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Seven weeks into my first pregnancy as a surrogate (and 5th total), it was time for the first OB appointment. Having four children myself, this was a pretty standard first meeting appointment, I knew. However, I was going to a brand new doctor that I let the intended parents pick out and had to get used to their office, staff, and ways of doing things. From beginning to end this pregnancy was going to be an adventure I knew, but I wasn’t prepared in the least for what I would find out in the doctor’s office that day.
While the name of the condition may lead you to believe that it only occurs in the early hours of the day, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day or night. Morning sickness symptoms usually begin around week 6 of pregnancy, and by week 12, most morning sickness symptoms usually go away. Morning sickness affects more than half of all pregnant women.
When a woman is pregnant, her hormones go wild. Not only do these hormones frequently bring a woman to tears, the Colorado State University warns that they also suppress a woman's immune system. This makes it much harder for a woman to fight off many of the typically insignificant food-borne illnesses. This also puts a baby at risk of contracting food-borne illnesses through the mother. To prevent tragedy, avoid these 10 things not to eat while pregnant.
The 18th week of pregnancy is considered the fifth month and is part of the second trimester. By this week of pregnancy, the mother has adapted to the rising level of hormones and has more energy. Morning sickness and fatigue have declined, and her growing abdomen is a symbol of the life thriving inside.
Things are really starting to get exciting in Week 22 of your pregnancy. Hopefully you've moved beyond any initial morning sickness and your appetite has kicked into high gear. Have you woken up in the wee hours feeling completely starved? Making a baby is serious business, so don't even think about dieting. Eat when you're hungry, and try to make healthy food choices. But let's be honest, pregnancy is the one time you can eat anything you like and not have to justify the jelly donut or daily ice-cream ritual.
Monday marks my goal of reaching 32 weeks pregnant with my surrogate triplets. It has been a long and difficult road to get here, and I have to say it feels pretty amazing to have made it and surpassed it. For triplets 32 weeks is what they consider “term”, and here I am still going strong with only minimal issues along the way.
By the third trimester of pregnancy, you are probably just ready. You may have had a baby shower or two. The nursery is about finished, and your hospital bag is packed. Although it may seem like just the capstone of your pregnancy, the third trimester is a special time in your pregnancy, to be enjoyed and noted.
What goes down must go up when it comes to blood circulating to your legs. Because the blood fights against gravity, if the one-way valves that open to let blood back to your heart are weak or damaged, blood can back up, resulting in varicose veins. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, a number of factors may increase your risk for varicose veins, including a family history of them, obesity and pregnancy.
These moves keep your tummy tight during pregnancy and give you a head start to regaining your abs post-pregnancy.
Most pregnant women worry about the upcoming labor and delivery of their babies. Gathering information and finding ways to cope with the inevitable pain of labor are two ways you can decrease your anxiety and nervousness about your baby's coming birth. There are many different approaches to labor and delivery. Learn about five common birthing techniques used today.
High blood pressure (or hypertension) in pregnancy can be dangerous for your health and your baby's. Affecting about 6 to 8 percent of pregnancies in the United States, high blood pressure is more common in first-time pregnancies, in pregnant women under age 20 and over 40, if you're obese, or if having multiple babies. The most serious scare is preeclampsia, which can be life-threatening for both mom and fetus. In some cases, a woman's obstetrician will recommend bed rest. In any case, there are some things a woman can do on her own to help reduce high blood pressure, including eating a healthy diet. Discover five foods for high blood pressure in pregnancy.
Though it's a fairly common symptom of pregnancy, having pain in your abdomen after finding out you are pregnant can be upsetting and worrisome. There are several causes for normal abdominal discomfort during the first trimester, and a few key warning signs that can tell you when it's time to talk to your doctor.
Most moms know that morning sickness may be a part of their pregnancies. However, actual abdominal pain can also occur that is not related to nausea or vomiting. This symptom usually feels like menstrual pain or a stomach ache. Knowing the differences between regular pregnancy-related pain and signs of a possible emergency medical situation is important, as severe abdominal pain during pregnancy might indicate a life-threatening condition.
Once you become pregnant, you may find yourself noticing every symptom your body produces. Abdominal pain during pregnancy can mean anything from ligament stretching to labor. When the pain is concentrated on the left side, it could also indicate a cyst or an ectopic pregnancy. Knowing what abdominal pain on the left side can mean in pregnancy can help you decide what action to take.
It is common knowledge that a woman should never let a drop of alcohol pass her lips when she has a bun in the oven. In fact, drinking during pregnancy has become a true taboo, resulting in verbal attacks of irresponsible women by onlookers. All the same, little is actually known about the subject. Adamant supporters of the movement to avoid drinking during pregnancy may not know exactly what they are fighting for.
Maintaining a regular exercise routine during pregnancy can help to minimize some of the aches and pains of pregnancy and prepare your body for childbirth. A healthy woman with no pregnancy complications is able to continue her normal exercise routine throughout her pregnancy or start a new exercise routine with her doctor's permission.
After what may seem like a long, long wait, your due date is rapidly approaching. Many changes take place late in your pregnancy. While your baby is rapidly preparing for his life outside your womb, your own body is undergoing some major changes to get ready for the process of birth and breastfeeding. In addition to these normal changes, you might experience unusual symptoms that can indicate a problem with your pregnancy. Knowing what to expect late in your pregnancy can help you determine when to contact your doctor.
Lower abdominal pain is common during pregnancy. Most times, it is nothing to become overly concerned with, according to the March of Dimes. However, some types of lower abdominal pain--especially if accompanied by bleeding--could indicate potential pregnancy complications or even situations, such as miscarriage. Learning the characteristics that distinguish normal versus potentially abnormal lower abdominal pain can help you get prompt medical attention if necessary.
Pregnancy complications are an expectant mom's worst nightmare, but keep in mind that not every pregnancy complication leads to a miscarriage or other involuntary loss of pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic and the March of Dimes. Treating any potential problems early on is crucial to not only protecting your unborn baby, but also your health and future fertility. While sometimes it's hard for a woman to differentiate between a typical pregnancy-related side effect and a potentially serious complication, learning how to identify complications can greatly enhance your chances of a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
After the joy of learning about a pregnancy, cold reality can set in: Having a baby is expensive. According to the American Pregnancy Association, prenatal care and delivery costs can range from $5,000 to more than $20,000. Obviously, good health insurance can play an important part in managing these costs. To prepare yourself and your family, make sure you know what your insurance will pay and where to turn if you need additional coverage.
Most people realize that pregnancy lasts nine months or 40 weeks. These weeks are not created equal. You will experience vast changes in your body as your baby grows and develops. Once you prepare yourself for the pregnancy stages, you won't be as surprised when--at 10 weeks--you burst into tears at the slightest provocation.
Ultrasounds use sound waves to produce an image so doctors can observe fetal growth and development. Doctors rely on pregnancy ultrasounds to estimate fetal age, as well as the locations of the fetus and the placenta inside the uterus. Doctors also use ultrasounds to confirm the number of fetuses present and to record heart rate. Later in pregnancy, ultrasounds can even detect some birth defects, such as club foot or cleft palate.
Probably one of the first things expectant parents wonder is if the baby is a boy or a girl. Everyone you run into seems to have a favorite method of predicting the sex of your baby. You may be subjected to the suspending-the-gold-ring-over-your-belly test or the checking-the-hair-growth-on-your-legs test or the common carrying-high-or-low test. All of these so-called tests stay around because, after all, they have a 50 percent probability of being right.
For many couples unable to have a child on their own, using a surrogate mother is an excellent option. Although there are a number of financial and legal requirements for the couple and surrogate, surrogate agencies can help simplify the process by ensuring that the rights of the parents and the surrogate are honored and protected.
When a doctor diagnoses a pregnancy, one of the first things she will do is prescribe a prenatal vitamin. While most vitamins and minerals are best received through good nutrition, it is not always possible to get everything a growing baby needs from food alone. However, some women dislike taking prenatal vitamins for various reasons. Whether considering taking a prenatal vitamin or discontinuing use, it is important to fully understand the benefits of prenatal vitamins for both you and your baby.
The first trimester of pregnancy can be an exciting but scary time full of questions and uncertainties. To ensure a healthy pregnancy, it is a great idea to educate yourself on what to expect during this time. This will help you to determine what to expect, what is happening inside, what is normal and what may indicate a problem.
While you are expecting, you might not feel like having sex due to all the changes in your body, notes both the Mayo Clinic and Kids Health. But some women feel rather sexual during pregnancy and even closer to their partners. If you decide to have sex during pregnancy, you can reduce any potential risks by learning more about what you can and cannot do while expecting that little bundle of joy.
Half of pregnant women develop iron-deficiency anemia, reports the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Anemia during pregnancy can cause problems, such as low-birth weight, reduced amniotic fluid and premature delivery. Because many of the symptoms of anemia also mimic symptoms of pregnancy, it can prove difficult to identify. Small differences in the symptoms, however, will help you identify whether you have anemia.
Excitement and anticipation are normal feelings during pregnancy. So are feelings of stress, fear and anxiety. At times, all the physical ups and downs and the lifestyle changes to come can simply be overwhelming. There's nothing abnormal about feeling anxious during pregnancy. The more you understand why you feel that anxiety, the better you can handle it.
When you are pregnant, you may notice changes in your skin, according to the American Pregnancy Association. You may notice the tell-tale glow associated with pregnancy, or you may develop uneven pigment on your face, known as the pregnancy mask. Some women notice an increase in acne. Stretch marks occur in about 90 percent of women. Skin-care products may be able to help reduce some of these changes.
