By eHow Parenting Editor
Exercise during pregnancy not only keeps your body toned and healthy, but will also increase blood flow, help fight fatigue and prepare your body for the exertion of delivery. However, you should take some precautions and make some modifications in your exercise routine to accommodate your growing midsection and new baby.
Step 1.
Start slowly. If you had an established exercise routine prior to becoming pregnant, you can continue with your same routine, making minor adjustments as the pregnancy progresses. If you are starting a routine to stay fit during pregnancy, you should start very slowly and be careful not to overexert yourself. Start with 20 to 30 minutes of slow walking three or four times a week. As you get stronger, build the intensity of your walk gradually and add pregnancy workout moves.
Step 2
Stretch your body gently before and after exercise to avoid soreness. Do some arm circles by holding your arms straight out and rotating them in circles. Do some standing side lunges to stretch your legs. Slowly bend at your sides to stretch your sides and back.
Step 3
Listen to your body. Never exercise to the point of exhaustion. If you become short of breath, your body is telling you that you lack oxygen. If you feel pain or cramping, your body is telling you to slow down and not push so hard.
Step 4
Take frequent breaks. When you become winded, stop and drink some water. Sit down until you can breathe at a normal rate.
Step 5
Never exercise in extremely hot weather.
Step 6
Avoid lying flat on your back, especially past the first trimester. Lying in the supine position will cause your expanding uterus to press against your spinal cord, limiting blood flow.
Step 7
Weight train only the upper body and arms. Avoid weight training that strains your back or pelvic area.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
How to Handle Bleeding During Pregnancy
By nservice
First there is discovering you are pregnant. Whether it was a planned pregnancy or not, there is still that period of adjustment when you finally accept that you are carrying new life. Then one day, you go to the bathroom, and there its – blood.
Basic Things to Know
Step 1
Don’t panic. It’s hard I know, but take comfort in knowing studies show that anywhere from 20-30 percent of women experience some degree of bleeding in early pregnancy. Approximately half of pregnant women who bleed do not have miscarriages.
Step 2
Wear a pad or panty liner so that you can monitor how much you are bleeding and what type of bleeding you are experiencing. The color of blood can signal different things. Dark brownish blood is usually old blood, while red or pink could signal something different.
Step 3
Never wear tampons, use a douche or have sexual intercourse if you are bleeding. Actually, it’s never a good idea to douche when pregnant.
Step 4
Call your doctor or midwife even if the bleeding stops, and call immediately if you have cramping.
Common Reason for Bleeding During The First Half Of A Pregnancy
1. Miscarriage – unfortunately 15-20 percent of all pregnancies result in a miscarriage, with the majority occuring during the first 12 weeks.
2. Ectopic pregnancy where the implant is somewhere outside the uterus. It occurs in 1 of 60 pregnancies
3. Implantation bleeding. It’s one of many normal pregnancy symptoms.
4. An infection in the pelvic cavity or urinary tract.
5. Sometimes because the cervix is tender and sensitive, intercourse may cause bleeding. Discontinue intercourse until you have been seen by your doctor.
During The Later Part of the Pregnancy
Step1
Placental Abruption – where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall before or during labor. About 1 percent of women experience this problem. It usually occurs during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Step 2
Placenta Previa – the placenta lies low in the uterus partly or completely covering the cervix. It occurs in 1 in 200 pregnancies and requires immediate care.
Step 3
Preterm Labor – a few weeks before labor begins, the mucus plug may pass. If it occurs earlier, you could be entering preterm labor and should see your physician immediately.
First there is discovering you are pregnant. Whether it was a planned pregnancy or not, there is still that period of adjustment when you finally accept that you are carrying new life. Then one day, you go to the bathroom, and there its – blood.
Basic Things to Know
Step 1
Don’t panic. It’s hard I know, but take comfort in knowing studies show that anywhere from 20-30 percent of women experience some degree of bleeding in early pregnancy. Approximately half of pregnant women who bleed do not have miscarriages.
Step 2
Wear a pad or panty liner so that you can monitor how much you are bleeding and what type of bleeding you are experiencing. The color of blood can signal different things. Dark brownish blood is usually old blood, while red or pink could signal something different.
Step 3
Never wear tampons, use a douche or have sexual intercourse if you are bleeding. Actually, it’s never a good idea to douche when pregnant.
Step 4
Call your doctor or midwife even if the bleeding stops, and call immediately if you have cramping.
Common Reason for Bleeding During The First Half Of A Pregnancy
1. Miscarriage – unfortunately 15-20 percent of all pregnancies result in a miscarriage, with the majority occuring during the first 12 weeks.
2. Ectopic pregnancy where the implant is somewhere outside the uterus. It occurs in 1 of 60 pregnancies
3. Implantation bleeding. It’s one of many normal pregnancy symptoms.
4. An infection in the pelvic cavity or urinary tract.
5. Sometimes because the cervix is tender and sensitive, intercourse may cause bleeding. Discontinue intercourse until you have been seen by your doctor.
During The Later Part of the Pregnancy
Step1
Placental Abruption – where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall before or during labor. About 1 percent of women experience this problem. It usually occurs during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Step 2
Placenta Previa – the placenta lies low in the uterus partly or completely covering the cervix. It occurs in 1 in 200 pregnancies and requires immediate care.
Step 3
Preterm Labor – a few weeks before labor begins, the mucus plug may pass. If it occurs earlier, you could be entering preterm labor and should see your physician immediately.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
How to Identify Very Early Symptoms of Pregnancy
By H.S. Matlock
Expecting a baby is a very exciting time in a woman's life. If you have been trying to get pregnant, you are probably very in tune to your body. You may even be able to identify the very early symptoms of pregnancy. Here are some steps to take so that you know what to look for
Step 1
Take notice of your period. When they calculate your due date, they will ask you for the first day of your last menstrual cycle. Knowing the date will also help you determine when you ovulated and therefore conceived. You can also use an ovulation calculator to help you know based on how many days your cycle typically is. See resources below for a link.
Step 2
Once you have a good idea of a possible conception date, try to relax so that you wont confuse some of the very early symptoms of pregnancy for stress.
Step 3
One of the first things you might notice is some breast tenderness. This can occur a few days after you conceive. You might notice that your breasts are a little fuller and sore to the touch.
Step 4
The next sign that many women report is feeling tired and run down. You might fall asleep in the middle of the day, or start day dreaming about when you can go to bed. Don't be over concerned if you are feeling this way. Your body is working hard to build your baby. It is perfectly normal, and many women do get their energy back by the second trimester.
Step 5
You may find yourself going to the bathroom more often. While the baby is not pressing on your bladder yet, you are starting to have an increase in your blood volume. More blood means more fluid in your system which means more trips to the bathroom.
Step 6
Nausea along with food cravings and aversions can be one of the very early signs of pregnancy that you can experience. Only about 50% of women experience "morning sickness," so don't worry if you are one of the lucky women who don't.
Step 7
You may experience some implantation bleeding. This happens because your baby is implanting itself in the lining of your uterus. It is usually very light compared to a normal period and may look like a brown or pink discharge. It might happen close to the time that you are expecting to get your period, but usually a few days sooner.
Step 8
The only proof positive early sign of pregnancy is a positive pregnancy test. There are many home pregnancy tests that are able to detect a very small amount of the pregnancy hormone HCG in urine. Many of these tests can be taken before your period is expected to arrive. A negative home test does not mean that you are not pregnant though. Your hormone levels might not be high enough to be detected. If you really feel as though you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, you can go to your doctor for a blood test. Your body starts producing HCG at conception and it is more easily recognized in a blood test than a urine test.
Expecting a baby is a very exciting time in a woman's life. If you have been trying to get pregnant, you are probably very in tune to your body. You may even be able to identify the very early symptoms of pregnancy. Here are some steps to take so that you know what to look for
Step 1
Take notice of your period. When they calculate your due date, they will ask you for the first day of your last menstrual cycle. Knowing the date will also help you determine when you ovulated and therefore conceived. You can also use an ovulation calculator to help you know based on how many days your cycle typically is. See resources below for a link.
Step 2
Once you have a good idea of a possible conception date, try to relax so that you wont confuse some of the very early symptoms of pregnancy for stress.
Step 3
One of the first things you might notice is some breast tenderness. This can occur a few days after you conceive. You might notice that your breasts are a little fuller and sore to the touch.
Step 4
The next sign that many women report is feeling tired and run down. You might fall asleep in the middle of the day, or start day dreaming about when you can go to bed. Don't be over concerned if you are feeling this way. Your body is working hard to build your baby. It is perfectly normal, and many women do get their energy back by the second trimester.
Step 5
You may find yourself going to the bathroom more often. While the baby is not pressing on your bladder yet, you are starting to have an increase in your blood volume. More blood means more fluid in your system which means more trips to the bathroom.
Step 6
Nausea along with food cravings and aversions can be one of the very early signs of pregnancy that you can experience. Only about 50% of women experience "morning sickness," so don't worry if you are one of the lucky women who don't.
Step 7
You may experience some implantation bleeding. This happens because your baby is implanting itself in the lining of your uterus. It is usually very light compared to a normal period and may look like a brown or pink discharge. It might happen close to the time that you are expecting to get your period, but usually a few days sooner.
Step 8
The only proof positive early sign of pregnancy is a positive pregnancy test. There are many home pregnancy tests that are able to detect a very small amount of the pregnancy hormone HCG in urine. Many of these tests can be taken before your period is expected to arrive. A negative home test does not mean that you are not pregnant though. Your hormone levels might not be high enough to be detected. If you really feel as though you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, you can go to your doctor for a blood test. Your body starts producing HCG at conception and it is more easily recognized in a blood test than a urine test.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
How to Know If I Am Pregnant
By ajmaddox
Could you be pregnant? If you do not keep up with your menstrual cycle, or it varies from month to month you may not notice signs or symptoms. Here are a few early signs of pregnancy.
Step 1
Tender or swollen breasts are a sign. This can be due to the increased level of hormones. This will start in the first trimester and usually subside during the second trimester.
Step 2
Fatigue is the next sign. This is usually during the first trimester and gets better before or during the second trimester.
Step 3
Break through bleeding may occur. This is when the egg implants into the uterus.
Step 4
Nausea and vomiting may be some of the first symptoms you have. It usually starts after you have missed your period. It may continue for any amount of time, and some women never experience it.
Step 5
An enlarged or bloated abdomen may occur in early pregnancy due to hormonal changes. You may notice your clothes fitting a big snug.
Step 6
Frequent urination starts in early pregnancy and can last through out the pregnancy.
Could you be pregnant? If you do not keep up with your menstrual cycle, or it varies from month to month you may not notice signs or symptoms. Here are a few early signs of pregnancy.
Step 1
Tender or swollen breasts are a sign. This can be due to the increased level of hormones. This will start in the first trimester and usually subside during the second trimester.
Step 2
Fatigue is the next sign. This is usually during the first trimester and gets better before or during the second trimester.
Step 3
Break through bleeding may occur. This is when the egg implants into the uterus.
Step 4
Nausea and vomiting may be some of the first symptoms you have. It usually starts after you have missed your period. It may continue for any amount of time, and some women never experience it.
Step 5
An enlarged or bloated abdomen may occur in early pregnancy due to hormonal changes. You may notice your clothes fitting a big snug.
Step 6
Frequent urination starts in early pregnancy and can last through out the pregnancy.
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