Healthy pregnancy of mothers provide a good head-start for their children.

 

Pregnancy is a very important issue to many since it involves the health and welfare of two human beings. It is a very interesting stage where the act of one directly affects the other. A pregnant woman needs to take better care of herself as she goes through the physical changes that will occur because of the growing baby.

When to Become Pregnant

The best time to become pregnant is when a woman is in generally good health.  This would mean not only the absence of serious diseases but also being free from infections and other minor illnesses.  This is highly recommended because of the risk brought about by taking medications during pregnancy.  Any health concern therefore is best addressed before getting pregnant.

Women who are finding it difficult to get pregnant are advised to monitor their ovulation period to have a better chance of conceiving.  Women aged 25 to 35 are said to belong to the best age group in the physical sense to become pregnant.  Pregnancy also requires a certain level of psychological maturity for women to truly appreciate this wonderful stage.

What to Do When Pregnant

Women who suspect that they are pregnant can confirm their condition through the use of a home pregnancy kit.  A positive result necessitates scheduling an appointment with the doctor.  Pregnant women should avail of prenatal care as soon as possible.  A negative result that occurs even when women continue to experience symptoms related to pregnancy likewise necessitates  an appointment with the doctor.

Pregnant women should terminate intake of any medication until they are cleared for safety by the attending doctor.  They are also advised to stop smoking, drinking liquor, and participating in extraordinarily strenuous physical activity.  A monthly check-up will be required up to the 28th week of pregnancy.  Doctor visits become more frequent after this time to enable a closer monitoring of the baby prior to delivery.

Pregnancy Symptoms

There are various pregnancy signs and symptoms which pregnant women will experience especially during the early part of the condition.  These may include missed period, morning sickness or nausea and vomiting, swelling/tenderness or pain in breasts, food cravings, abdominal cramps and bloating, fatigue and tiredness, frequent urination, head aches, mood swings and stress, elevated basal body temperature and darkening of the skin.  Pregnant women may manifest several or all of these symptoms before a confirmation has even been obtained.

There are actually more signs exhibited by pregnant women which may not be readily associated with pregnancy.  Some have described going through peculiar things which were quite unique to them.  A good number have reported experiencing cramping and spotting which have been mistaken by some as their monthly period.

Pregnancy Calculator

The estimated delivery date of pregnant women can be estimated by a pregnancy calculator.  Every week of pregnancy brings specific developmental changes which is expected to proceed up to the 40th week.  The first week may not be noticeable while the 40th week usually shows signs of labor.  A pregnant woman have two more weeks before she is considered overdue.

Pregnancy is divided into trimesters.  The 1st week to the 12th week belong to the first trimester while the second trimester starts from the 13th week up to the 27th week.  The remaining weeks comprise the third trimester.  The changes occurring in the unborn baby can be monitored with the use of a pregnancy calendar.

Pregnancy Risks

There are several factors that can contribute to risks in pregnancy.  Some of these are the age of the pregnant woman, use of drugs and medication, risks related to previous pregnancies, socioeconomic factors, unintended pregnancy, height, weight, and pre-existing disorders and conditions. A woman’s medical profile can typically reveal if she will have a risky pregnancy or not.

Some women develop hypertension while they are pregnant.  Undue stress can be given by a hypertensive mother to her child because of her condition. Premature birth is common among pregnant women with high blood pressure.  Gestational diabetes and Rh incompatibility are also conditions that are especially risky in pregnant women.

My Say

Pregnancy is a joyous event but it can easily go the opposite way if the proper care of the mother and unborn child is not observed.   Risks may increase due to deliberate improper practices or plain negligence.  The best person to consult for concerns about pregnancy is an obstetrician or gynecologist.