9 Weeks Pregnant

By the ninth week of pregnancy, medically the baby has been called an embryo is now called a fetus. The baby is now about 13 and 17mm and weighs about one gram. In this stage of pregnancy, the baby starts to look like a baby. When you see a sonogram picture, you can make out a baby. New moms to be may start to experience more indigestion and heartburn due to their bodies making the adjustments to the growing baby.

By the ninth week of pregnancy, you should be gaining some weight. It is best to gain weight gradually rather than all at once. The morning sickness if you are one of the unlucky ones will start to decrease. You also may see an increase of mood changes and you will feel more bloated. The best way to alleviate these symptoms is to sleep on your side. Sleeping on your sides will also promote better circulation and better digestion.

As you progress into the pregnancy, it will become harder and harder to sleep on your back. Doctors recommend sleeping on your side and if you experience some discomfort, try placing a pillow in between your knees. Most baby stores sell a pillow designed for this situation or you can use a regular pillow as well.

Baby’s Development

The baby is still continuing to develop at a quick pace. The baby has all of the features of a human being but still small in size. As the weeks progress, the baby will continue to grow bigger and bigger. The baby’s eyelids are now 100% fully formed and are tightly shut, once you enter into the 28th week of pregnancy, you will see the baby’s eyes open. By now, the baby’s sex can be determined but you will have a hard time seeing it on the sonogram until about the 20th week or so.

8 Weeks Pregnant

Congratulations! You are at the end of the second month of pregnancy. You are now half way through the first trimester. If you are having morning sickness, the end is in sight. You still won’t be showing baby yet, but there will be a slight weight gain that may show. As the baby grows, so will you. All new mothers are told that the changes for miscarriage are reducing as the weeks go on.

The uterus is now the size of a grapefruit so the baby is growing at a great pace. As the baby grows you may experience indigestion and heartburn this is caused by the acid because of the water retention from the baby. Consult your doctor before taking any over the counter medication that you would normally use for indigestion. You have to be very careful what kind of medicines you are putting into your body.

As you come to the end of the second month, some women experience more severe cases of morning sickness. Consult your doctor if the morning sickness is getting worse. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, morning sickness lasts usually up to the first trimester. Try to follow an exercise plan with a diet pattern that is easy to follow. You now have to try to cut out fried foods and most unhealthy foods.

Baby’s Development

By the end of the second month the baby has all of the human beings have. Their facial features to the internal organs, bones and muscles all are formed. The baby’s fingers are toes are formed but they are webbed at this stage. The eyelids are developing more and more and even the baby’s tip of the nose can be seen.

By the eight week of pregnancy, the baby’s sex is confirmed but it won’t be noticeable in a sonogram until the 4th or 5th month. The baby’s body frame consists of cartilage and starting from day 47, the baby’s first bone cells will take over from the cartilage. The baby’s face and jaw line are forming and baby will start to develop teeth and facial muscles too. Though the baby is small, the weight should be about 3 grams.

As the weeks progress, you will see more changes in your baby’s development. Each time you have a sonogram, you can take a look back at the very first one and see all of the progress that your baby has made. These changes only get more amazing as time goes on.

Changes With Your Body

Now you may be able to see some outer physical changes as well as more inner changes. Your blood volume has increased quite significantly in the eighth week of pregnancy. It has increased about 40% to 50%. As for physical changes, the breast will still be tender and sore because the body is preparing for lactation. You may notice darker veins around the breasts area, this happens because of the increased blood flow. You may want to get a more supportive bra or a more comfortable bra. This will take the uneasiness from the breast and it will make you feel much better.

If you start to experience lower abdominal pain, there is nothing to worry about. This is the uterus growing; as the baby grows you will start to feel more pressure in that area. It is perfectly normal. You may experience some tightening or contractions in the uterus. You may also feel a pain in the legs this is called the sciatica nerve and it is very common in pregnancy. By reading the baby books, you will have a more in-depth idea of what each month is bringing you.

What To Expect

If you are one of the women who have lost weight in the pregnancy, now would be the time for the weight to come back. The baby has adjusted to their internal changes and the morning sickness may start to subside. You are getting ready for your next doctors appointment. You will have a physical to make sure that your blood pressure and weight is doing. The doctor will check your urine to make sure that your body’s levels are all on target.

You will have to go through some testing such as the HIV Test; this test is required by law. You will have to take an Rh factor test, a blood test to determine your blood type and other tests such as the glucose tests. Also at this time, the doctor will sit down with you to discuss any precautions they may want you to take.

They will talk about medications, sickness you may come down with while pregnant. They will cover any emergencies that may come up. Pretty much at this point you will have all of your questions answered.

Tips/Advice

By now, your body should be adjusting very nicely to the baby. You will start to see some symptoms subside and others increase. You should be on or formulating a plan to stay healthy. Perhaps make a schedule of the best times to exercise and if you have chosen to eat more meals during the day then you can create a schedule of the times where you want to eat.

Try to plan those meals at least an hour before you lie down. By lying down after a meal it may cause nausea as well as indigestion. Try to eat the heavier meals during the day and keep the lighter meals for nighttime. Staying healthy is the most important for you and the baby.

But staying healthy physically is just the start. If you are having any concerns or any thoughts about the pregnancy, it is always a good idea to discuss them with your significant other. You will feel better if you keep the lines of communication open. Sometimes, significant others may have mixed feelings and they really can’t understand what pregnancy is like because they can’t carry the baby. So share as much of your experience with them.

7 Weeks Pregnant

In week seven of pregnancy, you may not see any changes in your physical appearance yet but the baby continues to grow and develop at a nice pace. If you haven’t done so already, you may be itching to start telling family and friends about the pregnancy. Keeping it a secret it can be stressful but exciting so when you finally tell people, you know they are going to be happy.

The baby is about the size of a pea now, the baby is growing quickly and this is where you need to start keeping up your strength and eat healthy. Continue to take your prenatal vitamins and get plenty of rest. If your body is well rested it will help keep the baby healthy. By stressing out and getting upset, it won’t be healthy for the baby.

As you move further along, you will be able to look forward to hearing the heartbeat and knowing what sex the baby is going to be. As the baby grows you will be able to see what the baby looks like through a 3D Sonogram. You probably have to wait until the seventh month or so before the doctor will offer that type of sonogram.

Baby’s Development

At week seven of pregnancy, the baby should be about 0.44 to 0.52 inches. In this week of pregnancy, the baby will start developing hair, nipple follicles as well as the eyelids and tongue. You will start to see the little elbows and toes starting to take shape. The placenta starts to become visible by now. The internal organs are already forming and the heart has started beating so on the sonogram you may be able to hear it.

The baby is now able to float around through the amniotic sac and the umbilical cord is starting to grow as well. The baby’s nerves and muscles will start forming and the reflexes are starting to show. The lungs are developing more and more everyday. These are great changes and developments but the baby can only grow with your help. Stay on the right path, eat right, take your vitamins and get plenty of sleep.

As the weeks go on, you will start to see the grow and the development of the baby and that is due in part to your good eating habits and also in the way you have been taking care of yourself.

Changes with your body

The wonderful changes that you are experiencing may not feel so great but they are well worth the end result. By looking at you, others may not be able to tell whether or not you are pregnant just yet. Since every woman s different, some will gain weight in this time and others may lose weight. Don’t be alarmed at losing weight; your doctor has been monitoring your weight from the start.

The body’s weight gain or loss is just your body’s way of adjusting to the growth of the baby. You may have increased morning sickness but that should be disappearing soon. You may notice that the breast will feel tenderer and the areolas will change in color due to the hormonal change.

You may also start getting headaches, mood swings, frequent urination, constipation and indigestion. Consult your doctor before taking any over the counter medications, it is very important at this time that you watch what you are putting into your body.

You will also be craving a lot more different types of food now. It is ok to give into your cravings, just be careful not to over do it all at once. Some women may feel their cravings decrease but every woman is different. The doctor is monitoring your weight every month, so if you have any concerns always ask.

What To Expect

If you are still experiencing morning sickness it is likely to subside in the next few weeks. A lot of the nausea comes from uneasiness in your stomach; try eating smaller but more meals. Experts suggest smelling lemons if you start to feel nauseous. Watermelon is said to be a great reliever of morning sickness. Try not to lay down after big meals and try to get plenty of naps.

If the morning sickness gets worse, consult your doctor and see if they may another reason why the nausea is getting worse. Try to stay hydrated throughout the bouts of morning sickness. If the morning sickness persists, you may have to be hospitalized or the doctor may prescribe bed rest. Ask your doctor for any thing that they can recommend to help with the nausea.

The key is to stay healthy during your pregnancy. If you feel something is not right and symptoms like morning sickness are becoming more severe, contact the doctor. Even if it is nothing, it is best to be safe than sorry. Especially when it comes to the health of your baby.

Tips/Advice

You are still able to do everything you are doing now. There are really no restrictions at this stage of pregnancy. You will be getting ready for the next doctors visit. There will be blood tests that have to be performed to help monitor your pregnancy and your health.

Remember that your health and the health of the baby comes first. If you need to slow down and work less or sit down and eat a complete meal, then do so. Take your vitamins and drink plenty of fluids. Try to stay away from coffee or drinks with a lot of caffeine. Juices and flavored waters are ok. Cut back on snacking on heavy salted food like potato chips, they can actually contribute to the nausea.

If you need help in developing a meal plan or you want to know what are the right kind of snacks to eat. Ask your doctor to help you; there are plenty of websites online that can help you create your own plan if that is easier for you to stick to.

6 Weeks Pregnant

At this point in your pregnancy, you are half way through the first trimester. They are some exciting developments in your baby’s growth and development. By now, you should be a bit more relaxed at the idea of having a baby. Whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned, you should be getting used to idea more and more.

You should know as much family history from both the mothers’ side of the family as well as the father’s side. This information will come handy at the first doctors meeting and throughout the pregnancy. Most women start looking at baby names though they have a long way to go, it is fun for a new mom to be to start choosing a names and reading the baby names books.

Now is the time to also stop smoking and drinking alcohol. You should also stop immediately if you are taking any products that contain Aspirin. Consult your OB/GYN if you are taking any over the counter or prescribed medications. The way that you take care of yourself at every stage of pregnancy will affect both your health as well as the baby’s.

Baby’s Development

During this time, the baby is growing at a fast pace. The size of the baby is the size of a small bean. The baby’s head is bigger than the rest of the body at this point and the eyes, nose and mouth are becoming more noticeable as the weeks go on. You can also start to see the ears forming as well. The baby’s hands are feet look like paddles with the fingers and toes forming every day.

At week six, you will also see that the organs are starting to form and the heartbeat for the baby is a very fast 150 beats per minute The baby’s respiratory and digestive systems are starting to develop as well as the inner ear and the larynx. These are all exciting changes in the baby and you will start to like the pregnancy is real when you see that the baby is growing and doing well at this stage.

At week six, the baby will start to execute their very first movements. These movements are small and the mom cannot feel these yet. In time, you will start to feel the baby kicking up a storm. For first time mothers, it is a strange yet wonderful feeling.

Changes With Your Body

All new moms to be are different, some do have pregnancy symptoms and others don’t. Some of the tell tale signs of pregnancy are morning sickness, fatigue, nausea and pelvic discomfort. There are some women who will sleep more during pregnancy and this is due to change in hormones. The fatigue will usually last from the first weeks of the pregnancy to the end of the first trimester.

At this time, you may start noticing that your sense of smell has increased. This will last throughout the pregnancy. You may also start to feel cravings for certain foods while pregnant; this will also last throughout the entire pregnancy. You may start to increase your eating habits, this can be good because the baby needs nutrients but many women gain a lot of weight during this time. Keep a simple exercise plan going though out the pregnancy, this will help with the food intake.

The average weight for a woman to gain during pregnancy is about 25 to 35 pounds. If you gain too much weight it won’t be good for you or the baby and if you aren’t gaining enough weight, it won’t be good for the baby. Your doctor is keeping tack with your weight, so if you have any concerns don’t hesitate to ask questions.

What to Expect

Most women may already be settling into their pregnancy and others need more time to get used to it. It really is an adjustment that may take some time to take in. You may or may not experience morning sickness, most women do sometimes severe and other times it is manageable. You will become more fatigued so listen to your body. If you start to feel tired, rest and don’t try to rush through it. You will need all the rest you can during pregnancy.

The most important thing is listen to your body, as a new mom to be only you can tell when you feel something is not right. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor. That is what they are there for, it is your body and your baby so never dismiss anything you feel is not right.

You will also be getting read to go your next appoint in the next month. You will be able to see the growth and development of the baby. You may also be able to hear the heartbeat, it may be too soon. But the doctors know the best times to catch the heartbeat.

Tips/Advice

With week six of pregnancy, you are still able to do everything that you would normally do. The only thing you should be doing is to take more time for yourself. If you normally eat and run, take a half and hour to sit and enjoy your meals. Try to slow down bit by bit. If you work a lot of hours, as the pregnancy goes on, you will have to cut back those hours so try to make a plan of how things are going to work. Talk to your significant other and talk about your feelings, hopes and concerns. You both will feel much better by talking about things.

You may be itching to start telling people the wonderful news. Ask your doctor how the pregnancy is progressing and see if they see any objections with telling people about the pregnancy. By holding it in, it can cause some anxiety so you may be able to dispel this anxiety by announcing your happy news. The decision is ultimately up to you.

5 Weeks Pregnant

Now you are officially into your first trimester. This is just the beginning of your pregnancy. By now you should have had your confirmation test, a pelvic exam and a due date. Now is the time to start to implement any eating or lifestyle changes you need to make for the health of the baby. If you were a smoker or a drinker, by now you should have stopped. Everything that you put into your body will affect the baby.

If you already haven’t started, it would be a good idea to choose a baby book and read it. The best one is What To Expect When You Are Expecting. This book is the only book you will need regarding pregnancy. Many moms to be read all of the books they can but they all basically say the same thing. You may also be starting to feel some apprehension about the pregnancy. This is perfectly normal, all new moms to be experience doubt and yes, it is normal to feel this way even if you are just 5 weeks pregnant.

Baby’s Development

In this stage of pregnancy, the baby will start to develop at a quicker pace. Right now the baby should be about 5 to 6 mm long. The embryo is still attached to the uterine wall and a start of a placenta will be formed. During this week of pregnancy the baby will start to form its head, eyes and the opening of the mouth. On the next sonogram you will also be able to see the fingers and toes.

The brain is starting to develop as well. The baby’s umbilical cord will start to form in week 5 of pregnancy as well. This is a crucial time when the new mom to be has to take the prenatal vitamins. Drink plenty of orange juice for the Folic Acid; it helps with the baby’s brain development. As your pregnancy progresses the more sonograms you have the more exciting it is every time, seeing your baby grow right before your eyes.

Changes With Your Body

You will start to feel a bit more hormonal than you did before. The levels of estrogen and progesterone are increasing as you go further into the pregnancy. In the first stage of pregnancy, many moms will start to become fatigued very easily. This is perfectly normal and it usually lasts until the end of the first trimester. Stay away from caffeinated products during this time; try eating a healthy snack to boost your energy. Ask your doctor what you can do to help with the fatigue; they may be able recommend something.

You may notice some spotting or bleeding and you may experience some cramping. This can be normal due to the hormonal levels changing in your body. Don’t panic, call the doctor and voice your concerns. Let him make the decision of whether or not you should be worried. In this stage of pregnancy you may also start to feel some tingling sensations in the body as well as tenderness or soreness of the breast.

Remember, that every woman goes through her own unique experiences while pregnant. Just because someone had morning sickness so severe they could not get out of bed, it doesn’t mean that you will. Every woman is different. It is fun to share pregnancy stories with friends and family but you don’t want to concern yourself with some of the negative stories you hear.

What To Expect

At this stage, you should expect to enjoy almost every moment of pregnancy. This very two months can be difficult both physically and mentally. It is exhausting with the hormonal changes and the physical tiredness. But mentally as well, thoughts racing through your mind. Everything that you are feeling, mixed emotions are normal. You may also be implementing different lifestyle changes, so there is plenty going on at this stage.

You will have monthly doctors check ups and monthly sonograms so you can see the baby’s development through the months. It really is an amazing thing to see and experience. By the time you go to the doctor next month, you will be able to hear the heartbeat and that is a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience.

If you are serious about any lifestyle changes you want to make, this is the time to do it. Try starting out with some low impact exercises like walking, swimming and low impact aerobics. You can find videos in store that are geared towards pregnant women and exercise. By doing exercises, you are keeping physically fit but mentally you will feel better as well.

Tips/Advice

Take one day at a time. Don’t think ahead to the next month and what that may bring you. Take each day and each week as it comes. By looking ahead it may cause some unwanted anxiety. Every time, you visit the doctor’s office, make a list of questions and ask them, no matter how silly you may think they are. Many new moms tend to gain weight in the first trimester because they are eating for two.

It is an expression as long as you take care of yourself; the baby will be taken care of. If you eat healthy and exercise and take your vitamins then you won’t have to worry if the baby is getting enough to eat. For first time moms, this can be nerve wracking because many women hold their pregnancy from friends and family until the third month. So keeping that to yourself can be a little stressful.

The key to a relaxing pregnancy is no stress. You have may have moments of stress or anxiety but you have to find a way to let it go and simply relax. It is easier said than done in some circumstances. But pregnancy should be enjoyed and when you don’t slow down to enjoy it you may not remember it.

4 Weeks Pregnant

This is the time that you can without a doubt whether or not you are pregnant. If you have waited until the fourth week to find out if you are pregnant you will have only 39 weeks left. Today there are pregnancy tests that can tell you almost from the start. The best way to 100% confirm a pregnancy is to take a home test and then go to the doctors and take a test at their office.

Now that you have 100% confirmed your pregnancy, it is time to realize what this means. Not only are you going to become parents but also you have to start taking care of yourself and the baby. If you are used to a fast paced lifestyle then you have to slow down. You will need better nutrition and more sleep. As you know the first trimester is the most important in the pregnancy.

If you are over 36 years old they may consider you a high-risk pregnancy and there may be special things that you need to do especially if you are a first time mother.

Baby’s Development

If you are just finding out that you are pregnant, congratulations! But now is the time to start taking care of yourself and the baby. The baby will start developing and growing at a quick speed for the first 5 months or so. You can help that development continue at a good pace by taking your vitamins and eating properly.
This is the beginning of the pregnancy and how you take care of yourself will determine how the rest of the pregnancy will go.

At this time, if you are confirming pregnancy, you will have a doctor confirm this at his office. At this time you will have a pelvic exam as well as a sonogram to determine how far a long you are. This will be the first of many and you will see month to month how the baby grows.

Week by week and month by month you will see your baby develop on the outside but the organs and features of the baby will start developing as well. The intestines, lungs and bladder as well as the kidneys and nervous system will all start developing at a quick rate.

Changes in your Body

As for your mental state, you will be ecstatic. You will be both excited as well as nervous. It is perfectly normal to experience anxiety at this stage. You can help reduce the anxiety and nervousness by taking some short naps and simply relaxing. As the pregnancy progresses, the body will create a hormone called HCG. At the beginning of pregnancy, you may experience some morning sickness as well as some dizziness, fainting and light-headedness.

Sometimes women will experience abdominal cramps and some pains. If these persist, contact your doctor right away. At this stage, you will start to become extra sensitive to smells and odors that you may not have been aware of before. In the first trimester, it is not unusual for women to become fatigued and tired for no reason.

But every woman is different and they may experience morning sickness up to the second trimester and some may only experience it for a few weeks. If you are experiencing something that doesn’t seem right, contact your doctor right away. It could be nothing but you don’t want to take any chances.

What to Expect

You should expect in the fourth week of pregnancy to be excited, elated and nervous all rolled into one. As a new mom to be, it is important for you to start preparing yourself both mentally and physically. The most important thing during this time is that to you relax and avoid as much stress as you can. You have to remember what affects you mentally and physically will affect the baby as well.

Now would be a good time to sit down with your significant other and discuss what your roles are going to be. You have to communicate the things that you are going to need for the next 9 months. It is important to start eating better and take the prenatal vitamins every day.

You will also want to try to take it easy; even though pregnancy is an exciting time it can take its toll on you both mentally and physically. If you feel run down, take a break, if you are working crazy hours, take off a few hours. The more you run around and not take care of yourself it will affect the baby. So now you have to act and think for two.

Tips/Advice

At the end of the day, to relax, a warm bath would help take away all the stress. A warm cup of cocoa with whipped cream will relax you. Read a book with your feet up or simply watch your favorite TV show. Try taking a walk or joining a YMCA, swimming is the best exercise for pregnant women and it is relaxing as well.

Sometimes significant others tend to start gaining weight in sympathy for their pregnant partners. If you both try eating healthy together you and your significant other won’t gain too much weight during the pregnancy. It is common for women to gain anywhere from 25 to 35 pounds during the pregnancy. It is crucial to get a log of your weight. If you are gaining too much weight it won’t be good for the baby and if you don’t gain enough weight then you will experience problems as well.

Staying healthy is the most important thing you can do. By eating right, you are helping the baby to grow and by reducing any and all stress will do a world of good for the baby. Ask your doctor if there is anything special that you can do a certain exercise. Ask for a list of foods and over the counter drugs that you cannot have. Having a healthy and happy baby all depends on you.

3 Weeks Pregnant

There are some women who can firm pregnancy in the second week and some may come up with an unreadable and definite answer. But by the third week, you can firm with a doctor that you are indeed pregnant. Once you have receive the good news from the doctor you can start choosing an OB/GYN if you don’t have one already. Try to choose one you like because it is important to you and the baby that you choose one doctor and stick with them throughout the entire pregnancy.

In this week, you will have a lot of questions regarding your pregnancy. At your first appointment, you will have the pregnancy test done as well as pelvic exam to see how far along you are. If you took the test early say, before you missed your period it may be a long 42 weeks. It may be a good idea to confirm the pregnancy with an OB/GYN, this way you won’t have to deal with transferring of medical records.

The doctor will weight you and give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins. You will be scheduled for monthly appointments so the doctor can check your healthy as well as the health of the baby.

Baby’s Development

When you hit the third week of pregnancy, you should understand that this is where a fast spurt of development happens. At this stage the baby is a ball of cells and they cells are quickly growing. The blastocyle (baby) will become the placenta that produces the HCG (pregnancy hormone). The amniotic fluid will start to develop and form around the baby. This is where the baby will be protected and fed.

In the first week, the baby will start to form the heart, spinal cord and the gastrointestinal tract. If you were to take a look on the sonogram, you wouldn’t be able to really make anything out. The baby’s head is now about .006 inches and can be seen with your own eyes. The embryo is attached to the uterine wall and the baby has a brain and a backbone too.

The baby will start to have skin developing as well as the backbone too. At this week in pregnancy the heart will start beating and the baby should be about .2 to .5 mm in size.

Changes In Your Body

At the third week of pregnancy, many women do not take any notice of any changes. Some women have been reported to have lost weight because of the hormonal changes happening within. In this week of pregnancy, some women will start to experience morning sickness. This is normal, each woman is different sometimes morning sickness can last 4 months and in others it could be a few weeks.

The baby now has 46 chromosomes that combined with the zygote. The baby’s skin color, some features like fingers and toes are found. Some women may experience some vaginal discharge, don’t panic it is normal. In other women they may experience spotting and some uneasiness. If these symptoms persist, contact your doctor; he may want to do an exam to check on the baby.

Your doctor at this time may tell you how much weight is safe to gain while pregnant. The average amount of weight that they say women will gain is between 25 and 35 pounds. Some women will gain more and some will gain less. Some of the weight is the baby and the fluids that surround the baby too.

Gestational Diabetes is something that happens to some women when they become pregnant. That is why it is important to eat right and take care of yourself. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it will disappear once the baby is born. It is very important to keep your weight under control, if you gain too much weight it may not be the best thing for the baby and if you don’t gain enough, it won’t be beneficial to the baby either.

What To Expect

Just like in weeks one and two, in week three there really isn’t much that you can’t do at this stage. You can still perform everyday tasks and now would be a good time to start thinking about eliminating things like smoking, alcohol and too much caffeine all of these are not good for the baby.

You will want to expect a wide range of emotions during the first trimester. Some women have mood swings; depression and many become very sensitive. They may cry at the drop of a hat. This is normal and you shouldn’t worry. If you have any questions, call your doctor. If you want to try to adjust your diet, you can ask your doctor for help.

Tips/Advice

Doctors highly recommend exercising during pregnancy, but you want to stay away from exercises like skiing, heavy duty aerobics and horseback riding, these activities have been known to play a part in miscarriages. Try exercises like swimming, walking, even slow dancing can be beneficial to you. Ask your doctor what they would recommend.

In this stage of pregnancy, it is important to eat right and get plenty of sleep. Some women experience a surge of energy due to hormones changing but don’t overdo it. Also if you are taking any over the counter medications, consult your OB/GYN and see what medications are ok. You will want to ask about over the counter medications as well. There are only a select few things that you can take while you are pregnant.

Being pregnant is an exciting time, but you also have to remember that you have to take care of yourself. When you don’t get enough sleep or start eating the wrong foods it can be detrimental to the baby. You don’t have to change your life all around but making new changes for the health of your baby is well worth it. Relax and enjoy this very special time it only lasts for 9 months.

2 weeks Pregnant

The second week of pregnancy is considered to be the official start of your pregnancy. At this week, you still won’t be showing and you may not be experiencing symptoms yet but if you were to take a pregnancy test in the second week of fertilization, it would come up positive. Also in the second week of pregnancy, your body will start seeing and feeling some changes. By the second week it makes it seem more real.

Now, there will be changes to the embryo as well as changes to your body. By the second week the embryo is now made up of 150 cells and these cells become divided into three layers and each layer will take on functions of their own. These layers on their own are an important function but they will come together to form a human being with personality, looks and developed body as well.

Baby’s Development

The inside layer is called the endoderm which will develop into the baby’s digestive system and respiratory tract. The liver, pancreas and thyroid will all form from the endoderm layer. The middle section is called the mesoderm layer. In this layer the bones, cartridge, muscles, genitalia and skin layers all develop in the mesoderm layer. The last layer is called the ectoderm will contain the nervous system. The brain and skin, hair and nails are all developed in this layer.

By the second week of pregnancy, the embryo will actually float in the uterus and it 100% protected by the uterine lining. The baby is about .1 to .2 mm at this stage of pregnancy. Once your pregnancy has been confirmed and you begin the doctor’s appointments, you will have regular sonograms and you will be amazed at how small the baby is. The development of the baby is just amazing. By 20 weeks you will be able to tell the sex of the baby.

Changes In Your Body

By now, you will have had your last period for the next 42 weeks. The estrogen levels in your body will increase because there is no release. At this time in your pregnancy, you will experience high levels of energy. Take advantage of this because as you progress into the first trimester, you are going to through a period of fatigue and exhaustion.

At this stage of pregnancy the uterus is building new levels to help keep the baby protected and well fed. The baby will also be developing an immune system. Now, one of your ovaries is growing back into shape and is getting ready for ovulation. At this stage of pregnancy, your doctor will ask you about your and your significant others family history. It is important to know all of the history, you can find out.

The first three months of pregnancy are considered to be the crucial time in a pregnancy. If you feel something that you don’t think feels right then consult you r doctor. Most of the time it is nothing just your body adjusting to the baby. But don’t feel embarrassed to call your doctor for anything. That is what they are there for. Some women call their doctors up to 10 times a day. Pregnancy is a wonderful and exiting thing but it can be nerve wracking at times.

What To Expect

At this time, there are really no new changes to report. The embryo is very small and is still developing. You may start to experience some symptoms of pregnancy such as a tenderness or soreness in the breasts. You may experience nausea as well. The nausea or morning sickness could last all the way through the 4th month of pregnancy. Some women do not experience any nausea or morning sickness at all. Hope that you are one of the lucky ones.

The doctor at this point will calculate the due date and as we mentioned in the first week of pregnancy, the doctor will give you a two-week window, making pregnancy 42 weeks. You can even try to estimate the due date yourself and see if you were right. Once women find out that they are pregnant, start the most incredible and exciting time in their lives. Like we mentioned in the first week of pregnancy, now would be a good time to start changing the way you eat and sleep.

Start taking prenatal vitamins and if you are one of those women who are constantly on the go and eat in the car. It is not a good time to slow down and eat more constant meals. Try to stay away from the drive thru’s and take time to eat. Also if you are one of those people who can function on 4 or 5 hours of sleep, you should be sleeping 7 to 8 hours a night. Sleep can actually build strength and in the coming months you are going to need it.

Tips/Advice

There are so many things that you may be feeling at this point. You may be feeling everything from excitement to being scared. These emotions are normal. What a lot of women find helpful during pregnancy is keeping a journal. They write down day by day everything that they are feeling. This actually helps with all of the feelings they are having. If you have any family members that we recently pregnant, talk to them and find out the experiences that they had. Every woman is different but sometimes the experiences are the same.

Pregnancy is an exiting time and it can be stressful. Try to cut out as much stress as you can. Slow down and enjoy it. If you notice or feel anything out of the ordinary don’t hesitate to call your doctor. For women when are becoming Mom’s for the first time will be experiencing everything that comes with pregnancy for the first time. It can be scary and it will take some getting used to but most of what you are feeling is your body adjusting to the baby and in coming months the baby growing.

How to Cure Morning Sickness Fast

It is estimated that up to 80% of women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and it most commonly falls between weeks 7-14. How to cure morning sickness is not an exact science because so many different variables can cause the symptoms to occur.

The first thing that you should know is that if you are vomiting more than 3 times a day you should consult your doctor. Also if you are vomiting blood, it looks like coffee grounds in your vomit, you should call your doctor immediately.

There are tons of techniques that you can try and unfortunately it will be trial and error for most of you. You will have to try different things until you find what works for you.

Most often women are told to have snacks with them and eat throughout the day. You might also want to have snacks next to your bed so that you can eat before you get up in the morning. An empty stomach will almost always cause nausea.

Try foods like ginger ale, ginger snaps, almonds, lemon candies, or lemon slices. Peanut butter spread on crackers or fruit can also help.

You may also want to try to dress coolly and avoid warm or crowded places.

Avoid smells that can make you sick like gasoline or cigarette smoke. Let your husband or the groomer take care of washing the dog.

Extra sleep and relaxation can help and finally, listen to your body. Take note of what you are doing when the nausea comes on. That will help you better identify what you need to avoid in order to feel better.

Needless to say there is no morning sickness cure but there are other tools and tricks to help you feel better.

If none of these ideas work and you are still suffering from the effects of morning sickness, please visit my article called How To Cure Morning Sickness. There you will find more information on morning sickness and it is linked to several other articles with information on acupressure, smells to avoid, foods to eat, etc.

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1 Week Pregnant

Many women who become pregnant for the first time start to count down their pregnancy from the time the pregnancy is confirmed. But once you start reading all of baby books and reading all of the websites, you will know that the very first week of pregnancy starts the moment the egg is fertilized. Many women believe that pregnancy is 40 weeks but it is actually 42.

That is why when you do confirm the pregnancy that the doctor gives you a two-week window. It is hard to pinpoint with accuracy the moment the time you miss your next period. The pregnancy really officially starts the second week when fertilization occurs.

Even though it counts as being pregnancy, you really won’t be to feel any changes. You can do your daily routines, exercise and do everything you what you would normally do. If you suspect that you are pregnant and have been trying, it would be a good idea to stop smoking (if you are a smoker) and stop drinking alcohol. Some women have pregnancy symptoms right away and some women it actually takes a confirmation before they experience any symptoms.

Baby’s Development

What makes 42 weeks of pregnancy so long is that in these days we are able to find out almost immediately if we are pregnant. There are women who know that they are pregnant within 2 weeks and that makes it so much longer. As for the baby’s development in the first week of pregnancy, there is really isn’t any. As we mentioned before you are not considered pregnant until the second week, which is when conception occurs.

If you take a look at the science of pregnancy, when fertilization takes place and the egg and sperm come together in the Fallopian Tube, the result is called a zygote. Then once the fertilization happens the cells start dividing and the very first week the baby is medically and scientifically called a blastocyte. The blastocyle will start to take the form of the placenta and the embryo develops inside the placenta. When the zygote stage takes place there should be 36 chromosomes, which will offer information such as sex, hair color, skin color, eye color and even personality traits as the baby develops.

Changes In Your Body

As for any physical changes in your body in the first week of pregnancy, you won’t notice any. But there are some changes happening that you won’t be able to take notice of. When you read these websites and the baby books, you are so excited that you are pregnant and the books say the first week you are not considered to be pregnant it can be discouraging. But don’t despair; you are pregnant just not officially. There are some very common symptoms of pregnancy that can affect women within the first weeks, even starting from the first unofficial week.

Take notice of any of these symptoms, excessive gas, a sense of uneasiness or nervousness, constipation and nausea. As pregnancy progresses you will start to feel exhausted all the time. You may experience mood swings or feelings of depression. It is normal to feel these things. It is very important that when you are confirmed to be pregnant that you makes a list of questions for your doctor. It can be a scary time as well as a joyous time; don’t ever dismiss a feeling that you have. Any concern that you have is an important one.

Pregnancy is a privilege and you should enjoy every last minute of it. Relax and don’t stress out about anything. Express your feelings to your significant other, even though they cannot help you carry the baby, they can help you in ways you may not have thought of. In the first week of pregnancy you are so excited that you start planning everything from baby names to picking out cribs. It is a fun time and planning is one of the best parts.

What To Expect

The first week of pregnancy, there really is nothing to expect as far as what you can see and feel. You will want to start off the pregnancy the right way, start eating the right foods and that doesn’t mean that you have to go completely healthy. Increase fruits and vegetables and drink more orange juice for Folic Acid. Take prenatal vitamins and try cutting down on caffeine. Stop smoking and cut out alcohol. If you want to start early but exercising to help the pregnancy go smoother.

Ask your doctor to help you plan out a diet and exercise plan. You don’t have to go crazy but the healthier you eat and stay in shape; you may experience fewer problems during pregnancy. Don’t go crazy, just a simple exercise plan would do just fine.

Tips/Advice

Even though the first week of pregnancy can be pretty uneventful at least as far as you are concerned. But here are some tips and advice that you can try. Don’t panic about becoming a Mom, you have 42 weeks to worry. Talk to your doctor and discuss every concern that you have. They will not think you are nuts by asking questions about what to expect down the line. Most new moms’ are excited and they want to start shopping and planning baby showers right away.

Slow down, 42 weeks is a long time and in some experiences when new moms get caught up in the excitement it can make 42 weeks seem like 42 months. Choose one baby book, they all pretty much say the same thing anyway. Take each week one week at a time. Before you know it you will be at 40 weeks. Most women believe in not telling people for 3 months until they pass the first trimester and other women can’t wait to tell. Talk to your significant other and you decide when you want to share the happy news. The last and most important piece of advice is don’t stress! Relax and enjoy the pregnancy.

How to Stop Morning Sickness - 5 Ways to Reduce the Symptoms of Morning Sickness

How to stop morning sickness is going to be different for every person. Each women experiences symptoms differently and the triggers for nausea are also different so the real key is to find what works for you.

If you are vomiting more than 3 times a day, if you are vomiting blood, if you are not able to keep any food or liquids down, or if you are not gaining any weight or have lost weight you should consult your doctor immediately. There my be something else going on or you may need to be more closely monitored.

How To Stop Morning Sickness

Tip #1: Ask your doctor about vitamin B6. It has proven to help many women with their nausea. Usually the dosage is about 25 milligrams 3 times a day but make sure that your doctor advises you based on your weight, health, etc. Some women also find that combining B6 with ginger can increase the effectiveness.

Tip #2: Adjust your diet to include foods that are low fat and high in carbohydrates. Add more fruit to your diet and eliminate sweets, caffeine, and fried or greasy foods.

Tip #3: Find a toothpaste that doesn't make you nauseous. Try to find something with peppermint flavor which can help with nausea.

Tip #4: Minimize your stress. Let your husband or partner take on some extra duties during this time. Try to take cat naps throughout the day and get more sleep at night.

Tip#5: Try Acupressure. There have been studies that have shown that acupressure can greatly improve morning sickness and in many cases stop it all together.

If none of that works and you are still suffering from the effects of morning sickness there are tons of other methods and tools out there to help you. Please visit my article called How To Stop Morning Sickness. There you will find more information on morning sickness and it is linked to several other articles with information on acupressure, smells to avoid, etc.

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Overcome Female Infertility - What is an Ultrasound?

As we mentioned in previous articles, infertility is defined as inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse or inability to carry the pregnancy to term. It affects over 5 millions couple alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world. Because of unawareness of treatments, only 10% seeks help from professional specialist. In this article, we will discuss what is female infertility Ultrasound??

I. Definition
Ultrasound infertility test is defined as a test which uses high frequency sound waves to bounce off the pelvic region in order to check the process of egg production process during menstrual cycle.

II. Procedure
1. Ultrasound is a painless procedure and can be done in relatively short periods of time at your local clinic.

2. During a standard ultrasound, an ultrasound slender probe is inserted into your vagina. It very much like an insert of a tampon, if you feel uncomfortable about this process, you may want to insert the probe yourself. Ultrasound waves emitted by the probe travel up your vagina and bounce off your ovaries that provides a very clear image of your eggs and ovaries which you can view them at the screen.

III. Diagnosis
By viewing the process through ultrasound daily, your doctor can see when a woman ovulates such as when the egg matures, when the follicle ruptures,the thickness of the uterine lining, the quality of egg and any abnormal adhesion or implants existed in the uterine cavity. If there any abnormality is discovered during this scan, your doctor can determine what may be the causes for infertility such as hormone imbalance, irregular cells growth in the pelvic cavity such endometriosis adhesion, fibroid, cyst, etc.

This type of ultrasound is normally done for women who are in infertility treatments such as IVF.

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"Let Take Care Your Health, Your Health Will Take Care You" - Kyle J. Norton

I have been studying natural remedies for disease prevention for over 20 years and working as a financial consultant since 1990. Master degree in Mathematics, teaching and tutoring math at colleges and universities before joining insurance industries. Part time Health and entertainment Article Writer.

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Fertility, Getting Pregnant - How You Can Predict the Best Time to Conceive

Predicting your fertility and getting pregnant are tightly associated to your menstrual cycle and more specifically, to ovulation. Timing intercourse close to the time you ovulate is thus an excellent method to increase your odds of conceiving sooner. Understanding how your reproductive system works, you are able to determine when you're most fertile.

Numbering the days of your menstrual cycles is one of the most effortless methods to anticipate when you will be ovulating. Your first day of the menstrual cycle is the day on which you start menstruating. In a 28-day cycle, ovulation will usually happen between 12 and 18 days, meaning that this is the time that you are at your most fertile and are most likely to conceive.

The best time to have intercourse and getting pregnant is when your fertility is greatest between days 10 and 18 of your menstrual cycle. The common rule when anticipating ovulation is that ovulation happens 14 days prior to the end of your cycle, you will need to subtract 14 from you're normal cycle duration to calculate the approximate time of ovulation.

Also watch for changes in cervical mucus. When your menstrual cycle begins, your cervical mucus secretion varies in both volume and texture. The best time to conceive is when your cervical mucus discharge is clear.

During ovulation, increases to your body temperature of 0.5 to 1.6 degrees is normal. This elevation in temperature happens when the release of the egg and the production of endocrines that accompany it. Although this temperature is so slight you will not feel it happening, it can be measured using a body temperature thermometer. This is the sign that fertility and getting pregnant are just right. This is the time to be having intercourse.

Are you struggling and just can't seem to get pregnant? There's an amazing E-book that will walk you through how you can increase your chances of getting pregnant. See what this Getting Pregnant Plan can do for you. You can find more tips and help at Tips On Conceiving . Both of these resources will give you information on increasing your odds of getting pregnant.

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