NINTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Ninth month ultrasound

Your baby’s organs have been finished forming for a long time. Now is the time for finishing touches. For example, the lungs make final preparations for birth by secreting surfactant to help them expand at birth. Your baby’s kidneys are still producing lots of urine every day, helping to make up the almost two pints of amniotic fluid.

While your baby may be putting on half a pound a week up until about week 37 at which point weight gain slows drastically. The average birth weight is still about seven and a half pounds. Your baby will measure between 18-22 inches at birth.

Your due date is a guess as to when your baby may arrive. The majority of babies will show up from two weeks before this date to two weeks after this date. Labor is caused by the baby’s signals to the mother’s body that he or she is ready to be born. Good luck and good birth!

source:pregnancy.about.com

EIGHTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Eighth month ultrasound



Your baby is really getting ready to be born. Every day in the uterus is said to be two less days your baby would spend in the hospital at this point. Red blood cell production is done entirely by your baby’s bone marrow. Amniotic fluid is still present and your baby urinates into it daily, about a half a liter of urine a day.

The baby's irises can now dilate and contract in response to light. He or she opens and closes their eyes at will. Even the finger nails reach the end of the fingers. Some babies might even need a nail trim at birth! Your baby may have a lot of hair on their head or none, both extremes are normal.

The weight gain has been fairly incredible recently. Your baby has put on about 2 pounds of weight, mostly fat and muscle tissue, since last month, bringing the total to an average of three pounds eleven ounces (1.7 kilograms), and measurements to 40 cms or 15.8 inches!



source:pregnancy.about.com

SEVENTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Seventh month ultrasound

Baby’s movements at this point in pregnancy have gone from wild kicks and flurries to smaller movements as the room becomes crowded in the uterus. At about week 28 babies begin to start turning head down. This is automatic in most babies and they seem to like it that way.

Your baby can sense light and dark in the uterus. This may also effect the pattern you notice of sleep and wake cycles. The uterus is also not a silent environment. While the baby can hear your heart beat, your digestive system, etc. your baby can also hear your voice as well as others close by. Think of what you can hear in a pool.

Your baby's eye lashes are developing, as subcutaneous fat is deposited. If you have a baby boy, his testes will probably begin descending. Your baby is about 13.8 inches long (35 cms) and weighs about 2 pounds 4 ounces (1 kilogram)! A baby born at this time has a good chance of survival with the help of medical technology.


source:pregnancy.about.com

SIXTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Sixth month ultrasound

Eye brows are forming now and the lanugo darkens in color. Your baby is moving and practicing breathing for when he or she will be born. The practice contractions that you may or may not notice don’t bother your baby one bit. Your baby may or may not be head down, because of the amniotic fluid your baby can move all around still.

Your baby is also depositing brown fat. The brown fat will help him or her regulate body temperature at birth. This brown fat will continue to be laid down until birth.

S/he weighs in at 1 lb 5 ounces (595 grams) and 30 cms or 11.8 inches total length. A few babies are born this early. They do have some chance of survival depending on many factors.


source:pregnancy.about.com

FIFTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Fifth month ultrasound

No new organ structures are really forming at this point in pregnancy. Though the pads of the fingers and toes are forming. Your baby is also developing his or her finger prints. Your baby is also forming permanent teeth buds behind the baby teeth that are already formed. A baby girl will also begin to develop primitive eggs in her ovaries. Gender is usually visible by ultrasound, though accuracy varies.

Your baby’s movements may be more apparent. Loud noises may even cause your baby to startle. It’s still pretty unusual for your to be able to feel your baby move at this point unless this is not your first pregnancy. You may be aware of sleep wake cycles in your little one.

Your baby is also covered in a fine hair called lanugo and may begin to develop a lotion like substances on their skin called vernix. The weight is now up to 10 ounces (283 grams) and the baby measures about 25 cms total length, about 9.8 inches.

source:pregnancy.about.com

FOURTH MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Fourth month ultrasound

The placenta has taken over production of the hormones needed to sustain your pregnancy. Your baby is also making some of its own insulin and bile. Your baby even urinates into the amniotic fluid in small amounts every 45 minutes or so.

Your baby’s heart pumps about 25 quarts of blood a day. This will increase to be about 300 quarts by the end of your pregnancy. All of the teeth have formed and you even have a scalp hair pattern!

Your baby is about 3 ounces (85 grams) and 6.3 inches (16 cms). The gender may be detectable by ultrasound. Though gender predictions at this point are much harder to rely on.

source:pregnancy.about.com

THIRD MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Third month ultasound




During the third month of your pregnancy, your baby’s bones begin to ossify or harden. Your baby is already moving spontaneously, but you usually can’t feel these movements for awhile yet. Your baby’s eyes are large and open. Eyelids will form later. External ears have formed.

External genitalia begin to differentiate, though it’s still very difficult to tell whether your baby is a girl or a boy without genetic screening. Your baby moves from being an embryo to the fetal period, now called a fetus. S/he also loses their tail!

Your baby’s head is the biggest part of their body. It is about 1/2 the size of the rest of the body. While the head is large, the brain’s structure is similar to what it will be at birth. S/he weighs about 14 grams and is approximately 3.54 inches in total length. By the end of this month you should be able to hear your baby’s heart beat with a Doppler.

SECOND MONTH OF PREGNANCY

Second month ultrasound


The second month of pregnancy is a critical month in fetal development. Your baby goes from being a blastocyst to an embryo. Early on in this month your baby’s heart will begin to beat. First it beats slowly, then very rapidly, later in pregnancy the heart rate will slow a bit more.

In the beginning of this month it’s hard to tell which way is up on your baby. As this month progresses it becomes very easy to tell which end is your baby’s head is and which end is your baby’s bottom. By the end of the month your baby’s upper and lower limb buds will also appear. And the primordia of the liver, pancreas, lungs, and stomach are evident. While your baby is a girl or a boy, it is not yet apparent without genetic screening.

Your baby is now measuring between 8-11 mm from crown to rump (CRL). By the end of this month heart activity is always present on ultrasound. Toe and finger rays are present, though not quite enough for you to count yet.

source:pregnancy.about.com

PREGNANCY MONTH BY MONTH - FIRST MONTH

The Amazing Journey of Pregnancy



Pregnancy is an amazing journey. While we often talk about it lasting for nine months, pregnancy is generally measured by weeks, lasting 40 weeks or 266 days from conception. Each month brings unique changes for your baby’s growth and development. Enjoy a tour through the entire length of pregnancy in ultrasound pictures and descriptions of how your baby is growing and changing at each stage of pregnancy.

These months are designed to be generic and may or may not specifically relate to your pregnancy. Please direct any questions you have about your baby's growth or your progress to your doctor or midwife. Pregnancy is a normal process and questions are a natural part of that process.

First Month of Pregnancy



The beginning portion of what we consider the first month of pregnancy is actually your period until you ovulate. You are not actually pregnant during this time frame, but knowing the first day of your last normal period (LMP) we are able to more accurately calculate your due date.

Conception usually occurs within 24 hours of ovulation, about 14 days before the start of your next period. The egg and the sperm meet in the outer third of the Fallopian tube and travel over the course of the next seven to ten days, down the tube to the uterus. Once in the uterus, the fertilized egg will implant into the fluffy, nutrient rich lining of the uterus. Immediately chemical signals are sent to your body that pregnancy has occurred. Ovulation will halt. Your period will not come.

Your baby is called a blastocyst as it implants. The baby measures about 0.1-0.2 mm. At the end of the fourth week of pregnancy, the chorionic villi are formed. The yolk sac is helping to sustain the pregnancy until the placenta is fully formed. You might even begin to suspect you’re pregnant.


source:pregnancy.about.com

PREGNANCY DOS AND DON'TS

Pregnancy Dos
Follow these helpful hints for a healthy pregnancy.

Get all essential vitamins and minerals every day. Women need a lot more iron when pregnant. And sometimes it's hard to get enough by eating alone. Ask your doctor if you should be taking a daily prenatal vitamin or multivitamin.

Get 400 micrograms (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily. Getting enough folic acid (or folate) reduces the chances of some birth defects. Some women eat lots of certain foods and others take multivitamins to get enough folic acid during pregnancy. Find out how to get you're your daily dose of folic acid.


Eat a healthy diet. Load up on fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains (such as whole-wheat breads or crackers). Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods (such as non-fat or low-fat yogurt, milk, and broccoli) that your baby needs for strong bones and teeth. If you live in areas where fruits and vegetables aren't in season, frozen vegetables are a good option. Avoid eating a lot of fatty foods (such as butter and fatty meats). Choose leaner foods when you can (such as skim milk, chicken and turkey without the skin, and fish). Get more tips on healthy eating for two.


Gain a healthy, not excessive amount of weight. Research shows that women who gain more than the recommended amount during pregnancy have an elevated risk of obesity. On average, 25 to 30 pounds is a healthy weight gain over the 40 weeks of pregnancy. Check with your doctor to find out how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.


Get enough sleep (try to get seven to nine hours every night). Aches, pains, anxiety and bathroom runs keep many pregnant women awake at night. To get some zzzzs, eat any large meals at least three hours before going to bed, get some easy exercise (like walking) and avoid long naps during the day. Sleep on your left side and use pillows between your legs and under your belly to help you get comfortable.


De-stress. If you can, control the stress in your life. When it comes to work and family, figure out what you can really do. Set limits with yourself and others. Don't be afraid to say NO to requests for your time and energy.


Get Moving! Getting regular, low-impact exercise is good for you and your baby. Talk to your doctor about what is safe. Get more guidelines on exercising while pregnant.


Get a handle on health problems. Talk to your doctor about how your health problems can affect you and your baby. If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar levels. If you have high blood pressure, monitor it closely. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about whether you should lose weight.


Ask your doctor before taking any medicines . Prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicine all can harm your baby. Find out if should continue taking prescription medicines. Get more facts on taking medicine during pregnancy.

See your doctor regularly. Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy, spot problems if they occur and prevent difficulties during delivery.


Consider getting a flu shot. The flu can be dangerous for some moms-to-be. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests vaccinations for all women who are at least 14 weeks pregnant during the flu season. Ask your doctor if you should get a flu shot.

Wear your seat-belt correctly. Seat belts used correctly protect you and your unborn baby during a crash.The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that pregnant women use seat belts that have a lap belt and a shoulder strap (3-point restraint). Seat belt straps should never go across your belly. The lap strap should go under the belly, across the hips. The shoulder strap should go off to the side of your belly and between your breasts. If you are not driving, the back seat is the safest place to sit.


Ease the aches and pains. Don't just accept discomfort as a necessary part of pregnancy. Hemorrhoids, heartburn, and leg cramps can all be helped.

Pregnancy Don'ts
Steer clear of these pregnancy no-nos to help keep you and your baby safe and healthy.

Don't eat fish with lots of mercury. Get the low-down on what fish to eat and what fish to avoid when pregnant.


Don't disregard foodborne illness. Eat, cook, handle and clean food safely! For both mother and baby, foodborne illness can cause serious health problems - or even death. Follow these simple food safety tips to keep yourself and your baby safe.


Don't use chemicals. Products including herbicides, pesticides, paint, stains, and some cleaning solutions may be harmful to your baby. If you must use these things, wear gloves, a mask, and keep the room well-ventilated.


Don't clean or change a cat's litter box. This could put you at risk for an infection called toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that cats can carry in their feces. Toxoplasmosis can harm a fetus.


Don't take very hot baths, hot tubs, or saunas. High temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or cause you to faint.


Don't use scented feminine hygiene products. Pregnant women should avoid scented sprays, sanitary napkins, and bubble bath. These products might irritate your vaginal area, and increase your risk of a urinary tract infection or yeast infection.


Don't douche. Douching can irritate the vagina, force air into the birth canal and increase the increase the risk of infection. Find out why you should always ask your doctor before douching.


Don't have optional x-rays. X-rays are a form of radiation that is linked to a very small risk of cancer for an unborn baby. But x-rays are usually safe during pregnancy. So if your doctor says you need x-rays for a health problem you should follow her advice. But sometimes doctors can use other tests in place of x-rays. And other times, x-rays can wait until after the baby is born.


Don't smoke tobacco. Tell your doctor if you smoke. Quitting is hard, but you can do it. Ask your doctor for help. Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to your baby. Smoke also keeps your baby from getting needed nourishment and raises the risk of stillbirth and premature birth (a small baby born too early).


Don't drink alcohol. Stop drinking alcohol if you drink it regularly. Experts are still unsure of the exact amount of alcohol needed to cause problems in your baby. But, both drinking every day and drinking a lot of alcohol once in a while during pregnancy can harm the baby.


Don't use illegal drugs. Tell your doctor if you are using drugs. Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, speed (amphetamines), barbiturates, and LSD are very dangerous for you and your baby.

source:4woman.gov

INFERTILITY

Female Infertility

Reprinted with permission from American Pregnancy Association

Infertility is a condition that affects approximately one out of every six couples. An infertility diagnosis is given to a couple who is unsuccessful with their attempts to get pregnant over the course of one year. When the problem exists within the female partner, it is referred to as female infertility. Female infertility factors contribute to approximately 50% of all infertility cases, and female infertility alone accounts for approximately one-third of all infertility cases.

What causes female infertility?
Female infertility usually occurs when there is a problem with ovulation, a damaged fallopian tube or uterus, or there is a problem with the cervix. Age may also contribute to fertility struggles because as a women ages, her fertility decreases.

Ovulation problems may be caused by one or more of the following:

A hormone imbalance
A tumor or cyst
Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia
Alcohol or drug use
Thyroid gland problems
Overweight
Stress
Intense exercise causing a loss of body fat
Extremely short menstrual cycle
Damage to the fallopian tubes or uterus may be caused by one or more of the following:

Pelvic inflammatory disease
A previous infection
Polyps in the uterus
Endometriosis or fibroids
Scar tissue or adhesions
Chronic medical illness
Surgery to remove a tubal pregnancy
A birth defect
DES syndrome which occurs if your mother took the medication DES to prevent miscarriage during her pregnancy with you.

Abnormal cervical mucus may be the cause of your infertility. Abnormal cervical mucus may prevent the sperm from reaching the egg or make it more challenging for the sperm to penetrate the egg.

How is female infertility diagnosed?
Potential female infertility will be assessed as part of a thorough physical exam. The exam will include a medical history regarding potential factors that could contribute to infertility.

Your healthcare provider may use one or more of the following tests to assess your fertility condition:

A urine or blood test to check for infections or a hormone problem
A sample of cervical mucus and tissue to determine if ovulation is occurring
Tracking your ovulation through fertility awareness will help your healthcare provider in assessing your fertility status.

Your healthcare provider may also use a laparoscope inserted through your abdomen to view your organs to assess for blockage, adhesions or scar tissue. An x-ray of your fallopian tubes may also be done to check for blockage. This is accomplished by an injection of blue-colored liquid through the cervix and into the fallopian tubes, which makes it easier for the technician to view the fallopian tubes through the x-ray.

How is female infertility treated?
Female infertility is most often treated by conventional methods that include one or more of the following:

Taking hormones to address a hormone imbalance, endometriosis, or a short menstrual cycle
Taking medications to stimulate ovulation
Taking antibiotics to remove an infection
Having minor surgery to remove blockage or scar tissues from the fallopian tubes, uterus, or pelvis area
In vitro fertilization is an ART procedure which may also be used to address the problem of blocked or damaged fallopian tubes. The sperm and egg are fertilized in a laboratory and then the fertilized egg is placed in the female's uterus to help facilitate implantation.

Can female infertility be prevented?
There is usually nothing you can do to prevent female infertility that is caused by genetic problems or an illness. There are things that women can do to decrease the likelihood that they experience an infertility issue:

Avoid sexually transmitted diseases
Avoid illicit drugs
Avoid heavy or frequent alcohol use
Keep good personal hygiene and health practices
When should I contact my healthcare provider?
It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Abnormal bleeding
Abdominal pain
Fever
Unusual discharge
Pain or discomfort during intercourse
Sore or itching in the vaginal area


source:pregnancy.org

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy
What is pregnancy?
Pregnancy is the term used to describe when a woman has a growing fetus inside of her. In most cases, the fetus grows in the uterus.
Human pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or just more than 9 months, from the start of the last menstrual period to childbirth

What are the signs of pregnancy?
The primary sign of pregnancy is missing one or more consecutive menstrual periods. However, because many women experience menstrual irregularities that may cause missed periods, women who miss a period should see their health care provider to find out whether they are pregnant or whether there is another health problem.

Others signs and symptoms of pregnancy may include:

Nausea or vomiting, morning sickness
Sore breasts or nipples
Fatigue
Headaches
Food cravings or aversions
Mood swings
Frequent urination
How do I know I’m pregnant?
A pregnancy test is the best way to determine if you are pregnant. Home pregnancy test kits are available over-the-counter and are considered highly accurate. A health care provider can also do a pregnancy test.

NICHD research in the 1970s found that high levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadatropin (HCG) in the urine were associated with pregnancy. This research led to the development of the home pregnancy test that is commercially available today.

If you think you may be pregnant, or have a positive home pregnancy test, see a health care provider.

What is prenatal care and why is it important?
Prenatal care is the care woman gets during a pregnancy. Getting early and regular prenatal care is important for the health of both mother and the developing baby.

In addition, health care providers are now recommending a woman see a health care provider for preconception care, before she is even trying to get pregnant.

Health care providers recommend women take the following steps to ensure the best health outcome for mother and baby:

Getting at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to help prevent many types of neural tube defects. Health care providers recommend taking folic acid both before and during pregnancy.
Being properly vaccinated for certain diseases (such as chicken pox and rubella) that could harm a developing fetus—it is important to have the vaccinations before becoming pregnant
Maintaining a healthy weight and diet and getting regular physical activity before, during, and after pregnancy
Avoiding smoking, alcohol, or drug use before, during, and after pregnancy
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
All pregnancies involve a certain degree of risk to both mother and baby. But, factors present before pregnancy or that develop during pregnancy can place the mother and baby at higher risk for problems. Women with high-risk pregnancies may need care from specialists or a team of health care providers to help promote healthy pregnancy and birth.

Factors present before pregnancy that can increase risk may include:

Young or old maternal age
Being overweight or underweight
Having had problems in previous pregnancies, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm labor or birth
Pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or HIV/AIDS
During pregnancy, problems may also develop even in a woman who was previously healthy. These may include (but are not limited to) gestational diabetes or preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Getting good prenatal care and seeing a health care provider regularly during pregnancy are important ways to promote a healthy pregnancy

source:nichd.nih.gov