Week 5

Pregnancy symptoms start this week... if not already started. And if you're like most women, you'll be experiencing nausea, fatigue, the discomfort of sore breasts, and a need to urinate more often. Worry not, all are normal. Annoying, yes, but the good thing is that they won't last forever. Some women also get headaches in the first trimester of pregnancy. Although most symptoms are normal and you shouldn’t be alarm, there are also some pregnancy symptoms that you should never ignore. If you experience any of the danger signs of early pregnancy seek medical help immediately.

Also it is extremely crucial to eat well at every stage of pregnancy so that your baby gets all the nutrients she needs in order to grow. Small regular meals and regular drinks can help to prevent indigestion and to combat nausea and fatigue. It helps to eat a wide variety of foods, particularly if you are vegetarian.

Your baby:

You may not look pregnant at this point but inside of you, your embryo's heart, no bigger than a poppy seed, has already begun to beat and pump blood. The heart is dividing into chambers and will find a more regular rhythm soon. The embryo itself is about a quarter of an inch/ half a centimeter long and looks more like a tadpole than a human. It undergoes a growth spurt this week.

Major organs, including the kidneys and liver, begin to grow. The neural tube, which connects the brain and spinal cord, will close this week. The embryo's upper and lower limb buds begin to sprout. These will later form your baby's arms and legs. The intestines are developing and the appendix is in place.

Below the opening that will later form your baby's mouth, small folds exist where the neck and the lower jaw eventually develop. As early as this week, facial features are already forming. Nostrils are becoming distinct and the earliest version of the eyes' retinas are forming. Find out how much folic acid you need.

Week 4

If this pregnancy wasn’t planned, this may be around the time that you might start wondering if you’re pregnant. This is the time when you should be avoiding all medications unless you've checked with your caregiver about their safety during pregnancy. Some women notice a metallic taste in their mouths about now, no one knows the reason for this, but researchers suspect that it has to do with the change in hormone levels.

As weird as it may sounds, this week would be the week you are encourage to start an exercise routine. Exercise will help your body to develop muscle tone, strength and manage those weight that you’ll be putting on. It also helps you during labour and makes it easier for your body to get back in shape after that. Yoga is good too.

Your baby:

Although you are as yet unaware that you are pregnant, your baby is already undergoing great changes. The fertilized egg is now a quickly growing ball of cells called a blastocyst. It is embedded more deeply in the uterine wall and the amniotic cavity is being formed. The group of cells that will make up the placenta is being organized and circulatory networks containing maternal blood are being formed.

Three layers of cells are sorting themselves out within the blastocyst. The ectoderm will form the nervous system, hair and skin of your baby. The endoderm will become the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, and various organs like the thyroid, liver and pancreas. Finally the mesoderm will develop into the skeleton, connective tissues, blood systems, urogenital system and most of the muscles.

Week 3

This week you will excrete higher levels of pheromones at this time, making you even more sexually attractive than usual. Have fun! Also, ovulation occurs during the course of this week. One of your ovaries has ripened and released an egg (ovum). It is swept up by the bell shaped end of the fallopian tube and begins its journey toward the uterus.

During intercourse, your partner will ejaculate anywhere from 140 to 350 million sperm. If the conditions are just right with your cervical fluid, some of those sperm can live up to 5 days. However, only about 200 sperm will actually make it through the uterus and into the correct fallopian tube eventually encountering your ovum. And then, sometime between 12 and 24 hours after you ovulate, only one, or in some cases of twins, two of the sperm will have enough strength left after they reach the egg in order to break through the outer layers of the ovum and complete conception.

And… Voila! You are pregnant!

Your progesterone levels will increase this week causing the lining of the uterus to build up its supply of glycogen, arterial blood, secretory glands, amino acids and water. Those higher levels of progesterone also have a calming effect on the uterus, making it less contractible, thereby stopping your menstrual period and allowing the pregnancy to continue. This is why progesterone is often called the hormone of pregnancy.

The fertilized egg, will spend the next 3 to 7 days traveling down the fallopian tube to the uterus. When it arrives, it will float freely within the uterus for another few days before it implants in the wall of the uterus. You may experience a little bloody spotting at the time of this implantation.

Week 2

Your last period is finished and now your uterus is building a new layer of endometrium to cushion and nourish your soon to be conceived baby. Interestingly, deep within the uterine walls circular groups of lymphoid aggregates or immune system cells are beginning to develop.

One of your ovaries is growing and ripening an egg, preparing for ovulation. You will experience a rise in your estrogen levels accompanying ovulation making you more receptive to others. Many women find they are at their peak level of energy and creativity during this week of their cycle.

Week 1

You started your period on the first day of this week. It will be your last period for at least the next nine or ten months. Some women, especially those who choose to breastfeed exclusively, may not have another period for a year and a half!

It seems odd to begin counting the weeks of your pregnancy with your last menstrual period, however, most women are not conscious of the day they ovulate, much less the day they conceive their baby. Since most can remember the day their period started, it makes a very clear starting point for determining the due date for your upcoming birth.

Remember that your due date is just an estimate! The average pregnancy last 40 weeks. Most women deliver their babies between 38 and 40 weeks from the first day of their last period.

Oh, by the way, if you are hoping or planning to become pregnant this is the time to begin improving your diet and adding vitamin supplements such as folic acid and iron.

Help with Swelling Problem During Pregnancy

Swelling or scientifically known as Edema is a common problem during pregnancy especially those who have reached the third trimester. Your blood chemistry is experiencing some changes therefore causing some fluid to go into your tissue. Besides, your uterus that is obviously growing by the day puts pressure on your pelvic veins and your vena cava which is the large vein on the right side of the body that carries blood from your lower limbs back to the heart. This kind of pressure slowing the return of blood from your legs, causing it to pool, which forces fluid from your veins into the tissues of your feet and ankles.

As weird as it may sound, the best thing you can do to combat swelling is to drink more water. You may be thinking, wait a minute, if the cause of my swelling is from excess fluid than why should I drink more of it. Wouldn’t it make me look like a balloon instead? Well, no. In truth, the more water you drink the less water your body will hold on to.

Don’t forget to put your feet up whenever you can. And avoid crossing your legs or ankles whenever you sit. That way, you could help keeping pressure from your legs and making it easier for blood to move around. Whenever you lie down, it helps if you lie on your left side to keep pressure off the vena cava as it is on the right side.

You might also consider wearing some support stockings during your pregnancy. These will not only help combat swelling, but may help prevent or minimize the effects of varicose veins later in pregnancy. Most medical care suppliers carry support hosiery that works well for women during pregnancy.

Avoid socks or stockings that are tight around the ankles. Also, find yourself a pair of comfortable shoes to accommodate the swelling.

Pregnancy is not an excuse to be lazy. In fact, you should exercise regularly, be it walking, swimming, or riding an exercise bike. Or you could even take up water aerobics class, immersion in water may temporarily help reduce swelling, particularly if the water level is up near your shoulders. And it’s fun!

Don’t let swelling bring your mood down or making you feel miserable. Just keep in mind that this is just temporary. Once you give birth, the swelling will disappear quickly. So, chin up, soldier. You’ll be fine.

Baby Proofing Your Home

Once your baby starts crawling around, one of your greatest concerns and responsibilities is to make sure your home is safe. There will be so much to think of and at times you might overlook certain things. So, in order to make sure that doesn’t happen, it would be my pleasure to list down some of the most raised questions about baby proofing your home.

What is the best way to approach baby-proofing our home?

The very best way to detect danger is by seeing your home from the eyes of a child. You could get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. This will enable you to see hazards you might not have recognized at your full height. Are electrical outlets in baby’s reach or are there electric cords hanging down that your baby can pull on or get tangled in? Does your furniture have sharp corners? Are there precious items at your baby’s level that should be put up out of reach?

What is the most hazardous situation for my baby?

Any situation that places your baby in harm’s way is the worst situation for your baby. The most hazardous situation for your baby is choking or anything that might cause him to stop breathing. The most hazardous situation for you baby is one that caused an injury that could have been prevented.

What are some things I need to consider when I am baby-proofing our home?

There are many things to consider. Your baby is a quick mover so it is never really safe to leave him unattended if at all possible. Consider putting up all valuables and breakable items out of reach of your baby’s. Anything that is small enough to fit in his mouth should be removed. If in doubt as to whether any one item is small enough to fit in your baby’s mouth and pose a choking hazard take an empty toilet paper roll. If it fits inside the tube it go in his mouth and possibly harm him.

Why do I need baby safety gates?

Baby safety gates can be placed in doorways or at the top and bottom of staircases. The gates can prevent your baby from getting into the kitchen or bathroom. They can also prevent your baby from tumbling down the stairs or climbing the stairs and falling. The mesh or the holes in the gate should not be large enough for your baby to put his toes through to climb the gate. Gates now are being made to operate hands-free or one handed. There are gates being made with the bars going vertical instead of horizontal reducing the chances of your baby being able to climb the gate.

What are electric outlet covers or locks?

Electric outlet covers look like plastic plugs when they are inserted and prevents your baby from sticking his fingers or something else in the outlet and getting a serious shock. Electric outlet lock plates can replace typical outlets and in order to insert anything into the outlet the plug has to be inserted and turned.

It was suggested to me that I have motion alarms on our doors and windows, why would I need them?

Some kids are very active and able to do things you would not ever think about Children have been known to open windows and fall through screens and become seriously injured. There are many news stories where toddlers have gotten up in the night and oblivious to their parents opened the door and went outside. Some are found wandering around and others are not so lucky. Some windows now come with a mechanism to prevent the window from being opened more than an inch or two. The alarms will alert you to the door opening and you can intervene before something tragic happens. Besides, it will also be very useful to keep intruders away.

What kind of baby-proofing products are available?

There all kinds of baby products available and most are reasonably priced. There are motion sensors, corner cushions for sharp corners on furniture. There are electric outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks of different types and cord retractors for window blinds.

Is there anything available to protect my baby from getting in between banister posts?

There is netting available that can be attached with screws that will prevent your baby from getting between the banister posts. This product is similar to the deck netting available for outdoor decks.

How do I baby proof my nursery?

You can baby proof your nursery by keeping your baby’s crib away from windows and blinds cords. Put outlet protectors on all outlets. Make certain to dress your baby in sleepers rather than using blankets. When your baby begins sitting up place the mattress in the lowest position. Do not put stuffed animals or pillows in the crib with your little one, they could nestle up to them and suffocate.

How do I baby proof my kitchen?

Put all cleaners or chemicals up out of reach of your baby. Make sure all drawers and cabinet doors. While cooking put all pot handles toward the rear of the stove. Do not allow electric cords to hang over counters where your baby can pull on them. Better still, if possible unless you are feeding your baby keep him out of the kitchen.

How do I baby proof my car?

It’s easy actually. You can baby proof your car by making sure the car seat your baby will ride in is installed correctly and that it is the correct one for your baby. Remove all loose items that could become missiles in a crash or quick stop, and place them in the trunk. And, drive safely!

Now that you’ve read all the questions and answers, I hope it could provide you with some ideas and tips on how to provide a safe and sound home for your baby. Remember, it is better for you to be safe than sorry.

How to Ease Morning Sickness During Pregnancy

Some pregnant women may feel fine, but not everybody is quite that fortunate. Some even suffers this sickness not only in the morning, but the whole day. This could be very depressing and making you feel miserable. Worry not, because morning sickness is not without cure. Well, at least there are some ways that could help you to ease this problem.

Control your blood sugar level
Alleviate morning sickness by keeping your blood sugar level stable at all time. You should eat around four or six meals a day to keep from having an empty stomach. Obviously, sleeping is a major problem when you are trying to regulate your blood sugar. You could try to eat without getting out of bed. Take only small bites. Try to eat a little bit and then wait a while before standing up. Give the food some time to make it into your system. Also, eat snacks that is high in protein and complex carbohydrates before going to bed at night.

Watch what you eat
Certain foods may trigger morning sickness. Avoid foods that will spike your blood sugar level. Foods such as processed sugars and white flour can cause morning sickness. Whole grain foods and protein are a good alternative as they are less likely to cause nausea.

Be careful from drinking too much water
Although Doctors will tell you repeatedly to drink plenty of water, it can make morning sickness worse. They are trying to ensure that dehydration doesn’t become a problem. Try some alternatives to water. Smoothies with a little plain yogurt with fruit mixed in could help wonderfully. Or you can try mixing water with a little lime or lemon. You can even try tea be it cold or hot, very watered down. Fruits such as melons can help with morning sickness. Regardless of your preference, it is extremely important to stay hydrated. If water is exacerbating morning sickness pregnancy, you do need alternatives.

Smells can trigger morning sickness pregnancy
Odors are one of the reasons that always cause morning sickness or even nausea feeling throughout the day. Therefore, try to stay away from any strong smells. Cook odor-neutral foods – no garlic, onions, or oily fish. Run from people that have odor problems. They can make your morning sickness pregnancy worse.

Get a toothpaste that suits you
Brush your teeth with a toothpaste that does not increase the queasiness and rinse the mouth with a good rinser after each bout of vomiting, as well as after each meal. Not only will this keep the mouth fresh and reduce nausea, it will also decrease the risk of damage to teeth and gums that can occur when bacteria starts working on the regurgitated material in the mouth.

Positive Thinking
You can ease morning sickness pregnancy by focusing on positive things. Remember, while your face is in the toilet, you are growing another person inside you. This is one of the most wonderful times in your life, and the morning sickness pregnancy will not last forever. In a few months, a beautiful baby will come out and your life will be more fulfilled than you could ever imagine. Read baby name books, look at pregnancy clothes, and try to get yourself excited that you are about to have one of life’s greatest little gifts. It will also help if you get enough sleep and relaxation.

Sex During Pregnancy

Here are some of the things that constantly raised questions regarding sex during pregnancy. I know, some of us are a bit embarrassed to ask, so worry not, here are some of the answers…

Obviously sex during pregnancy won’t be the same since now that you’re pregnant. You may wonder whether or not you should be doing it at all, or whether it will hurt, or if it will harm your unborn baby…etc.

Let’s start with whether sex is going to harm your baby… The answer is no, assuming you’re going through a normal pregnancy. Your baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid in a membrane (the amniotic sac), inside your uterus or in other word, a womb. This protects your baby and creates a completely safe environment for him.

The cervix, which is the lower part of your uterus, is sealed with a thick mucus plug. If your amniotic fluid is leaking then your baby is no longer protected from external infection and so you should abstain from sex.

Your GP might also advise against sex if you have an incompetent cervix or placenta praevia. An incompetent cervix starts to open before the baby is ready to be born and placenta praevia is where your placenta is low lying – completely or partly covering your cervical opening.

Incompetent cervix is rare and can be treated with internal stitches while placenta praevia often corrects itself before birth.

How about oral sex, you may ask. Is it safe? The answer is yes, and it’s often a great alternative if you’re not up to chandelier-swinging sex. Just be sure to tell him not to blow inside you as this could cause an air embolism, which could be fatal to both you and your baby. Keep in mind that pregnancy hormones can also increase vaginal secretions and your partner might find they also smell and taste stronger than usual.

My sex drive is all over the place, is this normal? The answer is, totally. Your libido is governed by your emotional state and hormones, so it’s natural to feel completely sexy one day and want to avoid it at all costs the next. There are a number of pregnancy niggles which may put you off in the first trimester, such as nausea, tiredness and sore boobs.

Towards the end your size is normally an inhibiting factor, and you maybe preoccupied with the excitement of meeting your new arrival.

What if I bled after having sex. Should I be worried? Slight bleeding after sex is quite common and is usually caused by harmless erosions on the cervix which can be easily treated after the birth if necessary. The blood may be brownish or red and should stop within a few hours, but mention it to your midwife at your next visit, who might tell you to abstain from sex for a while so it has a chance to heal.

Why has my partner gone off sex now I’m pregnant? This one is a bit tricky. Men view pregnant bodies in different ways. Your partner may see your new curves as the ultimate expression of fertility and as a result find you very sexy. Plus he may feel even closer to you now you’re carrying his child and want to express this sexually.

Some men may see their partner’s pregnant body as purely functional
(doing the job of growing a baby) and keep this idea separate in their minds from anything sexual. Talk to each other about how you feel and give lots of reassurance and time to adjust to your new sex life.

My vagina is feeling swollen and sensitive. Is something wrong? Worry not, this is perfectly normal. The swelling and sensitivity is a result of your increased blood flow, which increases by 50 per cent and by the end of your pregnancy, one-fifth of your blood supply is being received by your uterus. Swelling occurs when your growing uterus interferes with the circulation of blood from the legs and pelvic area to the heart.

Is it safe to carry on using sex toys? Perfectly safe, as long as you make sure they are thoroughly cleaned between uses as your immune system is slightly suppressed during pregnancy making you more susceptible to vaginal infections. You may also find that you need to adjust the depth of penetration as your pregnancy progresses, to avoid brushing your cervix.

I seem to be more lubricated during sex, is this normal? Yes, completely. It is also normal to find your vagina dryer than usual too. It’s all a result of increased levels of oestrogen which affects the amount of lubrication produced. To help things along, try a lubricant such as KY Jelly.

Can having an orgasm harm my baby? On the contrary, they are actually good for both you and your baby. Your baby is oblivious to you having sex or an orgasm, though he will experience the rush of happy hormones. He’ll also be soothed by the gentle contractions of your uterus. Some women even experience their first multiple orgasms during pregnant sex as raised hormone levels may make it easier for you to climax.

Why do I get stomach cramps after sex? All women experience uterine contractions when they orgasm, but because your uterus is enlarged when you’re pregnant you’re likely to feel it more. Semen is responsible for making your uterus contract as it contains prostaglandins, which send chemical signals to your uterus.

These contractions won’t cause a pre-term labour (before 37 weeks) if you are having a normal pregnancy and are not too close to your due date. To be on the safe side call your GP or midwife if the cramping lasts longer than half an hour.

However, if you have a history of pre-term labours, or are carrying more than one baby your GP may advise you to avoid sex for some or all of your pregnancy.

Is having sex later on in my pregnancy safe? In theory, if you are having a problem-free pregnancy you can have sex right up until your waters break. After that point your baby is no longer protected from infection. In reality though, penetration can become quite uncomfortable due to your size, as well the fact the cervix softens and the baby’s head engages.

Can sex kick-start an overdue labour? Because of the prostaglandins present in semen, having sex may bring on labour, but this will only happen if your body is ready to give birth. Still, most women find sex uncomfortable in the later stages of pregnancy but, if you can manage it, hey, go for it!

How Much Weight Gain is Good During Your Pregnancy?

A woman’s body is designed to provide a safe and comfortable home for a baby to grow and live for nine months. Therefore, when you’re pregnant, your body will go through changes, by all means, expanding and gaining weight. Yeah, we all know that.

However, there are some women out there that are still freaking out over these changes especially the additional weight gain. Don’t worry dear mother’s to be, it’s only healthy for you to gain weight. Thing is, you shouldn’t freak out if you gain weight during your pregnancy, instead, you should be worry if you don’t.

Ok, how much weight gain is healthy, though? Frankly, there is no real answer to that. Each woman is not the same and has different needs for their body. However, most physicians will recommend the following weight gain:

If you are normal weight before getting pregnant you should expect to gain between 25 and 35 pounds throughout your pregnancy.

If you are underweight prior to pregnancy you will need to gain more weight, typically between 28 and 40 pounds during your pregnancy. Your doctor or gynecologist will be able to provide you with more specific guidelines.

If you are overweight when you become pregnant you will only need to gain between 15 and 25 pounds during your pregnancy.

Keep in mind that if you are carrying multiples, by all means, twins or more you will typically be asked to gain even more weight, 45 pounds or more, depending on how many babies you are carrying.

During your pregnancy, it is a big no-no for you to be on diet, meaning cutting back on food in order to lose weight. But that doesn’t mean you should eat everything on sight. Just keep in mind to eat healthy for both you and your baby. Get enough nutrients and don’t forget to lead a healthy lifestyle. Oh, and don’t forget to stay away from smoke, drugs, and alcohol!