Pregnancy

Human pregnancy refers to the process by which a human female carries a live offspring from conception until childbirth. The medical term for a pregnant woman is "gravid," just as the medical term for the unborn human is embryo and then fetus. A woman's body goes through many changes during pregnancy. The relationships between your bladder, uterus, and vagina before pregnancy are altered when the fetus begins to develop. With the baby growing, pushing, and shifting everyday, the pelvic muscles are stretched and the pelvic organs lose their shape. This added pressure may cause bladder control problems (stress incontinence, urge incontinence or mixed incontinence).

Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy; however, one of the most significant pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed menstrual cycle. Below is a listing of some of the most common pregnancy symptoms.

Implantation Bleeding: Implantation bleeding can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping.

Delay/Difference in Menstruation: A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.

Swollen/Tender Breasts: Swollen or tender breasts is a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts such as tender to the touch, sore, or swollen. Fatigue/Tiredness: Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.

Backaches & Headaches: Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy. The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy.

Frequent Urination & Darkening of Areolas: Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom. If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker. Once you come across any one of the above listed symptoms. Visit to an appropriate health care provider to confirm your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Plans

Once there is a confirmation, there are various things which is to be followed. We have given a list of things which would help to plan your pregnancy

Planning & preparing: Once you are pregnant it is important to plan and prepare for many different things related to your pregnancy. Birth Choices, the nine months of pregnancy are all about choices. Everything from the best exercise, to the most comfortable shoes to more important things like your prenatal care provider and place to give birth. Pregnancy and the birth of a child are ranked as one the most memorable experiences for a woman. Two things you will make decisions about early in pregnancy are who will provide your care and where you will birth your baby. Most women base their choices on health histories, preference, finances and well informed opinions.

Creating Your Birth Plan: The delivery of your baby is one of the most memorable, life-changing, exciting experiences of your life. You will want to spend some time thinking through your hopes and wishes for this special day. Starting with a journal, try to write down as many of your thoughts and plans for your delivery. Your journal will help you prioritize and articulate your ideas for creating your birth plan. A birth plan is a simple, clear, one-page statement of your preferences for the delivery of your baby.

Kick Counts: Most mothers-to-be eagerly await that first reassuring flutter, just to know their baby is growing and developing. Sometime between 18-25 weeks into pregnancy, moms will begin to feel movement. For first time it may occur closer to 25 weeks and for second or third time it may occur closer to 18 weeks. Don't panic if you're not sure what you're feeling. For a couple weeks it may be difficult to distinguish between gas and the real thing, but very soon you will notice a pattern. You will gradually learn your baby's sleeping and waking cycles, when he or she is most active, and what seems to trigger activity. Being attentive to your baby's movements will help you notice any significant changes.

Traveling: Whether you are traveling by car, bus or train it is generally safe to travel while you are pregnant, however there are some things to consider making your trip safer and more comfortable.

Labor & Birth

Educating women on labor and delivery gives them a sense of empowerment when they face one of life's biggest events. With the cesarean delivery rate on the rise, many women have questions on what is the best care for them and their baby. Understanding the signs of labor, birthing options, choices in dealing with pain, and potential complications helps moms face the day their new baby will be born. The articles below address the ins and outs of labor and delivery and provide you with the information you need.

Assisted Delivery: Near the end of delivery, it may be apparent that mother and baby need a little extra help for a successful delivery. After ensuring anesthesia is working, an obstetrician would gently apply forceps or minimal suction to the baby's head. As you push through the next contractions, your doctor would gently bring the baby's head through the birth canal.

Crowning: Crowning during pushing and delivery, your baby's head will begin to make an appearance through your vaginal opening with each contraction. When your baby's head remains visible and does not slip back in, it is known as crowning. When your baby's head crowns, you will experience a burning or stinging sensation, often referred to as "the ring of fire," as your baby stretches the vaginal opening. As soon as you feel this, stop pushing. This is very important because if you continue to push and bear down, you increase your risk of tearing or needing an episiotomy. If you forget, your doctor or midwife will remind you. The burning or stinging sensation only lasts for a short time and is followed by a numb feeling. This is due to your baby's head stretching your vaginal tissue so thin that the nerves are blocked.

Episiotomy: An Episiotomy is a surgical incision occasionally necessary to enlarge the vaginal opening to help deliver your baby. An episiotomy may be needed for any one or more of the following reasons:

Breech Births: Usually a few weeks before birth, most babies will move into delivery position, with their head moving near the birth canal. If this does not happen, the baby's buttocks and/or feet, will be in place to be delivered first. This is called a breech presentation. Breech births occur in about 1 of 25 full-term births.

Effacement: Effacement is the process by which the cervix prepares for delivery. After the baby has engaged in the pelvis, it gradually drops closer to the cervix; the cervix gradually softens, shortens and becomes thinner. You may hear phrases like "ripens," or "cervical thinning" which refer to effacement. Inducing Labor Inducing labor is when the birth process is given an artificial start through medical interventions or other methods. If your induction is not done for medical reasons or as an emergency, induction is elective. The decision to induce has recently been on the rise for convenience or to accommodate busy schedules. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued guidelines recommending that whenever possible, induction should not be performed until at least 39 weeks, and then only when benefits outweigh risks.

After Pregnancy

Breastfeeding Breast milk is produced naturally by women and provides the basic nutrition for a baby during the first several months of life. Breast milk has three different and distinct stages Colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk.

Colostrum: Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk that occurs during pregnancy and lasts for several days after the birth of the baby. It is either yellowish or creamy in color. It is also much thicker than the milk that is produced later in Breastfeeding. Colostrum is high in protein, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and immunoglobulins. Colostrum will be replaced by transitional milk.

Transitional milk: Transitional milk occurs after colostrum and lasts for approximately two weeks. The content of transitional milk includes high levels of fat, lactose, water-soluble vitamins, and contains more calories than colostrum.

Mature milk: Mature milk is the final milk that is produced. 90% is water that is necessary to maintain hydration of the infant. The other 10% are comprised of carbohydrates, proteins and fats that are necessary for both growth and energy. There are two types of mature milk: foremilk and hind-milk.

First Year Development: Infant Development Perhaps your sixth month old has not rolled over yet but the child development chart shows that some babies start rolling over at five months. Or your neighbor's eleventh month old is walking but your thirteenth month old has not attempted to walk. Maybe you are worried that your baby's development is not where it should be and wonder what this means for his or her future. Comparing your baby's development to other infants or to norms on developmental charts should be avoided. Instead it is important to know that babies develop at different rates and should only be compared to their individual milestones from the previous week or month.

Newborn Testing: Now that you have had your baby and the delivery was a success there is still one more thing to do before your baby heads home. Depending on what state you live in, there are a number of different screening test that your baby will receive. These tests are intended to detect inborn disorders that could result in early mortality or lifelong disability. Generally, most states only test for selected disorders and not all states do the same screening tests. It is important to be informed about any and all tests that are available for your baby.