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Education - Pregnancy Planner - A Quick Guide

Sex & Pregnancy...Do They Mix?


As a pregnant woman, you may experience sex drives much like your moods. Up and Down! Some women claim that they have no sex drive at all during pregnancy, and others, say their sex drive is better during pregnancy. With changes to your body happening so quickly, your moods and dives may also change just as quick!

Here are some common questions often asked by pregnant women with helpful answers!

Is it safe to have sex during all trimesters of pregnancy?

If there is no pain during sex and your not a high risk pregnancy, then sex is perfectly safe! If you are experiencing pain, or have a history of miscarriages, or any complications, consult with your medical professional.

I do not have any desire for sex, is this normal?

Every woman's pregnancy is different. While some women experience an increase in their sex drive, others may experience a decrease. Many women that are experiencing morning sickness, have no desire for sex at all. This is fine, and actually perfectly normal. Who wants to make love when they feel sick? As you enter your 2nd trimester, most of the time the morning sickness will start to vanish. Once this happens, you will feel better and your sex drive many appear. If you seem to just have no desire for sex at all, there are other ways to satisfy your needs and your partners needs for intimacy, such as kissing and holding each other.

Are there any positions that are more comfortable during my later months of pregnancy?

Once your belly begins to grow, it may become uncomfortable to have sex in the "man on top" position. The "spoon" position has become pretty popular among pregnant women! In this position, each partner lays on their side, with the man in the back. This way your belly is not in the way and your body is still flat.

Is it true that sex can induce labor?

According to medical professionals, there is a chemical in semen, that will soften the cervix, and aid in the labor process. However, sex will not actually induce labor. The semen can assist the labor process once it has begun, but will not actually cause labor to begin. If you are experiencing contractions, consult with your medical professional.

If you have any other questions that have not been addressed, talk with your medical professional! He or She would be more than willing to offer answers to your questions!

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Pregnancy Planner - A Quick Guide


Weeks 1 to 3 are the first weeks of pregnancy. Week 1 begins on the first day of your last menstrual period. You will have no pregnancy symptoms yet, it's too early right now. By week 4 nearly all of the organs and structure of the fetus have formed, you will start to feel the first pregnancy symptoms which will feel a bit like period symptoms such as tiredness and tender breasts.

Weeks 5/6/7. By now mother's breast have swelled and are sensitive as milk glands multiply. Morning sickness will kick in and your appetite will increase. The embryo has developed the heart and primitive circulatory system. The first heartbeats begin and facial features begin to develop. Cravings might start and be expected to gain or loose a few pounds over these few weeks. Your uterus is putting pressure on your bladder so be prepared for frequent visits to the ladies.

Weeks 8/9/10. You can have an Ultra sound now and your uterus has grown to the size of a small grapefruit. The baby's fingers and thumbs have now appeared and teeth are developing under the gums. Your breasts are fuller than ever before this maybe uncomfortable, a maternity bra can help.

In the tenth week the baby may begin to move inside the womb and most of the joints are formed. Morning sickness will ease and your blood volume may increase by 40 to 50% resulting in prominent veins mostly on the tummy, breasts and legs.

Weeks 11/12/13. The most critical part of the baby's development is over. The genitals will begin to take on their gender characteristics and your uterus will move upwards, this will take pressure off the bladder. Light-headedness and headaches can be expected thanks to the increased blood volume, this is normal but make sure to discuss these and any other symptoms with your doctor.

Week 13 is the beginning of your half way point (weeks 13 to 27). This is a very busy week indeed for the baby's development. The vocal cords develop and the baby's facial features are beginning to look more human. The intestines move further into the baby's body, the liver begins to secrete bile and the pancreas produces insulin. Most of the early pregnancy symptoms are over, though you may feel some abdominal pain due to the stretching of the uterus.

Weeks 14/15/16. The baby is about 3 to 4 inches long and is beginning to practice inhaling and exhaling movements. By now pregnancy hormones are leveling off. This means less nausea, less frequent urination and less tiredness. Constipation may become a problem due to those darned hormones so be sure to increase your fibre intake. Also the areolas of your breasts may be growing in diameter and darkening, this is in preparation for breastfeeding.

If you have an ultra sound now you will probably see the baby sucking its thumb. A fine hair called Lanugo is growing all over it's body.

Your uterus is now ascending above your hipbones and your doctor will begin to measure "fundal height" to make sure your baby is growing adequately. At week 16 you will begin to feel movement as the baby's bones harden, fingernails and toenails begin to grow too.

The rising of estrogen levels may cause inflammation of your nasal membranes resulting in nosebleeds. Keep in mind that if you are planning to have an amniocentesis this may be scheduled between 16 and 18 weeks.

Weeks 17/18/19. The baby's heart is pumping as much as 25 quarts of blood per day. The reflexes are in place as the baby sucks, swallows and blinks. "Meconium" the baby's first bowel movement is accumulating within the bowel. If you feel jerky movements this could be due to the baby hiccupping. It is possible to determine sex at this stage. Average weight gain for mum is between 5 and 10 pounds at this point.

You could be experiencing several skin changes at this stage including blotchy patches and dry itchy skin is common. Remember you cannot prevent stretch marks but oils and lotions may help ease the discomfort of dry itchy skin. Also drinking plenty of water will help hydrate dry skin.

Weeks 20 to 27. You are half way through the pregnancy and it's probably a good time to look into childbirth classes. The baby's growth may have slowed down but you may have put on 10 to 20pounds. You are feeling emotionally more stable and comfortable, your ankles and feet may swell so keep them elevated and drink plenty of water. The baby will grow from one to two pounds in these weeks and will be moving about a lot, you will probably see your abdomen move.

Your uterus will grow to the size of a football within this period and this will put pressure on your back and legs so rest as much as you can.

At week 26 you may experience 'Braxton hicks' contractions, these are similar to cramps it is your body's way of practicing for laybor. By week 27 your uterus is close to you rib cage and you may feel a shortness in breath due to your lungs not being able to fully expand, don't worry though this is normal.

The Final Straight weeks 28 to 40

During these last weeks of pregnancy the baby and mother get a lot heavier causing discomfort for mother. There will be a lot of growth and movement in the uterus. The growth of the uterus puts a lot of pressure on all the other organs in the body causing heartburn indigestion, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and lots of aches and pains. Due to the rapid growth of the baby your levels of calcium and nutrients will be low so make sure your diet consists of plenty of calcium, protein, iron and folic acid.

Drink plenty of water and eat a lot of fibre rich foods or take some fibre supplements, this should ease constipation. Be sure to look after yourself and rest as much as possible in preparation for birth. Mood swings and blue feelings can be common, but don't be too hard on your self after all your body is going through an enormous change. So take care and try to relax, as your life is about to change forever with the arrival of this new little person in your life.

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10 Pregnancy Risk Factors that Every Pregnant Woman Should be Aware of


Many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy child, some which are beyond your control and others that are within your control. Here are ten of the most common pregnancy risk factors that can be controlled or influenced:

# Smoking - Smoking is not only bad for you, but bad for your baby as well. Smoking during pregnancy reduces the amount of oxygen that the baby receives and increases the risk of miscarriage, bleeding, and morning sickness. Chemicals inhaled while smoking may lead to other health problems with the baby. Reduced birth weight, premature birth, increased risk of SIDS, and stillbirth are other possible consequences. Pregnant women should also avoid second hand smoke.

# Alcohol - Drinking can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, including symptoms like low birth weight, medical problems, and behavior abnormalities. As soon as you know you are pregnant, stop drinking. For more detailed information on problems that can be caused by alcohol, visit http://www.nofas.org.

# Caffeine - There are many conflicting studies about caffeine and pregnancy and some believe that caffeine is not as harmful as it was once thought to be. Nevertheless, the FDA warns against caffeine consumption during pregnancy and suggests quitting or reducing consumption at the very least. Caffeine has been shown to affect fetal heart rates and awake time (fetuses grow when sleeping). Decaffeinated coffee can also be harmful since producers often add additional chemicals to remove the caffeine. Caffeine can also increase risk of stretch marks. Suddenly quitting coffee intake can cause headaches; so most experts recommend gradually reducing the amount consumed.

# Drugs and Herbal Remedies - Always be careful about drugs or herbal remedies that are not prescribed by a doctor. These substances may affect the development of your unborn child.

# Nutrition - Good nutrition is crucial to a developing child, particularly getting enough folic acid. Lack of folic acid can cause birth defects. At least 400-1000 micrograms of this B vitamin is suggested (about ten times more if you've already had a child with neural tube birth defects) starting one month before pregnant and throughout the entire pregnancy. Leafy vegetables, orange juice, and beans are some natural sources of folic acid. Many stores sell vitamins with folic acid.

# Exercise - Moderate exercise is helpful as it improves the mother's mental state and can increase oxygen flow to the fetus. However, over-exertion can be dangerous. Most experts recommend reducing your exercise intensity during pregnancy. Activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are popular for pregnant women.

# Prenatal Care - Regular doctor visits are important to your baby's development. The body undergoes many changes during pregnancy. Some side effects may be completely normal, whereas other may not. Regular monitoring by a professional will help ensure that your baby will be born healthy.

# Multiple sex partners - Multiple sex partners can increase risk of STD's, which in turn may lead to birth and pregnancy complications, like low birth weight or premature birth.

# Exposure to chemicals - During pregnancy, reduce exposure to unnatural chemicals, particularly pesticides in food. Many people now eat organic produce, which is grown without chemicals. The simplest precaution to take before consuming vegetables or fruits is to wash them thoroughly. Also, removing the outer surface of vegetables can be helpful since most pesticides will rest on the outside of the vegetable or fruit.

# Other factors - Many other factors can affect fetal development, including heart disease, the mother's age (before 15 years and after 35 years is riskier), asthma, excessive stress or depression, diseases, and bleeding. Consult your physician if you are affected by any of these conditions.

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Pregnancy Symptoms, Signs and Symptoms of Being Pregnant


EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

Although a lot of women experience pregnancy symptoms, and find signs of being pregnant, other's don't "feel" pregnant. Certain signs and symptoms of being pregnant can be confused with other illnesses. The following list are some telltale symptoms of pregnancy. Morning sickness is one of the most common signs of being pregnant, but you also might be one of the lucky ones who never experience this pregnancy symptom. Missing a period is another sign and symptom of being pregnant. We'll go into greater detail below, and you can read below.

MISSING A PERIOD

One of the most common signs and symptoms of being pregnant, missing a period can also be caused by other reasons. Although missing a period is one of the most common of the pregnancy symptoms, stress, illness, weight fluctuations or coming off the oral contraceptive pill can also be the cause of this. Irregular periods are a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition in which periods can occur several months apart. If you still feel like you are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms, continue reading the other signs of being pregnant.

TENDERNESS OF THE BREAST

Another sign and symptom of pregnancy is the changing of size and feel of your breast. As early as a few days after conception, this pregnancy symptom may occur. Your breast is beginning to enlarge, as it gets ready for breastfeeding. Many women claim that their breasts are very sensitive and that they experience a very sharp, tingling sensation as well. Being one of the signs and symptoms of being pregnant, the tenderness of the breast often disappears a few weeks later.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Considered another one of the classic sign and symptoms of being pregnant, nausea and vomiting, (aka morning sickness) has become one of the most feared of all pregnancy symptoms. Feeling sick is a common complaint and is experienced by most women from weeks 5 to 6 of their pregnancy. However, morning sickness can also be felt as early as two weeks after conception. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, and can vary from an occasional faint sensation to overwhelming vomiting and nausea. By and large, morning sickness is one of the pregnancy symptoms that tends to disappear towards the end of the first trimester.

TIREDNESS

Many women experience fatigue as one of their pregnancy symptoms. Although this might be a sign of being pregnant, it can also indicate other things as well.

DARKENING OF THE AREOLA

Being one of the first physical symptoms of pregnancy, the darkening of the areola can occur throughout your entire pregnancy. If you notice the darkening of the areola, this could be considered one of the signs and symptoms of being pregnant.

FREQUENT URINATION

If you experience that you are urinating more frequently, this might be another of the pregnancy symptoms that confirm that you are pregnant. As early as two weeks after conception, you might find yourself experience this pregnancy symptom. The pressure of the literally reducing size of your bladder is the cause of this. Your uterus beings to rise up into the abdomen, and this annoying pregnancy symptom is the result. Rising levels of the pregnancy hormone progesterone stimulate the bladder muscles, so that it feels full, even though you might not need to urinate. Of all of the pregnancy symptoms, and signs of being pregnant, women sometimes find this to be the most annoying.

CHANGES IN TASTE AND SMELL

Don't be surprised if you experience this pregnancy sign and symptom. Many women claim that certain foods make them feel queasy - while others experience a craving for other foods. Another sign of this pregnancy symptom, is a strange metallic taste.

CONSTIPATION

Another of the annoying signs and symptoms of being pregnant, constipation occurs.

CONFIRMING YOUR PREGNANCY

Two weeks after conception, your baby is no bigger than a pinhead, comprised of a few balls of cells. As it begins to develop in the lining of the uterus, the placenta begins to form and produce necessary pregnancy hormones. Below are some ways to confirm that the pregnancy symptoms and signs of being pregnant that you have noticed are accurate, and that you will be having a baby.

HOME PREGNANCY TESTS

Being very accurate, these tests can be purchased at a local drugstore, and can confirm pregnancy by detecting the level of HCG in your urine. Your health care provider may rely on this test, and may only repeating testing if complications arise. If you receive a positive result, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor so that they can confirm you are pregnant and begin follow-up.

OFFICE URINE TEST

Similar to that of a home pregnancy test, and office urine test confirms pregnancy by also detecting the level of HCG in your urine. Being nearly 100% accurate, this test does not require you to urinate first thing in the morning. This type of test also can determine that the signs and symptoms of being pregnant hold true, and that your pregnancy symptoms are right.

PREGNANCY BLOOD TEST

In order to assist dating your pregnancy, your healthcare provider may also perform a pregnancy blood test. This particular pregnancy test can give you a positive or negative result, and once again detects the level of HCG. This time, it detects that level in your blood, and depending on your pregnancy symptoms, helps them determine what kind of care to give you. Pregnancy blood tests are useful if there are any concerns about miscarriage, or if there are indications that an unusual pregnancy is occurring.

INTERNAL EXAM

Four to six weeks after conception, your doctor can receive indefinite proof by examining you internally. Certain signs like the thickening of vaginal tissues and the softening of your uterus will confirm that the pregnancy symptoms are right on!

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