Most women are aware that a missed period can be a telltale sign of pregnancy. However, many changes take place in a woman’s body during pregnancy, some of which can help identify a pregnancy even before a missed period. Recognizing other signs of pregnancy can be particularly important for women whose periods are irregular and difficult to predict. Bear in mind that every woman’s body is unique, and signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and among pregnancies for the same woman. Here we examine some common signs of pregnancy that may be evident in the early stages:

-Implantation Bleeding: Some women experience implantation bleeding, which is bleeding that occurs after fertilization when the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. Implantation bleeding is usually lighter in color and flow than a regular period and shorter in duration.

-Fatigue: Pregnancy places a lot of new demands on a woman’s body, and a feeling of tiredness or fatigue is common. Fatigue is often most noticeable during the first trimester.

-Heightened Sensitivity to Scent: Many pregnant women experience a heightened sensitivity to scents, even to the extent that certain odors can induce vomiting. Even scents that the woman would normally enjoy may become unpleasant or unbearable. A heightened sense of smell can occur very early in pregnancy.

-Nausea/Vomiting: Morning sickness occurs during pregnancy for many women, but is not limited to the wee hours. Some pregnant women experience nausea and possibly vomiting throughout pregnancy, while some have none at all.

-Food Cravings: Cravings for specific foods strike many women during pregnancy. Developing new aversions to certain foods is also common. While you may crave something other than the clichéd pickles and ice cream, craving unusual combinations of foods is not uncommon during pregnancy.

-Mood Swings: Hormones levels in the body change dramatically during pregnancy, which can result in mood swings. Mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy. Like many other signs addressed here, mood swings can be caused by a variety of factors and do not necessarily signify pregnancy.

-Intuition: Perhaps more powerful than a checklist of symptoms is good old fashioned women’s intuition. Some women report that they just “know” they are pregnant, even when other signs of pregnancy are not blatantly obvious. Perhaps they are experiencing pregnancy symptoms but have not consciously connected them with a possible pregnancy, or maybe nature has equipped women with such strong intuition that their bodies simply “tell” them they are pregnant. Either way, women with this instinct are often right, so do not hesitate to take a pregnancy test based on a strong hunch.

Remember, not all women experience all of these symptoms during pregnancy, and the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. It is advised to visit a doctor specializing in obstetrical care as early as possible if you suspect you are pregnant.

Medicines For Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea is a desire to vomit, which mayor may not culminate in vomiting. Vomiting sometimes serves a useful purpose by getting rid of noxious substances from the stomach, but often leads to troublesome and deleterious consequences. In some, nausea and vomiting may be mild and short-lasting, requiring no treatment, but in others there may be prolonged vomiting resulting in excessive loss of salts and water from the body, leading to dehydration. Dehydration is more common if the vomiting is associated with diarrhoea. Vomiting is sometimes induced as a measure to remove poison from stomach.Causes: Nausea and vomiting may occur even in healthy persons due to indigestion, an unpleasant smell, unpalatable food, drugs and chemicals, motion sickness, and pregnancy: These may also be caused by food poisoning; acute abdominal emergencies like appendicitis; obstruction of the intestines; disease of the stomach, gall-bladder and pancreas, liver, or peritoneum; acute infective illnesses like hepatitis, cholera, meningitis, malaria; heart disease like myocardial infarction. The treatment of nausea and vomiting varies according to the cause. If it is due to any underlying disease, measures must be taken to treat the disease. If it is frequent and prolonged, causing dehydration, fluids should be administered intravenously. In most cases symptomatic treatment by using non-specific drugs is effective in controlling vomiting. Nausea and vomitting during motion sickness and pregnancy requires a different treatment.Drugs Used in Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy Nausea and vomiting commonly occur during the first 3 months of pregnancy. The exact cause is not known. It is believed that certain psychological, hormonal, and nutritional factors may be involved. In some, the symptoms are mild and last only for a short period and can be corrected by psychological support. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 50 mg per day), and taking small frequent meals containing carbohydrates are helpful. If these measures fail, certain drugs can be given in as small a dose as possible, keeping in the mind the risk of adverse effects on the foetus (unborn child). There are no known drugs which do not adversly effect the foetus in some way. You may find it interesting to know that thalidomide, a sedative, once extensively used in Europe by pregnant women, resulted in the malformation of the hands and legs in thousands of foetuses.If the vomiting is very severe and incapacitating, cyclizine 50 mg, or meclizine 25 mg or doxylamine 10 mg be given for a few days. A preparation containing glucose, laevulose and phosphoric acid (Regurnil Syrup) may be used in ‘morning sickness’. It should be given in a dose of 15 to 30 ml 3 to 5 times a day. It acts locally in stomach.Drugs Used in Nausea and Vomiting Due to Motion Sickness The cause of nausea and vomiting in motion sickness is not known. It is believed to be due to the imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. The most effective agents in this situation are belladonna alkaloids, scopolamine, or hyoscine. Alternative drugs are cyclizine. meclizine or promethazine in the doses described earlier. Scopolamine (Buscopan)Scopolamine, also known as hyoscine, is very effective in controlling nausea, vomiting, and giddiness experienced by some people while travelling by land, sea, or air. A long acting skin patch is also available to provide relief for about 72 hours. The-usual dose is 0.6 to 1.2 mg.Adverse Effects and Precautions: It does not cause any adverse effect. If one or two does given. If given repeatedly, it may cause drowsiness, dryness of mouth, constipation, blurring of vision, and difficulty in passing urine. It should not be taken by patients with enlarged prostate.

Nausea-Pregnancy

Every pregnancy is different, but some nausea in pregnancy is common. About 50 percent of women will have both nausea and vomiting, 25 percent will have nausea only, and 25 percent will be unaffected. About two thirds of women with severe nausea in a prior pregnancy will have similar symptoms in subsequent pregnancies. Taking a prenatal vitamin before conception may reduce the chance of nausea.If nausea is so severe that you can not hold down liquids, call your care provider. Women with twins or triplets have higher levels of hormones and are more likely to experience nausea. For most women, nausea starts to get better toward the 12th week of pregnancy; however, early in pregnancy that light at the end of the tunnel can seem very far away. Only a small percentage of women continue to feel nauseous for their entire pregnancy. The one positive thing about nausea is that it is usually a sign of a healthy pregnancy.Dealing With Nausea There are various approaches to help relieve nausea in pregnancy, try out a lumber of methods to find what .Works best for you.Dietary changes Some evidence suggests that small, protein rich meals may help reduce nausea. Try different foods to find the ones you like best. Don’t worry too much about nutrition during the first few weeks, as long as you aren’t losing a lot of weight, you are getting enough nutrition for the pregnancy.MedicationsSeveral medications are helpful in alleviating nausea in pregnancy. The most important thing is to treat nausea early, instead of trying to tough it out. Delaying treatment may cause vomiting to become more severe over time. Two over the counter treatments are effective. Start with pyridoxine (vitamin B6) either on its own or combined with doxylamine. Begin by taking 25mg of pyridoxine three to four times a day (maximum dose 100mg a day.) If your symptoms do not improve after 3 days, add 12.5mg of doxylamine to each dose of pyridoxine. (Doxylamine is available over the counter as an ingredient in certain preparations to help you sleep always check the label first.) Alternatively, taking ginger capsules (250mg) four times a day may reduce your symptoms. If neither of these over the counter remedies work, consult your care provider for prescription medication.AcupressureAcupressure bands have been marketed under many different names, but they are basically devices that are worn on the wrist to stimulate the P6 acupressure point. Inexpensive models can be bought over the counter.

Am I Pregnant?

Most women are aware that a missed period can be a telltale sign of pregnancy. However, many changes take place in a woman’s body during pregnancy, some of which can help identify a pregnancy even before a missed period. Recognizing other signs of pregnancy can be particularly important for women whose periods are irregular and difficult to predict. Bear in mind that every woman’s body is unique, and signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and among pregnancies for the same woman. Here we examine some common signs of pregnancy that may be evident in the early stages:-Implantation Bleeding: Some women experience implantation bleeding, which is bleeding that occurs after fertilization when the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. Implantation bleeding is usually lighter in color and flow than a regular period and shorter in duration. -Fatigue: Pregnancy places a lot of new demands on a woman’s body, and a feeling of tiredness or fatigue is common. Fatigue is often most noticeable during the first trimester. -Heightened Sensitivity to Scent: Many pregnant women experience a heightened sensitivity to scents, even to the extent that certain odors can induce vomiting. Even scents that the woman would normally enjoy may become unpleasant or unbearable. A heightened sense of smell can occur very early in pregnancy. -Nausea/Vomiting: Morning sickness occurs during pregnancy for many women, but is not limited to the wee hours. Some pregnant women experience nausea and possibly vomiting throughout pregnancy, while some have none at all. -Food Cravings: Cravings for specific foods strike many women during pregnancy. Developing new aversions to certain foods is also common. While you may crave something other than the clichéd pickles and ice cream, craving unusual combinations of foods is not uncommon during pregnancy.-Mood Swings: Hormones levels in the body change dramatically during pregnancy, which can result in mood swings. Mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy. Like many other signs addressed here, mood swings can be caused by a variety of factors and do not necessarily signify pregnancy. -Intuition: Perhaps more powerful than a checklist of symptoms is good old fashioned women’s intuition. Some women report that they just “know” they are pregnant, even when other signs of pregnancy are not blatantly obvious. Perhaps they are experiencing pregnancy symptoms but have not consciously connected them with a possible pregnancy, or maybe nature has equipped women with such strong intuition that their bodies simply “tell” them they are pregnant. Either way, women with this instinct are often right, so do not hesitate to take a pregnancy test based on a strong hunch. Remember, not all women experience all of these symptoms during pregnancy, and the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. It is advised to visit a doctor specializing in obstetrical care as early as possible if you suspect you are pregnant.

Am I Pregnant?

Most women are aware that a missed period can be a telltale sign of pregnancy. However, many changes take place in a woman’s body during pregnancy, some of which can help identify a pregnancy even before a missed period. Recognizing other signs of pregnancy can be particularly important for women whose periods are irregular and difficult to predict. Bear in mind that every woman’s body is unique, and signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and among pregnancies for the same woman. Here we examine some common signs of pregnancy that may be evident in the early stages:-Implantation Bleeding: Some women experience implantation bleeding, which is bleeding that occurs after fertilization when the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. Implantation bleeding is usually lighter in color and flow than a regular period and shorter in duration. -Fatigue: Pregnancy places a lot of new demands on a woman’s body, and a feeling of tiredness or fatigue is common. Fatigue is often most noticeable during the first trimester. -Heightened Sensitivity to Scent: Many pregnant women experience a heightened sensitivity to scents, even to the extent that certain odors can induce vomiting. Even scents that the woman would normally enjoy may become unpleasant or unbearable. A heightened sense of smell can occur very early in pregnancy. -Nausea/Vomiting: Morning sickness occurs during pregnancy for many women, but is not limited to the wee hours. Some pregnant women experience nausea and possibly vomiting throughout pregnancy, while some have none at all. -Food Cravings: Cravings for specific foods strike many women during pregnancy. Developing new aversions to certain foods is also common. While you may crave something other than the clichéd pickles and ice cream, craving unusual combinations of foods is not uncommon during pregnancy.-Mood Swings: Hormones levels in the body change dramatically during pregnancy, which can result in mood swings. Mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy. Like many other signs addressed here, mood swings can be caused by a variety of factors and do not necessarily signify pregnancy. -Intuition: Perhaps more powerful than a checklist of symptoms is good old fashioned women’s intuition. Some women report that they just “know” they are pregnant, even when other signs of pregnancy are not blatantly obvious. Perhaps they are experiencing pregnancy symptoms but have not consciously connected them with a possible pregnancy, or maybe nature has equipped women with such strong intuition that their bodies simply “tell” them they are pregnant. Either way, women with this instinct are often right, so do not hesitate to take a pregnancy test based on a strong hunch. Remember, not all women experience all of these symptoms during pregnancy, and the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. It is advised to visit a doctor specializing in obstetrical care as early as possible if you suspect you are pregnant.

Hydatidiform mole is most frequent in women at either end of the childbearing years young adolescents and women over the age of 45. There is a ten times higher chance of having a molar pregnancy if you get pregnant at age 45 than there is if you get pregnant at a younger age. Molar pregnancies have been seen in women at the age of 50, whereas a normal pregnancy at that age is practically unknown, except with as sisted reproductive technologies. Molar pregnancy recurs about 1 to 2 percent of the time.

Signs of a molar pregnancy include persistent nausea and vomiting, bleeding occurring at about the twelfth week of pregnancy or earlier, a uterus larger than expected for the dates of the pregnancy, and absence of a fetal heartbeat or fetal activity, even though the uterine size suggests that the fetal heart should be heard and the woman should feel movement. A characteristic sign of a molar pregnancy is the development of pregnancy induced hypertension or preeclampsia in the first half of pregnancy. This is ordinarily a condition of the second half of pregnancy, usually not occurring before 24 weeks gestation.

When a woman presents with these symptoms, a blood test for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is ordered along with a sonogram. The hCG levels will be unusually high in the presence of a molar pregnancy. Ultrasound identifies the characteristic grapelike mass quite accurately.

The treatment for hydatidiform mole is termination of the pregnancy. As this is a pregnancy loss, consider seeking support and counseling. Although hydatidiform mole is not a life-threatening condition, in about 20 percent of cases it can progress to a malignant tumor. This is called a gestational trophoblastic tumor. One type of tumor is a rapidly growing malignancy called choriocarcinoma.

All women with a molar pregnancy should be evaluated after the pregnancy for evidence of a gestational trophoblastic tumor. The followup visit consists of measuring hCG levels in the blood at frequent intervals until they return to normal. Right after termination, hCG is measured at 2-week intervals. Once the levels are undetectable, which usually occurs within 3 months, they can be measured every month for 6 months and then every other month for a complete year. Pregnancy should be avoided until at least a year has elapsed without elevated hCG in blood. If the hCG levels do not regress, or if they rise after the molar pregnancy has been terminated, then further treatment is required.

Signs of disease spread should be looked for. A chest X ray is done, for example. If further childbearing is not desired, treatment may consist of a hysterectomy. If the woman wishes to preserve her reproductive capability, then chemotherapy is the treatment of choice. Chemotherapy may be needed following hysterectomy if the disease has spread. Whenever possible, gestational trophoblastic tumors should be treated by specialists experienced in their care.

Robert Baird explains pregnancy care related topics in his site www.infantpregnancy.org/. Get information on birth control

Profound changes occur in your body with in days of conceiving. in the first week you may feel surprisingly tired and as the weeks go by you will notice increasing breast tenderness and probably one of the worst effects of early pregnancy nausea. The changes in your body happen as a result of hormone levels that soar dramatically during pregnancy.

Hormonal Changes

Soon after conception, when the fertilized egg embeds in the lining of the uterus, the levels of two pregnancy hormones begin to rise. These hormones are progesterone, which is important in helping to maintain your pregnancy and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Progesterone has many effects on your body, one of which is to relax smooth muscle. We have this type of muscle in our internal organs such as the intestines and uterus. Smooth muscle relaxation is critical in pregnancy because the uterus must stretch, other wise uterine contractions might cause preterm labor or miscarriage. You have a lot of other smooth muscles in your body that are also affected by progesterone. One of the first symptoms of progesterone you may notice is relaxation of your intestinal smooth muscle, which results in a lot of bloating and gas. Progesterone also profoundly affect the way you breathe, increasing how quickly you breathe and how deeply. Expect to feel short of breath when you walk up stairs, even if you are in good shape. Pregnancy hormones make your breasts very sore and your breasts will start to enlarge.

The first trimester is also the beginning of a profound set of changes in your heart and circulation. The amount of blood pumping around your body starts to increase dramatically and your heart has to work harder. As the uterus starts to enlarge it may press on the bladder, and you may feel the urge to urinate more frequently than usual. Even though this is annoying, don’t be tempted to start drinking less fluid. Instead, take frequent bathroom breaks and wear clothes that are not a nightmare to get in and out of.

Feeling Exhausted

Most women feel exhausted much of the time in these first few months. While this is absolutely normal, it can be frustrating. Even if you are getting enough sleep, you may feel like you need a nap by 10am. This can make functioning at your job or taking care of your family feel particularly onerous.

In a perfect world you should give in to these feelings and take frequent naps. For many of us, this is not possible. If you can, allow your self to slow down to whatever extent is possible. Don’t feel guilty about going to sleep as early as you want to, and skip evening social events if you don’t feel up to it. Let your partner organize meals, and pamper your self whenever you can.

For more info about pregnancy and diabetes and pregnancy signs have a look at authors site.

Pregnancy week by week tracking tools or calendars are great tools for keeping track of your baby’s growth during pregnancy. Also, you can acquire knowledge of different early pregnancy symptoms or signs of pregnancy.

Most of the pregnancy calendars or guides chart baby’s growth during pregnancy week by week. Though the baby continues to grow with every passing day, but changes and development of baby usually becomes manifest over a week’s time. Therefore, the complete pregnancy period has been divided into three trimesters comprising 40 weeks. By following the baby’s growth in pregnancy week-by-week information and or pregnancy calendars, you can have an idea as to what your baby looks like at a particular point in time. Moreover, if you find something lacking, you can get medical advice promptly. Let’s take a glance at some salient developments of your little one’s growth during the forty weeks.

The First Trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy week by week covers week 1 to week 14. First 2 weeks of this trimester denote the period from your last menses till conception or till that time when the sperm fertilizes the egg. By the end of week 3, the fertilized egg is metamorphosed into an embryo. During week 4 you begin to feel the early pregnancy symptom of nausea. Week 5 marks the beginning of formation of all major organs of the baby’s body. In fact this is the week, when the embryo’s metamorphosis into a baby begins. Come week 6 and your baby’s heart beats for the first time. Your baby doubles in size during week 7. By week 9, baby’s sex can be determined and your embryo becomes a small baby by week 10. Week 14 will make manifest another sign of pregnancy ‘ enlarging and darkening of the area around your nipples.

The Second Trimester

The second trimester comprises week 15 to week 26. In the beginning of this trimester i.e. week 15, the baby begins movement of head, lips, and feet. Due to upward movement of uterus, the pregnancy symptom of frequent urination would abate by week 16. Baby begins blinking, sucking, and swallowing in week 17. Due to myelinization of nerves, nerve cell transmission registers a significant increase making body reflexes quicker. During week 20, baby begins to sleep and wake on regular basis. By week 24, baby’s heart beat becomes so distinct that it can be heard by placing an ear on stomach. And before the second trimester ends, brain wave activity commences for ears and eyes.

The Third Trimester

The third trimester as per pregnancy week by week commences with week 27 and ends with the birth of baby i.e. approximately week 40. Week 27 heralds increased movements of the baby. Senses of sound, smell, and taste develop by week 29. During week 34, baby’s own immune system begins to develop. Most of the babies are born around this period. By this week, look out for any signs of labor. In any case, your baby is born by the end of week 40. Sometimes, this period may extend by two more weeks.

By keeping yourself updated with the help of pregnancy week by week information, you can keep watch over various signs of pregnancy and your baby’s growth. If you feel your baby’s growth is not in consonance with the week by week chart, you can immediately get medical advice.

Since their ancient origins, natural and organic remedies are making new strides every day to help improve the various aspects of the journey for mother and baby from conception to the nursery.

The First Trimester:

You have checked it out, and now you are sure you are an expectant mom. You may be able to avoid some of the digestive disturbances that may show up during pregnancy, like nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) with a safe alternative to the over the counter and prescription medications that many people fear might have side-effects as well as adverse effects on the development of your unborn child.

The Second Trimester:

For many woman worries about things like stretch marks and the effects of pregnancy on the body enter the picture. Now natural oils and other natural and organic products can help soften the skin and underlying tissue and prevent or reduce the formation stretch marks.

The Third Trimester:

The last month before your due date is approaching, you are both looking forward to holding your baby, and at the same time you are feeling nervous about labor and birth.

You may find help for these feelings in the natural herbal remedies passed down through the generations, by mothers and midwives that cared for women during pregnancy and giving birth.

Recovery from childbirth:

The “postpartum period” is the term given to the 6 weeks following delivery. With a vaginal delivery you may be up after a few days, but it will take several weeks to complete the healing process. With a Caesarean birth it will take longer to heal due to the surgery. Pregnancy and childbirth have put a strain on you mentally and physically, and here again there are natural remedies to help return you to your pre-pregnancy state.

Your Baby:

Your newborn can also profit from natural remedies for cradle cap, teething, diaper rash, and many other items such as organic bedding and a natural all around nursery.

Natural and organic remedies have been gaining a new respect lately, as practitioners of traditional medicine begin to recognize the ability of hundreds of thousands of herbs and other natural products that have the capabilities to enhance comfort, health, Mental Attitude, Appearance, and Performance.

Profound changes occur in your body with in days of conceiving. in the first week you may feel surprisingly tired and as the weeks go by you will notice increasing breast tenderness and probably one of the worst effects of early pregnancy nausea. The changes in your body happen as a result of hormone levels that soar dramatically during pregnancy.

Hormonal Changes

Soon after conception, when the fertilized egg embeds in the lining of the uterus, the levels of two pregnancy hormones begin to rise. These hormones are progesterone, which is important in helping to maintain your pregnancy and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Progesterone has many effects on your body, one of which is to relax smooth muscle. We have this type of muscle in our internal organs such as the intestines and uterus. Smooth muscle relaxation is critical in pregnancy because the uterus must stretch, other wise uterine contractions might cause preterm labor or miscarriage. You have a lot of other smooth muscles in your body that are also affected by progesterone. One of the first symptoms of progesterone you may notice is relaxation of your intestinal smooth muscle, which results in a lot of bloating and gas. Progesterone also profoundly affect the way you breathe, increasing how quickly you breathe and how deeply. Expect to feel short of breath when you walk up stairs, even if you are in good shape. Pregnancy hormones make your breasts very sore and your breasts will start to enlarge.

The first trimester is also the beginning of a profound set of changes in your heart and circulation. The amount of blood pumping around your body starts to increase dramatically and your heart has to work harder. As the uterus starts to enlarge it may press on the bladder, and you may feel the urge to urinate more frequently than usual. Even though this is annoying, don’t be tempted to start drinking less fluid. Instead, take frequent bathroom breaks and wear clothes that are not a nightmare to get in and out of.

Feeling Exhausted

Most women feel exhausted much of the time in these first few months. While this is absolutely normal, it can be frustrating. Even if you are getting enough sleep, you may feel like you need a nap by 10am. This can make functioning at your job or taking care of your family feel particularly onerous.

In a perfect world you should give in to these feelings and take frequent naps. For many of us, this is not possible. If you can, allow your self to slow down to whatever extent is possible. Don’t feel guilty about going to sleep as early as you want to, and skip evening social events if you don’t feel up to it. Let your partner organize meals, and pamper your self whenever you can.

For more info about pregnancy and diabetes and pregnancy signs have a look at authors site.