Pregnancy To Birth Blog

Tuesday 4th December 2007

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:41:00 GMT

The 9 month wait from conception until birth can seem like a long time when your waiting to meet your little bundle. Here are a few ideas of constructive things to do whilst waiting your baby to arive:

Walk

Knit clothes

Read preg / labour books

Clean

Cook food for freezer

Write birth plan

Think of names

Decorate nursery

Read up on breast feeding

Sleep

Keep diary

List of who you want contacted when baby is born

Thursday 29th November 2007

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:04:00 GMT

Gestational Diabetes

Around the 28th week of your pregnancy you will undergo a test for gestational diabetes. you will be required to drink a sugary drink 1 hour before a blood test. Your doctor should contact you within a couple of days to confirm your resluts.

If your blood sugar levels a high you may have to do a further test involving more sugary drinks and a bike test. Some women diagonsed with onset of gestational diabetes may be able to control it on there on by changing their diet, exercising regularly and drinking more water. However you will be monitered more closely for the remainder of your pregnancy. If your blood sugars continue to rise you will have to use insulin shots to control it for the rest of your pregnancy.

Friday 23rd November2007

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:55:00 GMT

The Two Week Wait

Two weeks is the average time from ovulation until your period is due. It is also the amount of time you have to wait to do a home pregnancy test, and for some it can feel like months. Many find themselves trying to figure out if every twinge or tingle could be a pregnancy symptom. Unfortunately most pregnancy symptoms can also be a sign that your period is coming. Many women also think they experience morning sickness and get excited thinking they are pregnant only to find out they aren't.

Many pregnancy test advertise early detection of pregnancy saying you can test as early as 9 days past ovulation. Now although they have been known to detect pregnancy that early, only about 10% of people will get a +ive result at 9 days past ovulation. If you do test a 9 days past ovulation and get a -ive result it doesn't mean you are not pregnant, there may not be enough hcg (the hormone that home pregnany tests check for) in your urine yet. It is best to wait until at least 14 days past ovulation for the most accurate results.

Wednesday 21st November 2007

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:03:00 GMT

Baby Journals,

Even if you don't think you have time, start a jounal anyway. Pick a day when you have 30mins or a hour free (on the train, a night at home) and just make one entry a week, it doesn't have to be alot just write down any symptoms you've had, what happened at any checkups ie babies HR, your BP fundal height etc. did the baby kick that week if so what day how many weeks/days pregnant are you, how are you feeling this week, What are you concerned about or looking forward to, is there anything you've done in preparation for your baby ie painted the nursery. Another thing i think everyone should do is take weekly belly shots one from the front and one from the side.

I will definitely be keeping a journal with my next pregnancy as something for me to look back on and also information to give my children if they want to know more about my pregnancy with them.

Monday 19th November 2007

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:56:00 GMT

Did you know that when you are pregnant your body only requires an additional 300cals and whilst breastfeeding an additional 500cals. Many women believe they need to eat for two and form bad eating habits that are hard to break after giving birth making the excess baby weight hard to lose.

After years and years of being concerned about being 'fat' females tend to look forward to being pregnant so they can gorge on all the foods they love but have tried to limit whilst trying every new fad diet out there. You are supposed to put on weight when pregnant so why not eat what you want when you want right, wrong! It is important that you eat properly when pregnant, your growing fetus needs a selection of vitamins and minerals provided by fresh fruits and vegetables. This being said if you maintain a healthy diet throughout the day then you should allow yourself to a little treat if you feel like it. But when looking at the figures, the additional cal requires for a pregnant women can be achieved by adding a large glass (250mls) of low-fat milk to your daily diet. Some food for thought.

Wednesday 14th November 2007

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:02:00 GMT

There seems to be so much information out there and also given to us during our pregnancies about pregnancy and birth/labour. Its fabulous and helps really prepare us but i'm wondering when we will be given the same preparation for actually having our baby, like how to look after them and breastfeeding.

During antenatal classes its only an hour or two's info and thats it. I think even in the form of pamphlets it would be great maybe even when we are in hospital recovering from birth. Also being given more information about how we will feel after giving birth. I had heard that people became emotional when pregnant (i didn't really) but nobody told me about after giving birth, i think i had a cry most days during the first week and probably once a week for the first 8 weeks. Our bodies must get so confused, after everything its been through growing and looking after our baby then all of a sudden BAM your not pregnant anymore hormones, blood volume, heart rate, everything that changes during pregnancy has to return to normal (well except your boobs).

I know nothing can actually prepare you for having a new baby in your home but i think having some information to read, perhaps about others experiences would be of some help.

Sat 10th Nov 2007

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:54:00 GMT

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can be deep purple in colour and will generally fade to white after you've given birth but will never fully disappear. They arn't herreditory and can't be prevented by rubbing creams into you stomach (although this will help with itchiness and make you feel better).

Varicose Veins

These can be prevented or lessened by wearing support stockings, gentle walks (increases circulation), drinking plenty of fluid, sitting with your feet up, not standing for to long at a time.

Friday 9th November 2007

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:39:00 GMT

Ectopic Pregnancy

In ectopic pregnancy the fertilized egg implants itself out side the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes but sometimes in the cervix, abdomen or ovary wall. Ectopic pregnancies are usually picked up early now-a-days and you can be given an injection to stop the cells multiplying. It is rare to have to have the fallopian tube removed. Your risk of having an ectopic pregnancy is increased if your tubes are damaged.

Some symptoms are severe pains in the stomach or bleeding. You will be given and ultrasound and blood test to diagnose the problem.

Thursday 8th November 2007

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:54:00 GMT

Poor J-Lo, having people hassle her for cancelling the last cocert of her tour. The last show was to take place in San Diego this week end and was the last show of her tour with Marc Anthony. The show was scheduled to take place on the 24th of October but due to the wild fires in San Diego it was postponed.

Now due to the later date J-lo has cancelled as she is to far along in her pregnancy to do the dance routine and lets face it shes prob tired from keeping to a strict show, travel, promotion and press scheduale.

Sometimes we forget that celebraties are actually people and find things just as hard as we do.

Wednesday 7th November 2007

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:47:00 GMT

To find out that your baby has a problem/disease that is incompatible with life is something that no mother (and father) should ever have to face. Its simply just not fair. Every now and then you hear stories of the doctors being wrong and the baby being born with no problems at all or mother's who have been told their baby won't make it to birth or will die shortly after having their babies and although they many have disabilities, still living.

I quite often hear mothers torturing themselves with feelings of guilt after terminating wondering if maybe the doctor was wrong and their baby would have been alright. There is simply no way to know. If you do have to make the decision to terminate or not i suggest asking as many questions as possible, get 2,3 or more opinions from different doctors. Read and learn as much information on the disease or genetic malformation as possible. Then try to look at all the possible outcomes and the likelyhood of each. How would you feel and cope with each one. Speak to you partner, family or friends (anyone you feel comfortable with). Go into your decision knowing that it is the best one for you.