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)

Unplanned/Crisis Pregnancy

Unplanned Pregnancies

An unplanned pregnancy often creates a crisis, making it difficult to focus on the future. Unplanned pregnancy is not unique to young, unmarried women. It occurs within marriage and in older women, and it can create a crisis in every life.

The first step is to verify the pregnancy. There are home pregnancy tests, confidential pregnancy testing at crisis pregnancy centers, and ob/gyns (doctors). The second step is to find a support system. If in-family support is not possible, there are counselors, clergy (priests, ministers, rabbis, etc.), and other who can offer confidential support and guidance.

For some, an unplanned pregnancy can lead to the decision to place the child for adoption. The decision to place a child should be an informed decision, made after considering the option of parenting.

Before making any decision regarding your pregnancy, weigh all of your options and consider how each decision will affect you, both now and in the future. Is it a decision you will be proud of? Or ashamed of?

Support in a Crisis Pregnancy

A woman who finds herself having to deal with a crisis pregnancy needs to find a place to turn for support and guidance. When you find yourself pregnant, you already have a lot of physical as well as emotional changes going on. Add to that the stresses of not knowing what your options are and where to turn, and a crisis pregnancy can be a very traumatic experience. Because of this, it is very important that every woman realizes that there are all kinds of wonderful places where she can go for support and to talk with people who are more than willing to help.

When you are looking for a place to turn, the best thing to keep in mind is that you need to talk to somebody. You can find great help to start with by talking to your doctor. Your doctor can offer reassurance that you are not alone and may be able to answer many of the questions that you have. He or she will also be a good place to get referrals to other resources for further help.

You would be amazed at just how much better you will feel once you realize that you have a wonderful support system in place to help you through every step of the pregnancy and even after you give birth. If you decide that adoption is best for you, the crisis pregnancy center will also be able to help you through the adoption process with an agency.

Wherever you are able to find help, you always need to remember that you do not have to go through your crisis pregnancy feeling scared and alone.

Teen Pregnancy

The Challenges of Teen Pregnancy

Pregnancy and birth are a challenge for any woman. When it's a teen pregnancy, the challenges multiply.

All the issues that any pregnant woman must consider, such as nutrition, child care, finances, and support, are even more pressing for a teen pregnancy. In addition, many teens will face pressure to end the pregnancy, surrender the baby for adoption, or get married - choices not as commonly faced by pregnant adults. And while all pregnant women must decide how to fit a baby into the fabric of their lives, this becomes even more important for a teen who must still worry about finishing school. Teens also face the challenge of breaking the news to family, friends, and boyfriends, knowing that it is likely to be seen as unwelcome by all concerned.

Physically, teen pregnancy requires some special attention. Prenatal care and excellent nutrition are especially important for a teen who is still growing herself. Many teens will try to avoid gaining weight in hopes of hiding the pregnancy as long as possible, thus putting both themselves and their babies at risk. Prenatal care may also be difficult for teens, perhaps because they are denying the truth of the pregnancy or have no access to care. Yet it is vital that they receive care because teens face a greater risk of high blood pressure, anemia, miscarriage, and premature delivery. They must be taught to recognize the symptoms so they will know when there may be a problem.

Luckily there are a great number of resources available to help guide girls through their pregnancy. With about half a million teens giving birth each year, they are not alone. Nor does having a child make a teen a social outcast as it did in the past. Many schools have programs in place to help teens complete their studies, and some have child care available on site. Guidance counselors will know of programs and classes within the school and the community which are geared toward pregnant teens. The support of school personnel, the teen's parents, and the baby's father are all vital to easing the extra challenges of a teen pregnancy.

Six Questions Answered for a Pregnant Teen

It is not easy being a pregnant teen. If you are a pregnant teen, you may be curious about what to expect in the coming months and what options you have. When you have finished reading this article, you should feel a little more equipped to handle yourself during this time. Here are some answers to questions you may have as a pregnant teen.

Should I tell my parents?

Most women do not want to face a pregnancy alone. As a teen, you most likely need more of a support system as your body is still changing and will continue to change into adulthood. Whether or not your tell your parents about your pregnancy is really your decision, but you may want to think about where you will get that support if not from them. If you feel that you truly can not tell your parents yet, find another trusted adult who can help you in the meantime until you are ready to tell them.

Am I keeping this baby?

Once you find out you are pregnant, you need to decide whether or not you will continue the pregnancy and then whether or not you will keep the baby. Of course, you are ultimately the one who will decide, but it may benefit you to talk to your boyfriend/sexual partner. Some teens may want to maintain the pregnancy and keep the baby, others may choose adoption. Others decide immediately that they will not be able to handle a pregnancy and choose to terminate the pregnancy. No matter which decision you make, you need to be certain that you have given it immense thought and have explored all of your options.

I have heard about Planned Parenthood. How can they help me?

Planned Parenthood offers prenatal care or termination services for pregnant teens. As far as termination services, in most states if you are under 18 you must have parental consent from one or both parents. In some states, a judicial bypass is accepted. Planned Parenthood does not offer counseling services.

What about adoption?

If you decide to have the baby but come to the conclusion that you will not be able to care for it, you can choose to place the baby for adoption. There are many agencies that will help you decide the kind of adoption that is right for you. Again, you should think this through and discuss your options with a trusted adult.

How do I keep myself healthy during this pregnancy?

Most importantly, you must seek prenatal care. You may have been seeing a gynecologist already since you have been sexually active. Many women's care centers offer midwives instead of doctors. If this would make you more comfortable, that is an option as well. Just make sure that you have the appropriate care.

You also want to make sure you are eating nutritious food and that you are staying active. Light exercise and healthy eating throughout your pregnancy will help decrease many of the risks associated with teenage pregnancies.

What are some of the risks faced by pregnant teens?

Pregnant teens are less likely to gain the adequate weight, which leads to low birth weight in the baby. Premature birth is also a risk in teenage pregnancy. A pregnant teen is at more of a risk for other pregnancy complications such as anemia and high blood pressure, and these risks are even greater for teens under 15. In order to avoid many of these risks, you MUST make sure that you acquire adequate prenatal care.

Your next step?

Take the information you have just learned and share it with someone you trust. Hopefully, they will help you to make the right decision for you as a pregnant teen.

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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