Pregnancy Info

Every woman’s life is filled with surprises and challenges. But the happiest moment that a woman can experience in her life is discovering that she is pregnant. From this moment on, a woman will begin to think about the growth and future of her baby. Being pregnant is a miraculous event in every woman’s life. Just seeing how a baby emerges in the womb from a single cell is already a miracle. The episode of pregnancy condition for mothers as well as to the baby is very interesting especially for first-time moms. Mothers do not only notice and experience changes in their body but they also feel the excitement on how their baby grow in their womb. Read this article and get to know more about the pregnancy condition week by week.

The Episode of Pregnancy Week by Week

The first trimester of pregnancy condition consists of 1-12 weeks. This stage is very critical, hence pregnant women need extra care to make her body prepared for the development of the baby inside her womb. From this stage, a woman is required to have a pregnancy development calendar where she could records details of changes, weeks, and progress of her pregnancy. The most common symptoms during this sage include constipation, heartburn, dizziness, fatigue, missed period, nausea, breast tenderness, frequent urination, metallic taste, increased in body’s temperature, and sleep disturbances.

The second trimester of pregnancy condition consists of week 13 to 26. During this stage, the symptoms from the first trimester will start to decrease but various physical changes in the body will happen such as discomfort or ache in the abdomen, enlargement of the breast, and further growth. As the symptoms decrease, women will also feel healthy. Once pregnancy reaches week 13, chances of miscarriage already decrease.

Below is the complete list of symptoms and changes during week 14-26 of pregnancy:

• Week 14 & 15 – increased constipation, indigestion, frequent urination, heartburn, headache, stretch marks and dark lines on the abdomen. Itching of the abdomen or stretch marks is also experienced.
• Week 16 – fetal movement, increased in blood volume in the body, round ligament pain
• Week 17 – morning sickness, increase in weight and body secretions due to fat development of the baby
• Week 18 – fetal movements will be more obvious due to appearance of bubbly movements (across the belly) from the tiny feet, knees, and elbows of the baby
• Week 19 – heartburn, pregnancy mask, dry, itchy & flaky skin due to hormonal changes
• Week 20 – more prominent stretch marks around the belly, and sometimes feeling of breathless because baby starts to shift down to the pelvis
• Week 21 – belly increases in size; hormonal levels become stabilized as the uterus begins to prepare for delivery in the coming weeks; increase of water content that may result to swollen ankles and feet
• Week 22 – belly size is more prominent, steady weight gain, lower back pain
• Week 23 – mood swings, movement of the baby increase in frequency and becomes more prominent
• Week 24 – tightening of the uterus, more awareness on the baby’s movement inside
• Week 25 – leg cramps, being bloated
• Week 26 – increased pain and pressure in the pelvic region, ribs, and lower back; frequent skin eruptions and vaginal discharge

The third/last trimester of pregnancy condition consists of week 27-40. Here is a list of symptoms/changes that you will experience as the baby grows inside the womb:

• Hip pain due to continuous weight gain of the baby and relaxing of joints (by pregnancy hormones) in the pelvic region
• Increase in blood circulation that cause spider veins and small reddish spots
• More pressure in the bladder region and frequent urination
• Feeling of breathlessness due to expansion of uterus beneath the diaphragm and pressure of the lungs.
• Swelling of the feet and ankles; numbness and tingling of the legs and hands.
• Braxton Hicks contractions are experienced. These help warm-up the signs of real labor pains.

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Pregnancy exercises are beneficial and safe for the mothers and the babies. It keeps both the mother and the baby healthy and relaxed. Read this article and discover more about pregnancy exercises that are good and safe.

Pregnant women undergo many changes on their body week by week. To cope up with these changes, women are suggested to do regular exercises that will make them feel good about themselves, release wanted stress and energize their body. Pregnancy exercises strengthen the thigh, butt, and muscles that suffer lots of stress because of the growing uterus size. It also relieves backaches that are usually experience during pregnancy.

The Benefits of Pregnancy Exercises

Pregnancy exercises improve the supply of blood flow and oxygen to the fetus. It prepares the woman’s body for childbirth and minimizes the discomfort and pain for the time of delivery. The exercises will also help the woman’s body for post-delivery as it helps recovers well from the process of labor. Nevertheless, pregnancy exercises should be safe in a way that it is low or light impact without causing any injury of slipping or falling.

Before a pregnant woman begins with her exercises, she should consult her doctor first and discuss her exercise regime. Normally, the doctor will give her some guidelines that should be followed in doing the exercises. In case the woman is already performing exercises before she got pregnant, she can do some modifications on her old exercise regime by eliminating activities of deep knee bends, full sit-ups, bouncing, jumping, and more. On the other hand, pregnancy exercises are not recommended for those who have problems such as low placenta, history of miscarriage, and vaginal bleeding.

The most common and safest pregnancy exercises include walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, and fitness ball. Walking is beneficial for the abdominal muscles and knee muscles of pregnant women. It should begin with low speed as it increases to moderate speed. This exercise should be done 30 minutes for about 3-4 times a week. Swimming is the best exercise for pregnant women as it increases the flexibility and strength of various muscles in the body. It also relieves the pain in the joints caused by body weight increase.

Yoga exercises come in different forms for pregnant women. It focuses on stretching particular muscles in the body that are stressed during childbirth and pregnancy. It checks on the blood pressure and heart rate too. It also gives a sense of oneness between soul, body, and mind as you feel the connection between you and your baby inside the womb. However, yoga exercises that involve extreme body stretching should be avoided.

Fitness ball tones up the abdominal muscles of pregnant women and gives flexibility as well. Sitting on the fitness ball allows pregnant women to practice deep breathing exercises, which are beneficial for their delivery.

Above mentioned exercises should be clearly discuss by pregnant women with their doctors as there are some tips that must be followed before performing the exercise. In case the exercises make you feel tired of uncomfortable, stop immediately and consult your doctor. In addition, always wear clothes that are breathable, and shoes that are fitted for easy exercising. Keeping the body hydrated (before exercising) is also very important.

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Having a healthy body is important when planning for pregnancy. However, achieving this can be difficult especially if a woman has a medical condition that prevents her from being pregnant. One of the common medical conditions that greatly affect pregnancy is diabetes. Read along this article and discover more about the highlights of diabetes and pregnancy in women’s lives.

Facts about Diabetes and Pregnancy

Diabetes refers to medical condition wherein the body is not able to produce insulin, which is an essential hormone that aids the body to absorb glucose and convert it into energy. It comes in different types that include gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and type 1 diabetes. The causes of these diabetes may vary depending on its type.

Gestational diabetes is also called as temporary diabetes, which is usually diagnosed during pregnancy. Women tend to exhibit high levels of blood sugar or glucose during pregnancy, thus developing gestational diabetes. The exact reason of having this type of diabetes is still unknown but there are symptoms listed. The symptoms include vision problems, frequent urinary tract and bladder infections, nausea, fatigue or excessive tiredness, increased hunger, frequent urination, and unusual excessive thirst.

Above mentioned symptoms (except frequent infections and blurred vision) in gestational diabetes are experienced by most pregnant women due to hormonal changes and exerted pressure of the growing embryo inside the body. Because of this, gestational diabetes is said to be asymptomatic.

The type 1 diabetes refers to medical condition wherein the body fails to generate beta cells that are known to be the insulin generating cells. It is called as idiopathic diabetes, which is a result of insulin deficiency. It is also referred as autoimmune disorder wherein the body fails to determine the difference between the host, and the tissues and guest cells. Because of this, the body creates rebel cells that combat the guest cells, which are actually its own insulin generating cells. The exact cause of this diabetic condition is still unknown but it is said to be genetic.

Women accompanied with type 1 diabetes during pregnancy may lead to inborn defects to the baby related to the nervous system and mental health. In order to avoid these things from happening, it is best to acquire initial care and proper planning during pregnancy. A1C hemoglobin test is important for pregnant women to ensure their diabetes blood sugar levels. Prior to conception, the A1C levels should be maintained below six or seven. Constant medical examination, maintaining diet, and regular exercising during pregnancy are also essential.

Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition wherein body cells build up insulin resistance. Since the cells do not take action to the hormone insulin, it does not absorb glucose from blood. As this happens, blood glucose levels get high. Lowering the elevated levels of the blood glucose is no longer possible with type 2 diabetes since the amount of insulin is no longer sufficient.

Type 2 diabetes condition may bring various complications to pregnancy. During the first trimester of pregnancy, sugar levels might get high, thus increasing the chances of birth defects and miscarriages. On third trimester of pregnancy, babies can achieve larger size than its normal size. Baby can get overweight; hence, caesarean delivery would be an option for pregnant women. High levels of blood sugar during pregnancy can result to serious to symptoms of high blood pressure such as swelling in the feet and face.

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As you begin your pregnancy journey, you need to start a healthy pregnancy diet as well. You must be very careful of what food to eat and foods that should be avoided. As a mother, you are highly responsible for your health and your unborn baby. This is how important a healthy pregnancy diet is. Let us learn more of this diet as we read along.

A pregnant woman is required to consume additional 300 calories from her regular diet. This can be a tedious task as eating and digesting too much calories is not easy. Despite the signs of early pregnancy such as cravings and morning sickness, maintaining a healthy diet can be a challenge. You need to overcome this challenge and keep a balanced diet for the health of your baby and yours.

How Important is a Healthy Pregnancy Diet

High-fiber diet is important for pregnant women. Fiber rich foods are the best source of all the supplies and energy needed by your unborn baby. It includes cooked beans, loads of green leafy vegetables, raw fruits, cereals, rice, whole grain, and wheat breads. The diet must include around 5-10 servings of high-fiber rich foods. Poultry, fish dairy, and meat should be included in sufficient amount as well.

A healthy pregnancy diet also includes foods rich in minerals, vitamins, and calcium. Proper levels of folic acid and vitamin D should be maintained in the diet to avoid any possible complications during pregnancy. Vitamin C levels, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein levels must be maintained by consuming sufficient amount of vegetables, fruits, and fruits. Foods rich in iron should also be maintained in order to have healthy blood circulation during pregnancy. Pregnant women can ask their doctor’s advice for possible vitamin and calcium supplements.

Equal distribution of meals is relatively important for a healthy pregnancy diet. Instead of consuming 3-4 whole meals, the meals should be divided into 5-6 sets. An expecting mother is required to consume 70mg of vitamin C, less than 1000 IU of vitamin A, 27 mg of iron, 1200mg of Calcium, and three servings of dairy products. Consuming 6-8 glasses of water every day is also necessary.

As part of a healthy pregnancy diet, there are things that should be avoided that may cause harm to the health of both the mother and the baby. Foods like deli meats, soft cheeses, fish with high mercury levels, and raw meat items are should be avoided during pregnancy. These foods may cause food poisoning to the mother and the baby. Apart from these foods, smoking and alcohol must be avoided completely safeguard the health of the mother and baby. Drinking alcohol may cause low weight and mental retardation to the babies, and being premature. Daily intake of caffeine should be limited to maximum of 300 mg every day. This also includes intake of cola drinks, chocolates, and coffee.

A healthy pregnancy diet is properly consulted and planned with dietitian. Along with this diet, timely medical examinations and pregnancy exercises are also important factors to consider when pregnant. Mental health and physical healthy also play important roles during pregnancy, thus always keep your mood positive and high for the baby to develop healthily and normally inside your womb.

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