Pregnancy Problems - The Ups And Downs Of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most rewarding experiences that a mother can ever undergo. It is also a difficult time for you for you have your fair share of pregnancy problems.

Countering Pregnancy Risks

We understand that. That is why we want you to have answers to all your questions on how to avoid risks during pregnancy. Don’t smoke, drink or do drugs, eat a healthy diet and do a mild form of exercise regularly to avoid pregnancy problems.

Morning Sickness

You may feel uneasy and have nausea during pregnancy. This is perfectly normal and happens to most women in the early stages of pregnancy. Remember nausea during pregnancy is a sign that your pregnancy is going well. There are many preventive measures and cures for morning sickness. You can read more about them in nausea during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Tests

Sometimes you may fear a false pregnancy. However there are some very sensitive tests available in the market today that can help you out in this situation.

Heartburn and Constipation

While you will look beautiful during pregnancy with that famous pregnancy glow, pregnancy also brings with it certain minor but troublesome problems. You may suffer heartburn during pregnancy. This is caused by acid reflux from your stomach into the esophagus. There are some great suggestions on how you can get rid of heartburn during pregnancy. Avoid eating fried fatty foods, drink lots of water and chew gum. Then there is another very irritating problem, that of pregnancy constipation. This is not a very serious problem and usually goes away in some time. But there are some home remedies that can be used to decrease symptoms.

Some Serious Problems of Pregnancy

Pregnancy and depression is the most serious problem of this period. Depression occurs in about 10% of all pregnant women. It is imperative to take help in the early stages of depression and not ignore it. Sometimes the pregnancy termination is either to protect the mother or because the child may suffer severe abnormalities.

So while there are pregnancy problems, it is also one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Therefore smile and cheer up and look forward to holding your tiny baby in your arms soon.

Pregnancy Pillows To Give Rest To Your Body

As you enter the third trimester of your pregnancy, the uterus begins to exert tremendous pressure on your back, causing you back aches. Pregnancy is a time for other body aches also. This is why; a pregnancy pillow comes in use. It alleviates the discomfort caused by backaches and reduces other pregnancy complications.

No Tossing and Turning With A Pregnancy Pillow by Your Side

Doctors say, the best position for a pregnant woman to lie in, is to sleep on your left side. This allows you to get a sound sleep and also allows proper blood circulation. There is no discomfort what so ever with a pregnancy pillow by your side. It ensures that you have a good night’s sleep in a comfortable position, without having to toss and turn in bed all night long.

This Pillow Can Also Be Used For Nursing

This pillow is not just used during pregnancy; it can also be used later on, when your infant is born, as a nursing pillow. That is why, this pillow is so popular with women. It is also easily available and quite inexpensive. The best place to shop for it is on the internet, where you can find a pillow to suit your specific needs.

Here Are Some Different Varieties Of Pregnancy Pillows.

The simple pregnancy pillow- The simple pregnancy pillow is made up of two attached pillows. It rests your lower back and your belly and in addition, gives support to the uterus.

The Wedge Shaped Pillow- This pillow is designed to support your belly and remove all signs of discomfort.

Full length Pregnancy Body Pillow- This pillow is five feet long and supports your belly, back, and your knees as well. This pillow is just the perfect choice for you to sleep well and get rid of all the aches and pains you were having.

The Bean Shaped Pillow-This pillow is designed in the shape of a kidney bean. It provides excellent support to both your belly and your knees.

Don’t you think its time to give your body some well-needed relaxation, with a pregnancy pillow?

The Causes And Signs Of A Pregnancy Miscarriage

The medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion. A loss of the developing fetus before twenty-eight weeks of pregnancy is known as a pregnancy miscarriage. Research says that, 10 to 25% of all pregnancies end up in pregnancy miscarriages. 50 to 75% of all miscarriages are chemical pregnancies. These are miscarriages, which occur in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant. It happens perhaps because the baby has not been able to develop normally and the first signs are bleeding from the vagina. However, if you call your doctor immediately at this time, the baby can be saved and the pregnancy made to progress normally.

The Causes of a Miscarriage

A miscarriage usually occurs, if something is wrong with the baby’s chromosomes.

It may also occur due to an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking, drinking, or doing drugs or medicating yourself without asking your doctor. It could also occur due to a poor diet, too much caffeine intake, or exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxic substances.

It can occur due to hormonal or other health problems in the mother.

An ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg lodges itself in one of the fallopian tubes instead of attaching itself to the uterus walls, can cause a miscarriage.

If the mother is below the age of twenty or above the age of thirty-five, there are more chances of a miscarriage.

If the pregnant mother goes through a traumatic experience while pregnant, this can also cause a miscarriage.

Here Are the Signs You Should Look For That Indicate a Miscarriage

There may be bleeding from the vagina. This blood may be red or brown in color.

There may be excruciating pains like period pains that come and go at regular intervals

There may be weight loss

There may be back pain that is mild or severe.

Those were the causes of pregnancy miscarriage and signs that indicate you may have a miscarriage. It is always advisable to stay healthy and provide the right environment for your baby in the womb, when you are pregnant, to avoid a miscarriage.

Relaxation And Revitalization With A Pregnancy Massage

A Pregnancy massage relieves the mother of stress and makes her feel much better. It provides relief from aches and pains, makes the muscles supple and pliant and improves blood circulation. A massage during pregnancy can make you feel mentally and physically relaxed and rejuvenated.

Ask Your Doctor If It Is Ok To Have A Massage

However, a prenatal massage should always be done by a trained massage therapist. If your spouse does the massage, he must first learn how to do it from the therapist. Also do not have a massage without talking to your doctor about it.

The Benefits Of Massage

A good pregnancy massage can keep your blood pressure under control. It improves your blood circulation, and destresses the joints and ligaments. It makes labor easier, ensures that you don’t have too many mood swings, and also makes you sleep better. It brings down the chances of your suffering from depression, the baby would have lower chances of complications and last but not the least, it provides emotional support through gentle touching. Especially if it is your spouse who does the massage for you, it creates a special bond between the two of you and your baby.

The Precautions That You Must Take

A pregnant woman should be careful to engage only the best massage therapist to do the massage. Insist on a trained professional with thorough experience in this work. The therapist uses techniques that focus on the neck, back and the pelvic region of the pregnant woman. These are the areas most stressed out during pregnancy. The therapist will ask you not to lie on your stomach but on your side with pillows for support. You may also be asked to lie down on a specially designed table to support your abdomen. The masseur should be very gentle when the massage is being done.

It is advisable to have a massage at least once a month during the course of your pregnancy. A pregnancy massage can do wonders for you and your baby.

What Is Pregnancy High Blood Pressure And How Can It Be Prevented

Pregnancy high blood pressure is one of the most common factors that affect pregnant mothers. It is much better to be aware of this condition, so that you are fully prepared, if it happens to you. It is advisable that you read a lot of good books and health magazines to keep yourself updated about pregnancy high blood pressure. Being aware allows you to seek help from a specialist, without wasting any time.

Here is some important information about pregnancy high blood pressure. Many a times, mothers come to know they have high blood pressure, only after they become pregnant. If the mother suffered from high blood pressure before she became pregnant, then she suffers from chronic hypertension. This sort of high blood pressure can cause slow growth or hamper growth in the baby. In addition, women with chronic hypertension have more chances of developing pre eclampsia.

The Meaning of Pre Eclampsia

An important sign of pre eclampsia is high blood pressure in the pregnant mother. The brain, liver and eyes of the mother are also affected. There are swellings in the hands and face and the urine contains high protein content. You also have blurred vision, headaches, and seizures, which can be so bad that they can result in the death of mother and offspring.

Pre eclampsia can also cause the placenta to be separated form the uterus wall before delivery. This can cause heavy bleeding, and the lives of both mother and offspring are at risk at such a time.

Those Who Are More Likely to Develop Pre Eclampsia

Pregnant women who are below the age of twenty, or above the age of forty are at a greater risk of high blood pressure. Those who are obese are at risk too. Women who have diabetes, hypertension, lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disease may also develop pre eclampsia.

Some Safeguards against Pregnancy High Blood Pressure

It is advisable to eat less salt, have a healthy exercise routine, and avoid alcohol and tobacco, even in the pre pregnancy stages to prevent pregnancy high blood pressure. Finally, you must have regular pre natal checkups, so that the doctor can regularly and thoroughly check your blood pressure, weight, and urine during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Complications If You’re Over Thirty And Pregnant

How do you avoid pregnancy complications, as you grow older? It is a well known fact that a woman’s body becomes less fertile as you grow older. That is because, the eggs produced in your body are fewer, and the quality also decreases with age. What should you do if in such a situation you wish to get pregnant? Remember these all time good health rules of pregnancy.

Eat a Healthy Diet

To avoid pregnancy complications, you must eat a healthy diet, rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins, calcium and other prenatal vitamins. Fresh green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, nuts, fortified cereals and milk and milk products are very necessary. An important vitamin to eat during pregnancy is folic acid. This B vitamin prevents the baby from getting brain and spinal chord disorders. It is a very important vitamin during pregnancy.

Do Your Exercises Regularly

The other important rule of pregnancy is to do regular exercise. You can swim, walk or do yoga. These are exercises suited to pregnant women. Do not do exercises that can be dangerous to the fetus in your womb, such as exercises that may hurt your abdomen. Also, do not overstress yourself ever during this delicate period.

Go For Regular Prenatal Check Ups

You must visit your doctor regularly during pregnancy, as your pregnancy needs continuous monitoring because of your age. Your doctors will advise you on what steps to take, to avoid any complications at this time.

Changes in Life style

You will also have to make certain lifestyle changes to ensure a healthy baby. Give up smoking totally. Smoking is unhealthy for the growing fetus. Do not drink. Drinking causes low birth weight, behavioral abnormalities and alcohol fetal syndrome. Recreational drugs are a big no and do not take any over the counter drugs, without the permission of your doctor.

Those were the golden rules of pregnancy, to avoid pregnancy complications after thirty. Follow them well and always stay in touch with your obstetrician and take his advice on matters that you may be in doubt about or that may confuse you.