The First Pregnancy

Week by week pregnancy information is necessary and such information helps the would-be mothers and her partner to cope with this exciting period of their life. There are many anxieties and issues a would-be mother confronts during the pregnancy cycle and a few weeks beyond that. If the women have week by week information related to all aspects of pregnancy, the pregnant woman and her family is aware about the various physical and emotional changes that are expected during the stipulated time frame. Pregnancy Calculator Week By Week The pregnancy calculation, for the above-mentioned purposes, is done such that the pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of LMP i.e. the Last Menstrual Period. Therefore, as per this calculation procedure, in the first two weeks of pregnancy, there actually is no pregnancy. The eggs do not fertilize till about two weeks and the baby is therefore actually expected within 38 weeks of fertilization. Stages Of Pregnancy The 40 weeks of pregnanc...

Pregnant women would be wise to limit the amount of green tea they drink during pregnancy, and should be careful about taking any green tea supplements. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, and has a host of health benefits relating to dental health, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and weight loss. But researchers have found, whilst examining the active constituent of green tea, the epigallocatechins, or EGCG for short, that it may affect the way the body uses folate. Folate is important for pregnant women as it prevents neural tube birth defects in babies. The problem of green tea during pregnancy is that the EGCG molecules are structurally similar to a compound called methotrexate. Methotrexate is able to kill cancer cells by chemically bonding with an enzyme in the body called enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Healthy people have this enzyme also - it is part of what is called the folate pathway, which is the pathway, or steps, the body takes to transform nutrients like folate...

Pregnant women are required to perform some kind of low bearing exercise during their pregnancy to ensure that their muscles are ready for the stresses of labor. If you exercised regularly prior to becoming pregnant, and are already in good shape, then you only need to maintain it. Check with your medical provider that the kind of exercise program you follow is safe for the baby and continue it as long as you can. Below are some general tips to keep in mind: 1. Change In Your Exercise Routine Is Necessary Especially during the first and third trimesters, you will need to cut back on any heavy load bearing exercises such as weightlifting. You will need to switch to low impact exercises such as aqua-aerobics, yoga or pilates. Another option is to contact a qualified doctor or fitness trainer, preferably a fitness trainer that is experienced working with pregnant women. 2. Safe Pregnancy Exercises - Yoga - Pilates - Aqua- Aerobics - Other exercises that strengthen the back...

By David McEvoy According to a recent study which was published in the ‘Archives of Disease in Childhood' in 2006, babies born to women who took fish oil supplements during the last 4 months of pregnancy had better hand to eye coordination, were better speakers and could understand more at the age of two and a half, than babies born to mothers who were given olive oil instead. The Study The double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted by the University of Western Australia and led by Professor Susan Prescott. Also involved in the study were King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Centre for Child Health Research Australia. A total of 98 women were initially enrolled in the study, all of who were non smokers and who did not regularly consume more than 2 portions of oily fish a week. A total of eighty three of these women completed the study. Researchers gave half...

By Juzaily Ramli This is a basic guide to pregnancy which covers issues like the different stages to pregnancy and what usually takes place when a woman is pregnant. It is important to note that not all pregnancies progress in the same way, however this guide will be helpful to first time mothers and the men in their lives as it provides very basic information on what to expect during a normal pregnancy. In a way, being prepared would help them avoid unwanted miscarriage from happening. It is important for a pregnant woman to receive good prenatal care throughout the various stages of pregnancy. Also, a good relationship with the doctor will be very helpful for both the expecting parents as the doctor will be able to explain and offer advice that are crucial for each stage of pregnancy. The first thing that every expectant woman should know is that a normal pregnancy takes up to 40 weeks. This period is divided into three sections called trimesters, in which each trimester lasts ...

What you do before pregnancy can help you and your baby have a healthy pregnancy. 1. Take folic acid. Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy can help your baby’s brain and spinal cord develop properly. Look on the label of the vitamin bottle to see if it contains the necessary amount of folic acid. Eat a healthy diet that includes foods that contain folate, the natural form of the vitamin. Such foods include fortified breads and breakfast cereals, beans, leafy green vegetables and orange juice. 2. Get a checkup before pregnancy. Preconception care is medical care you get before you're pregnant. The goal is to evaluate your health and identify health and lifestyle risks that may affect your pregnancy.  One of the most important steps you can take to have a healthy pregnancy is to see your health care provider before you conceive. Your provider can help you be as healthy as possible be...