Wednesday, February 20, 2008

False Labor - The Facts

False labor contractions, as the name suggests, are not the real thing. Also called Braxton Hicks Contractions, these contractions usually start early in the third trimester of pregnancy. These contractions feel as though you have pain in the abdomen. These are irregular and do not gain frequency by the minute.

How You Can Tell That They Are False Labor Contractions

If you begin to rest or take a walk or even if you change your position, the contractions may stop. The contractions only get weaker, not stronger. One more point, you can experience these contractions only in the front of the pelvic region as opposed to actual labor which starts in the small of your back.

About True Labor Contractions

True labor contractions during pregnancy can sometimes feel different for different women. However, many women may feel a dull ache in the lower abdomen and you may also feel pain in your legs. You may feel like you are getting menstrual cramps.

What You Should Do To Reduce False Labor

If you get false labor contractions there is no need to worry. There are certain things you can do at this time. Take rest, relax and go to sleep. Go for a walk. Walking will reduce the contractions. Your false labor pains will also reduce if you get yourself a massage or eat a small meal and drink water.

If You Are In Doubt

If you are in doubt about whether these are false labor contractions or the real thing, you must consult a doctor. He will know better and advise you on which steps to take during this period.

It is also important that you get to know more about the difference between false labor pains and true labor contractions. You can do this by reading various articles on the subject in good books and magazines or surfing the net for further information. You could also go to your local library. Remember- it is always better to be well informed about the false labor pains during child birth.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Early Pregnancy Symptom- You Could Be Pregnant!

Early pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some women experience all the symptoms of early pregnancy while others experience only a few. If you start noticing some of the signs of pregnancy below, you have not had your period for some time and have been having unprotected intercourse, you could well be pregnant.

Tender Enlarged Breasts

Your breasts may feel sore and sensitive to touch and there may be a tingling sensation in the breasts. This is because of the surge in hormone levels.

Tiredness And Fatigue

You may feel tired all the time and this is an early symptom of pregnancy though know one knows why it happens.

Morning Sickness

Called morning sickness, the feeling of nausea and vomiting can hit you at any time of the day, morning, noon or night. Most women suffer this most uneasy feeling a month into their conception but some fortunate ones do not suffer from it at all. You could be free from morning sickness by the second trimester.


Frequent Urination

This is a sign of pregnancy that may start as early as the sixth week of your pregnancy and may worsen as the fetus exerts pressure on the urinary bladder, which means you maybe want to urinate more often. However don’t stop drinking water, because water keeps your body hydrated.

Implantation Bleeding

Some women have implantation bleeding or spotting, a little vaginal bleeding on the 10 or 11th day after conception. The bleeding will appear as a pinkish or reddish brown staining and lasts only one or two days. You must inform your doctor if it accompanies any abdominal pains as this could be a sign of a miscarriage.

Heightened Sense Of Taste And Smell

You may suddenly develop a heightened sense of smell and may be repulsed by certain smells of food. You may not want to eat the foods at all that you quite liked before and may start craving certain foods you earlier disliked! This is because of the effect of the hormone estrogen in your body.

Now that you have a basic idea of the early pregnancy symptoms, make sure you confirm your pregnancy with a pregnancy test or a visit to the doctor. Also, besides seeking professional help, talk to family and friends. Read a lot of good books and magazines to help you prepare for one of the most beautiful phases of your life.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Pregnancy Symptoms - Morning Sickness

Morning Sickness Symptoms – Symptoms that Indicate Alls Well

You had thought you would grow more radiant with each passing month and look more beautiful than ever. Unfortunately, the morning sickness symptoms got to you and your dreams were dashed.

The Good News

Every woman is unique in pregnancy and so are the symptoms of morning sickness in each one. Some fortunate women never suffer from it but more often than not, morning sickness in varying intensities will be present as a sign of pregnancy. The good news is that nausea and morning sickness indicate that your pregnancy is going well.

When Should I Expect Morning Sickness to Hit Me?

Although called morning sickness, it can hit you at any time during the day, morning, afternoon or evening. It usually starts in the 6th week of pregnancy when the placenta begins to produce the hormone, human chrorionic gonadotropin or HCG. This symptom peaks during week 8 and 9 and goes away by week 13.

Some of the things you can do to cure morning sickness or even prevent morning sickness are

Don’t eat fried foods- Don’t eat fried fatty foods because the body takes longer to digest them and so you may feel nauseas just looking at them.

Have lots of simple sugars. Fruits like orange juice contain simple sugars.

Try out new things till you find the right way to go for you. Something that worked for your friend may not work as well for you.

Munch on tit bits or a small snack to keep away heartburn. The stomach makes excessive amounts of acids during pregnancy and an empty stomach will only aggravate heartburn.

Drink lots of fluids like juices, water and some herbal teas.

Eat ginger or drink ginger ale to settle the queasiness in you tummy.
Relax, stay calm and peaceful and do not worry too much. Always remember that morning sickness symptoms are temporary. Soon you will be entering the best phase of your pregnancy.

Pregnancy - Morning Sickness Relief

Morning Sickness Relief- Finding Ways Out

I wish there was a sure shot way to morning sickness relief. No matter how much the shops and telemarketers advertise, there still no convincing cure to the most unwelcome of pregnancy symptoms, morning sickness. While pregnancy is a difficult phase, lack of morning sickness relief methods makes it sometimes quite unbearable.

Morning Sickness- The Duration

They say some women never have it but they are the lucky few, for most others morning sickness is a condition that they must endure during the early stages of pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting usually start in the 6th week and peak in the 8th or 9th week off pregnancy. Around the 13th week, feelings of nausea have started to subside.

Grandmother’s Remedies

Doctors seem to know it all except when it comes to some reliable morning sickness medication. Well, while research continues, why not get back to our grandmothers remedies as a better alternative to cure morning sickness. After all, they have had lots and lots of experience in the baby department. Here are some home truths about how to cure morning sickness or even prevent morning sickness

Drink lots of fluids like water, juices and herbal teas. Eat a lot of ginger and drink ginger ale. Get as much sleep as possible. Get out of bed slowly. Keep your favorite perfume at hand at all times. Avoid going into warm places like the kitchen (you could even stop cooking for a while) and ask your husband to help you in the kitchen if need be. Do not eat fried fatty foods, as they are harder to digest and so stay in the stomach longer. This means you will probably be repulsed by the burger that you would have loved to eat just the other day.

Morning sickness relief can be found sometimes by applying your own strategy because morning sickness is as unique as every pregnant woman is. The important thing is to stay calm and not worry too much and read good books and magazines about the queasy feelings that you get during this time.

Ectopic Pregnancy Symptom

Visit The Doctor Immediately If You Suspect An Ectopic Pregnancy Symptom

We will talk about ectopic pregnancy symptoms a little later; first let us understand what an ectopic pregnancy is.

Ectopic Pregnancy- Meaning

An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the fertilized ovum grows outside the uterus—usually in one of the fallopian tubes. For a few days, the tube enlarges with the growing fetus but it finally splits and an emergency occurs that is known an ectopic rupture.

Indications That You May Be Having An Ectopic Pregnancy

The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are severe pain in the lower abdomen or in some cases, a sharp pain for short durations in the lower abdomen.

There could be a little bleeding from the vagina

A period that is over due by two to three weeks

A few days before the ectopic rupture occurs there could be acute pain in the abdomen that feels like appendicitis.

Sudden fainting or passing out or collapse due to excessive blood loss into the abdomen.

The Causes Of An Ectopic Pregnancy

If you have had an ectopic pregnancy before or had a pelvic infection such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia, the chances of an ectopic pregnancy increase. A damaged fallopian tube caused by infection, surgery or endometriosis can also be sited as another reason for ectopic pregnancies. Increased chances of an ectopic pregnancy have been proved if you smoke regularly before conceiving.

Finally, if you’ve ever had a fallopian tube surgery, a IUD or were on fertility drugs, you should be careful about the various symptoms you experience after your pregnancy is confirmed.
Therefore, if you are pregnant and have pelvic pain and even slight bleeding from the vagina you must see a doctor at once so that he can give you a complete and thorough check up. These symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy must be taken seriously. Please also read up on ectopic pregnancy in good books and magazines and be well informed so that you are well prepared. We wish you a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms - Causes of Morning Sickness

Causes of Morning Sickness- We May Never Know the Reason

The causes of morning sickness cannot be clearly defined, however, morning sickness they say, happens usually in the 6th week of pregnancy, when the placenta begins a production of the hormone human chorionic gonadotopin or HCG. Morning sickness usually subsides by the 13th week of pregnancy.

‘Morning’ Sickness Not Necessarily In the Mornings

Just as the cause of morning sickness is not clearly known, so also the name morning sickness, which implies anything but ‘morning’ sickness. You may feel nauseas in the morning, noon, or evening times.

That Terrible Queasy Feeling

Therefore, if you had planned to look beautiful during pregnancy, because some one told you all those hormones would give you a glowing skin, your dreams may now be shattered. However, there is hope… Here are some tips on morning sickness relief.

Move out of bed slowly to avoid morning sickness

Avoid warm places like the kitchen

Get enough sleep

Always keep with you, some of your favorite perfume and keep your self surrounded by pleasant smells and aromas

Drink lots of fluids, like water, juices and herbal teas

Eat a snack even in the middle of the night if you wish, but do not let your stomach be empty.

Drink and eat lots of ginger products as a cure for morning sickness

Check with your doctor, if your multi vitamins could be causing you nausea.

Avoid eating heavy, greasy, and fatty foods, because they take longer to digest and so can cause feelings of nausea and queasiness.

Try out different things that will work for you, but may not work for others. The cure and prevention of morning sickness are unique to every pregnant woman.

The causes of morning sickness some say are still a mystery, so why not read up some good books and magazines to be better informed. Here is wishing you a joyful pregnancy.