Pregnancy and Birthing

Jasmine Stone asked:


The first step of your pregnancy, after seeing the little positive stick should to have it confirmed. Call immediately to have a pregnancy test done with your local doctor, you may be in luck and get in that same day or have to wait about a week or two. Patience will become your best friend during this time or your worst enemy, waiting can become a very hard thing when you want to know for sure whether you are or aren’t pregnant. More than likely you’ll get a phone call a few days later to confirm it.

Set up an appointment to see your OB/GYN or midwife as soon as possible, chances are you’ll be meeting his/her staff before you ever meet them. This is the first appointment where your doctor/midwife will want to know all your medical history. If you’ve been pregnant, what types of sicknesses run in your family, etc. If you can, try making sure you know all of this ahead of time, maybe even have it all down on paper so when he/she asks you are prepared. During the days or weeks leading up to this meeting you may have concerns, write them down and ask them. Believe it or not doctors are there to help you, and they’ve been asked every question you can possibly think of. Before leaving your doctor may even give you a bag full of goodies all about being pregnant. Read these, they may prove beneficial and not to mention they’ve got coupons. Your doctor will either give you another appointment or have you set one up before leaving. There are some great books out there if you are really worried about what will happen next or how birth is going to be, check them out at your local library.

Make sure that you get your prenatal vitamins, they are very important during pregnancy. If for some reason you can’t take them, talk with your doctor he/she may be able to prescribe a lower dosage or something else. You’ll get your first ultrasound, also known as US around week 20, this is normally when you find out what sex the baby is. However some doctors like to call it safe and give you an ultrasound around 10-12 weeks just to make sure the baby is in the proper location and all is going well. You will also be asked to take an orange drink that you must drink in five minutes. You’ll wait around for an hour to three hours, at which point your blood gets drawn and you can go home. The test determines if you have or have a chance of getting gestational diabetes.

At first your appointments will be about 4 weeks apart until you hit the 36 week and at that point it’ll be two weeks later and a week later after that until the baby is born. By now you should be preparing to have the baby. Yes, I’m sure you’ll have some anxiety towards the end of your pregnancy. You’ve went this far, it’s time you see your reward.



Trenton

jane maria asked:


The teenage years may be particularly trying for years to parents and children about their sexuality, for the first time in their lives. Raging hormones and a newfound sense of independence may induce teens to act in ways that are irresponsible. The worst repercussion of this could be a teenage pregnancy.

The study also indicates that early teens have sex in an age may be less likely to show delinquent behaviour in early adulthood as their fellow age, waited until they were older to have sex.

Although there has been a recent decline in teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is still a big problem in the United States. Every year one million teens get pregnant. The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy (out of all the developed countries) in the world.

The study also suggests that early sex may play a role in helping these teens develop better social relationships in early adulthood. The finding is published in the current online edition of the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, and runs counter to most assumptions that relate early teen sex to later drug use, criminality, antisocial behavior and emotional problems. The finding also contradicts parts of a study published earlier this year in the same journal that found a connection between early teen sex and later behavioral problems.

There are things you can do to guard against teenage pregnancy:

• Talk. Uncomfortable as it may initially be, talk to your teen about safe sex.

• Teach. Help your child to develop a healthy attitude toward sex.

• Supervise. Always allow your child to have healthy interactions with the opposite sex. At the same time, experts recommend that you discourage single dating, or ‘going steady’, until your child is at least 16 years old.

• Protect. Ensure that your teen stays away from drugs or alcohol.

• Encourage. Cultivate frankness in your children and encourage them to talk with you about all their problems.

Effects on the Body of Teens

The reason is that such a problem is that not only teens body still developing, but it is the degree of responsibility in some cases. The teen usually doesn’t realize how much care your body needs while pregnant. A big percentage of young mothers have children with a low birth rate, which could cause the child problems throughout his/her entire life. Younger mothers also have a high rate of infant death than older women. The teen’s body is still developing.

Stress on the teen’s body and mind cause major health risks not only for the teen but the baby as well. With everything that is going on inside the teen’s body her hormones are usually extremely out of whack. All of this along with trying to tell your parents about the pregnancy can cause a lot of stress.

A lot of teens are doing drugs and drinking alcohol. Becoming pregnant as a teen can make this habit more alluring. With so many things on your mind as a teen, it seems easier sometimes to get “high” and, everything that was hard goes away for that short period of time.

This causes even more havoc to the baby and teen. It is so important for growth and development to abstain from mind-altering chemicals etc. The teen often doesn’t have the knowledge to know that doing things like this can cause major side-effects to her or her baby.

For the lower rates of teenage pregnancy, start by exchanging knowledge. Everybody should know, teen risks related to pregnancy and adolescence, even on the consequences of sex at a young age. Eighty percent of teenage mothers divorce High School and lack of education they need to Excel. Let us help you, these figures are lower.

To learn everything you need to know about the Effects of Teen Pregnancy and for Teen Pregnancy Help visit http://www.beateen.com where you will find this and much much more!



Stacy

Robert Baird asked:


If you have told people at work that you are pregnant, you may become aware of how accommodating your boss your colleagues, or your company’s parenting policies are, or how inflexibly and impersonally the needs of new parents are handled. This may provide a completely new perspective of your workplace and gives you a glimpse of the professional environment in to which you may have to integrate your parenting goals. How your company meets your needs as a pregnancy begins is usually indicative of how your requests will be met as a parent in the future. Timing the announcement

If you haven’t yet told your employer, time it well. Even though you don’t have to tell your boss about your pregnancy until 30 days before you begin maternity leave, it’s best not to wait until your pregnancy is obvious. Many women wait until the end of the first trimester. By then the risk of miscarriage is low, and you may have already had first trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities and CVS showing a normal pregnancy. If you have extreme fatigue or morning sickness, or if your job is very stressful, speak with your boss earlier so that you can negotiate changes to your schedule that will help you to be more comfortable and productive.

Your timing may depend on how your manager has handled previous pregnancies in your company. If you expect an unfavorable reaction, wait until you have demonstrated your productivity as a pregnant employee. Right after the successful completion of a project, for example, would make a perfect occasion to connect your pregnancy with your ability to work well.

Considering the needs of your boss and colleagues

Make sure you are fully informed about your maternity leave options and approach your boss with a plan for your transition out of work, time away, and return to work. Most managers will appreciate that you have thought not only of your own needs but also of those of your colleagues and company. This may put you in a favorable position to negotiate flexible work hours during your pregnancy.

Since your job will be held during your absence, your colleagues may be the recipients of your assignments when you leave. They may wonder whether you will return to work and take back your workload. Assure them that you are aware of their concerns and interested in smooth transitions for all involved.

Tips For Working Moms To Be

Certain practical measures can make a significant difference to the way you feel at work, and consequently, your productivity. Try the following tips.

Break your lunch hour in to more frequent, shorter breaks of 15 to 20 minutes.

Rest during your breaks. Close your eyes and allow your self to cat nap.

Keep a supply of snacks at work. Frequent snacking helps combat pregnancy nausea.

Keep a glass of water handy and drink throughout the day. Try to empty your glass at least four times during an 8 hour day and go to the bathroom frequently.

Try walking around as much as possible to increase circulation, reduce swelling, and prevent blood clots in your legs, which are more common in pregnancy.

If you stand up for most of the day, try and get some time sitting down with your feet up every hour.



Tevin

Robert Baird asked:


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.



Delores

Freddic asked:


 

About 16 girls, around 16 years old were reported to be pregnant in Gloucester, and at least 50% of those became pregnant by choice or made a pact to bring up kids. So, what’s shocking about it?

Teens getting pregnant is hardly news. What’s startling is perhaps the number of pregnancies shot up 4 times (in just one school!), it’s also about the pacts that the girls reportedly made, and that some of the girl’s partners are in their 20s. And the school administration seems to be shocked over the welfare of these kids.

Ironically, everyone seems to be shocked except for the girls who made the choice. Remember that some of the girls even got depressed when they found they hadn’t yet conceived. It seems that only now, the girls might be shocked because everyone around them seems to be. But there’s a contention that the girls are too young to apprise the reality, aren’t they? So is it enough reason this one, because one of the parents (father) expressed that he let it be, because he cared for his girl’s happiness!

So what it is that’s so shocking? Is it that some of the girl’s partners, who’re in their 20s may have committed “statuary rape.” Or that, it’s now a long hard road ahead for the girls. Or that quadrupling of the number of pregnancies is startling (is just one school’s stats representative of the whole country?). Or are they the public costs that can be saved by curbing teenage pregnancies. As for costs, teenage childbearing public costs were $120 billion from 1985 to 1990, and that $48 billion would have been saved if the pregnancies came about, if mothers were in their 20s.

Another aspect that surprises me is that on the one hand, there are people who who have to depend on pharmaceuticals called fertility drugs to conceive, and on the other there are the teenage pregnancies (which are for the most part undesirable). Different people seem to think differently. What do you think about it?



Jennifer

Jasmine Stone asked:


Now that you’re pregnant, you’re wondering if your decision to become vegetarian can still be carried out successfully during your pregnancy. And while it is possible for you to obtain all the nutrients your body will need during pregnancy through a well-planned, nutrient-dense vegetarian diet, careful planning and observation will be crucial to your overall success transitioning to vegetarianism during your pregnancy. In other words: take it slow and be smart!

A good vegetarian diet has a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, lentils, and nuts and some eggs and dairy or their equivalent if you so choose. Fast food, highly processed junk foods, and canned fruits and vegetables are eaten rarely if at all. It’s imperative that you make wise food choices at this crucial time, since a pregnant woman only needs approximately 300 more calories per day and about 10-16 extra grams of protein; however, the body’s need for certain nutrients increases significantly. Every bite you take is important when you’re pregnant. While the RDAs (recommended daily allowances) for almost all nutrients increase, especially important are folic acid, iron, zinc, and vitamin B-12. Attention to adequate amounts of vitamin B-12 is crucial for vegetarians who choose not to eat eggs and dairy.

Work closely with your healthcare professional during this transition. The changeover from a meat-eating to a vegetarian diet can be rough on your body as it actually goes through a detoxification process during the transition. So, you want to ensure your baby is getting all the nutrients it needs at this time, and is growing and developing at a healthy rate. Start very slowly; perhaps only one or two days per week eating a vegetarian diet. Gradually work in soy- and plant-based proteins into your diet, and little by little use them to replace proteins obtained from eating meat products. Be sure to adequately supplement your diet with a quality prenatal supplement, and get adequate amounts of exercise and exposure to sunlight to promote your body to naturally produce vitamin D.  With careful planning, observation, and your healthcare professional’s guidance, the transition to vegetarianism during your pregnancy can be a cleansing and healthy start for both you and your baby to a lifetime of optimal health.



Marie

Apurva Shree asked:


Pregnancy is a course of rebirth for every woman as she comes a full circle of life at this point. She is giving birth to a new body and soul. Teen pregnancy especially needs the right guidance. The kind of life and diet you lead defines the health and life of your baby during the pregnancy period.

Whom To Contact During Teen Pregnancy?



Constant pre-natal care from your doctor, nutrition experts and clinic as well as family and friends is one of the basic things to be followed. Drinking and smoking should be avoided at all costs as it causes irreparable damage to the little one inside. Drugs prescribed by the doctor are the only ones to be taken. A balanced and nutritional diet should be top priority. Teenage pregnancies are always laden with the risks of going back to drugs, smoking; as a result the babies develop immature organs/systems, even retardation in many cases and the most dominant, early death during infancy.

Correct Nutrition and Medication during Teen Pregnancy:

Since, a teenager’s body is still growing, it is necessary to eat the right amount of pregnancy diet that is essential for you as well as your baby. Correct composition of vitamins and minerals are required mainly in case of a teen pregnancy. It is normal to gain 25-30 pounds during pregnancy and the minimum intake of calories per day should be no less than 300.Gaining weight is much more important if you want to breastfeed the child. Never skip meals and avoid junk food as much as possible as the have very little or no nutrient value at all. If you cannot afford nutritious food, inform your health care providers and ask them for advice and they will enroll you into the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program.

LOVE AND CARE MOST REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH TEEN PREGNANCY:

The prevalence of teenage pregnancy is the highest in the U.S and most of such pregnancies end up in premature deliveries or abortions. Most of them are unintended. No strenuous exercises should be done during this period, but a brisk walk for 15-20 minutes or a game of basketball would be fine. The main cause of teenage pregnancy is the lack of knowledge and awareness. Every parent should discuss the pros and cons of having teenage pregnancies. School education has led to a 10% decrease in teenage pregnancy. Even though it is good to see this, we should understand that a teenage mother-to-be needs extra support and care, as they are incapable of handling the stress of teenage pregnancy. As they are not educated enough, many teenagers do not understand the problem associated with teenage pregnancy and smoking/drinking and intake of drugs. Therefore, all they require during this hard time is to get the unconditional and unending support and advice of their gynecologist and family as well as loved ones. Therefore, teenage pregnancy can be done away with proper communication and education about it, but until that time all the teenage pregnancies and the teenage mothers need to be handled with all the care and love possible.

The information provided in this article is not intended to substitute medical information and guidance. Please consult your pregnancy doctor or health care provider for more information or before following any treatment, activity or exercise mentioned herein.



Dean

Jasmine Stone asked:


Everyone knows that exercise is very good for your health. During pregnancy, exercise can have many other benefits as well. Normally, exercise should be light, especially during your first few weeks of pregnancy while your body adjusts to the changes.

Any type of heavy exercise can divert the blood flow from crucial areas, and most women that exercise on a regular basis should tone down their workout regimen during pregnancy.

Swimming, walking, and yoga are two very popular exercise activities that are suitable for pregnant women. There are other forms of exercise such as weight lifting that are acceptable as long as it isn’t too strenuous. Most specialists recommend exercise 3 - 4 times a week, unless you have a medical condition that prevents it. If you are ever in doubt, you should consult a physician first.

Below, you’ll find some of the best reasons as to why you should exercise during pregnancy.

1. Exercise can help to reduce the length of labor and recovery time. The right exercise routines will also increase stamina that is needed for delivery.     2. Improved mental health. Exercise can lower stress and improve your emotional health, making it easier for you to get through the new experience of becoming a mother.

3. Exercise can also help with weight management after the child has been born. A common concern with most mothers is the weight they lose after pregnancy. During pregnancy, exercise can make postpartum weight loss easier.

4. Exercise is very good for your unborn baby. By keeping your body healthy, you are also looking out for your baby as well.

5. Exercise can help reduce the side effects of pregnancy. Symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, swelling, and constipation are all common with pregnant women. Studies have shown exercise to reduce the occurrence of these symptoms.

6. Exercise can also decrease the risk of premature birth. Exercise has been proven to decrease the risk of premature birth by at least 50%.

You should always make sure that you drink plenty of fluids before you exercise, follow a nutritious diet, and avoid over exertion. You should also listen to your body, and if you start feeling sick you should immediately stop and rest.

If you exercise during your pregnancy, you’ll find it a lot easier to deliver when the time comes. Exercise will help your body strengthen up, which will make it very easy on you when you go into the delivery room. Women who don’t exercise find it much harder when the time comes to give birth.

Exercising during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for your unborn baby. Your baby will reap some of the benefits, which is reason enough to exercise. Always be safe when you exercise, and don’t hesitate to ask a doctor for advice if you have any questions at all. As long as you exercise safe and use good common sense, you’ll do a world of good for your pregnancy.



Ramon

Anurag Ahluwalia asked:


Teenage pregnancy in Britain is amongst the highest in Europe. Young people who have unsafe sex, without using contraception are at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia; and girls are at risk of becoming pregnant.

If you are a teenager, finding out that you are pregnant can be a very stressful and daunting experience. If the pregnancy is unplanned, you may be worried about telling your parents and whether or not you want to go ahead with the pregnancy. You may also worry about the implications in terms of schooling, social life and how your body will change. Most women go through mixed emotions when they are pregnant. It is therefore important to remember that you are not alone and that you should either speak to your parents, teacher or a health professional about it.

If you think you are pregnant, don’t ignore it. The first thing to do is make sure that you are definitely pregnant. You can make an appointment to see your GP or attend a family clinic. They will be able to carry out the necessary tests and provide you with advice, especially if there are difficulties around communicating with your parents. Alternatively, you can speak to a relative or teacher who may also be able to assist.

You can avoid getting pregnant by waiting to have sexual intercourse at the legal age of consent in England, Scotland and Wales, which is 16. Also by practicing safe sex such as using a condom during sexual intercourse and using contraception. If you think your are pregnant or would like to find out more about safe sex practices and the best method of contraception, speak to your parents, teacher or GP for more information and advice.



Haley

Nivea David asked:


In a teenagers life when the start the enjoy the life and special events,the pregnance is a very big problem in there life.The teenagers pregnance is very big problem of the world mostly the develop contary.when the teenages are coming out to the pregnant then the abortion is the simple solution of this essuse. The abortion is a process to dead the pregnant child befour his borth. But the abortion is the bad ,because in a abortion the innocent life is got the dead. Teenage pregnancy is technically defined as occurring when women under the age of 20 become pregnant, although in the india and other countary of the world like as USA and other develop countary , the term usually refers to girls younger than 18 years of age. God is creating of all things for every life. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist And it is He that has ordained life as sacred.

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same obstetrics issues as women in their 20s and 30s. However, there are additional medical concerns for younger mothers, particularly those under 15 and those living in developing countries. For mothers between 15 and 19, age in itself is not a risk factor, but additional risks may be associated with sociol factors. Teen pregnancy as a social issue in developed countries include lower educational levels, higher rates of poverty, and other poorer “life outcomes” in children of teenage mothers.

Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage, and carries a social stigma in many communities and cultures. For these reasons, there have been many studies and campaigns which attempt to uncover the causes and limit the numbers of teenage pregnancies. To the prevent the teenagers pregnance and abortion case, firstly we can give the sex education of teenagers, and full knowledge of sexual-relation and pregnance, also In the areas where the education level is

very low.

An abortion before the twelfth week, teens with unwanted pregnancies hurriedly take drastic measures to fix a problem. But, the problem, according to teen abortion facts, does not go away after a pregnancy is terminated. And for some, the problem is only beginning. A disorder called Post Traumatic Stress is plaguing millions of teenagers who are not psychologically stable enough to cope with the trauma associated with an unplanned pregnancy, life-altering decisions, and the destruction of life. After the surgery, guilt, shame, erratic behaviors, and substance abuse, even suicide, can result. And, at the center of those teens that self report issues, is the fear of being held accountable to God. All major decisions such as this should consider for a while before any life changing and irreversible changes take place.

It is important to understand all options and be able to make a confident decision based on facts and personal feelings.

Teenage fatherhood can also be a challenge. Many feel obliged to support their child, but due to the low levels of state benefits awarded to such couples, in addition to the low quantity of money that they often earn due to their age, are unable to do so fully. Another addition is that being a teenage father is sometimes looked down upon by society and peers. Teen abortion is a decision that will impact your life dramatically, whether you decide to abort or decide to give birth. People you know will choose to support your decision or condemn your decision, but this is your decision and you will live with the choice you make for the rest of your life.

Teen abortion has many risks. Studies have proven that abortion may lead to an increased chance of breast cancer, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, depression, and the contraction of Viral Hepatitis, not to mention death due to excessive bleeding or other complications. Whether you choose to keep your baby, put it up for adoption or have an abortion, hormones run crazy when you are pregnant. Hormones are to blame for the drastic mood swings pregnant women have during pregnancy. As you feel the life inside you start to grow, you will become attached to, or perhaps even angry at, this new life.

This life is exactly that - he or she is alive and it is a part of you. Teen abortion will affect you well into the future. Initially, you will feel cramping as the excess blood is discharging from your body — similar, but not as strong as, the pains felt during labor and delivery. This physical effect may cause you to feel an emotional emptiness you have never felt before. This emptiness is the beginning of depression that studies say can last a lifetime.

To protect your teens from that go to the following web sites:

http://www.troubledteensdirectory.com/

http://www.restoringtroubledteens.com/

Troubled Teens Directory is the most honest and integral Internet-based educational consulting service available and designed to serve parents, adolescents and youths who are in need of guidance.



Chad