About Pregnancy

Pregnancy Week 5


How Big is the Baby at Five Weeks Pregnant?
Pregnancy week 5 isn't much different from pregnancy week 4. During 5 weeks pregnant your baby is still just over a millimeter long. You might say that your baby is about the size of a small grain of rice! However your baby is growing in many other ways. Vital organs continue to develop through this week.
Your Baby's Growth and Development
During the early part of this pregnancy at 5 weeks the central nervous system, muscles, bones and even the heart will begin to form. Early skeletal development is also possible at or around pregnancy week 5. Remember that every person is unique, thus their baby will develop at a different rate from others.
Perhaps the most interesting changes that are occurring during 5 weeks pregnant include those happening in the heart. During this week the heart will begin to divide into separate chambers and start pumping blood. The heart is formed from the middle layer of cells called the mesoderm. Other organs that will develop from this layer include the muscles, cartilage and bone. The primitive placenta and umbilical cord are also developing. The neural tube starts developing in the top layer of cells called the ectoderm. The skin, hair, nails and sweat glands will also develop out of this layer of cells. The lungs, intestines, thyroid and pancreas also develop from a third layer of cells called the endoderm.
Your Growth and Development
You will still be pretty small during pregnancy at 5 weeks.An onlooker will not be able to detect that you are pregnant for several more weeks. Some women, particularly moms who have given birth before, have reported that they notice more bloating in their abdomen during pregnancy at 5 weeks and during other early weeks. This is also a common menstrual symptom. Many women assume that their periods are simply late and that they are bloated because of it!
Early Pregnancy Complications
Sometimes things go wrong with a pregnancy. Occasionally a woman will experience an ectopic pregnancy. This happens when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. There is an even smaller chance that the egg will implant around the ovary or cervix, though this is very rare. Ectopic pregnancies generally occur in about 1 out of every 100 pregnancies. Your risk might be increased if you have ever experienced pelvic inflammatory disease or some other infection that might have damaged your fallopian tube. Women who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy are more likely to experience a recurrence than those who have not.
The primary signs of an ectopic pregnancy include: vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, nausea. Some of these symptoms however mimic ordinary pregnancy symptoms, so it is sometimes difficult to diagnose. The best way to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy is to measure the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG in the blood. This is a hormone produced during pregnancy that generally doubles approximately every 2 days. When HCG levels do not increase normally an ectopic pregnancy might be suspected. Ultrasound can also help diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.
If you are diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy your physician may require you undergo surgical treatment. Your doctor will want to perform surgery before any damage is done to your tube, which can affect your fertility in the future.
Other complications may include a blighted ovum or a molar pregnancy. A blighted ovum occurs when the fertilized egg implants but the embryo stops developing or isn't developing at all. It typically results in a miscarriage. A molar pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg is abnormal from the time of conception. Usually the egg will not develop into an embryo or will develop abnormally so that it can't survive. Molar pregnancies occur in about one out of every 1,000 pregnancies. A molar pregnancy will usually require a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal tissue.
Most women will go on to have normal pregnancies. While it is difficult not to worry about potential complications, it is important that you adopt a healthy attitude. The more you relax and enjoy the changes in your body, the more likely things will go well for you. If you do notice any abnormal symptoms however, including continuous bleeding after a positive pregnancy test, be sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Changes in You
You may or may not start realizing some changes at 5 weeks pregnant. Some women will start feeling nauseous at or around the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy. Some women will also start noticing other early signs of pregnancy such as a need to urinate more frequently, or tingling and soreness in the breasts.
Morning sickness may start by pregnancy week five but probably won't set in for a few more weeks. Morning sickness is actually a misnomer. The nausea that is associated with pregnancy can come at any time of the day, morning or night. Some women are plagued with morning sickness during their entire pregnancies, though most morning sickness gets better after the first trimester. The good news is there are many things you can do to help alleviate morning sickness as you follow your pregnancy week by week. Try keeping some crackers and fizzy or seltzer water close by the bed and snack on some before you get up in the morning. Morning sickness is often worse on an empty stomach. Other women find sipping some ginger tea or lemon water helps relieve nausea. Another remedy is supplementation with extra B-6. Before you try any remedies for morning sickness or any other symptom of pregnancy, be sure you consult with your healthcare provider. There are many herbs that can be dangerous to you or your developing baby when pregnant. When in doubt always err on the side of safety.
The most common early pregnancy symptom at five weeks pregnant is a sense of fatigue. Fatigue is common throughout pregnancy, but is usually the most severe during the early weeks of pregnancy. If you are experiencing excessive fatigue, try to rest as much as possible throughout the day. Do not have an extra cup of coffee to "perk up" as too much caffeine can affect your developing fetus. One great way to take advantage of a natural pick me up is to exercise. If you have the chance to get outdoors and inhale some fresh air, go for an extra walk around the block.
Maternity Clothes
Maternity Dresses for the Fashion Conscious Mother
Most expectant mothers prefer maternity dresses over all other types of maternity wear. Why? Maternity dresses are the ultimate in comfortable maternity clothing. They expand, breathe, flow and gently caress the body rather than cling, pinch and squeeze. Who doesn’t want to feel comfortable when pregnant?
Whether you are looking for something formal for a special event or something more casual to wear day-to-day, you can count on a variety of elegant and feminine styles from today’s leading retailers.
The very best retailers for maternity dresses are found at Motherhood Maternity from Mothers Work, Inc. Most women fall in love with their maternity dresses so much they have a hard time not wearing them even after pregnancy!

Pregnancy Health Tips
Many women will decide to keep their pregnancies private until after the 12th week. This is because the chance of miscarriage is greatest during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Whether or not you decide to share the news about your pregnancy is up to you and your partner. Many women find great relief in sharing their joyous news with friends and family members. That way if something does go wrong, they will also have the support of their loved ones at this time. Others prefer to keep things private.
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to revealing your pregnancy. When you do decide to share the news, do so with pomp and circumstance. Most women will only be pregnant one or a few times in their life. It is always fun to share the news in a memorable way. You might decide for example to purchase a new baby outfit or two to surprise your partner or loved ones with. Some women wait until their first prenatal visit, where they will often get to take home the first picture of their newborn via a trans-vaginal ultrasound. Do what is right for you, but enjoy the process when you do! Having a baby should be a memorable and joyous occasion for everyone!

Reference:
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/

Pregnancy Week 4


How Big is the Baby at Four Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby at 4 weeks is still incredibly miniscule, about .014 to .04 inches long. That is roughly the equivalent to 1/2 to 1mm long, which isn't very long at all. Your baby will however slowly start changing by 4 weeks pregnant so that she starts resembling more of a small tadpole with eyes than an egg. That is quite an accomplishment for your little bean!
Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby will be implanting furiously during pregnancy week 4 into the uterine lining, to ensure that she has a safe and secure home for the next nine months. Fetal development by and large is still in the earliest stages at this point in time. By now the blastocyst or ball of cells that is your baby will be imbedding deeper and deeper into the lining of the uterus. The amniotic cavity is forming and the placenta is starting to form.
As you continue to grow and expand during your pregnancy week by week, the placenta will help nourish and support your baby during the nine months of pregnancy. It consists of vascular networks and blood from your body that helps transport oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. There are several different layers of cells developing in your body, which will eventually develop into your baby's organs and other body parts. Other layers will form the nervous system including the brain.
A pregnancy of 4 weeks is often noted as the beginning of the embryonic period. During your pregnancy at 4 weeks, your baby's organs will start developing. The early weeks of pregnancy are considered a critical time of development. Any exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy week 4 or later in the first trimester is most likely to cause damage to or harm your developing fetus. It is extremely important that you do everything possible to try to avoid exposure to any potential pollutants or toxins during this time. You should inform your healthcare practitioner if you are exposed to any potentially hazardous substances that might affect your baby's development.
Remember that the most common substances implicated in fetal deformities or malformations are common toxins such as alcohol and tobacco. Substance abuse of any type can also be harmful to an unborn fetus. If you have an addiction, you should talk with your healthcare provider immediately so they can help you determine the best way to proceed. Your healthcare provider will likely direct you to some support groups so that you can change your habits during this highly important time in your life.
Your Growth and Development
By the end of 4 weeks pregnant you would normally expect your period to arrive. If it does not there is a good chance you might be pregnant!
During the early weeks of pregnancy before the placenta is fully formed, an area of your ovary forms what is called the corpus luteum. This generally occurs at the site where your egg is released from the follicle. The corpus luteum is believed to produce progesterone during the early weeks of pregnancy. The placenta actually starts producing the majority of progesterone your body needs to carry a pregnancy typically by about 12 weeks.
Changes in You
You might actually start realizing some changes 4 weeks pregnant. Some women start to feel a little bit tired during pregnancy at 4 weeks, which is not a surprise given the remarkable work your body is performing to support your new baby! Many women liken the symptoms they are feeling during this stage to those they feel around the time of menstruation. You may in fact experience during pregnancy at 4 weeks nothing other than some menstrual symptoms, including a bit of nausea and even some cramping. Believe it or not, some women cramp very badly during this time and are absolutely positive that they are about to get their period, only to find that they are actually pregnant a week or so later.
Many women will be able to find out if they are pregnant by 4 weeks pregnant. A home pregnancy test is sufficient for determining whether or not you are pregnant. If you take a test and find that you are pregnant, you should call your healthcare provider to set up your first prenatal visit. Chances are they won't want to see you for a few more weeks yet, but it is important nonetheless to schedule your visits. Your healthcare provider can also prescribe a prenatal vitamin if you aren't already taking one.
Some women are disappointed to find that their pregnancy test comes back negative. Give it some time however. Some women don't produce enough pregnancy hormones right away in order for a standard test to detect a pregnancy.
How long it takes to get pregnant depends on a number of factors. Some women will try for several months before they actually get pregnant. Most practitioners will not consider infertility a problem unless you have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year with no results. At this time your healthcare provider might suggest some special tests to determine what if any obstacles you might be facing.
Remember that stress is a big hindrance to pregnancy. Some women find that as soon as they stop trying, they actually get pregnant. It may sound strange, but the body is a very complex machine, and small things including stress can influence your body's ability to function normally. If you find yourself unusually stressed, consider some yoga or other meditative practices to help you remain calm and relaxed.

Maternity Clothes
Career/Separates: Experienced Moms Prefer Variety and Selection
Many pregnant women prefer buying career separates when shopping for maternity clothes. Some of these moms may already have a few career separates from a previous pregnancy, while others may find that they are simply trying to fill the gaps in their current maternity wardrobe.
Career Separates at Maternity Works, Inc are a good choice if you need a few pieces of career maternity items that you can mix/match and use time and time again. Career separates can also be a good option if you are looking for a wardrobe with a little versatility and fun.
Pregnancy Health Tips
Did you know that environmental pollutants are just as harmful as other toxins you might ingest during pregnancy? It is important that you are aware of any environmental toxins and pollutants that may harm your fetus during pregnancy. Some of the more common pollutants that can affect fetal development include: lead, mercury, pesticides and PCBs. PCBs are mixtures of chemical compounds. Some women are exposed to certain PCBs at work. If you work in an environment where a variety of chemicals are used, you might check in with your healthcare provider to ensure that your work environment is safe.
As a mom to be, you need to be extra careful about your nutrition before pregnancy, as well as during your pregnancy. Learn what foods to eat and what foods to avoid during pregnancy. Did you know some foods should be avoided during pregnancy?

Reference:
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/

Pregnancy Week 3

How Big is the Baby at 3 Weeks Pregnant?
At this point in time at pregnancy 3 weeks your baby is too small to detect with the naked eye even though he is growing remarkable fast. By about pregnancy week 3 your baby consists of a ball of cells that can fit into the head of a needle. As you continue to monitor your pregnancy week by week you will find your baby resembles a blob more than a baby, but this will change rapidly in the weeks to come.
Many people wonder at pregnancy week 3 what their chances might be for having twins. Twins generally occur when more than one egg is released from your ovary or ovaries. Your eggs can be fertilized by two separate sperm, which would result in fraternal or dizygotic twins. Identical twins develop when one egg is fertilized but later divides into two. When twins are identical they have the same chromosomal makeup, so they have to be the same gender and have the same physical characteristics.
Multiple combinations are possible when triplets and quadruplets result. Three or more eggs for example can be fertilized to result in triplets. One fertilized egg sometimes splits into identical twins and another egg may be fertilized separately to result in triplets. The human body is endless with possibilities. The entire process is truly remarkable.
If you have a family history of multiples you are more likely to conceive multiples than someone who does not. Just because you have a history of twins in the family however does not guarantee that you will have twins. Women who are 'multiparous' meaning they have had more than one baby, are more likely to have twins than first time moms. Multiples are more and more common nowadays in part due to reproductive technology and assisted fertility.
Your Baby's Growth and Development
By pregnancy 3 weeks very few women will know for sure that they have conceived and are pregnant. Though you have not yet missed your period, your baby is growing inside of you. Right now your baby is an embryo consisting of a ball of cells that is rapidly multiplying and expanding. If you were to look at your baby through a magnifying glass you would see a group of cells that does not resemble a human form (at least not yet!). By 3 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of the head of a sewing pin during this week, or about .006 inches long. That's pretty small. The biggest happening during 3 weeks pregnant is fertilization. When an egg joins with sperm, for a baby to be conceived the sperm must penetrate the outer layers of your ovum in order to reach the egg. Of the hundreds of sperm surrounding the egg, one will penetrate the ovum. This sperm then commingles with the chromosomes of the female ovum.
A baby is basically made up of a combination of chromosomes from you and your partner. Both of you contributes 23 chromosomes to the development of your baby. Three days after your egg is fertilized, a 9-cell embryo is formed.
During pregnancy week three amniotic fluid will begin to collect around the ball of cells that comprises the embryo. This occurs in a cavity that will eventually become the amniotic sac. The amniotic fluid will help cushion your baby during the entire nine months of pregnancy. During week three your ball of cells even uses a primitive circulation system that is made up of tunnels connecting your baby to the uterine wall. The placenta will not develop until another week or so, but rest assured until that point in time your baby will receive all the nutrients he needs from you.
You may be anxious by pregnancy at 3 weeks to uncover any physical changes of pregnancy that may or may not be occurring during this time. Most women will not realize any true changes however for a few more weeks. You may however, be able to detect that you are ovulating during this time. Some women are able to tell when they ovulate. The biggest giveaway is pain or cramping on one side of the abdomen. Other women produce an increased amount of clear and stretchy discharge.
One giveaway that you might have conceived by pregnancy at 3 weeks is a small amount of bleeding. This sometimes occurs during conception, though many women miss this or assume it is just pre-menstrual spotting. This bleeding is often referred to as implantation spotting, and is thought to be caused by the egg burrowing into the uterine lining. Usually this happens at about 6 days after fertilization or closer to the end of this week.
Remember that in the early weeks of pregnancy it is vital that you take care of yourself. The best way you can do this is to begin eating healthy and adopting a wellness oriented lifestyle. If you haven't already, you should consider an exercise regimen, provided you have clearance from your doctor to do so. If you have never exercised prior to becoming pregnant, you can still adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, though you will have to do so gradually and carefully during pregnancy. If you have already been active, you can usually continue your routine with a few modifications during your pregnancy.
Changes in You
By pregnancy at 3 weeks you will probably not be aware of any significant changes as mentioned above. You may as we mentioned before be aware that you are ovulating. This might be a good time to pack your scale away for a while. Weigh yourself one time for the record. You may find that you are slightly bloated due to ovulation. As your pregnancy continues, you'll find your waistline expanding. Some women enjoy keeping track of the incredible shifts in their size during their pregnancy week by week and shape throughout their pregnancy, whereas others dread the inevitable weight gain. Remember that it is natural and healthy to have weight gain during pregnancy. Most women will gain between 25 and 35 pounds during their pregnancy, more if they are carrying multiples. Much of this weight is distributed among the placenta, uterus, amniotic fluid, fluid in the tissues and toward your baby. You will also put on about 7 pounds of maternal fat stores, to help support breastfeeding. Take this time to appreciate and embrace the remarkable changes that are about to occur in your body, and remember that every pound gained is a pound that is going to help support your baby throughout your pregnancy.
If you are trying to get pregnant you are probably filled with excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately you won't be able to test for pregnancy for another 10 days or so. Even the most sensitive pregnancy tests usually cannot detect a pregnancy until two or three days before your period is scheduled to arrive.
Maternity Clothes
Career/Collections: Working Moms Can Find Classy, Sophisticated Wear
You need to look great at work but don’t want to spend a fortune on maternity wear, right? Don’t worry! Fortunately for today’s mom-to-be there is a huge selection of career collections that range in price to suit every working mom-to-be’s budget, size and even style preferences!
If you plan on working throughout your pregnancy you will benefit from buying career collections that contain several mix and match pieces. Consider Pants and a few different blouses or blazers from a Pea in the Pod at Mothers Work, Inc .
Believe it or not, you can survive your entire pregnancy with just a few carefully chosen outfits if you invest in one of the many career collections available today! Whether you are the CEO of a major corporation or work for a small office of less than 20 employees, rest assured you can find just what you are looking for when it comes to career maternity wear!
Pregnancy Health Tips
If you are trying to become pregnant now is the time to give up your glass of wine, avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Consider embarking on new rituals during your pregnancy. Meditation is a wonderful and easy way to relax and is beneficial for both you and your baby. If you find yourself missing the occasional treat, consider an alternative such as a grapefruit juice spritzer. Decaffeinated teas are also a great option throughout your pregnancy. Don't stress out about any drinks you had prior to realizing you were pregnant. It is unlikely that these will have serious effects on your baby. It is important however when you make the decision to become pregnant or when you find out that you are pregnant that you adopt healthy practices to ensure the well being of your child. Ask your partner to encourage you during the process, you might find that he is willing to give up his nightly cocktail as well to show support for you doing your pregnancy

Reference:
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_3.htm

Pregnancy Week 1 & 2

Weeks one and two are an extremely exciting and mystifying time for most women. Most women eagerly start calculating their pregnancy week by week as soon as they decide to conceive. During pregnancy week 1 and beyond you will experience the joy of creating life, which is a life-changing event for most women! This guide will walk you step by step through each week of pregnancy. You’ll find informative information about the changes occurring in your body and in your baby. We’ll walk you through each of the stages of pregnancy, and help you understand what you should expect as your body changes and your baby grows from week to week.
During pregnancy week 1 and pregnancy week 2, you may not even be certain that you are pregnant yet! Many women experience few if any symptoms at all. Weeks one and two are mostly consumed with the process of ovulation and fertilization. During pregnancy week 1 and 2 your body will produce estrogen and progesterone in varying amounts to prepare the body for ovulation, when the ovaries release an egg. If you are lucky, this egg will be fertilized and will travel up the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where it will reside for the next 40 or so weeks.
Early Signs and Symptoms
There are some signs and symptoms that most women experience during the first weeks of pregnancy. Though you may not experience all or any of these the first week, you will probably start to experience many of them in the weeks to come. The most common symptoms that women experience during ovulation include some mild cramping, which may occur on one or both sides of the body.
It is not uncommon to feel some ovarian discomfort during ovulation. You may also realize an increased amount of clear discharge during your most fertile time. When your discharge is most abundant, clear, slippery and stretchy, you are at your fertile peak when you have the greatest chance of conceiving. Fertile cervical mucous is often stretchy. You can usually stretch it one inch or more between your fingers.
Other ways to tell you are fertile 1 and 2 weeks after your last menstrual cycle includes basal temperature monitoring. If you are trying to conceive, this can be an effective and natural way to determine your most fertile days. During the first two weeks of your menstrual cycle, your body temperature should be lower than normal, typically between 97.0 and 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit. During ovulation however, your body temperature increases, a change caused by increasing levels of progesterone. A rise of .4 to .6 degrees is common among ovulating women. If you successfully conceive during pregnancy at 2 weeks, your body temperature will actually remain slightly elevated for the duration of your pregnancy.
To take your basal temperature, you must use a basal thermometer. Try to take your temperature first thing in the morning before you get out of bed, as physical activity will increase your temperature and can skew the results.
Did you know a woman’s most fertile time is actually the few days preceding ovulation during the second week after your menses? If you are regularly charting your cycle you should be able to pinpoint a two to four day window of peak fertilization.
Once you have ovulated, you may become pregnant. You may be wondering what the early signs of pregnancy are during the days following ovulation. Most women will not start experiencing true pregnancy signs until 10-14 days after ovulation, though some women have reported symptoms as early as a couple days post conception.
Here are some signs to look for if you think you might be pregnant:
* Increased fatigue
* Missed period
* Nausea
* Breast tenderness
* Frequent need to urinate
* Metallic taste in mouth
* Sleep disturbances
* Increased temperature that remains elevated after ovulation
Determining Your Baby's Due Date
Memory Foam Pregnancy Pillow - Snoozerpedic MD
Supreme Snuggle Nest Co-Sleeper by Baby Delight
The question that most often follows is "Am I pregnant?" "When is my baby due?" Guessing your baby's due date is one of the more fun aspects of the first couple of weeks of pregnancy. You can work together with your practitioner to determine the estimated due date of your baby. Most healthcare providers calculate pregnancy from the beginning of the last menstrual cycle. Using this method, you are actually considered pregnant in the two weeks preceding actual conception. This results in a calculation of 40 weeks for the entire pregnancy, even though pregnancy generally lasts about 38 weeks from the time of conception.
It is very difficult to determine the exact date of conception however, which is why most healthcare providers prefer to consider pregnancy as starting from the onset of the last menstrual period. Most women will actually deliver on a date other than their due date. In fact, typically only 1 in 20 women will actually deliver on their due date. Many moms can actually go up to week 42 before they begin active labor on their own. It helps if you consider your due date a rough estimation of the range of time your baby might be born, rather than the day your baby will definitively make an appearance into the world.

Stretch Mark Prevention
A common concern of all pregnant women is the appearance of stretch marks. Recent studies have shown that there are ways to prevent the appearance or minimize the severity of stretch marks before they occur by using specially formulated topical creams and lotions.
All of the new stretch mark prevention lotions work by increasing the skins elasticity and preventing the tearing of the collagen in the skin which avoids or minimizes the severity of the formation of stretch marks.
How Your Life Is Changing
You may be experiencing a variety of different emotions during pregnancy the first few weeks. At this point you have probably made the decision to become a parent, and are considering all the responsibilities that come with parenting.
For some parents this time is filled with expectation coupled with anxiety. Remember it is perfectly normal to be a little anxious about the changes a new baby will bring into your life. You may be anxiously awaiting a positive pregnancy test during this time. Tears of joy as well as tears of angst are not uncommon in the early weeks, and even throughout your pregnancy.
Your last period probably started between 12 and 16 days ago. You may be ovulating during this time. Remember that fertility tracking and charting can help you predict what days you are most likely to be fertile. You can even purchase an ovulation predictor kit to help you pinpoint the day you are most likely to conceive.
While it is hard not to feel some stress during this time, it is essential that you work to reduce your stress as much as possible in the early weeks of pregnancy. Carrying too much stress can actually reduce your chances of conceiving successfully. Take some time to meditate and reflect on all the joyous aspects of your life during the early weeks. This will not only help you feel better, but will also improve your chances of conceiving successfully.
Pregnancy Pillows
A Good Choice For Side Lying Mothers
Doctors often recommend pregnant women sleep on their left side during pregnancy. A good pregnancy pillow like Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows can help support this process. The side lying position helps promote optimal blood flow to your uterus, helping feed, nurture and support your unborn baby.
For many women, especially those who were former back sleepers, the left side lying position is the most comfortable alternative during pregnancy. If you haven't tried it before, be sure to try it today; just don't try it without a proper support pillow! You may find you continue sleeping on your side even after pregnancy!
What Is Happening With Your Baby
During weeks one and two an incredible number of changes are occurring in your body. Your hormone levels have changed significantly to ensure the uterus creates a rich lining of tissue, which will support your fertilized egg after conception.
During weeks one and two your ovaries produced ripe eggs in vessels called follicles. During ovulation, which typically occurs around the 14th day of a menstrual cycle that is 28 days long, one or more of your eggs will burst out of your follicles. Your eggs will then wait patiently in the Fallopian tubes where sperm can fertilize them. Did you know it takes roughly about ten hours for sperm to reach the egg?
In the early weeks the sperm's nucleus commingles with the egg, and your baby's gender is determined. Sperm carrying a Y chromosome generally results in a baby boy, while sperm carrying an X chromosome generally results in a bouncing baby girl.
During weeks one and two your fertilized egg, otherwise known as a zygote, will divide into multiple cells and starts burrowing into the rich lining of your uterus.
Your precious baby is simply a ball of cells that transforms at this point into a blastocyst. The blastocyst consists of an inner cell mass that eventually transforms into the embryo, another cavity that becomes the amniotic sac, and an outer cell body that will become the placenta. It is absolutely amazing how your baby develops from this seemingly primitive ball of cells!
Your Health and Pregnancy
During the early weeks of pregnancy it is absolutely essential that you adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Proper nutrition and exercise as well as minimizing stress are all essential components that help promote a happy and healthy pregnancy.
If you haven't started already, you should begin taking a prenatal supplement during this time that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. This will help reduce your baby's risk of developing neural tube defects. Most prenatal vitamins contain an adequate amount of folic acid.
It is also important during the early weeks of pregnancy that you discontinue any harmful habits that may affect the well being of your unborn child. Cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse are both harmful on a pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy can increase your baby's risk of being small for gestational age. Smoking also interferes with your body's ability to absorb folic acid, which is essential for helping prevent neural tube defects. Smoking can also increase the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight babies. Other risk factors among smokers include pulmonary diseases and an increased risk for placenta previa, a potentially life threatening condition.
Alcohol abuse during pregnancy is equally damaging. Alcohol abuse has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and development of fetal abnormalities. Chronic alcohol abuse has been linked with a syndrome called 'fetal alcohol syndrome' or FAS, which is characterized by a variety of symptoms including growth retardation both before and after birth, physical defects and abnormal facial characteristics.
Children born to parents who drink during pregnancy are also more at risk for speech impairments and motor development disabilities. Even drinking small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can result in fetal abnormalities, thus it is best that you avoid alcohol during pregnancy as a precaution.

Reference:
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_1_

Tips For Getting Pregnant

If you are one of the many couples looking for ways to conceive, there is a lot of information you should consider to make this experience as wonderful and easy as possible. Reading tips for getting pregnant will help you conceive in a happy and stress-free manner.
One of the latest studies to hit the market has been in response to the studies on obesity throughout the world. As more and more suffer with obesity, the impact can also be felt on couples trying to conceive. If you are both overweight, you are more likely to wait a longer time to conceive, according to new research. With this data in mind, many tips for getting pregnant will include recommendations to lose weight and be as healthy as possible before trying to conceive. Having a baby is hard work and the months of weight gain can cause additional medical issues and stress problems, including diabetes.
If you are significantly overweight, it can take more than a year to conceive. The time spent waiting for pregnancy for longer than 12 months is called sub-fertility or subfecundity. Medical research has shown that women and men who are obese are less fertile. Of course, in relation to world population, scientists worry that increased numbers of obese individuals combined with lower fertility rates will impact the overall world population.
If you have a high BMI or the couple has a high BMI, medical research has shown a link to sub-fertility related to the obesity. If you have an underweight individual paired with an obese partner, you will still notice delays in conception, particularly with underweight men. Research shows that an underweight man coupled with an obese woman has a risk of sub-fertility of nearly four times that of an average couple!
There is hope. Studies were performed on women who had lost weight from their first child and noticed that for every 1kg of weight lost, the waiting time to pregnancy was reduced by roughly 5.5 days. Conversely, if a woman had gained weight from her first pregnancy, she added 2.84 days to the time before she conceived. Obesity, therefore, can affect ovulation, conception and early fetal development – as well as producing additional complications throughout the pregnancy and at the time of birth.
What does this mean to you? If you are an obese couple, take these tips for getting pregnant to heart. Take a look at your lifestyle and plan adjustments to make conception easier and happier for you and your partner.

Reference:
http://www.tipsgettingpregnant.com/tips-for-getting-pregnant-article.html

Best Time To Conceive

If you are looking for the best time to conceive, you will need to have a good understanding of your body and how it works. After all, you will need to read and understand your body and its cycles in order to know when you are most fertile and when you are most likely to conceive.
Ovulation is defined by when a mature egg is released from the ovary and pushed down the fallopian tube. It is then that the egg is ready to be fertilized and conception can begin. The lining of the uterus has been thickened to get ready for the appearance of a fertilized egg. If the fertilized egg never appears, the lining will shed, providing a fresh wall for next month. This is what makes up a woman’s period.
The best time to conceive is when you are ovulating. An egg will leave the ovary and live for up to 24 hours, waiting to be fertilized. Usually, only one egg will be released, but in the case of multiple births, more than one egg is released in that cycle.
Stress, illness and a general disruption of your normal routine can affect your ovulation, which can make your window to conceive later than you might have expected. Once your egg has been fertilized, it can be another 6 – 12 days before it is safely implanted on the uterus’ lining.
In order to calculate your ovulation period and determine the best time to conceive for you and your partner, you will need to understand your particular cycles. Each individual is different. For this reason, general guidelines can be given about the best time to conceive, but you will need a personal look at what works best for you and your partner. Some women have longer cycles, while others are much shorter. In order to calculate your personal menstrual cycle, you will need to start counting from the first day that you have your period. Do not assume that you ovulate on day 14 of your cycle, as many people mistakenly do.
Once you know your personal ovulation cycle, you still may not even know the best time to conceive. Ovulation can occur at different times within the cycle and different days each month. You will need to track your fertility and ovulation cycle to the best of your ability in order to find the best window and best time to conceive. Be sure to relax and enjoy the experience since stress is a factor in your ovulation cycle and fertility window!

Reference:
http://www.tipsgettingpregnant.com/best-time-to-conceive

How Long Does It Take To Get Pregnant

Once you and your partner decide to have a child together, the next big question will most likely be “how long does it take to get pregnant?” Knowing the average time lines and when you can expect to conceive will help you relax and settle into the new time in your life. While no one can predict the answer to the question “how long does it take to get pregnant” accurately since every woman is unique and different, there are some general statistics and guidelines that you can consider if you are trying natural conception.
If you are a couple trying to get pregnant for the first time, there is a chance you will not get pregnant in the first year. Roughly 20% of couples trying for the first time take longer than a year to conceive. Coupled with the strong desire to have a child, some first-time couples will put a lot of extra stress and pressure on themselves to conceive. Rather than relaxing and enjoying the natural process, they increase their anxiety about conception, which makes the situation 100% worse. The additional pressure will typically make the woman’s cycle irregular, compounding the issues with naturally conceiving.
On the other hand, roughly 25% of first-time couples do conceive in the first month of trying. For these couples, it can be an easy and relaxing time as they naturally conceive their child. While some couples have it easy and effortless, other couples work harder at it. Roughly 60% of couples will conceive in the first six months of trying (and this includes the 25% who conceive in the first month). Just about 90% of all couples who try to conceive in 18 months will be successful at natural conception.
There are a number of factors that can stall your conception time, including your age and mental health. If you are over 35 years old, your chances of conceiving diminish each year. Some doctors will suggest that women over 35 should see a fertility specialist before trying to conceive. Also, the healthier you are, the more likely you will become pregnant.
Of course, every woman is different, but your age does become a factor in your attempt to conceive. The older you are, the older your eggs are and therefore the less likely your attempts at natural conception will be. Knowing your statistics and chances of getting pregnant can ease the process by knowing what to expect and get the answer to the question: “how long does it take to get pregnant?”

Reference:
http://www.tipsgettingpregnant.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-pregnant-article.html