New Born Baby

Weeks Thirty Five to Forty

2008-07-04T11:49:00.003+10:00

Weeks Thirty Five to Forty.

Month nine of your pregnancy is naturally what you have been waiting for and it can be quite a tense time as any day can be the day that you will go from being a woman to a mother. During your routine check up this month your doctor will exam you to see if your cervix is effacing or dilating in preparation or birth.

Getting Ready for the Drop.

There are two terms used to describe the course in which the baby drops into the pelvic cavity ready for birth. Lightening and engagement happens when the baby’s head drops down into the pelvis in preparation for birth. This may occur two or four weeks before labour for mothers that are having their first child, or just before the labour starts for mothers that have had children before. However, regardless of when it happens you should feel as if your belly has lowered and tilted forward when it takes place. As a result of your baby changing position and dropping to a lower part of your body, the strain that you have been feeling previously on your back and stomach is relieved; however you will experience a slight tingling sensation in your pelvic area until your baby is born because of it relocating itself and resting on the nerves in your legs and pelvis region. Consequently, the need to wee constantly will also be an issue, as your baby may rest against your bladder also, causing you to want to go to the toilet several times a day.

What Are The Signs That I’m About To Give Birth?

Your body will prepare for labour up to two to four weeks before the actual event. Lightening or engagement is one of the signs to expect but there are more that will also give you an indication that a new baby is on the way:

* Excess vaginal discharge and/ or brownish mucus.
* More frequent and severe Braxton Hicks contractions.
* An increase in the amount of energy that you have for organising or cleaning (nesting instinct).

How to Know When You Are in Labour.

If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions then you are about to give birth:

* Do contractions take place at habitual intervals that are coming more rapidly together and getting more intense?
* Do you have lower-back pain?
* Has your water broken?

As you cannot predict the exact time when you are going to go into labour, now is a good time to practise what you will do when it does happen. Make a list of the things that you will need to take into hospital with you and make sure that you pack a bag for your hospital stay of essentials. Map out a route to the hospital which will ensure that you can get there safely and in good time. Have a list of contacts nearby or saved in your phone so that you can call someone who can be on hand to help you. When packing for your stay in hospital remember the following:

* Clothing to wear on your trip back home – ensure that you pack something suitable and comfortable for your journey. If it is cold outside you might want to pack a hat, scarf and gloves too;
* A nursing bra – not everyone likes the idea of breastfeeding, but it is advisable to start off in this way and so a nursing bra is ideal for you to give your child milk and nourishment without having to struggle to take off your whole bra, as they have front panels that drop down to expose your nipples;
* Old maternity underwear – you will still have your pregnancy belly and so any clothes that you pack will need to fit your body. After birth you tend to bleed a lot and so wearing old underwear ensures that you do not ruin any of your ‘good’ stuff;
* Pyjamas/ dressing gown/ slippers: essential items for your comfort when you are lying in a hospital bed. If you do not pack your own you will be given hospital items; therefore it is better to be prepared and feel comfortable in your own clothes than something that has been worn repeatedly;
* Toiletries;
* Reading material – it can be very boring in hospital if you have to stay for a long period of time and though you may feel weary and tired and thus sleep a lot, take a magazine or other reading items to bridge the boredom gaps.

clipped from www.webdesign.org

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Weeks Thirty One to Thirty Four.

2008-06-04T11:45:00.002+10:00

Weeks Thirty One to Thirty Four.

By this point in your pregnancy you are starting to feel the strain of the growth of the baby inside of your body, which will start to become more tired easily as the countdown begins.

You will have increasingly gained weight up until this point where you may feel as you are looking like the size of a bus, but at this stage your weight will steadily stabilize and become more constant, with you gaining about a pound per week up until the birth. Again, be aware that this does not mean you have to gain weight; being pregnant does not give you an excuse to eat what you want, when you want to; instead you should continue to eat a regular healthy balanced diet to ensure that your baby grows naturally and that you do not put too much added pressure on your body.

As with previous months, your doctor and midwife will insist on checkups for the following: blood pressure; weight; size of your baby; checks for a heartbeat. These are vitally important, especially at this stage, so please ensure that you make every effort to attend any appointment that you are given and that you ask any questions or raise any issues that you may be having.

In the months prior to the last trimester of your pregnancy you will have found that your body has changed dramatically and that you are suffering from such things as varicose veins, stretch marks, headaches, nausea, and problems with your digestive system. In your seventh month these will gradually worsen and you may feel more discomfort than you have before. This is because there is so much action going on inside of your womb and your body is acting in accordance with that. Do not worry and consult your doctor if the discomfort becomes too intense.

As a result of the extra weight that you are carrying this will have a knock on effect with your back which will feel the stress of carrying your child. Your posture is not as rigid as it would have been prior to your pregnancy and so naturally your body has to adjust to this and your back is the area of your body which will feel the most strain. The only way to resurrect this problem is to try and maintain a straight composure when standing and sitting. Do not slouch or slump, but rather keep your back in a continual upright position, supported with cushions if necessary. Ensure that the mattress which you sleep on at night is firm, as a soft one will only aggravate the problem.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Common Questions and Thoughts.

2008-05-04T23:43:00.001+10:00

Common Questions and Thoughts.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions by mothers at this point in their pregnancy:

Q1. Why do I feel so breathless all of the time?

A1. Your diaphragm is the large flat muscle that helps you to breathe and when it goes into spasm this is when you experience what we call hiccups. When your uterus expands (which is does during pregnancy) it becomes so large that it actually presses up against your diaphragm making you feel as if you cannot get enough air into and out of the lungs; causing breathlessness.

Q2. How can I ease the discomfort?

A2. It will be easier to breathe if you keep in an upright position when sitting or standing, as this will allow your diaphragm more room within your body than if you are slumped over which will compact the amount of the room inside of you.

Q3. Why do I feel so guilty about being annoyed at being pregnant?

A3. There are so many changes happening to your body at this stage that you may be feeling guilty about being bored with being pregnant. At seven months gone you just want the pregnancy stage to be over and done with so that you can get on with being a mother. It’s natural to feel this way, especially if you are constantly experiencing discomfort through such things as swollen ankles, cramps, indigestion and backache. Don’t worry; you’re not alone in feeling this way.

Q4. Is it safe to make love when you are seven months pregnant?

A4. Not every pregnant mother is in the mood for making love when they are feeling like a bloated whale and have heartburn, but for those of you that are…it is perfectly safe to have intercourse while pregnant. If you feel uncomfortable about it or unsure, talk to your doctor who can advise you on the pros and cons of love making.

Q5. Can my baby hear me?

A5. Your baby can begin to hear noises and sounds from outside of the body at around 30 weeks. It has been proven that a fetus can distinguish its mother’s voice from that of anyone else that it hears. Although your baby may not being able to actually understand the words that are spoken, it has been advised that a mother sings, talks and reads to their child to familiarise them with outside world sounds and to establish a stronger bond between mother and child.

Q6. Is it necessary to have a birth plan?

A6. It is not necessary to have a birth plan, but they can help if you are stressing about the big day. A birth plan is essentially a list of what you need for the birth, labour and hospital stay. It is a good idea to have an understanding of what you want during the delivery as it will put your mind at ease if you have decided prior to the event how you want things to be organised.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Stretch Marks

2008-04-07T19:00:00.004+10:00

Unfortunately for most women pregnancy causes you to get stretch marks as your body is growing and expanding and consequently ‘stretches.’ These can occur around your breasts, belly, hips and inner and outer thighs; and are often red or dark pink in colour. Though these will remain with you after the birth you can try to reduce the visibility of them by using creams such as bio oil which has been proven to reduce the marks but unfortunately will not remove them forever.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Weeks Twenty Seven to Thirty

2008-04-07T19:00:00.003+10:00

This stage of your pregnancy signals that you are in your third and final trimester. You will be gradually gaining pounds, but remember that you do not need to eat excessively; this is just a fictitious notion that pregnant women fool themselves into thinking so that they can eat more. Be careful of what you eat; any weight gained now will be difficult to shift when you give birth. Choose your meals wisely so that you are eating a balanced diet and that you have a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. These are what your baby needs the most, not regular intakes of fatty foods!

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Getting Ready for the Birth

2008-04-07T18:59:00.001+10:00

Though your baby isn’t due for another two months your body will start to prepare for the big day. This means that you may experience from time to time contractions. This doesn’t mean necessarily that you are about to give birth prematurely, but it is your body’s way of making sure that when the big day finally does arrive you are fully prepared. The tensing and relaxing of your muscles is called Braxton Hicks contractions and whilst they can cause you to feel discomfort and sharp pains they are only practice contractions. The will become more regular and intense as the pregnancy continues; this is a common occurrence and nothing to get worried about.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Uncomfortable Feelings

2008-04-07T18:58:00.001+10:00

You may start to feel a little uncomfortable at this stage as your body is changing so rapidly and you are experiencing so many different emotions that the pressure of carrying a child can cause you to feel stressed. Remember that you are going to be a mother and the reward of this will surpass any feelings that you are having. Heartburn can be an irritating part of the later stages of pregnancy. There are ways to prevent or ease this condition though:

• Rather than eating three regular large meals a day, adjust your diet so that you consume five smaller meals instead;
• Do not eat foods that are likely to cause you irritation, such as foods that are spicy or fried, as these will sit funny in your stomach and cause excess acid;
• If the problem persists so much that it is causing you to lose sleep over it then consult your doctor who may be able to advise you of medication that can ease your burden.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

A Class Act

2008-04-07T18:57:00.001+10:00

There are several types of classes that you can attend to prepare you for the birth, but regardless of which one you go to they will generally cover the following areas:

• Labour – obviously this is top of the list of things to learn about as it varies with each and every mother to be. They will explain to you what to expect and how to recognise the proper contractions from the ones that you may have been experiencing during your pregnancy (Braxton Hicks Contractions.)
• You may be worrying about certain things and it is important to realise that you are not alone. Many mothers experience the same fears and anxieties and so getting together with other expectant mothers can ease your worrying and may even solve some of your concerns.
• You will learn explicitly how your baby is actually capable of being pushed out of you – something that many mothers at this stage in the pregnancy start to worry about.
• You will become familiar with hospital procedures and what to expect from the delivery.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Weeks Twenty Three to Twenty Six

2008-04-07T18:54:00.001+10:00

The sixth month of your pregnancy is one that clearly signals to those around you that you are going to be a proud mother soon, as your weight will have significantly increased thus creating your belly to expand and become more noticeably a rounded ‘pregnant tummy.’ In fact, it is not only your belly that will have become bigger; it is at this point that you will start to get your pregnancy ’glow’ as your face, arms, thighs and bottom gradually increase in size.
As with the previous months when you go to the doctors you will have a regular check up to ensure that your weight, blood pressure, growth of your baby and its heartbeat are progressing healthily. One of the main concerns that your doctor will have at this stage is if you are susceptible to contracting gestational diabetes, a condition that can suddenly develop especially if you fit into any or all of the following categories:

• You have had this condition before;
• You have given birth to a still born child;
• Your blood pressure is abnormally high;
• You are 35 or over;
• You have an immediate family relative, such as a sibling or parent, that has diabetes;
• You are obese;
• You have given birth to a child that was classified as a very big baby.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Concerns and Worries

2008-04-07T18:52:00.001+10:00

As with your previous month of pregnancy your baby will send signs that it is growing inside of you, such as kicking and punching.
Your body will continue to grow and change in ways that will become increasingly noticeable. You may start to feel warm regardless of your situation or what items of clothing that you are wearing. This is because your body will begin to adjust to what’s happening and try to compensate. This may mean that one minute you feel extremely warm and the other positively cold. The best way to deal with this is to choose the clothes that you wear carefully, so that you can adjust to any given situation.
Premature babies are born every day; this means that the baby is born early and does not reach full term. This can cause many complications as a premature baby has not had the time that it needs to fully develop inside of the womb and consequently when a child is born premature it only has a 50 percent chance of survival. Though the technology of today’s medical profession means that doctors can tackle a premature birth more effectively than in years gone by, it is important that if you have any concerns about this to alert your doctor or midwife straight away. You may be experiencing some of the following: cramps; pain in your lower back; contractions; heavy vaginal discharge or reoccurring feelings of pressure on the rectum. If this is the case you may be experiencing symptoms of an early pregnancy and so it vitally important that you tell your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Weeks Nineteen to Twenty Two

2008-04-04T00:20:00.002+11:00

Weeks Nineteen to Twenty Two.

During this period the same tests and checkups that you have been undertaking previously will occur such as: blood pressure, weight, size and urine samples. This is to ensure that you are satisfied with the progress of your child's development and that any problems or issues that can arise at this stage are addressed straight away.

It is at this point during your pregnancy that you will notice your size change dramatically. You will become aware very quickly that your bump has grown considerably and that you might now want to make a trip to your local shopping centre to purchase those essential maternity wear items.

What to Expect.

Throughout this stage of your pregnancy you will also experience a range of changes to your body. Instead of releasing blood every month you might experience vaginal discharge which whilst it can be unpleasant is no cause for worry. It is simply nature's way of making sure that your body is protected from infection by cleaning your vagina.

One of the most unwelcomed changes to your body is that you may find that you suddenly break out in pimples on your face once again. This is as a result of your body having an excess of oil which occurs because of the change in your hormones. As in any other case of a sudden break out of spots make sure that you eat healthily and follow a daily cleansing ritual to wipe away excess oil which is the cause of such conditions.

Dry skin can be another irritating problem when you are pregnant. Though it can cause great annoyance do not scratch as it will simply make the condition worse and will not solve anything. The best way to deal with this condition is to ensure your body gets enough moisture to counteract the symptom. Moisturising cream is essential in the battle against dry skin. Use it daily and on your skin immediately after having a bath or shower when your body is damp and more receptive to it.

If you have an 'innie' belly button, you may wake one day to find that it has suddenly changed and popped out. Do not worry; your baby is not trying to escape; this is perfectly normal and when you give birth and your body starts to change back, so too will your belly button.

During your fifth month of pregnancy you may start to feel the baby moving in your belly. This could be anything from small twinges to rapid movements and full on kicks. At times it may feel like you have a whole legion of rugby players running around in your stomach and at others a small butterfly trying to find an escape route, but it is the movement of your baby inside of you that most mothers will agree is a truly memorable moment.

Being pregnant doesn't mean that you have suddenly become immobile and are not allowed to do anything. However it would be advisable at this stage not to lift any heavy items or put any unnecessary burden on your body by straining.

Developments Expected During This Stage.

Throughout weeks nineteen to twenty two you can expect the following to be happening inside of you:

* The legs will have grown in proportion to the rest of the body;

* The baby will start to move and as a result you may feel parts of it touching the inside of your womb and see it moving on the surface of your belly;

* Vital organs, tissues and other body parts are starting to develop more fully;

* Your baby will have fully formed fingernails.

There are many changes occurring during this time and now that you are more than half way through your pregnancy you may start to feel more worried about events. Try not to panic or cause unnecessary alarm as you and your baby will be perfectly safe so long as you follow the advice that your doctor gives you and make sure that you are looking after yourself.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Changes to Your Body.

2008-03-13T22:25:00.002+11:00

There will inevitably be changes to your body as both you and your baby continue to grow. There is no need to feel alarmed by any of these changes as they are normal and developmental to the growth of your child.

Your uterus will stretch as your baby needs more room to expand. This can cause sharp, stabbing pains across your stomach and when you first feel this it may seem abnormal or cause worry, but do no as it is quite natural and is a sign that your baby is growing inside of you. It may also cause discomfort, but you can prevent this pain from coming on suddenly by moving slowly when sitting or standing up and by not making any sudden movements.

Other changes that can occur are nose bleeds, fluid release from your breasts, differences in the appearance of your hair and changes to your skin; such as the darkening of your complexion, but this is only a temporary change and your skin will return to normal in the weeks after the birth. Most people will observe that you have a 'pregnancy glow' and this is because the pigments in your skin begin to alter.

Oh Baby!

By the time you come to the end of your fourth month your baby will have grown a lot. It is at this point that your baby will resemble a little person, with its face becoming more human. The eyes will have moved closer together, becoming more central and small hairs will have started to appear on the surface of the skin. Other defining features include:

* A five inch growth in length;
* The ability to be able to open its mouth, move its lips and swallow;
* Formation of the nails;
* Fully functioning stomach and kidneys;
* Clearly defined skeleton;
* The ability for the foetus to hear outside world sounds.

Pregnancy Ebook Store

Birth Defects.

2008-03-13T22:24:00.000+11:00

The reason why it is so important for you to have regular medical check-ups in your fourth month is that any signs of birth defects can be detected early on. One of the main tests that your doctor might suggest you have is the AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) test which depending upon the level of this in your blood stream can warn you of the following:

* Low levels: Down Syndrome;
* High levels: spina bifida (Abnormality with the spinal column);

: anencephaly (dysfunction with brain where parts or all of it may be missing).

It is important to remember that this test will not cause any harm to you or your baby and it is not in any way painful. However, it is only a preliminary test and should there be high or low levels of AFP found in your system, further tests can be carried out to identify the risks of certain defects becoming a reality.

Month Four: Weeks Fifteen to Eighteen.

2008-03-13T22:22:00.002+11:00

It is thoroughly important that you have regular medical check-ups to ensure that you and your baby are cared for appropriately and that whatever needs you have or concerns arise, they are dealt with directly.

When you are four months pregnant the check-up that you have will be one of the most significant as there will be a lot of decisions to make and it is also the month for prenatal testing.

Despite popular belief the baby that you are carrying does not weigh the total weight that you have gained since becoming aware that you are pregnant; in fact your baby by this point will only weigh approximately one ounce. The important thing to remember as your baby continues to grow is to eat as healthily as possible, avoiding foods that contain high amounts of sugar and fat and foods which do not contain the nutrients and vitamins that are so vital for your baby's growth.

Pregnancy can be one of the most stressful periods of a woman's life, as your baby is continually changing and there are lots of considerations and alterations that you have to make to your daily routine. This is why at this stage in your pregnancy you should make sure that you have regular blood pressure tests. If a problem does arise or if there is a dramatic change in your blood pressure the cause of the issue can be dealt with right away to save both you and your baby further stress.

During your fourth month of pregnancy one of the most exciting things that will happen during your pregnancy occurs and that is that your baby's heartbeat becomes undeniably clearer, making this little person that is growing inside of you even more real. At this point in your baby's development the heartbeat should be clear and quite loud to hear.

New Born Baby Needs...

2008-02-29T21:16:00.004+11:00

Healthy eating for you and your baby after delivery is very important. Breast milk or formula is the only nutrition a new born baby needs from birth to 4-6 months. Breast milk is a combination of fat, protein, carbohydrates, sugar, minerals, and almost all the vitamins a newborn baby needs.
A newborn baby needs constant care and nourishment, which brings many changes to a woman's life. Our minds are being programed into thinking a newborn baby needs so much but a newborn baby only needs love food and lots of sleep. A new baby needs to be fed every 2 to 3 hours.
How to decide how many layers your newborn baby needs:. On a very hot day, a Singlet and diaper may be all your newborn baby needs. In winter, your baby needs a hat to protect his head against heat loss.
If separated from its mother, a newborn baby needs to be well protected from cold and heat. Remember that a new born baby needs to be kept safe and warm and fed and comfortable, and this can be accomplished without the latest, most expensive versions of baby equipment.

Chicken Pox.

2008-02-05T18:03:00.000+11:00

Chicken Pox can be a very serious factor during your second and fourth month of pregnancy, as this disease can lead to miscarriage or birth defects. Therefore it is vitally important that if you haven’t had it as a child and developed a natural immunity to it that you stay clear of anyone that has it. It is also a sensible idea to stay clear of other children that have not had chicken pox, as they may be carriers of the disease.

If you should contract the disease at any time during this part of your pregnancy it is necessary for you to contact your doctor immediately as he or she can proscribe you with a drug that will prevent the disease from developing if given to you within 96 hours of being exposed.

Routine Checks

2008-02-05T18:02:00.000+11:00

Routine Checks:

* Your doctor will once again check your blood pressure as this will indicate if there are any problems early on.

* Urine Tests: this will be conducted to ensure that you have no infections; that your levels of protein are adequate and that you are not taking in too much sugar - if your levels of sugar are high then you could have diabetes.

* At this point in your pregnancy it is possible to hear the heartbeat of your child; a very exciting development.

Common Symptoms and Experiences During the Trimester.

Occasionally you may experience dizziness and nausea. Dizziness and feeling light-headed is actually quite a common occurrence due to the nature of what is happening in your body at the time of pregnancy. Your body is trying to regulate your flow of blood but as there is now an increasing demand for it in certain parts of your body, when you stand up too quickly your body can sometimes have a delay in ensuring that the blood is flowing where it should and so it may take a while for it to reach your brain, hence causing you to feel dizzy. You can avoid spells of dizziness by following these simple steps:

* Do not stand quickly; take your time when standing from a sitting or lying position.

* Rather than eating three regular meals a day eat several smaller meals to increase and maintain your levels of sugar in your body.

* Do not allow yourself to become overheated or feel stuffy; stay out of hot rooms.

* Try to keep your body active and do not allow yourself to stand still for long periods of time.

Your urine can provide your health care provider will vital information regarding

2008-02-05T17:58:00.002+11:00

a. infections that you may have;

b. protein content – which can be an indicator for high blood pressure;

c. sugar levels - which can show whether you have diabetes or not.

As your baby gets heavier you will have strain put onto certain parts of your body; mainly your legs and your back. Your doctor will look therefore for signs of varicose veins and examine your ankles for any signs of swelling (edema) which can be caused by problems with your blood pressure.

Keeping Your Baby Safe:

2007-12-13T19:22:00.001+11:00

Top tips for making sure that your baby is well looked after in your womb:

• Be very careful about what goes into your body – stay away from alcohol and cigarettes; the toxins of which will poison your child and can cause abnormalities and underdevelopment.

• Ensure that you do not have any direct contact with cats and dogs which can bring diseases into the house that may be harmful to your unborn child.

• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.

• Cook all meat thoroughly.

Common Symptoms of Early Pregnancy

2007-12-13T19:20:00.004+11:00

• Constipation: As a result of hormones in the body going into overload and an increase in iron you can experience constipation which can cause issues with your bowel and digestive system. The most important thing to counteract this is to drink as many fluids as you can; eat foods that are rich in fibre; reduce your consumption of sugary foods; and exercise regularly.

• 'Morning Sickness': Depending upon your hormones you will experience what is commonly referred to as 'morning sickness.' Though this phrase suggests that sickness can only be a morning thing, you can in fact experience it morning, noon and night. There are ways in which to control or reduce the amount of nausea you feel which will be detailed later on.

• Vaginal Discharge: There is no cause for worry when you find that you have a thin, milky coloured, odorous liquid coming away from you; it is quite normal and is in fact a way for your body to protect you. However, if is becomes thick, yellowish or even looks bloody, this may indicate that there is a problem and you should report this to your doctor immediately.

• Waistline: Inevitably your body will change its shape over the months leading up to the birth of your child, but what you will notice in your second month is that your clothes suddenly become a little tighter and your waistline begins to disappear. This is quite natural; as your baby begins to grown your uterus will expand also and at times you may feel bloated due to digestive problems. Investing in good maternity wear that will expand as you do is advisable to aid your comfort.

Kids store

Week Eleven to Fourteen.

2007-12-13T19:18:00.001+11:00

By the time your third month check-up is due there will have been sufficient developments in the growth of your child to show you just how well your baby is doing. At this point in the pregnancy you will have started to have gained weight, approximately four to five pounds. It is a myth that women should let go of what they are eating as they are ‘eating for two.’ You do not, in fact, have to increase your diet by twice the amount you would normally eat, but just maintain a healthy and varied diet to ensure the natural development of your baby. Some women as a result of believing that they should eat more gain an excess amount of weight in the first trimester; sometimes as much as ten to thirteen pounds. This is not recommended, as the extra food intake only causes the mother to gain fat, not helping the baby to grow and as most mothers find to their cost afterwards, the fat is very hard to get rid of. The gaining of weight in the first three months can actually cause an adverse effect to what a mother will think that it will; instead of helping your baby to grow, the excess fat will put pressure on such vital organs as the heart and kidneys, heightening your chance of getting gestational diabetes.

Week Seven to Ten

2007-12-13T19:13:00.002+11:00

It is normal that when you are carrying a child your healthcare provider will request that you attend regular, monthly check-ups to help ensure that the health of your baby is provided for.

One of the most important factors of a pregnancy is maintaining a healthy diet. You should not put on any more than three pounds in the first month of pregnancy and if you have then you are carrying empty calories.

Blood pressure can fluctuate during pregnancy, but any sudden chances can indicate that there is a problem, so your health care provider will take your blood pressure. Just relax and breath regularly to ensure an accurate reading.

Weeks One to Six

2007-11-29T18:37:00.002+11:00

When you first discover that you have been blessed with the opportunity of becoming a mother you can feel quite daunted by this fact as there are so many things that you need to do to prepare for the pregnancy to ensure that the next nine months go as smoothly as they can. One of the first things you must do is go for a medical check up as this will give you a clearer understanding of how you are progressing and it will also highlight any significant issues or problems early on. Below are a list of things to expect from your medical check up:

* You will be asked to fill in a form that will require you to give such details as: name, address, marital status; medical history and general health, including your lifestyle habits.

* A urine sample will be requested to test for any problems or complications.

* A nurse will measure your weight and give you a blood pressure test.

* The doctor will give you an internal examination; this will be the last one you have until near the end of the pregnancy and again it will be for the benefit of both yourself and your baby to ensure that there is nothing wrong.

* When you are pregnant your body requires vital vitamins and minerals that will help to keep your body in the maximum of peak physical fitness; hence you will be given a prescription for prenatal vitamins.

Changes to Your Body (what to expect):

When you first receive the news of your pregnancy physical changes might not be as evident as you think they would be. However, almost straightaway your breasts might feel swollen or sensitive. Somehow, your breasts seem to know about your little unborn arrival before any other part of your body and consequently they will start to grow, which can cause you to feel uncomfortable and restricted in your usual clothes.

Another factor of pregnancy is your uncontrollable desire to want to go to the toilet more whatever time of the day. If you do feel that you might have difficulty in making it to the ladies room on time, there are special underwear towels that you can purchase for little accidents to save any embarrassment.

As with your period you can suffer from PMS, though with pregnancy it doesn't tend to go away and so your mood swings can cause irritation to those around you. You can feel happy and elated one second and then want to kill some one the next, but don't let this worry you or stress you out as it is a natural process of your body coping with your situation.

In addition to nightly visits to the toilet you can expect not to be able to get back to sleep when you return to your bed. This is because your body will become very fatigued and as a result of feeling tired, you may not be able to switch off when you want to.

Baby Bundle's Arrival:

2007-11-29T18:32:00.002+11:00

One of the most important pieces of information that you will be given within the first few weeks of learning that you are pregnant is the due date of your child. However, though the doctor will try and give as accurate a time as possible it is not always one hundred percent true, as the precise date of conception cannot always be determined and different situations can cause an early or even late arrival. There are two formulas that you can use to try and gather a better estimate of when you chid will enter the world:

1. Write down the date of the first day of your last normal menstrual period. Add to this seven. To that date add nine months. That's your estimated due date.

2. Write down the date of the first day of your last menstrual period. Add 40 weeks to this date - this potentially could be the date your baby is due.

Conceiving:

In the first two weeks of the stages of pregnancy you are not actually pregnant, but your body is preparing for the conception of a child. It is in the third week when an egg is released into your fallopian tube and meets up with your partner's sperm that penetration occurs and your egg is fertilized. Immediately the egg begins diving into identical cells as it travels down the fallopian tube and into the uterus.

By week four the fertilized egg has locked itself onto your uterus and divided in half: one half sticks to the uterus wall and is called the placenta while the other half becomes the baby. By the end of the week you will have missed your period, giving you an initial sign that you may have been successful.

It is at week five that a pregnancy test can confirm that you are carrying a child. Your baby is about the size of an apple seed now and is called an embryo, with its own beating heart. The placenta (the life support system that nourishes your child and takes away all of the waste) and the umbilical cord are in full working order.

Week six is when your body starts to indicate that your child is growing inside of you as you will feel nausea, fatigue, the constant need for the toilet; sore and swollen breasts and aching. Your child is now developing at a rapid rate with a head, tail and arm buds becoming easily recognisable and the earliest form of the liver, pancreas, lungs, thyroid gland and heart appearing.

Kids store

New Parents

2007-10-01T19:57:00.007+10:00

Get Back In The Right Shape Easier Click Here
Having a baby is no easy feat. It takes a lot of time, dedication and to
some extents compromise from the partners involved. Yet there are no set
guidelines as to what you should do if you are lucky enough to conceive a
child when planned. Sure, there are plenty of books out there that you could
read from cover to cover that will tell you the basics, but when it really
comes down to it how do you know which cry means that the baby needs feeding
and which one means that they need a nappy change?

Looking After Your Child

2007-10-01T19:56:00.002+10:00

There are no hard and fast rules to looking after and caring for your child
and very often new parents find that they are entering into this new way of
life by using trial and testing methods. Eventually they find a way and with
help and support from friends and family, their newborn child can grow in a
welcoming and safe environment which stimulates their imagination and helps
to guide them through from infancy to the teenage years.

Baby Boom!

2007-10-01T19:55:00.006+10:00

When you are in the final stages of pregnancy and about to give birth to
your baby there are some things that you need to consider. Do you give birth
at home, in a hospital or even a birth pool? Also, who do want with you?
Your husband, your mother, a close friend? Depending upon the situation and
circumstance all of these things will need to be taken into account and
thought about in earnest as you will want the birth of your first child to
be a memorable moment.

Baby Boy And Girl Names

Delivery

2007-10-01T19:53:00.003+10:00

There are many ways in which your child can be brought into this world. A
natural birth is by far the most highly recommended, but there are
alternative options available too. For example you could give birth in water
or have a planned caesarean. Sometimes, things do not always go to plan. If
in the event you give brith before your due date then the hospital will make
sure that you are comfortable and that everything you need is at your
disposal. You will also have access to a wide range of pain relief, such as
an epidurel or gas and air, to ensure that have your child in a safe and
relaxed environment.

Home Or At The Hospital

2007-10-01T18:36:00.001+10:00

Whether you are at or giving birth in a , your midwife will
always be to hand, making sure that the process is stress free and giving
you tips and advice on how to give birth to your baby in a safe way.

Increasingly, giving birth in water pools is an option that a lot of new
mothers are going for. In this situation, you are in a pool of warm water,
which relaxes the muscles in your body and provides a natural method of pain
relief. As a result of this form of giving birth being natural, a lot of
mothers prefer this way and it ensures that the baby is born in a manner
that is not harmful in anyway.

A planned caesarean is the final option and though you will feel a lot less
pain than the other previously mentioned ways of giving birth, you will have
to stay in hospital for a longer period of time as this is a major operation
and consequently you will need to be monitored and observed to make sure
that you are in a fit state to leave the hospital and care for your child.

Regardless of how your child enters this world, you can rest assured that
the end result is worth waiting for!