Tips to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy

You took the home test and the tip of the stick turned pink right on schedule. Congratulations! Now that you know you are pregnant, you are shouldered with the very important task of ensuring that both you and your baby stay in top health for the next nine months. If this sounds easier said than done, relax. There are some simple tips that you can follow from that very first pregnancy symptom to keep you and your baby healthy and happy until the big due date arrives.

You are What You Eat

This may be true throughout life, but it is especially true during the months of pregnancy. Many women find that eating five or six small meals a day is much easier on an already stressed digestive system. Make sure you are loading up your plate with plenty of fresh produce and whole grains for the biggest bang for your nutritional buck. It is also important to take the prenatal vitamin that your doctor prescribes without fail, since the nutrients found in this simple pill will make all the difference in a healthy pregnancy. Don't take any type of additional supplements, medications or herbal remedies without checking with your doctor first to ensure their safety.

The List of Don’ts

Yes, there are a few things you should refrain from during those important nine months, both for your health and the safety of your baby. Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking street drugs are all prescriptions for disaster during pregnancy, since overuse of some of these substances can result in birth defects or a less than healthy newborn. It is also important that you never ride in or drive a car without your safety belt, since accidents can and do happen! It is also important not to overdo physical activity during this time; when your body tells you to stop and rest, listen to it by all means. It is a lot of work growing a baby inside your body, and the resources that it needs to do this job properly may not leave you with as much stamina for other things.

Take Care

If there was ever a time to indulge in a little extra pampering and care, this is the time. Don't skimp on your sleep during pregnancy, since your body needs sufficient rest to care for that little life inside. Take time to exercise, even if it is a moderately paced walk around the neighborhood at night. This will help to keep your body in shape during pregnancy and prepare it for the work of labor and delivery that lies ahead.

Pregnancy is a wonderful and exciting time, but it should also be a healthy time. By following these important tips, you can do plenty to help ensure that both you and your baby remain happy and healthy until the big birth day arrives.

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Unusual Pregnancy Symptoms: Should I Call my Doctor?

While pregnancy is a happy, exciting time for most women, there is also a degree of anxiety that permeates the experience from the first sign of pregnancy. This anxious feeling can be compounded by the fact that pregnancy symptoms begin even before the pregnancy test comes up positive, and many women have trouble distinguishing between what's normal and what are unusual pregnancy symptoms. While some pregnancy signs may be less common than others, not all of these unusual pregnancy symptoms are an indication that something is wrong. Still, if you are ever concerned about any of the symptoms that you encounter during your pregnancy, a call to your doctor is always a good idea.

When to Call your Doctor

Some unusual pregnancy symptoms will warrant a call to your doctor, and usually sooner rather than later. These might include bleeding, cramping or pain at any time during the nine months. Once you begin feeling the movement of your baby, your doctor will offer guidelines as to when to call if the movement is not felt within a period of time. The general rule of thumb is to call if you are more than 28 weeks along and you don't feel at least ten movements in two hours or less.

Other unusual pregnancy symptoms that are worth a call to your doctor include pre-term labor signs like contractions that begin to occur at regular intervals, pressure in the lower abdomen or fluid leaking. Other unusual pregnancy symptoms that might be seen in the second and third trimesters include swelling of the hands, face or feet, blurred vision, fever or sever gastrointestinal problems.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Some unusual pregnancy symptoms may not be the sign of a problem but do need to be checked by your doctor. If you gain weight at a more rapid pace than is typical, it could indicate gestational diabetes or it could mean that you are carrying more than one baby. Other signs that you are carrying twins might include increased pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and fatigue. A distinct heartbeat may be heard earlier than is typical and the uterus may grow much quicker. While these unusual pregnancy symptoms are not an indication of a problem, it is a good idea to see your doctor about them so your prenatal care is tailored to your unique situation.

Pregnancy is a time of excitement and apprehension, especially when unusual pregnancy symptoms crop up during the term. While many unusual pregnancy symptoms will not indicate that anything is wrong with the baby, it is always a good idea to contact your doctor for reassurance and an accurate assessment of your pregnancy.

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Understanding your Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week

Pregnancy is an exciting time for many women, but it can also be a time that is wrought with anxiety and uncertainty. One way to feel more comfortable with your pregnancy is to educate yourself about the changes that both you and your baby will experience in the upcoming months. By tracking pregnancy symptoms week by week, you can stay up to date on what is typical throughout your pregnancy and when to worry about particular symptoms that may crop up.

The First Trimester

The first trimester will see a lot of changes to your body due to the fluctuating hormones that will prepare you for the job of caring for that growing baby inside. Because of this, pregnancy symptoms week by week will come fast and furious, from nausea and fatigue to swollen breasts and an aching back. This is a good time to stay abreast of the changes that might take place and if any unusual pregnancy symptoms appear, you can call your doctor. The pregnancy symptoms week by week during this time will vary slightly from woman to woman, with some experiencing the symptoms at slightly different times and others not seeing some of the pregnancy signs at all.

The Middle Trimester

Most women find these three months to be the most comfortable and enjoyable of the entire pregnancy term. Your abdomen is growing sufficiently so you can flaunt your pregnant status with pride, but the week by week pregnancy symptoms that appeared during the first trimester often ease up or even disappear during this time. This is a good point to get as much rest as you possibly can, since the next phase of pregnancy will see the reappearance of many physical symptoms as well as the surfacing of brand new ones.

The Last Trimester

Once again the pregnancy symptoms week by week will begin to fluctuate, as your abdomen grows to a challenging size and the hormones kick in once again to prepare your body for the work of labor and delivery. Fatigue becomes a problem as sleep is an elusive prospect during this time; partly because an extended belly makes comfort almost impossible, and partly because the anxiety and excitement over what is to come is making it hard to relax. Increased urination comes back as well, this time because of the enlarged abdomen instead of simple hormone fluctuations. All of the pregnancy symptoms week by week are getting the body ready for the safe and healthy delivery of your healthy baby very soon.

Pregnancy is a time of many changes for your body. By keeping track of pregnancy symptoms week by week and alerting your doctor to any unusual pregnancy symptoms, you can survive your pregnancy months with as much confidence and peace of mind as possible.

More about day by day pregnancy including FREE! chinese pregnancy calendar