The road to motherhood can be one of the most magical and stress-inducing times all at once. If you are thinking of becoming pregnant or have already started trying but haven’t been successful, there may be some hidden reasons why. As a family physician, I see thousands of women each year and many of my…
Boy or Girl? Pregnancy Myths and Facts on Which Gender You’re Carrying
Congratulations youre pregnant! So, are you having a boy or a girl? Everywhere you go, youll certainly be asked this question. Whether you decide to find out your babys gender as early as possible (hey, you may want to get a head start on choosing the right color paint for the nursery), or you decide to let your babys gender be a delivery day surprise, there are some facts and myths that can make the guessing game fun until you find out for sure.
What To Wear When Nursing
Everyone knows that pregnancy requires a huge style change to accommodate that ever-growing bump, but what about after pregnancy? It’s not so easy to slip back into your pre-motherhood wardrobe, especially if you are nursing. Constant boob access is key and you’ll be required to deal with a dynamic sized and sometimes leaking chest (not…
5 Foods for High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
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.
How Soon After a C-Section Can I Get Pregnant Again?
Even though C-sections are common, they’re still major surgical procedures. Your doctor cuts through several layers of skin and tissue and into your uterus in order to get to your baby. On top of that, you have a painful incision and a new baby that needs care. If that doesn’t put baby making out of your mind for a while, the risks it poses to your health might do it. If you don’t let both your internal and external incisions heal before becoming pregnant again, they could rupture or tear, putting you at an increased risk of bleeding, miscarriage and other serious complications.
Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?
Several pregnancy symptoms do indeed mimic flu symptoms, especially early in the first trimester. In fact, your first signs of pregnancy may be feelings of the never-ending flu. Flu symptoms should not last more than a couple of weeks. If you have these symptoms and there is a chance you could be pregnant, consider taking a pregnancy test to be sure.
First Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy
Possible pregnancy can turn you into a detective. You probably have not been so alert for signs and symptoms since you first suspected he had an engagement ring stashed somewhere. Women have many stories about pregnancy signs. Some women claim to know right when conception occurs. Tales of intuition are amusing but only facts help soothe an overactive mind. Some common signs of pregnancy might occur before you are late for your period.
Early Signs of a Pregnancy
If you miss a period, that’s a hallmark sign that a baby is on the way. However, you may start to experience additional signs of pregnancy shortly after your conceive, sometimes within a mere three weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Every woman’s body is different, so no two pregnancies will be exactly the same.
Side Effects of Starting Birth Control
Women have several options when choosing birth control, including hormonal birth control methods such as the pill, the patch, injections, vaginal ring, and an intrauterine device (IUD). Other popular types of birth control include barrier methods, such as a condom. Barrier methods may cause some women mild vaginal irritation, but there are usually cause few side effects. Women are much more likely to have side effects when starting hormonal birth control methods.
How Does IVF Work?
“In vitro,” which means “in glass,” is a procedure in which a woman’s eggs are fertilized with a man’s sperm outside the body. There are many reasons why a couple might consider IVF (in vitro fertilization): blocked fallopian tubes, lack of response to infertility medication, low sperm count or sperm that are slow, or unexplained infertility. One cycle of IVF can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 2 months and, according to the Center for Human Reproduction, is successful about 50 percent of the time.