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What Is Placenta Calcification |
In the past, placenta calcification was only identified after the birth when the placenta (also called the afterbirth) was physically examined by the doctor or midwife. Small white calcium deposits like little hard stones were seen and felt. This was not thought to be a problem. It was said that the placenta was simply ageing – a normal phenomenon when baby is due or late. |
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Things Extremely Interesting About Placenta |
Mothers should know that when ovum is fertilized, placenta will be formed. At this time, cells will be divided into 2 groups: 1 group of cells will become baby and the other will form placenta. |
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Welcome to your Third Trimester (part 51) - Placenta on toast |
The thought of eating the placenta may turn your stomach, but some women choose to do exactly that. The organ is revered for its spiritual properties, and devotees of placentophagia believe the nutrients it contains, including vitamin B6, will help prevent them from developing postpartum depression. |
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Why Do Pregnant Women Have Mood Swings? |
One of the most noticeable symptoms of pregnancy is mood swings. With all the changes taking place in the women’s body, there’s no surprise that mood swings is a companion of these changes. According to an association, the physical changes, fatigue and hormone changes can have a part in mood changes. |
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Tips To Have A Positive Body Image After Pregnancy |
Pregnancy changes your body in many ways, even after your delivery. Although you lose the weight of your baby, the amniotic fluid and placenta right after the pregnancy, you still need time to burn the fat that accumulated in pregnancy. Your stomach also gets bigger after you’re pregnant. |
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The Truths Behind The Delivery Room (Part 2) |
Whether you choose normal delivery or caesarean, or have the doctor predict about the time and how difficult the first delivery is, you may never know how you can come through the labor pain. Some women predicted to come through an extremely difficult labor can easily push the baby out within a few minutes without having any pain. |
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The Truths Behind The Delivery Room (Part 1) |
The closer you are to the labor date, the more nervous, anxious and curious about what happens behind the delivery room will be. Let’s try to find out the little secrets below to be less shocked like a fish out of water at that great time of your life, shall we? |
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Top Foods Dangerous For Pregnant Woman And Fetus |
Take a tour around the forums for women, I see that most pregnant women wonder “which food to eat, which food you should avoid in pregnancy”. It can be stated as one of the top concerns of pregnant women as not everyone wants to eat foods that are dangerous to their health as well as their baby’s. |
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Comparison Between Normal Delivery And Caesarean (Part 2) |
Caesarean is a savior for pregnant women and fetuses having unusual problem such as the unfavorable position of the fetal head, having dangerous defects such as heart diseases, kidney diseases, placenta praevia… With this method, pregnant women don’t have to waste their strength and don’t have to stand the labor pain; they will be completely of sound mind during the caesarean. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 38 (part 2) |
You may not feel much like eating now, but it’s important to eat healthfully. Snacks might be the answer—eat small snacks throughout the day to keep your energy levels up and to help avoid heartburn. You may also be tired of the foods you’ve been eating. |
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What Is… Fetal Distress And The Non-Stress Test |
Just as your heartbeat changes from time to time, it’s normal for your baby’s heart rate to also fluctuate. A baby’s heart beats much faster than an adult’s – on average between 120 and 160 beats per minute (healthy men have a pulse of about 60, for women it’s 80). |
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Discover Interesting Things In 40 Weeks Of Pregnancy (Part 3) |
In the 3rd term of pregnancy, though you can feel more tired and the body is heavier, you and your fetuses have been through 2 thirds of the path. Soon you family will be glad to welcome a new dear member. In the remained one thirds, there’re changes that cause discomfort to pregnant women. |
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Discover Interesting Things In 40 Weeks Of Pregnancy (Part 1) |
Getting pregnant and having babies are ones of the most marvelous and sacred things of the nature. In 9 months and 10 days of pregnancy, women’s bodies have to change to adjust the pregnancy and foster fetuses. Even the fetuses experience different developments to prepare for the due day. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 32 (part 2) |
If you’re expecting more than one baby, your nutrition and weight gain are very important during pregnancy. Food is your best source for nutrients, but keep taking your prenatal vitamin every day. The vitamins and iron in prenatal vitamins are still essential to your well-being and the well-being of your baby or babies. |
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Recommended Perfect Diet For Pregnant Women |
Becoming pregnant is a normally physiological phenomenon of most women. However, the demand about nutrition in this period will increase highly. The things that you eat in 9 months of pregnancy are extremely important because those nutrients will have direct effect on fetus. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 30 (part 1) |
A baby is usually quite active during pregnancy. We believe these knots occur as the baby moves around in early pregnancy. A loop forms in the umbilical cord; the baby moves through the loop, and a knot results. Your actions do not cause or prevent this kind of complication. A knot in the umbilical cord doesn’t occur often. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 27 (part 3) - Babymoons, Lupus |
Many parents-to-be are now scheduling a babymoon before the end of pregnancy. A babymoon is a prebaby vacation—a trip for expectant parents to reconnect and to enjoy each other’s company before baby’s birth. It usually focuses on relaxing and pampering. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 23 (part 3) |
Some women develop diabetes only during pregnancy; it is called gestational diabetes. It occurs when pregnancy hormones affect the way your body makes or uses insulin, a hormone that converts sugar in food into energy the body uses. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 23 (part 1) |
Baby’s body is getting plumper but skin is still wrinkled. Lanugo hair on the body occasionally turns darker at this time. The baby’s face and body begin to assume more of the appearance of an infant at birth. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 22 (part 1) - What Is Anemia? |
There is a fine balance in your body between the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to the rest of your body and the destruction of these cells. Anemia is the condition in which the number of red blood cells is low. If you’re anemic, you don’t have enough red blood cells. |
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Fitting in Fitness (part 1) - Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy |
Exercise has no harmful effects on a fetus and does not increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects in a normal pregnancy. In fact, there is no doubt that if complications do not limit your ability to exercise during pregnancy, a regular fitness routine can be a big plus for both you and your baby. |
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How To Take Care Of Pregnant Women In The First 3 Months |
When you surely know that you become pregnant in the 5-6th weeks of pregnancy (after being checked by obstetrician). After the happy minutes, you need to make a careful plan for eating, drinking and taking care of your health. In the first 3 months, pregnant women need to pay attention to eating, drinking and exercising to prevent fetal derangement and miscarriage. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 19 (part 1) |
Crown-to-rump length of the growing fetus is 5¼ to 6 inches (13 to 15cm) by this week. Your baby weighs about 7 ounces (200g). It’s incredible to think your baby will increase its weight more than 15 times between now and delivery! |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 18 (part 3) |
You need about 30mg of iron a day to meet the increased needs of pregnancy. Baby draws on your iron stores to create its own stores for its first few months of life. This helps protect baby from iron deficiency if you breastfeed. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 18 (part 1) |
Between 50 and 80% of all pregnant women have back and hip pain at some time. Pain usually occurs during the third trimester as your tummy grows larger. However, pain may begin early in pregnancy and last until well after delivery (up to 5 or 6 months). |
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12 Things Seriously Affecting Fetal Health (Part 2) |
Most of pregnant women over-absorb nutrients but, few of them have malnutrition, which is one of the most effective things to fetal health. Pregnant women have over-whelming malnutrition or weight loss can cause bad effects on fetal developments and the metabolism between pregnant women and fetuses. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 16 (part 4) - Rh Disease and Sensitivity |
Everyone has either Rh-positive blood or Rh-negative blood. If you have the Rh factor in your blood, you are Rh-positive—most people are Rh-positive. If you do not have the Rh-factor, you are Rh-negative. Rh-negativity affects about 15% of the white population and 8% of the Black/African-American population in the United States. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 16 (part 1) |
Fine hair covers your baby’s head. The umbilical cord is attached to the abdomen; this attachment has moved lower on the body of the fetus. Fingernails are well formed.
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 15 (part 2) |
Ultrasound can be used during the second trimester for several reasons. These include diagnosis of multiple fetuses, with amniocentesis, with bleeding related to placenta previa or placental abruption, intrauterine-growth restriction (IUGR) and evaluation of baby’s well-being. Ultrasound at around 20 weeks may be done to determine if the placenta has attached normally and is healthy. |
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7 Important Things That Pregnant Should Keep In Mind |
According to long-term researches, it’s proved that there’re many things that women should and shouldn’t do in pregnancy. That abstaining is hard but, it can bring so many benefits for both mother and children. |
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Breastfeeding - How Milk Is Made |
When I gave birth to my twins a few years ago, I thought I knew a thing or two about breastfeeding. My older son had nursed for 14 months with nary a problem, and I'd been researching, writing and editing breastfeeding articles for this magazine for more than 10 years. |
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How to Heal After Having Baby (Part 1) |
Your baby’s finally here, and you’re excited, but you’re also exhausted, uncomfortable and on an emotional rollercoaster. No matter how you birthed your baby, the physical changes of the postpartum period are immediately visible, unlike the gradual changes of pregnancy. |
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Fertility Falling Pregnant - Struggling To Get |
You’ve started your family, and now you want to expand it or complete it. Your firstborn came along with ease, after nothing more than a romantic dinner with pink champagne and a night of passion, so you assume making your next child will be a similarly lovely and effortless affair. |
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Keep A Close Eye On Your Blood Pressure This Month |
Pre-eclampsia presents with high blood pressure (hypertension), Oedema (swelling) and proteinuria (protein in the urine). If left untreated, the condition can turn into dangerous eclampsia with symptoms including convulsions, coma and even death. More pregnant women today are at risk for pre-eclampsia because of our diets and lifestyles, which make us susceptible to hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. |
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Tips That Help Educate Babies When They Are Still The Womb (Part 2) |
While sound education has become so popular and been applied by many women, other educating methods for fetuses like educating by senses such as feel, taste, smell and eyesight are still quite strange. However, it hardly denies the certain effects of education on fetal development. Therein, eyesight education brings many positive, easy and safe effects to pregnant women and fetuses. |
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10 Pregnancy Problems That You Should Be Aware Of |
It often occurs from the 13th week after the conception. So far, there has been no rule or specific benchmark relating to the phenomenon. Everyone can have different ways but one reason which is due the fact that abnormal chromosome cause damages on sperms. |
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Keep Away From Factors That Cause Fetal Defects |
To pregnant women who have high fevers in the early pregnancy, their newborns will have no sign of defects but, the newborns still need long-term observation. When pregnant women have high fevers, fetal brain cells will be affected; fetuses will have a decrease of nervous cell number, which leads to intellectual disability. |
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Allergies During Pregnancy - What to Expect |
If you’ve suffered from allergies all your life, then you’ll know that even though your allergies can’t be cured, they can be treated with anti-histamines and low-dose steroids. But what happens when you’re pregnant and in the same way that you can’t drink, smoke, or eat sushi for nine months, you also can’t pop your allergy meds into your mouth anymore? |
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Decoding Scans |
A definite diagnosis of Down syndrome can currently only be made by invasive testing, commonly by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Down syndrome occurs when the baby receives an extra chromosome 21 (trisomy 21). It is one of the most common serious abnormalities that occur and is associated with severe mental retardation. |
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All Problems About Pregnancy Ultrasound |
When should pregnant women have pregnancy ultrasound? What is the purpose of ultrasound? What should pregnant women do before having ultrasound? All pregnant women want to know these things. |
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Be Careful With Top Of Dangerous Diseases In Pregnancy |
Pre-eclampsia or poisoning pregnancy or high blood pressure because of pregnancy is popular to pregnant women that have first born child. Basically, pre-eclampsia is understood: the state that mothers’ body cannot adjust to pregnancy. Most pre-eclampsia appear after the 30th week and it can rise suddenly or slowly. |
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Tips To Improve Gestational Depression |
The most happiness of married couples, especially women, is to become parents. However, lately, there have been pregnant women complaining about their headache, insomnia, concentration lack, sadness and boredom… After researches, it’s concluded as signs of depression. |
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What Do Fetuses Do In The Womb? |
Sharp 3D ultrasound images that have high qualities help us to have a specific look at the development process of fetuses in 9 months of pregnancy. Moms should try taking a look at the fetal development. |
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When Should Pregnant Women See A Doctor? |
Vaginal bleeding in 3 early months of pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage. On the second and third stage, fetuses can have placenta problems. If fetuses are in the situation, call the doctor for timely treatment. |
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Essential Nutrients For Pregnancy |
There’re 3 essential nutrients for pregnancy, such as folic acid (vitamin B9), iron and iodine. Besides, pregnant women also need providing with other nutrients to have a healthy pregnancy. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 13 (part 3) |
Caffeine is a stimulant found in many beverages and foods, including coffee, tea, various soft drinks and chocolate. It may also be found in some medicine, such as headache remedies. |
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Foods Reducing Children’s IQ |
In addition, gum contains additive that prevents oxidization. If you eat over oxidized fat in a long time, these substances will accumulate in the body and it makes some systems of catalyst in the body be harmed. As a result, brain will develop badly or decline early. This is the reason why gum if food that reduces IQ index of children. |
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Allergy In Pregnancy |
There are a lot of disadvantage elements from the living environment, foods that pregnant women eat can lead to allergy. Allergy can cause disadvantages for pregnancy, so pregnant women need to prevent so that they don’t catch this disease. |
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How To Deal With Dangerous Situations In Giving Birth |
Successful process of giving birth is expectance of all pregnant women, but not all of the parturitions are smoothly. There are some dangerous events that pregnant women can meet in the process of giving birth such as hemorrhage, exhaustion… In these cases, doctors, pregnant women and relatives need to pay special attention to behave on time. |
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Be Aware Of Dangerous Signs In Pregnancy |
In 9 months and 10 days of pregnancy, it can be not as smooth as you thing. You can face with different symptoms, so you should know which ones are normal and which ones need treating. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 10 (part 4) |
Nearly every pregnant woman receives information on Down syndrome. Older women have traditionally been offered various tests to determine whether their fetus is affected by the condition. |
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Medicines Dangerous To Pregnancy |
To the major of pregnant women, pregnancy is the happiest news. In that period of time, the palpitation, anxiety and thought that are due to the fact that you’re going to be moms in the future, can make you depressed. |
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The 6 Most Important Tests In Pregnancy (Part 1) |
Genetic screening is carried out to detect some genetic disorders of parents, define whether they are dangerous or not. Although parents don’t have diseases, it doesn’t mean they don’t carry a kind of disease gene that can transmit to their children. |
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Habits Causing Miscarriage (Part 2) |
Meat and fish aren’t cooked through (noodle soup of underdone beef, fish salad, sushi…, pregnant women shouldn’t eat these dishes although they used to be your favorite dishes. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 8 (part 3) - Braces during Pregnancy? |
It seems people of all ages are getting braces these days. We’ve been asked by women about braces for their teeth during pregnancy. They want to know if it’s OK to continue wearing braces during pregnancy, and they want to know if they can have braces put on when they’re pregnant. |
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3 Types Of Upward-Head Posture |
Popular postures of babies in mother’s womb: babies lie along, they will lie with horizontal direction, some babies can lie with diagonal position. How does position affect the process of Birthgiving? |
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How To Make Pregnancy Become Perfect (Part 1) |
To have a perfect pregnancy, mothers should pay attention to taking care of themselves before and during pregnancy. Mothers don’t always know about simple things that have big effects. |
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Delicious Vegetables Nutritious For Mothers Giving Breast |
This is the first choice for pregnant women that have just given birth. Besides increasing mothers’ milk, sweet leaf also helps create vitality for sexual life, prevent osteoporosis, cure ulcerated place, reduce fever and placental retention, dirty blood after giving birth. |
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Tips To Prevent Miscarriage (part 1) |
Miscarriage is the spontaneous end of pregnancy that often occurs in the 20th week of pregnancy. About 1 out of 5 pregnant women has miscarriage. Miscarriages often occur in the first 3 months and the 4 next months. |
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Discover Fetal Positions |
Pregnant women are really interested in and curious about fetal positions in the womb. You always wonder where your babies are so that you can play with them, don’t you? Let’s find out! |
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Foods That Cause Miscarriage |
While pregnant, women have to be careful with foods eaten daily. The followings are foods that can cause miscarriage. |
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Diseases Transmitted From Mothers To Children (Part 1) |
There are many diseases that include mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding… The important thing is that they have to be early detected in order to have timely treatment for future mothers and avoid transmitting to babies. |
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Diet For Mothers To Make Babies Smart |
If women in the reproductive age are provided with enough folic acid daily, their children can reduce 70% of neural tube defects (NTDs) including congenital malformations of the brain and spinal cord. |
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How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy |
The first thing should you do to have a healthy pregnancy is making a plan. You should improve your health, manage your weight, quit smoking and provide you with folic acid. Besides, you need to do the periodic check-up to ensure that your blood pressure, blood flow and thyroid gland function are still fine and uninfected with rubella |
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4 Important Secrets To Give Birth To An Infant Prodigy |
When you decide that you will become mother, you need to know that whether your body is ready to undertake this hard duty or not. In pregnancy, body is easily infected, especially infection of urinary and physiology. |
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Clear Away 20 Worries Of Pregnant Women (Part 2) |
Do not eat rare meat doesn’t cook carefully, meat smoked out, ham, green vegetables aren’t washed cleanly. They can contain toxoplasmosis bacterium that can cause miscarriage or defects about organs of babies. |
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4 Important Secrets To Give Birth To An Infant Prodigy |
When you decide that you will become mother, you need to know that whether your body is ready to undertake this hard duty or not. In pregnancy, body is easily infected, especially infection of urinary and physiology. |
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30 Tips To Help Fetus Be Healthy (Part 2) |
When pregnant women travel with car, this is necessary thing that they have to do. The suitable position of belt can be under belly, above thigh, not on belly where pressure can be dangerous to fetus if accident takes place. |
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Weighing the Risks (part 1) - Pregnancy Weight Gain, Weight Woes |
The health and weight of your baby at birth depend greatly on how much weight you gain over the course of your pregnancy. The weight of your baby factors into your weight gain, but your body also gains weight through its increase in blood volume—about 50 percent—as well as muscle, fluid, and tissue. |
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The Warning Signs Of Pregnancy |
Almost every pregnant woman has an annoying problem during pregnancy, but in some cases, the symptoms are dangerous. To avoid the risk of adversely affecting pregnancy, pregnant women should consult periodically as directed by doctor. This will help you detect early bad risks. |
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Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 3 (part 3) - Folic-Acid Use |
Folic acid, also referred to as folate, folacin or vitamin B9, is very important during pregnancy. Folate is the form of folic acid found in food. Folic acid is the synthetic version of this B vitamin. It’s important to take folic acid before trying to get pregnant and during early pregnancy because this is when it is most helpful. |
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Things You Should Know About Cesarean |
Consequently, many women want to be operated to take fetus out to be safer. This thing causes pressure on pregnant women and medical staff. I have some information to share with pregnant women and family. |
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Some Drinks Pregnant Women Should Say No With |
If you use beverages containing a lot of stimulants, they will affect fetus’s development. According to many researches, these drinks also increase risk of miscarriage and premature birth. |
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Solve All Gestation Problems From A To Z (Part 4) |
Level of swelling of every pregnant woman is different in pregnancy. Commonly, the parts of the body swelled are ankles, feet, fingers, wrists and face. This symptom is popular in the final months of gestation and becomes heavier when it’s hot, the end of day or you are redundant in weight. |
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Formula For Pediatric Weight Calculation |
After birth, all babies have a same point, it is losing physiological weight. The main reason is the reduction of water in baby body (which is in its body when it is still in mother’s womb) through urine and stool. |
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Great Benefits Of Water For Pregnant Women |
Drinking water brings many benefits for everyone, especially for pregnant women. Pregnant women are suggested to drink 2-2.5 liters of water every day (equal to 8 glasses of water). Besides fresh water, drinking fruit juice, vegetable juice is also good for pregnant women. |
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Does Caesarean Section Affect Sex? |
Women cannot do the biological reproductive function normally, small or narrow or unbalanced pelvis (Cephalopelvic disproportion), about 30%. |
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Change For Better Things (Part 2) |
Gaining weight too much in pregnancy makes you have higher risk of being obese. This is about 6 times higher when your child is 1 year old. |
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Possible Concerns During Pregnancy : Gestational Diabetes |
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes, or insulin resistance, that develops around the middle of pregnancy and ends after delivery. Women who are pregnant, have high blood sugar (glucose) levels and have never had diabetes before are said to have GDM. |
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10 Super-natural Powers Of The Pregnant Women |
Hey future mother, just forget all the tiredness and difficulties you are suffering from the pregnancy for a moment. Do you know that pregnancy brings you “super power” that you even do not know? Only forming a tiny body is a miracle itself. |
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The Fibroid Fact File |
Fibroids often cause painful, heavy periods, they may lead to anaemia, and can even affect your ability to have a healthy baby. You might be surprised to learn they’re more common than you think. Around four in 10 women over the age of 40 have fibroids, but many won’t know. |
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Care For The Core |
The fetus in the womb gets nutrients and oxygen through the placenta connected to the skin inside the uterus. The umbilical cord is the life line helping the child get things he needs to develop in the womb. |
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Sleep Like A Baby |
If pregnancy complaints are keeping you awake at night, here are some safe solutions for back pain, leg cramps and more. |
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Pamper Rx |
Jacuzzis therapy and hot mud cover, or any therapy that directly affect your body temperature is taboo during pregnancy. The researches demonstrated that steaming for 10 minutes during the first 4-6 weeks of pregnancy could cause high risk of miscarriage. |
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Identicals Misidentified |
Researchers studied 1,302 parents of same-sex twins and found that 179 with identicals thought they were fraternal, and 12 with fraternals thought they were identical, perhaps because they got wrong information based on prenatal ultrasounds. |
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Fear Not The Gym |
The money you’re still spending on that gym membership doesn’t have to go to waste just because you’re pregnant. Learn how to navigate cardio, weights and class options to stay fit and feel great in every trimester. |
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Rights And Wrongs About Diet During Pregnancy |
In general, people usually worry about coffee and carbonated drinks because of caffeine in them. For this problem, researchers have shown that caffeine through the placenta can cause negative effects on fetus; the new-born baby is easily anxious and crying. |
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Necessary Minerals For Pregnant Women |
Iron and calcium are two minerals which are necessary for women in pregnancy. Nevertheless, do not take iron and calcium whenever you are pregnant because calcium and iron in pregnant women’s blood should be controlled, lack or excess of them causes many consequences. |
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How To Prevent Difficult Childbirth |
According to the statistics of researchers, there are up to 5% cases of difficult birth every year, and pregnant women who drop in this condition unluckily will face with many risks. Let find out reasons of difficult childbirth. |
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Big, Fat Diets |
If you knew of a diet that would let you drop eight percent of your weight in 10 days with no hunger and no muscle loss, would you do it? ‘Course you would. But here’s the kicker – you have to imbibe your nutrients through a nasogastric tube. |
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To Have A Healthy Baby During Pregnancy |
Pregnancy is an interesting experience in woman’s life. Although someone will undergo a difficult time of morning sickness, fatigue, body pain, and so on, they always desire their baby to be the healthiest. |
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Love Since Embryonic Time |
Being pregnant, you have to prepare strongly for solving many questions. They are the tension coming from antenatal examination, weight problem (enough or not) as well as pleasant and sweet moments when going shopping to buy shower gel and shampoo for upcoming angel. |
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Complications of Pregnancy & Labor |
Certain conditions that are specific to pregnancy and some that occur more commonly in pregnancy mean that a pregnancy is classified as high risk. A high-risk pregnancy is closely monitored with more prenatal appointments and possibly additional scans. In labor, certain complications require immediate intervention. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Common Concerns in Pregnancy (part 2) |
These problems occur as a result of increased blood volume coupled with the softening effect of pregnancy hormones on blood vessels. Allowing plaque to accumulate may exacerbate these symptoms and also makes the start of gum disease more likely. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Common Concerns in Pregnancy (part 1) |
Pregnancy hormones affect every system in your body. In this section, you will find a list of common concerns with an explanation of the adaptation process that may cause these symptoms, information on whether medical help is likely to be required, and advice on measures you can take yourself to alleviate symptoms. |
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Life with your New Baby : 2nd Week: Day 13 Feeling close |
It’s inevitable that your baby will be exposed to viruses and some believe this reduces the risk of allergies later on. However, small babies can be quite sick with a cold so try to avoid people with colds at first. Breast-feeding provides protection against viruses. |
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Postures for pregnant women to have a sound sleep |
Turning the body and lying comfortably in the bed may be one of the biggest wishes of pregnant women, especially when they want to lie prostrate or supine since both postures cause problems for them. |
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Pregnancy : Nutrition During Pregnancy |
A healthy diet not only helps ensure that your baby gets all the nutrients he needs for optimum growth and development, but it also minimizes the risk of pregnancy complications, and provides you with plenty of energy. |
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Labor and birth : Special Cases (part 5) - Cesarean Section |
A cesarean section is the delivery of your baby by means of a cut in the abdomen. A cesarean rate of around 10–15 percent is thought to be reasonable, although in most Western countries the rate has risen beyond 20 percent and around 30 percent of all babies in the US are now delivered by cesarean, an all-time high. |
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Labor and birth : Special Cases (part 3) - Multiple Births |
If you are having twins, you will get the chance to discuss your plans for giving birth with your obstetrician during the pregnancy. Your decision to have a vaginal birth or a cesarean section will probably be based upon several factors, such as the position of the babies. |
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Labor and birth : 1st Stage of Labor (part 1) - Approaching Labor |
As labor approaches, your body starts to prepare itself for the task ahead and you may notice various physical symptoms and signs that labor is about to start. Not every woman experiences labor in the same way, and certain signs can occur either before labor starts or during labor. |
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Labor and birth : Pain Relief Options (part 1) - Coping with Pain |
Labor pain is unique and quite different from everyday chronic and acute pain. Generally, pain is a warning sign that something is wrong, but labor pain acts as an “alert” that the birth process is underway and that you need a safe environment in which to give birth. |
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Welcome to your Third Trimester (part 42) - Desperate for a toilet |
In the third trimester you’ll be frequenting the bathroom regularly, as you did in the first trimester. At this stage it’s due to the increasingly heavy baby pushing down on your bladder from above. If you find that it hurts when you expel urine, you may have a urinary infection and should contact your doctor for a test. |
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Welcome to your Third Trimester (part 41) |
During pregnancy, it’s common to eat more often than previously but to eat less at each meal. This is because your uterus has grown so much that all your other organs have moved around and are squashed into much less space. Your stomach simply has less room in it to fit the food so you can’t eat as much before feeling full. |
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Welcome to your Third Trimester (part 26) - Fabulous fiber |
Fiber is very important in the third trimester, since it will help your digestive system work more efficiently. Dietary fiber—the indigestible part of plant foods—is the best natural way to keep the bowels regular. Most pregnant women who eat a diet based upon whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, are likely to be getting enough fiber. |
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Welcome to your Third Trimester (part 22) - A good night’s sleep |
Insomnia is a common problem during pregnancy and can lead to fatigue, feelings of stress and anxiety, and irritability. Whether it’s brought on by your increased size, back pain, heartburn, getting up to empty your bladder, or something else, insomnia is not fun. |
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Welcome to your Third Trimester (part 21) |
There have been numerous studies over the past few years involving women exercising while they’re pregnant. The bottom line is that exercise performed effectively and safely, at a moderate intensity and in healthy women, is beneficial. |
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Welcome to your Third Trimester (part 3) - Buying for your baby |
During pregnancy, your core body temperature rises due to the effects of the hormone progesterone, your increased weight, and the greater demands on your body. Exercise generates heat and raises your core temperature even further, which is why you’re likely to feel extra hot when you exercise during pregnancy. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 46) - Listen to Mommy |
Your developing baby’s ears are structurally complete, and studies show that he can hear clearly now. Far from cushioning him against noise, the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby has excellent sound-conducting properties. Your heartbeat and digestive system provide a constant background rhythm, but he’s also aware of other sounds. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 41) |
If you have a toddler already, she will undoubtedly be curious about why you have suddenly got so fat! Keep things simple, along the lines of “Mommy is growing you a baby sister or brother, but she/he won’t be here just yet.” Over the coming weeks, explain in more detail what having a new baby means. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 39) - Up close and personal |
There are ways to reduce the symptoms, such as circling and stretching exercises to improve circulation and increase wrist mobility. Your doctor will be able to demonstrate these exercises. Wearing wrist splints and elevating your hands on a pillow at night can also help. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 37) - Keep toned |
Effective strength training during pregnancy, using free weights (see image) or a machine at your gym, will help your body deal with the demands of pregnancy. Being stronger will help you carry the increase in body weight and also help you recover after the baby is born. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 35) |
Deciding on a name for your baby is fun but not necessarily an easy task. In addition to finding one that you and your partner agree on, it can feel as though everyone has an opinion. Friends may tell you that they have already chosen a name, that it is “theirs” so you can’t use it! |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 32) |
You’re not alone in battling with your self-image in pregnancy. For some women, their changing body shape can create negative feelings. Eating a healthy diet and getting some exercise helps prevent excessive weight gain, and exercising will also lift your spirits and improve your sense of well-being. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 29) - Feeling flexible |
Stretching and flexibility exercises should be a regular part of your fitness program at all times, but especially during pregnancy. Being flexible enables your muscles to work more efficiently, alleviates tightness, helps prevent cramping, and leads to improved balance and posture. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 26) |
Remember that unless you had an amniocentesis test or CVS test (see Amniocentesis), there’s no way of knowing your baby’s sex for certain. Sonographers can (and do) get it wrong, so don’t get too attached just yet to the name you’ve chosen. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 24) |
Premature babies react to sounds with a “startle reflex,” so this provides strong evidence that babies in the uterus will hear and react to loud sounds, too, possibly with sudden movements. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 23) |
Even if you work full time while you’re pregnant, this doesn’t have to have a negative effect on your relationship with your baby. As your baby grows, you will probably find that you start to develop a relationship with your “belly” as you anticipate your baby’s movements and perhaps talk to him. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 22) |
Whether your baby develops into a boy or a girl depends on the presence or absence of a Y chromosome. Males are XY and the Y chromosome instructs the reproductive glands (gonads) to become testes. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 19) |
According to ancient Egyptian, Greek, American, and Indian beliefs, the first movement marked the moment when the soul entered the fetus. Aboriginals regard the location where the first quickening is felt as highly significant for the baby. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 12) |
A temperature above 102° F (39° C) has been associated with spinal malformations in developing babies, and if a rise in temperature is maintained long enough, it may cause brain damage. The temperature of the amniotic fluid can also increase and it’s thought that an extreme rise in your temperature can cause problems with the flow of blood to the baby. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 11) |
Some research has suggested that if an unborn baby shows a preference for sucking, for example, his right thumb, then he will prefer to lie with his head turned to the right after the birth. The same research suggested that this preference could be used to predict right- or left-handedness in the baby as he grows older. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 10) |
The placenta now starts a second wave of growth that will take almost six weeks. The outer layer of cells in the placenta move into the coiled, or spiral, arteries in the uterus, destroying their muscular wall. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 9) |
Recent research shows that living with a cat or dog in early childhood may reduce the risk of your child developing asthmatic symptoms. The study found that children residing with cats were more likely to have allergy-related antibodies to felines. Never leave your baby alone with a dog or cat. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 7) |
Protein is required for the development of the baby and placenta, as well as to fuel changes taking place in your body . The protein requirement for pregnancy is 6 or 6.5 oz daily, instead of the usual 5 or 5.5 oz. Include a source in all three meals daily. Protein sources include meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese, beans, nuts, and seeds. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 5) |
Research has shown that women who exercise at a moderate to high intensity can cut their time in labor by up to three hours, and they tend to have less complicated deliveries than those who don’t exercise. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 2) |
Vitamin C helps your body absorb more iron from your diet, so try drinking fresh orange juice with meals, and limit your intake of coffee and other caffeinated drinks: caffeine inhibits your body’s ability to absorb iron. |
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Welcome to your Second Trimester (part 1) |
For most women, any discomforts of early pregnancy start to disappear this trimester. The high levels of pregnancy hormones, which are thought to contribute to sickness, are subsiding, and fatigue should begin to diminish. |
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Your 40-week Journey : The End of Pregnancy What to expect (part 1) |
Preparation before labor and delivery is beneficial for most women and their partners, and breathing and relaxation techniques in particular help you to focus on your breathing, which in turn can help you to feel less tense and increase your confidence for dealing with the contractions. |
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Your 40-week Journey : Sex in Pregnancy A fulfilling relationship |
You and your partner may need to experiment more during pregnancy to find lovemaking positions that are comfortable for you and your rapidly growing belly. As pregnancy progresses, most women find that lying on their back in the missionary position becomes increasingly uncomfortable. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 35) |
One of the best ways to curb your sweet tooth is to eat regular meals. This helps to steady your blood-sugar level and reduce sweet cravings. Try not to go longer than three hours without eating and, if you’re hungry, have a healthy snack between meals, such as a chicken sandwich, a low-fat yogurt, or fruit, which can be fresh, canned, or dried, such as raisins or apricots. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 34) |
In addition to Down syndrome, screening tests also assess the risk of another chromosomal abnormality called trisomy 18. Babies with this condition have more severe mental and physical abnormalities than babies with Down syndrome and seldom survive beyond a year. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 33) |
Not all women adapt well to pregnancy and for some dealing with the symptoms and worrying about issues such as weight gain, makes them feel out of control. The best way to cope with these feelings is to embrace the changes and remain in touch with your body by exercising and taking time to focus on what is happening inside you. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 30) |
The potential effects of taking antihistamines in pregnancy aren’t known, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and not take them. However, if your symptoms are very severe, see your doctor since there is one antihistamine available by prescription that can be taken during pregnancy. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 29) |
A milestone in your baby’s development—the placenta takes over from the yolk sac to provide your baby with nutrients. Just like your baby, the placenta has needed to grow and develop a circulation to support the ever-increasing demands that are being placed on it. |
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Trying for a Baby : How will I Know I'm Pregnant? Confirming your pregnancy |
The most obvious initial sign that you are pregnant is a missed period. Other common early pregnancy symptoms include feeling extremely tired and bloated, having increasingly tender breasts, experiencing an increased need to urinate, and finding that you have a greater or lesser sex drive, although all of these symptoms can occur premenstrually. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 24) |
A simple solution to help relieve feelings of nausea is to wear acupressure wristbands. Available from pharmacists, these bands have been clinically tested in the treatment of pregnancy-induced nausea. Unlike anti-nausea drugs, they don’t have any side effects and are easy to use. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 23) |
During pregnancy, your blood and other bodily fluids expand almost 50 percent, an expansion that requires extra water and salt. The majority of salt in the diet comes from processed foods, not from the salt shaker or the salt you add in cooking. To manage your intake, eat whole foods you cook yourself and add your own salt to taste. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 17) |
The exercises shown are sometimes called “functional movement enhancers” because they increase the strength of the muscles that you use for everyday functions such as walking, carrying, lifting, sitting, and standing. The workout can be used alongside walking, swimming, or other cardiovascular exercises and can be done around 2–3 times a week. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 15) |
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is vital for the development of your unborn baby’s skeleton. A daily 15-minute walk outside—with the sun on your skin—is sufficient; you can also boost your intake of vitamin D by eating oily fish, eggs, fortified cereals, and bread, and by taking supplements . |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 11) |
The March of Dimes advises pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant to drink no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day. Going without your caffeine fix is a good thing when you’re pregnant, since research shows that, in high doses, it can increase the risk of miscarriage. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 9) |
To do a back stretch, get on all fours and lower your bottom toward your feet while stretching your arms out on the floor in front of you. Lower your forehead as far as you can, keeping your neck and back aligned, and stretch your arms as much as you can. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 8) |
Egg collection will be scheduled (see image), following the first stage of IVF. Not all follicles that were stimulated will contain eggs. Two days after egg retrieval, you will be given progesterone to thicken the uterus lining. Two to five days after fertilization, the most promising embryos are chosen to be transferred. |
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Pregnancy Day by Day : Welcome to your First Trimester (part 6) |
One theory is that the female orgasm is an evolutionary device designed to convey semen into the cervix as the uterus contracts. If the woman climaxes up to a minute before her partner, or she doesn’t orgasm, she will retain less semen than if she comes at the same time or after him. |
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A Healthy Pregnancy : Lifestyle Hazards |
Many of us use chemicals daily in and around the home. In addition to personal products, such as bath oils, deodorants, and hairsprays, we also keep dozens of other substances around the home, including cleaning fluids, detergents, bleach, and air fresheners. |
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A Healthy Pregnancy : Illnesses and Medication |
Whether you have a preexisting medical condition, or acquire an illness or infection during pregnancy, always consult your doctor before taking medication or before stopping any prescribed medication. |
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A Healthy Pregnancy : Sex and Relationships |
In a low-risk pregnancy, sex is perfectly safe, although your levels of desire may fluctuate throughout pregnancy. Most women report that their interest in sex is the same or slightly reduced in the first trimester. In the second trimester, it varies from woman to woman, and in the third trimester libido often falls. |
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New Parents : He Looks Like a Pixie Is my baby ok (part 1) |
Many factors influence your baby's sleep pattern, such as the type of delivery you had; the gestation of your baby; his health at birth; and the method of feeding your baby, with bottle-fed babies tending to sleep for longer stretches. |
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Time Out for Us Nurturing relationships (part 1) |
Having a baby and caring for her is a full-time job, which can mean that you probably don't have much time to spend on yourself. Many women struggle to find time to do their hair and even put on makeup in the first few weeks and months. |
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I'm Past My Due Date Do I need to be induced? (part 1) |
In many pregnancies, there are no changes to your baby's activities after 40 weeks and their movement patterns will be the same, although your baby's head will probably move lower into your pelvis as it gets ready for labor, resulting in a lighter feeling under your ribs and a heavier feeling down in the pelvic area. |
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How Long will It Last? All about labor (part 1) |
This is hard to determine since every woman is different and every labor is different. Also, how long your labor lasts depends on when you start timing it since the start of labor can be a gradual build up that occurs over a fairly long period of time. |
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