Becoming Pregnant

Learn what signs and symptoms to look for if you suspect you may be pregnant. Also, find out what prenatal care is needed and how to get the best start on your pregnancy.

Signs of Pregnancy

Watching for Signs of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time when you will focus on your body in a way you never have before. It's important to learn to read your pregnancy symptoms -those that indicate pregnancy, those that alert you to a problem, and those that assure you all is well.

Your first concern will be whether or not you're pregnant. Some of these pregnancy symptoms will appear quickly, while others take a little longer to show. Tender, swollen breasts are one of the first signs for many women, along with overwhelming fatigue and increased urination. Nausea or vomiting can show up at any time of day (though most typically in the early morning), and certain tastes and scents that never used to bother you may now be overwhelming.

A missed period is the sign most women associate with pregnancy symptoms - but if your periods are irregular or you haven't been keeping track, you might be a few weeks pregnant before you realize something is happening. Of course, all these symptoms can have other causes, so be sure to call your doctor as soon as you suspect pregnancy.

During your pregnancy your body will undergo an amazing number of changes. Pregnancy affects every system, so it's not unusual to realize that suddenly your skin is breaking out, you're having a lot more gas, and your nose is constantly stuffed up. These pregnancy symptoms are simply side effects of the way your body changes to create the ideal growing environment for your baby.

There are some pregnancy symptoms that indicate a problem - though not always. Vaginal bleeding can be frightening, and should always be reported to your doctor. But remember that many women will experience some light bleeding or spotting when the fertilized egg is implanting into the uterine lining - a process that happens close to the time you'd expect your period. And some spotting, especially in the first trimester, is not unusual. But always check with your medical practitioner, especially if bleeding becomes heavy or is accompanied by pain. It could be a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.

Mild aches and pains are common pregnancy symptoms. Some, such as backache or leg cramps, can be strong at times. But in general, any pain - particularly abdominal or back pain - should be reported to your doctor. In pregnancy, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Pregnancy Tests

How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?

Even the most uncomplicated pregnancy will involve a number of tests, from the initial pregnancy test to screenings for disease to others that mean little to you, but a great deal to your medical practitioner.

Every pregnancy test, whether urine or blood, works by detecting the presence of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). If done correctly, a home pregnancy test will be almost as accurate as one done in a lab or doctor's office, but with more privacy and a lot less waiting. They are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. The sooner you know you're pregnant, the sooner you can start taking the best possible care of yourself and your baby. However if done too soon or incorrectly, you could get a false negative result which might cause you to postpone seeing your medical practitioner and taking care of yourself. Even a positive answer can be a problem if you assume that there's no need to see the doctor now that you have the answer. Home tests are a great first step but should never replace a visit to your practitioner.

A pregnancy test done in a lab or doctor's office will usually use urine. Some practitioners prefer blood tests, which are more accurate and can help date the pregnancy by measuring the exact amount of hCG in the blood (important if you have irregular periods of if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected). A blood test can detect hCG earlier than a urine test, about a week after conception. Lab and office tests aren't as convenient as those done in the home, but their increased accuracy can give you faith in the results.

Your blood will be tested for type (A, B, AB, or O) and antibody (Rh negative or Rh positive). If your blood is Rh negative and your baby's blood is positive, your pregnancy will require some special care. Another blood pregnancy test will check for anemia, while others will check for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and whether or not you are immune to rubella.

You may have another pregnancy test about four months into your pregnancy to check for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which can signal a risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida) or Down Syndrome. Other tests you may have include amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and genetic testing - all designed to catch a possible problem early, offering time to prepare and possibly begin treatment while still pregnant.

Being Pregnant

Pregnancy Basics

The average human pregnancy - from the time the egg is fertilized to the moment of delivery - lasts about 280 days. While the most obvious changes are physical, pregnancy impacts every aspect of a woman's life.

For most women, the clearest sign of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period. Many women will have symptoms earlier, such as nausea, fatigue, or swollen and tender breasts, but these can have many other causes and are not in themselves a reliable indicator of pregnancy. Even a missed period can have other causes. If you suspect you're pregnant, call your doctor and have a urine or blood test done so you can begin taking the best care of your baby as soon as possible.

The changes in your body can be surprising. Everyone knows that your tummy grows dramatically, but who would suspect that pregnancy could lead to acne, a constant stuffed nose, or nine months of bad hair days? Pregnancy impacts every system in your body and has far-reaching emotional implications as well. Mood swings and depression are common. If you feel like you're living on an emotional roller coaster, you're not alone - but if your mood swings are severe or your pre-baby blues are too deep for your comfort level, talk about it with your medical practitioner.

The good news is that recent studies have shown that pregnancy tends to enhance women's perception, efficiency, resiliency, motivation, and emotional intelligence. Pregnancy can also lead to better physical health. Women who have borne children have lower rates of certain cancers (breast, endometrial, and ovarian). Pregnancy can be the first step to recovery from endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and polycystic ovaries. And being a mom can give women new motivation to make healthier, safer choices in areas from nutrition to smoking to driving habits.

But the changes going on in your body and emotions are nothing compared to those going on with your baby. In just 280 short days, she grows from a fertilized egg to a fully functioning human being. Her journey is accompanied by periods of rapid cell division and differentiation. Growth happens at an almost unbelievable rate. It takes only a couple of months for your baby to have the beginnings of a brain and liver, only 50 days for her embryonic heart to start beating. The weeks of pregnancy sometimes feel never-ending, but each one brings new developments for you and your baby.

Pregnancy Diary

What is a Pregnancy Diary

When you first find out that you’re pregnant it’s a good idea to keep a pregnancy diary with information about doctors, medications, dates of progress, and milestones. Also, keep track of how you’re feeling or anything that seems out of the ordinary. These are some things that you could include in your pregnancy diary:

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• Doctor’s information (name, address, phone number, email address)

• Hospital’s information (address, phone number)

• Medications (medications taken, dose, date started, date ended)

• Vitals (first day of last menstrual period, date of first positive pregnancy test result at home, pre-pregnancy weight, date of first prenatal check-up, symptoms of pregnancy, questions for doctor)

• Childbirth Education (educator, address of classes, telephone, email, first class date, last class date)

• First Signs (first heard baby’s heartbeat, first felt baby move)

• Special Tests (procedure, findings)

• For Each Prenatal Visit (date, weeks along, weight, blood pressure, uterus height, questions/comments)

• Labor and Delivery (due date, when labor began, date baby was born, time of delivery, baby’s weight, baby’s length, hospital where baby was born)

• Postpartum Visits (date, weight, blood pressure, comments/questions)

Pregnancy Forums

A Guide to Pregnancy Forums

Pregnancy forums can help any mom-to-be through this exciting and life-changing time. They offer an outlet for pregnant women to vent their frustrations, concerns and questions. Pregnancy forums can offer information from other moms-to-be or new moms so that other moms-to-be know that people who have had the experience are answering their questions. Joining and participating in pregnancy forums can be fun and easy as long as you follow these simple steps.

What is a forum?

A forum is a type of message board on the Internet where people make themselves available for dialog. You can post messages and reply to other people's messages. You may even find someone who lives in your area, in which case you may be able to meet with them face-to-face. It is a place where people who share similar interests can have a place to communicate with one another. A forum can even serve as a type of support group.

How to Find the Right Forum for You

The best way to start looking for a pregnancy forum is to search the Internet. Choose a search engine and type in the phrase "pregnancy forum." You can search the results and then decide which site holds your interest the most. There are some pregnancy forums that deal with all different topics in pregnancy, such as tips during your pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and how to make a birth plan. If you feel like making your own topic, many forums have a place for that also.

How to Join a Forum

Usually in order to join a forum you must have an e-mail address. This is so the site can confirm your registration and send you messages. Your e-mail address may even help the site contact you if another person in the forum has sent you a message. You will be asked to create a user name which is a nickname that you will use when you sign in to the forum. People will identify and contact you by this user name. You will create a password, just like you would for your e-mail, so that no one else can sign on under your user name. Some forums will ask you for information to help match you with people who have similar interests or concerns. Some forums will post this for others on the forum to see. The information will be connected only with your user name unless you choose to have your real name displayed with it.

Etiquette

Each forum has its own rules, but general forum etiquette is simple. Do not use abusive or profane language. Pregnancy forums are not a place to tell people what they are doing wrong or why you think a choice they made is wrong. For example, if there is a topic on the forum site about women who have chosen not to breastfeed, this is not a place to post a message telling them your opinions about why they should never use formula or a bottle - and vice versa. Forums are also not a place for advertising. You can post any kind of messages you want referring to the topic you choose, but if you do not follow the rules your privileges may be revoked by the site owner(s).

Advantages

There are many advantages to joining a pregnancy forum. First of all, it is nice to have other people to talk to who are in the same situation as you. Perhaps you are going to be a single parent and you find a forum for other single parents. This forum may offer you advice that you couldn't get somewhere else. Second, it may be a place for you to get your questions answered. Perhaps your doctor is talking about performing tests and you would rather talk to someone who has had them before. A pregnancy forum would be a great place for you to ask that question. In addition, there is a possibility that you could find other mothers-to-be in your area and maybe you will form your own support group. You might even make such good friends that you form a play group once your babies are born. Some forums even offer health care providers' advice.

Disadvantages

Unless you happen to join a forum where people begin harassing you or sending you unsolicited e-mail, there probably aren't any disadvantages to joining a forum. Remember that if any of the above does happen to report it immediately to the site owner(s).

Now that you have adequate information about pregnancy forums, go ahead and decide if it is right for you.

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