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Showing posts from December, 2008

The Third Trimester

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Changes in Your Body Some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue. Plus, many women find breathing even more difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. This is because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don't worry, your baby is fine and these problems will lessen once you give birth. The following aches and pains often appear for the first time during the third trimester: Heartburn Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia or toxemia. Hemorrhoids Tender Breasts Trouble Sleeping As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing pro...

Pregnancy Stages - Learn About Various Stages Of Pregnancy

By Abhishek Agarwal The news about a positive pregnancy is received with mixed feelings, not only by the expectant mother but also by all the other adults in the household! This is but natural since the arrival of the "bundle of joy" is bound to affect the lives of all those connected with it, in some way or the other, be it the mother-to-be (especially if it is her first child), the father-to-be, grandparents, other relatives, close friends, etc. Everyone's thoughts now center round the stages of pregnancy and what changes to expect in the next few months till the actual birth of the baby. As far as the expectant mother is concerned, her next step involves a visit to her family physician who will counsel her regarding health and nutrition and so on. The doctor may even send her to a qualified expert to undergo certain tests and examinations. The expert is able to provide better guidance and education concerning the different stages of pregnancy. For the other membe...

The Second Trimester

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Changes in Your Body Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first. But it is just as important to stay informed about your pregnancy during these months. You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as you gain weight and the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move! Many of the aches and pains you had in the first trimester may continue. So remember to follow the tips from Pregnancy Basics to help prevent and ease these discomforts. Some of the following aches and pains may make their first appearance during the second trimester: Pain in the abdomen, groin, and thighs Backaches Shortness of breath Stretch Marks Skin Changes Tingling in hands and fingers Itching on the abdomen, palms, and so...

Changes to Expect in the Pregnancy Stages

By Charles Johnson You can expect to go through many different changes in your body and your emotions during the pregnancy stages. There are three stages of pregnancy, called trimesters, each of which lasts for about three months. Each one brings different feelings about yourself and the baby, different emotions about the things around you and of course, different types of changes that occur within your body. One of the best ways of recording these changes so that you can answer the questions of your friends when they become pregnant or if you want to compare one pregnancy to another is to start keeping a journal as soon as you discover that you are to become a mother. Even before you know you are pregnant for sure, you will start to notice different changes in your body at the beginning of the first trimester. Your breasts will start to increase in size as the mammary gland start to fill with milk. This will not be an immediate change, bit one that will occur gradually with a slig...

10 Ways to Fight Stress during Pregnancy

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Pregnancy is a time to pamper yourself, but you may be feeling too stressed to enjoy it. Try these simple techniques for bringing more balance to your life. While pregnant with baby number three, I had a hard time feeling relaxed. I couldn't find a comfortable sleeping position , and my growing baby's favorite activity involved doing gymnastics with my bladder as her springboard. But pregnancy shouldn't be uncomfortable all the time—here are a few simple tips to help you enjoy your pregnancy . The Three-Minute Rule I'll admit I complained any chance I got to my husband about being pregnant. Before long it seemed he stopped listening, which of course frustrated me and made me complain more. Then we came up with the three-minute rule: before we went to bed, I had three minutes to tell him about everything that hurt, and he would listen to every ill. I never made the full three minutes, but having the time helped me not to complain—or think about the discomfort—f...

The First Trimester

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Changes in Your Body During the first three months of pregnancy, or the first trimester , your body undergoes many changes. As your body adjusts to the growing baby, you may have nausea, fatigue, backaches, mood swings, and stress. These things are all normal. Most of these discomforts will go away as your pregnancy progresses. And some women might not feel any discomfort at all! If you have been pregnant before, you might feel differently this time around. Just as each woman is different, so is each pregnancy. As your body changes, you might need to make changes to your normal, everyday routine. Here are some of the most common changes or symptoms you might experience in the first trimester: Tiredness Many women find they're exhausted in the first trimester. Don't worry, this is normal! This is your body's way of telling you that you need more rest. After all, your body is working very hard to develop a whole new life. Try these tips to ease exhaustion: ...

Pregnancy Stages - A Brief Overview

By Tehmina Mazher Soon after the delight of discovering that "I am pregnant" the mothers want to discover what is going to happen during the different pregnancy stages. The initial pregnancy symptoms are actually the result of changing hormonal levels and the growth of the baby in the womb. Now the anxiety is for handling incoming pregnancy stages. Read on to find the answer to all your anxieties. Each pregnancy stage is accompanied with many changes in both the mother and the baby, and the better understanding of these changes helps to enjoy them more. First Pregnancy Stage During the first pregnancy stage the baby is developing at an incredible rate. During these twelve weeks of the first stage, the baby grows from two tiny cells to about seven centimeters long fetus with many of its organs(including heart) in the functioning position. Obviously this gives a deep effect on the mother's body. Increasing level of hormones at this stage is the major cause of nausea...

Human Reproduction: Fertilization and Fetal Development

10 ways to survive stress in pregnancy

What causes stress during pregnancy? The sources of stress during pregnancy can be wide-ranging, from concern about your baby's health and wellbeing , or the impending labour, through to how you'll manage after the birth. It could be that your journey to work is exhausting, or you're anxious about finances and how you are going to afford all the costs involved with a new baby. Whatever it is that's worrying you, there are many positive steps you can take to overcome these feelings. 1. Make time to rest Advertisement It's a simple thing, but sometimes so difficult to take time out for yourself. Not only is this good for you, but also extremely good for your baby - so don't feel guilty about 'doing nothing'. It is ok to say “no” when you don’t have the energy to take on extra chores even if you do have the time. At work, find somewhere to put your feet up and relax during your lunch break and, in the evenings, try to cut down on chores. ...

Know Your Stages Of Pregnancy Better

Congratulations; you are pregnant! You need to be well-informed regarding the stages of pregnancy. However, with it starts your journey towards creating a new life. So, let's take a look at how a new life develops inside you. The First Trimester During this stage, you will have to endure one or more of the following symptoms: tenderness of breasts, tiredness, morning sickness (which can happen any time of the day), headaches, frequent urination, and others. As the first trimester ends, the size of your uterus resembles that of a grapefruit and your baby inside becomes the size of a cherry. Now, you baby has heartbeats, reflexes, and can move its tiny limbs. At this trimester, you have to be very particular about prenatal care and your nutrition. In addition to this, you should exercise regularly keeping the safety of your baby in mind. Remember; a healthy mother gives birth to a healthy baby. The Second Trimester During the second trimester , your belly will become large en...

10 Tips for Better Sleep During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is hard work, and you'll need your sleep. One of the cruel realities is that a good night's sleep during pregnancy remains elusive, if not impossible for most pregnant women, at some point during their pregnancy. While you might not be able to sleep like a baby, there are some ways you can improve your chances for better sleep during pregnancy. 1. Exercise . Getting your self good and tired out can't hurt your chances of getting some quality shut eye. It's also been shown that regular exercise can reduce the frequency of leg cramps, which many women are more prone to during pregnancy. Just don't exercise within a couple of hours of bedtime — that rush of endorphins and adrenaline can keep you awake long after you've hit the sack. 2. Relaxation . You should incorporate some forms of relaxation into your day, and particularly as part of your bedtime routine. Yoga is a good form of both exercise and relaxation, just be sure that you're following a ...

Making Your Pregnancy Time Well Spent

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People say your life will change when you have a baby, but it's hard to know exactly how this new, sweet commitment will affect your time. Take advantage now of spontaneity, sleep, and slowly savored dinner dates before your child arrives. Even if you've spent time with parents of young children, it's difficult to imagine how your days will flow after you have a baby. You may notice your friend's slightly grayish look after a tough week when the entire family has had a cold, or you might wonder if she really needs a jam-packed diaper bag to go around the block—but the logistics are not yet yours to master. What changes drastically with the arrival of a child is your relationship with time. Where your days used to be yours to plan, now another person—small and dependent—determines much of your schedule. You can try to maintain your old habits, but most of the time you will be happier following your child's sleeping and eating schedule. Here are ways to enjoy yo...

Pregnancy Sleep and Comfort Checklist

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Everyone talks about how little sleep you'll get once your baby  arrives, but what about the tossing and turning during your final months of pregnancy? Try these items to rest, relax, and take time out for yourself before Baby arrives.

10 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

By Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum As mothers tend to sacrifice during their lives to meet their children's needs, a mother's body will give up its own essential nutrients to provide health and growth for her developing baby. Unfortunately, the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) is often so nutritionally deficient that even this sacrifice does not guarantee adequate nutrition for the unborn baby. Fortunately, there are a number of tips that, if followed during pregnancy, can help both baby and mother stay healthy and vital! Here is my top 10 list for ensuring a healthy pregnancy. It includes recommendations on nutrition, vitamins, minerals and other common-sense tips that can lead to a happier, healthier and more vital pregnancy: 1. Zinc Inadequate zinc is the most common and problematic deficiency during pregnancy. Zinc is critical for two reasons: proper growth and for developing a healthy immune system for the baby. Studies suggest that inadequate zinc may even cause immune de...

EFFECTS OF COLD WATER

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Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.    Heart attacks and the habit of drinking hot water / warm .... This article is useful for all. Not only suggestion drink hot water after a meal, but associated with heart attack! In the logic of ..., there may be exculpatory. . The people of China and Japan attended the tea hot while eating ... ES and not the water. Perhaps it is time that we forge drinking habits hot water / warm while enjoying the meal! We will not lose anything ... but will benefit from this habit. To whom the ES like drinking water, according to these articles you read. It's nice and fresh drinking water after the ES, they are fatal! However, the water will freeze ES oily food that we eat. It will slow our digestive process. When the fat-fat is formed in the gut, it will restrict many channels and it will cause fat, and we gather more fat and get directions to the various DISEASES. ... I...