be given to you as a shot when if you come into the hospital You can also take in pill form every couple of hours in your home If labor does not stop your doctor may give you magnesium sulfate through an IV Magnesium sulfate will relax all of your muscles You will be required to stay in bed be on a fetal monitor and have your blood pressure monitored There is a great deal of debate about the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate If labor cannot be halted your doctor may give you corticosteroids to help mature your babys lungs You can find more information about the complications of prematurity at March of Dimes Respiratory Distress Syndrome RDS is a breathing difficultly many babies born before 34 weeks have Babies with RDS may need additional oxygen and mechanical breathing assistance to help them breathe The sickest or most premature babies may need a respirator
Jaundice happens when preemies livers are too immature to process a waste called bilrubin Though fullterm babies may become slightly jaundiced premature babies are more sensitive to the effects of excess bilrubin Too much bilirubin can cause brain damage though with medical technology this is usually prevented
Apnea occurs when babies stop breathing for 20 seconds or more It may be accompanied by a slow heart rate Preemies are constantly monitored for apnea If your baby stops breathing in the NICU the nurse will stimulate your baby to help him her start breathing again One of the monitors your baby may be attached to in the NICU checks for apnea Intraventricular hemorrhage IVH is bleeding in the brain and occurs in the most premature babies While IVH can cause brain damage many brain bleeds resolve themselves with no or few long term complications
Patent ductus arteriosus PDA is a heart problem fairly common in premature babies A large artery in the heart called the ductus arteriosus may not develop properly It can lead to heart failure and lack of oxygen to the organs
Retinopathy of prematurity ROP is an abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye It can cause damage to the retina of the eye vision loss or blindness
Preemies are often are anemic which means they do not have enough red blood cells Anemic babies may develop feeding problems and can have exacerbated heart or breathing difficulties
Premature babies are more prone to infections and viruses Preemies are more likely to contract pneumonia sepsis and meningitis

High Risk Pregnancy

High Risk Pregnancy

PregnancyUp to ten percent of all pregnancies are considered high risk pregnancies In other words the health of the mother or child may be at risked due to any number of factors Among the factors that may qualify a pregnancy as high risk are

1. Blood disorders
2. Diabetes
3. Kidney Disease
4. Preelcampsia and eclampsia
5. Clotting disorders
6. Placenta problems
7. Preterm labor
8. Multiple fetuses
9. Mother is over 35yearsold
10. High blood pressure
11. Fetus abnormalities
12. Mother who smokes

The most common among these qualifying factors are hypertension and pregnancy induced hypertension also called in preeclampsia eclampsia gestational diabetes infections preterm labor and birth and blood clots Preeclampsia and eclampsia are conditions in which the mother develops high blood pressure excessive swelling and high amounts of protein in the urine Hyptertension can exist before pregnancy and women are usually on medications to keep their blood pressure in a normal range PIH develops later in the pregnancy and did not exist before the pregnancy developed Your OB provider will watch your blood pressure and excessive weight gain during pregnancy You can help avoid these problems through a healhty high protein and high fiber diet drinking lots of water and decreasing stress during your pregnacy If these conditions develop and get serious your OB provider might will encourage you to have your baby early Once you have your baby these conditions usually go away If PIH diagnosed many women are put on bed rest until their expected birthing dates In more severe cases a early birth might be recommended to assure the safety of both the mother and child

Gestational diabetes GDM is another condition that can develop during pregnancy Increased sugar levels in the blood and excessive insulin can result in very large babies and higher blood sugar levels Women who are at higher risk of developing GDM include At risk would be Women who develop gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies or Women who weigh over 200 Women who have had 9 babies Women with PCOS Women with a family history of diabetes

Over 50 percent of women who have GDM can develop diabetes later in their pregnancy and need to be tested after their babies birth for Type II Diabetes Careful attention to diet and exercise can help prevent the development of Type II Diabetes

Common infections such as a cold may not present any significant risk to a pregnant woman or her fetus but other infections such as Parvo B19 CMV and toxoplasmosis can affect the development of the fetus and give you a high risk pregnancy This is why it is important for pregnant women to avoid the following

1. Eating raw meat or fish
2. Drinking unpasteurized drinks
3. Eating soft unpasteurized cheeses
4. Changing cat litter
5. Gardening without gloves
6. Respiratory infections
7. Blood Clots

Blood clots during pregnancy can create lifethreatening conditions for both the mother and fetus Blood clots move through blood vessels and can end up in the lungs If this happens the life of both mother and the fetus can be endangered Family or personal history can be indicators of a womans chance of a highrisk pregnancy due to blood clotting issues Symptoms of blood clotting problems include pain or swelling in the legs shortness of breath or chest pains

Preterm labor is when your baby is trying to be born before it has completed its development A baby born before 37 weeks is considered preterm Lung maturity is a major concern with a preterm birth but feeding problems and neurological problems can develop if a baby is born too early There are many things you can do to prevent preterm birth Cutting back on your activities decreasing stress eating a healthy diet avoding smoking infections and other risky behaviors There are screening tools that can detect possible preterm birth that your OB provider might suggest There are also medications and treatments that can help prevent preterm birth

The best way to determine if your pregnancy is high risk is to schedule an appointment with your OB provider Your medical provider will ask questions about your personal and family history and run a series of tests over the course of your pregnancy to ensure you and your baby have the best possible chance at a healthy birth Remember conditions creating a high risk pregnancy can develop any time over the course of your pregnancy Follow up visits with your health care provider are essential to making sure you and your child remain healthy If you receive a high risk diagnosis this does not necessarily mean you will lose your baby or the baby will be born with health problems More than ninety percent of all high risk pregnancies result in the birth of healthy children What a high risk pregnancy diagnosis does means it is even more important that you adhere to the advice of your OB provider and adhere to a schedule of regular obstetric exams throughout your entire pregnancy The precautions you take today may mean a world of difference

Miscarriage

Miscarriage

No one likes to think about something going wrong during a pregnancy but a miscarriage can occur A miscarriage is defined as a pregnancy that ends spontaneously prior to 20 weeks After 20 weeks a baby that dies is referred to as a stillbirth As many as 50 percent of all pregnancies may end in miscarriage It is hard to determine this statistic and many pregnancy losses occur before a woman realizes she is pregnant Most of these pregnancies end in a fetal death within the first 13 weeks for pregnancy A miscarriage can happen for a number of reasons The most common cause is chromosomal problems or genetic abnormalities In these cases during or soon after conception the fetus fails to develop properly Up to 50% of all early fetal deaths can be linked back to this cause
Other common causes include
1. Diabetes
2. Uterus abnormalities
3. A blow to the stomach
4. Caffeine exceeding 300 mg per day
5. Ectopic or tubal pregnancy meaning a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg is implanted someplace other than the uterus
6. Poor nourishment at conception or during pregnancy
7. Fibroids
8. Placenta problems
9. Poor maternal immune system or elevated hormone levels during pregnancy
10. Environmental pollution
11. Alcohol cigarette or recreational drug use

The symptoms of a miscarriage might include spotting which can lead to heavy vaginal bleeding cramps similar to those experienced during a menstrual period and severe abdominal pain Remember Early Pregnancy Symptoms include light spotting during the first few weeks of pregnancy This type of spotting is no reason for concern but if bleeding increases to the point of soaking a sanitary napkin there may be reason for concern Often they start out as small amounts of bleeding or vague abdominal pains that might then become more intense
Most women who experience an early miscarriage require no treatment You will experience what appears to be a heavy period as the uterus expels its contents However if heavy bleeding continues or an infection is indicated a physician may recommend a D C to remove any tissue from the uterus that it does not naturally expel Once it is determined that a pregnancy isnt growing your health care provider will discuss options with you If this is the first miscarriage a woman has experienced chances are your OB provider will not require any follow up treatments however if this is not the first more tests might be suggested such as an ultrasound of the uterus hysteroscopy or an endometrial biopsy.Physically it takes up to a month for a womans body to recover after a fetal loss OB providers typically recommend waiting until after she has experienced one normal menstrual cycle before attempting to get pregnant again Mentally it may take much longer before a woman feels ready to try again Mourning the loss and concerns over subsequent problems can be overwhelming Losing an unborn baby can wreak havoc on your emotional state You may need to go through a grieving process which is natural Some parents choose to plant a tree or bush in memory of their loss You should take your time as you try to heal emotionally It may help if you seek counseling

Pregnancy Test

Pregnancy Test

If you are sexually active knowing when to take a pregnancy test is important Generally you should take a pregnancy test if any of the following conditions apply
You have had unprotected sex or have a reason to believe your birth control has failed
You have early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea fatigue and tender breasts
Your period is late by one week or more

Home pregnancy tests can be purchased at any drug store Most tests cost between $6 and $18 although a higher price does not necessarily mean the test is more accurate Some tests are more expensive because they are heavily advertised Others contain more than one test in a package
The EPT pregnancy test First Response pregnancy test and Clear Blue pregnancy test are three of the most popular brands of home pregnancy tests
Taking a Pregnancy Test
Taking a home pregnancy test is surprisingly easy In most cases you should urinate briefly and either hold the test stick under your urine stream or collect urine in a cup before dipping the test strip into the cup
Most tests take only a few minutes to provide the test results Lines or slashes are often used to show the result One is used as a control to determine that the test is working properly The presence of a second line or slash is used to show that you are pregnant
Since instructions can vary according to the brand of test you have purchased read the enclosed pamphlet carefully before you begin your home pregnancy test If you have questions about when to take a pregnancy test visit the manufacturers website or call the customer service hotline
Pregnancy Test Accuracy
Home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate when used correctly To get the most accurate results remember the following tips as youre deciding when to take a pregnancy test
Wait until your period is at least one week late Testing on the first day of your missed period reduces the test accuracy to about 80%
Home pregnancy tests are typically most accurate when taken in the morning
Follow the directions carefully Instructions for completing a pregnancy test can vary according to the brand you have purchased
Avoid reading the results of your test too early or too late If it says to wait three minutes for the results wait three minutes
False Positives and False Negatives
A home pregnancy test works to detect a hormone in the blood called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin HCG However sometimes the test fails to accurately detect this pregnancy hormone When this happens you may get a false positive that says you are pregnant when you are not You could also get a false negative that says you arent pregnant when you really are
Pregnancy test false negative and false positive results are fairly rare Most are caused by impurities in the urine sample failing to read the test instructions using an expired pregnancy test or trying to take the test too early However certain medical conditions and prescription drugs can sometimes affect your pregnancy test results
If you have doubts about the accuracy of your home pregnancy test reread the instructions and try to take another test If youre still not confident youve received an accurate result contact your healthcare provider He she can schedule a blood test to clear up any confusion
How Online Pregnancy Tests Work
An online pregnancy test will ask some of the same questions your OB health professional would ask This information includes the number of days in your menstrual cycle the date your last period began and the date when you had intercourse to calculate the mathematical probability of your pregnancy
Information Needed for an Online Test
The basic information that many of the online tests ask for includes
The average number of days from the first day of one period until the first day of the next period
The date your last period started
The date you think you conceived or the date you had intercourse that you think resulted in conception
What Early Pregnancy Symptoms you have been experiencing These symptoms might include nausea or vomiting odd sensations of the abdomen changes in appetite and fatigue among others
Your stress level
What form of birth control you have been practicing
Test Result Revelations
The online test results will provide you with the odds that you are actually pregnant based on the normal Ovulation process In other words there is only a fourday window around two weeks into the menstrual cycle when most women can conceive By looking at the information you have provided about your menstrual cycle the software can calculate how closely your sexual experience fell in line with the predicted window of ovulation You may also be provided with links to more information about ovulation conception unprotected sex home pregnancy tests and abortion options
The test may also take into account the side effects of your chosen birth control method and its effectiveness For example if you use DepoProvera for birth control one of the side effects is missed periods and some weight gain If your significant other has had a vasectomy the test will calculate your chance of pregnancy as extremely low On the other hand if you are having unprotected sex during the period of ovulation chances are significantly increased that you may be pregnant

Online Test Accuracy

No one can tell you whether you are pregnant without a blood or urine pregnancy test however the online pregnancy test results can tell you whether your intercourse may have coincided with the time when you would have expected to ovulate
Finding an Online Pregnancy Test
Visit Epigee Womens Health or PregnancyInfo net Or do an Internet search on online pregnancy test
What To Do If the Test Says Youre Pregnant
Follow up with a home pregnancy tests Remember even though a home pregnancy test may claim to be accurate as soon as five days prior to your next menstruation date the test will be significantly more accurate if you wait until a week after your missed period If the home pregnancy test shows a negative result but you are still experiencing some of the symptoms of pregnancy wait and take the test again in three days or make an appointment with your health care professional

Eligibility for Maternity Leave

Eligibility for Maternity Leave

To be eligible for maternity leave under FMLA you must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months During those 12 months you must have worked at least 1 250 hours This averages out to 24 hours per week over the course of one year However the hours do not have to be spread out uniformly In addition the twelve months do not have to be consecutive
You must notify your employer at least 30 days in advance if you need FMLA leave If thats not practical for example if your baby is premature you must tell your employer as soon as possible Visit the Compliance Assistance portion of the FMLA web site or contact the Department of Labor to make sure youre following the rules
Returning to Work
In most cases your employer cannot fire you for taking maternity leave under FMLA rules There are some exceptions including the following
If you tell your employer you do not plan to return to work after you have the baby
If there are layoffs at the company and your job is among those affected
If you have used up your FMLA leave time and are not able to return to work
If you have a highly paid salaried job that is considered key to the workings of the company However this applies only in limited circumstances

If you qualify for maternity leave and your employer refuses to grant it you can file a complaint For FMLA violations you have two years from the date of the violation If you can prove your employers action was willful you have three years to file Complaints may be filed with the Secretary of Labor or you can check your phone book for the nearest office of the Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration U S Department of Labor and call for more information If your complaint is valid the Department of Labor will usually negotiate with your employer to obtain leave for youYou can also file a lawsuit on your own If you win you may be able to recover your legal costs from your employer Each state has its own regulations about medical leave including maternity leave To find your states maternity leave laws try your states Labor Office Youll find a list of links to of htm state labor offices at the U S Department of Labor site While some states post information on the web others simply offer contact information and youll have to call the office for more information It is worth taking the trouble to find out about maternity leave laws in your state Even if youre not eligible for leave under FMLA you might be eligible under state law

Ultrasound Checkup

Ultrasound Checkup

A pregnancy ultrasound checkup sometimes called a sonogram is used to visualize the inside of the body without invading it Ultrasounds are used during pregnancy to look at the growing baby and the mothers uterus and other organs to monitor health and development An ultrasound machine emits sound waves These waves bounce off the baby and the mother the machine uses the data from the bouncing waves to create an image of the structures The picture is displayed on a video screen and can be captured in a printout or as a video output Getting an ultrasound is painless and easy Generally for a pregnancy ultrasound you will be asked to lie on an exam table Then the doctor nurse or ultrasound technician will put a smooth clear gel on your abdomen This helps the ultrasound to get a better image Once you are ready the person performing the ultrasound will move an ultrasound transducer also known as a wand or a probe over your stomach You will feel the wand moving around but there is no pressure and it is not uncomfortable In all likelihood you will be so excited to see the image of your baby on the ultrasound monitor you may not even notice the wand Ultrasounds do not emit radiation and they are believed to be completely safe for mother and child with no known risks Despite this most medical professionals recommend not having more ultrasounds than are deemed necessary for regular monitoring of your pregnancy A pregnancy ultrasound is a great noninvasive way to monitor the growth and health of your growing baby Some medical professionals routinely use ultrasounds as a tool during regular checkups Other OB care providers prefer to use ultrasounds only if a problem is suspected during pregnancy If your doctor nurse or midwife is scheduling an ultrasound feel free to ask whether it is routine or whether they are looking for something in particular Some of the things your doctor can see from an ultrasound during your first trimester include

1. The babys size and age
2. Whether you are pregnant with multiple babies
3. Whether the baby is developing normally
4. The babys heartbeat
5. Later in your pregnancy ultrasounds may disclose

While a pregnancy ultrasound cannot identify every possible problem with a babys development they are incredibly useful in diagnosing many conditions as well as in reassuring everyone that baby is growing normally
Detailed Ultrasounds
Newer ultrasound technology allows medical professionals to get a very detailed ultrasound image High resolution ultrasounds as well as the new 3D and 4D ultrasounds can give you a really clear picture of your baby almost like having a photograph of your new arrival before baby arrives 3D ultrasounds generate a 3D still image of your baby 4D ultrasounds create a 3D moving image of your baby
Whatever kind of ultrasound you get during your first trimester your baby may look like little more than a peanut to you Rest assured that your healthcare providers can tell a lot by this tiny image Ask them to point out the outline of your baby for you and to show you your babys beating heart

Signs of Pregnancy

Signs of Pregnancy

PregnancyYou can see and feel the earliest possible signs of pregnancy very early on even when your tummy is still flat You can catch signs that youre pregnant even when your tummy is still this flat The earliest signs of pregnancy do vary among women but one thing is for certain many women dont need a positive pregnancy test to know when theyre expecting Some of the earliest signs of pregnancy happen before even physical pregnancy symptoms start Dreams of pregnancy or simply a general feeling of something being different have been reported by women through the years Many times these deep inner feelings are correct Some of the earliest possible physical pregnancy signs include breast changes nausea and tiredness Following is a more indepth look at the above signs of pregnancy

Pregnancy Dreams

Pregnancy dreams very early in pregnancy sometimes even before are not unheard of There are many reports of extra vivid dreams during early pregnancy that continue through the pregnancy There have even been books written about the significance of pregnancy dreams like Dreaming for Two The Hidden Emotional Life of Expectant Mothers by Sindy Greenberg Elyse Kroll and Hillary Grill

Many times those early and later dreams are thought to be caused by the change in hormones Although its never been scientifically explained there are women who swear that theyve had a dream theyre pregnant or even dreamed of their babys gender before actually finding out from the doctor that theyre expecting See what other parents dream about while pregnant

Some women have what you could call a general feeling They just know that theyre pregnant This is not quite the same as dreams This gut feeling currently has no scientific explanation but many women report it

Breast Changes

Breast changes are almost always the first physical sign women notice when they become pregnant During the very first week of pregnancy your breasts start becoming ready for milk production This breast prep results in soreness darker areola area around the nipple pronounced veins and little bumps that may appear on the areola Because breast changes start so soon this is one of the earliest possible signs of pregnancy Breast changes are an especially significant sign if youre not expecting your period or if you dont normally have any breast changes

Tiredness

Tiredness like breast changes can start early on in pregnancy From the moment you conceive your body begins a process of growth and support for the fetus that is really draining on your body energywise Metabolic changes of any kind can make you tired In literature pregnancy metabolic changes have been compared to the same effects your body may experience if you were constantly climbing a mountain for nine months Thats a lot of work Normally the extreme tiredness of being pregnant will vanish around the 3 month mark Some women are tired all the way though pregnancy though as well Tiredness tends to be a good sign for women who have not been pregnant before because its a tired theyre not used to

Nausea

Another one of the earliest possible signs of pregnancy is nausea Nausea is not the same as breast changes in that almost all women have pregnancy breast changes but not all women feel nausea

Nausea is also caused by pregnancy hormonal changes and can start as soon as the first week of pregnancy Pregnancy nausea is often called morning sickness but can actually occur at any time of the day Nausea during pregnancy can be triggered by foods smells activity or seemingly nothing

Many women experience distaste for unhealthy items during early pregnancy Coffee or cigarettes may make a woman feel sick to their stomach before she officially knows shes pregnant Theres been some research about morning sickness in relation to unhealthy activities but nothing conclusive Many women do report that this is one reason they thought they might be pregnant

If you have breast changes extreme tiredness or nausea and you arent sure why you should make an appointment with your doctor Any of these symptoms ongoing can be a sign of pregnancy but they can also be a sign that something else is wrong If you ever think youre pregnant its wise to visit your health care provider Early prenatal care is important for both your health and the health of your baby
When you become pregnant your body goes through many changes both physically and emotionally referred to by many as pregnancy symptoms Many of these changes are hormonal Some women have nearly every symptom while others breeze through their pregnancy with almost no discomfort

There are several pregnancy symptoms and signs that you can watch for

Missed Period Probably the first sign you experience that tells you that you might be pregnant is a missed period A typical menstrual cycle will last approximately twentyeight days though of course this cycle varies with each woman If your period occurs on a regular basis and you are late you may be pregnant
Tender Breasts While it is very common for a womans breasts to be tender and painful right before her period the discomfort will usually abate a day or two before her period starts If you experience tender breasts and your period is a day or two late you may be pregnant
Fatigue If you suddenly find yourself needing an afternoon nap or you are abnormally tired at the end of the day you may be pregnant
Frequent UrinationAre you suddenly running to the bathroom all day long Pregnancy means an increase in bodily fluids This symptom can show up early
Nausea Morning sickness doesnt necessarily show up just in the morning You may feel nauseous off and on all day long especially if you are hungry This symptom is most likely due to an influx of hormones and it should disappear after the third or fourth month
Food Sensitivity Even before you discover that you are pregnant you may discover that you suddenly have a distinct aversion to certain foods You may feel queasy at the sight or smell of certain foods so try to avoid those foods as much as possible
Implantation BleedingSome women experience light bleeding or spotting around the time that the egg attaches itself to the uterus If you already suspect you are pregnant and you begin to bleed contact your obgyn immediately While this experience may not be anything to worry about you will still need to be checked
Elevated Body TemperatureIf you have been trying to conceive by charting your basal body temperature you may be pregnant if you notice an elevated rate for approximately eighteen days
First Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms
While some of the initial symptoms will continue throughout your first trimester others will disappear Your first trimester is typically from week one to week twelve Some of the most common symptoms during your first trimester are as follows
Your breasts will remain swollen and you may find that youve grown a cup size
Moodiness Dont be surprised if you are happy one minute and down in the dumps the next Place the blame on your hormones and pamper yourself
Nausea Try not to let your tummy get too empty Its better to eat several small meals throughout the day Sometimes munching on crackers and sipping hot tea helps
Nipple ColoringYou may also notice that your nipples and the aureola surrounding your nipples have gotten darker
ConstipationUnfortunately this symptom may follow you throughout your pregnancy To relieve any discomfort try to eat more fresh fruits vegetables and grains The more fiber you can get the better off you will be
IndigestionThis symptom may also be with you during your entire pregnancy especially as the baby grows and pushes on your esophagus Be sure you get any over the counter medication approved by your doctor before you take it
Headaches While there may be several causes for these headaches the increased blood flow may be the culprit If you are suffering severe headaches contact your doctor

Your second trimester begins at week thirteen and ends at week twentysix Common symptoms are as follows

Weight GainYour doctor will monitor your weight gain closely Throughout your pregnancy you should gain about thirty pounds
Itchy SkinSince your tummy is stretching you may find that it is also dry and itchy Use lotion daily Cocoa butter is a common application
SwellingYour feet hands and ankles may swell due to excess fluid
Dark LineThis line may develop and run from your belly button down to your pubic area It will fade after the baby is born
Fetal MovementYou can feel baby move
Third Trimester Symptoms
Your third trimester consists of week twentyseven to week forty Youre almost there Common pregnancy symptoms experienced during the third trimester include
Aches and Pains
One of the most common complaints among pregnant women is backaches The excess weight of your baby can wreak havoc on your body Take care of yourself
BraxtonHicks
You may begin to experience a tightening of your abdomen at intervals during the day These are practice contractions