Pregnancy weight gain calculator is a handy tool for estimating how much weight you should gain d
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Pregnancy is the most beautiful phase of every woman’s life. It transforms her from being a woman to a mother. So, if you think you are expecting or want to start this journey, here is all you must know about pregnancy.
What is Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is that stage when the fertilized egg gets implanted in the uterine wall and remains there for almost 9 months to develop into a baby.
How to confirm pregnancy?
If you have missed your monthly periods and had unprotected sex, confirm your pregnancy using a home pregnancy test. It is very easy to do a pregnancy test at home with a pregnancy test kit, just follow the following steps:
Another way to confirm your pregnancy is through a pregnancy blood test that will detect the level of HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) or pregnancy hormone in your blood. HCG hormone is secreted by the embryo approximately a week after conception.
If the Pregnancy test is Positive
Now that you have a confirmed pregnancy test result, start preparing yourself to nourish this phase of a healthy baby. Here are a few dos and don'ts to ensure pregnancy care.
Pregnancy Symptoms
The very first sign of pregnancy is missed menstruation but there are other signs and symptoms of pregnancy too. Here is a list of common symptoms of being pregnant:
These pregnancy symptoms vary from mother to mother, as every woman is unique and may experience these symptoms with different frequency and severity. So, pregnancy is a uniquely individual experience bundled with new challenges, learning and ultimate joy of stepping into motherhood.
Important points every mother should ensure after a positive pregnancy test:
Reference:
Baeten, J. American Journal of Public Health, March 2001.
FDA: "Confirm pregnancy." https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-usetests/pregnancy
March of Dimes: "Get ready for pregnancy," "Smoking, alcohol, and drugs."
Saini, R. Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, July 2010.
Tobias, D. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August 2012.
University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center: "Preparing for pregnancy."
Textbook of obstetrics DC Dutta’s: “Health Screening”
For a fit and healthy pregnancy, you should take care of yourself by following some tips:-
Most of the women gain weight between 11.5 Kg to 16 Kg during pregnancy. A nutrient-rich balanced diet along with effective exercises is a basis for a healthy pregnancy. You can manage your weight by tracking each week of pregnancy weight gain.
Many pregnant women go through this question as they don’t feel any early pregnancy symptoms even though they have a positive result. So, pregnancy without symptoms is a common occurrence and it does not mean that your baby is in trouble.
If you are experiencing spotting then Check the color of spots, if it is brownish or pinkish in color for 1 or 2 days, it can be a sign of implantation bleeding. If it continues for 3-4 days, consult your doctor to ensure that you and your baby are healthy.
If you are going through any complications during pregnancy, you should avoid traveling. As long as you have no identified complications, it is usually safe to travel just take some required precautions and consult your doctor before travelling.
Usually, healthcare providers recommend staying out of hot bathtubs or saunas as the increasing temperature can be dangerous for the growing baby inside you.
Your baby is under complete protection in your womb. A healthy pregnancy allows the couple to enjoy sex but if there is any complication then you should avoid sex. Ask your gynaecologist and take her advice for safety.
What a mother eats and drinks during pregnancy is directly the main source for baby’s nutrition. A pregnant woman needs much amount of iron, calcium, folic acid, and protein for her and the baby’s development.
A doula is a trained and experienced professional in childbirth. The person gives educational, emotional and physical support to the expecting mother during all phases of her pregnancy. Also taking doula services can increase the chances of vaginal delivery and shorten the labour period.
There are many factors that need consideration before choosing a hospital for delivery like:
Mood swings in women during pregnancy are absolutely normal and are mainly due to hormonal changes. You can manage them by:
Yes. The time between ovulation and expected next period is anxious and you constantly think about whether you have conceived or not this month. This stress and anxiety can cause early pregnancy symptoms like nausea, breast tenderness, food cravings, etc. Baeten, J. American Journal of Public Health, March 2001. FDA: "Confirm pregnancy." https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use tests/pregnancy March of Dimes: "Get ready for pregnancy," "Smoking, alcohol, and drugs." Saini, R. Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, July 2010. Tobias, D. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August 2012. University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center: "Preparing for pregnancy." Textbook of obstetrics DC Dutta’s: “Health Screening”
