Signs of Pregnancy

You can see and feel the earliest possible signs of pregnancy very early on even when your tummy is still flat You can catch signs that youre pregnant even when your tummy is still this flat The earliest signs of pregnancy do vary among women but one thing is for certain many women dont need a positive pregnancy test to know when theyre expecting Some of the earliest signs of pregnancy happen before even physical pregnancy symptoms start Dreams of pregnancy or simply a general feeling of something being different have been reported by women through the years baby clothes,baby name,birth control pills,breastfeeding,during pregnancy,early pregnancy test,exercise during pregnancy,getting pregnant,healthy pregnancy,home pregnancy test,how to get pregnant,maternity,miscarriage,pregnancy,pregnancy due date,pregnancy guide,pregnancy nutrition,pregnancy signs,pregnancy weight gain,signs of pregnancy,teenage pregnancy,trying to conceive,trying to get pregnant Many times these deep inner feelings are correct Some of the earliest possible physical pregnancy signs include breast changes nausea and tiredness Following is a more indepth look at the above signs of pregnancy

Pregnancy Dreams

Pregnancy dreams very early in pregnancy sometimes even before are not unheard of There are many reports of extra vivid dreams during early pregnancy that continue through the pregnancy There have even been books written about the significance of pregnancy dreams like Dreaming for Two The Hidden Emotional Life of Expectant Mothers by Sindy Greenberg Elyse Kroll and Hillary Grill

Many times those early and later dreams are thought to be caused by the change in hormones Although its never been scientifically explained there are women who swear that theyve had a dream theyre pregnant or even dreamed of their babys gender before actually finding out from the doctor that theyre expecting See what other parents dream about while pregnant

Some women have what you could call a general feeling They just know that theyre pregnant This is not quite the same as dreams This gut feeling currently has no scientific explanation but many women report it

Breast Changes

Breast changes are almost always the first physical sign women notice when they become pregnant During the very first week of pregnancy your breasts start becoming ready for milk production This breast prep results in soreness darker areola area around the nipple pronounced veins and little bumps that may appear on the areola Because breast changes start so soon this is one of the earliest possible signs of pregnancy Breast changes are an especially significant sign if youre not expecting your period or if you dont normally have any breast changes

Tiredness

Tiredness like breast changes can start early on in pregnancy From the moment you conceive your body begins a process of growth and support for the fetus that is really draining on your body energywise Metabolic changes of any kind can make you tired In literature pregnancy metabolic changes have been compared to the same effects your body may experience if you were constantly climbing a mountain for nine months Thats a lot of work Normally the extreme tiredness of being pregnant will vanish around the 3 month mark Some women are tired all the way though pregnancy though as well Tiredness tends to be a good sign for women who have not been pregnant before because its a tired theyre not used to

Nausea

Another one of the earliest possible signs of pregnancy is nausea Nausea is not the same as breast changes in that almost all women have pregnancy breast changes but not all women feel nausea

Nausea is also caused by pregnancy hormonal changes and can start as soon as the first week of pregnancy Pregnancy nausea is often called morning sickness but can actually occur at any time of the day Nausea during pregnancy can be triggered by foods smells activity or seemingly nothing

Many women experience distaste for unhealthy items during early pregnancy Coffee or cigarettes may make a woman feel sick to their stomach before she officially knows shes pregnant Theres been some research about morning sickness in relation to unhealthy activities but nothing conclusive Many women do report that this is one reason they thought they might be pregnant

If you have breast changes extreme tiredness or nausea and you arent sure why you should make an appointment with your doctor Any of these symptoms ongoing can be a sign of pregnancy but they can also be a sign that something else is wrong If you ever think youre pregnant its wise to visit your health care provider Early prenatal care is important for both your health and the health of your baby

When you become pregnant your body goes through many changes both physically and emotionally referred to by many as pregnancy symptoms Many of these changes are hormonal Some women have nearly every symptom while others breeze through their pregnancy with almost no discomfort

There are several pregnancy symptoms and signs that you can watch for

Missed Period Probably the first sign you experience that tells you that you might be pregnant is a missed period A typical menstrual cycle will last approximately twentyeight days though of course this cycle varies with each woman If your period occurs on a regular basis and you are late you may be pregnant

Tender Breasts While it is very common for a womans breasts to be tender and painful right before her period the discomfort will usually abate a day or two before her period starts If you experience tender breasts and your period is a day or two late you may be pregnant

Fatigue If you suddenly find yourself needing an afternoon nap or you are abnormally tired at the end of the day you may be pregnant

Frequent UrinationAre you suddenly running to the bathroom all day long Pregnancy means an increase in bodily fluids This symptom can show up early

Nausea Morning sickness doesnt necessarily show up just in the morning You may feel nauseous off and on all day long especially if you are hungry This symptom is most likely due to an influx of hormones and it should disappear after the third or fourth month

Food Sensitivity Even before you discover that you are pregnant you may discover that you suddenly have a distinct aversion to certain foods You may feel queasy at the sight or smell of certain foods so try to avoid those foods as much as possible

Implantation BleedingSome women experience light bleeding or spotting around the time that the egg attaches itself to the uterus If you already suspect you are pregnant and you begin to bleed contact your obgyn immediately While this experience may not be anything to worry about you will still need to be checked

Elevated Body TemperatureIf you have been trying to conceive by charting your basal body temperature you may be pregnant if you notice an elevated rate for approximately eighteen days

First Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms

While some of the initial symptoms will continue throughout your first trimester others will disappear Your first trimester is typically from week one to week twelve Some of the most common symptoms during your first trimester are as follows

Your breasts will remain swollen and you may find that youve grown a cup size

Moodiness Dont be surprised if you are happy one minute and down in the dumps the next Place the blame on your hormones and pamper yourself

Nausea Try not to let your tummy get too empty Its better to eat several small meals throughout the day Sometimes munching on crackers and sipping hot tea helps

Nipple ColoringYou may also notice that your nipples and the aureola surrounding your nipples have gotten darker

ConstipationUnfortunately this symptom may follow you throughout your pregnancy To relieve any discomfort try to eat more fresh fruits vegetables and grains The more fiber you can get the better off you will be

IndigestionThis symptom may also be with you during your entire pregnancy especially as the baby grows and pushes on your esophagus Be sure you get any over the counter medication approved by your doctor before you take it

Headaches While there may be several causes for these headaches the increased blood flow may be the culprit If you are suffering severe headaches contact your doctor

Your second trimester begins at week thirteen and ends at week twentysix Common symptoms are as follows

Weight GainYour doctor will monitor your weight gain closely Throughout your pregnancy you should gain about thirty pounds

Itchy SkinSince your tummy is stretching you may find that it is also dry and itchy Use lotion daily Cocoa butter is a common application

SwellingYour feet hands and ankles may swell due to excess fluid

Dark LineThis line may develop and run from your belly button down to your pubic area It will fade after the baby is born

Fetal MovementYou can feel baby move

Third Trimester Symptoms

Your third trimester consists of week twentyseven to week forty Youre almost there Common pregnancy symptoms experienced during the third trimester include

Aches and Pains

One of the most common complaints among pregnant women is backaches The excess weight of your baby can wreak havoc on your body Take care of yourself

Ultrasound Checkup

A pregnancy ultrasound checkup sometimes called a sonogram is used to visualize the inside of the body without invading it Ultrasounds are used during pregnancy to look at the growing baby and the mothers uterus and other organs to monitor health and development An ultrasound machine emits sound waves These waves bounce off the baby and the mother the machine uses the data from the bouncing waves to create an image of the structures The picture is displayed on a video screen and can be captured in a printout or as a video output Getting an ultrasound is painless and easy Generally for a pregnancy ultrasound you will be asked to lie on an exam table Then the doctor nurse or ultrasound technician will put a smooth clear gel on your abdomen This helps the ultrasound to get a better image Once you are ready the person performing the ultrasound will move an ultrasound transducer also known as a wand or a probe over your stomach You will feel the wand moving around but there is no pressure and it is not uncomfortable In all likelihood you will be so excited to see the image of your baby on the ultrasound monitor you may not even notice the wand Ultrasounds do not emit radiation and they are believed to be completely safe for mother and child with no known risks Despite this most medical professionals recommend not having more ultrasounds than are deemed necessary for regular monitoring of your pregnancy A pregnancy ultrasound is a great noninvasive way to monitor the growth and health of your growing baby Some medical professionals routinely use ultrasounds as a tool during regular checkups Other OB care providers prefer to use ultrasounds only if a problem is suspected during pregnancy If your doctor nurse or midwife is scheduling an ultrasound feel free to ask whether it is routine or whether they are looking for something in particular Some of the things your doctor can see from an ultrasound during your first trimester include

1. The babys size and age

2. Whether you are pregnant with multiple babies

3. Whether the baby is developing normally

4. The babys heartbeat

5. Later in your pregnancy ultrasounds may disclose

While a pregnancy ultrasound cannot identify every possible problem with a babys development they are incredibly useful in diagnosing many conditions as well as in reassuring everyone that baby is growing normally

Detailed Ultrasounds

Newer ultrasound technology allows medical professionals to get a very detailed ultrasound image High resolution ultrasounds as well as the new 3D and 4D ultrasounds can give you a really clear picture of your baby almost like having a photograph of your new arrival before baby arrives 3D ultrasounds generate a 3D still image of your baby 4D ultrasounds create a 3D moving image of your baby

Whatever kind of ultrasound you get during your first trimester your baby may look like little more than a peanut to you Rest assured that your healthcare providers can tell a lot by this tiny image Ask them to point out the outline of your baby for you and to show you your babys beating heart

Eligibility for Maternity Leave

To be eligible for maternity leave under FMLA you must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months During those 12 months you must have worked at least 1 250 hours This averages out to 24 hours per week over the course of one year However the hours do not have to be spread out uniformly In addition the twelve months do not have to be consecutive

You must notify your employer at least 30 days in advance if you need FMLA leave If thats not practical for example if your baby is premature you must tell your employer as soon as possible Visit the Compliance Assistance portion of the FMLA web site or contact the Department of Labor to make sure youre following the rules

Returning to Work

In most cases your employer cannot fire you for taking maternity leave under FMLA rules There are some exceptions including the following

If you tell your employer you do not plan to return to work after you have the baby

If there are layoffs at the company and your job is among those affected

If you have used up your FMLA leave time and are not able to return to work

If you have a highly paid salaried job that is considered key to the workings of the company However this applies only in limited circumstances

If you qualify for maternity leave and your employer refuses to grant it you can file a complaint For FMLA violations you have two years from the date of the violation If you can prove your employers action was willful you have three years to file Complaints may be filed with the Secretary of Labor or you can check your phone book for the nearest office of the Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration U S Department of Labor and call for more information If your complaint is valid the Department of Labor will usually negotiate with your employer to obtain leave for youYou can also file a lawsuit on your own If you win you may be able to recover your legal costs from your employer Each state has its own regulations about medical leave including maternity leave To find your states maternity leave laws try your states Labor Office Youll find a list of links to of htm state labor offices at the U S Department of Labor site While some states post information on the web others simply offer contact information and youll have to call the office for more information It is worth taking the trouble to find out about maternity leave laws in your state Even if youre not eligible for leave under FMLA you might be eligible under state law

Pregnancy Test

If you are sexually active knowing when to take a pregnancy test is important Generally you should take a pregnancy test if any of the following conditions apply

You have had unprotected sex or have a reason to believe your birth control has failed

You have early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea fatigue and tender breasts

Your period is late by one week or more

Home pregnancy tests can be purchased at any drug store Most tests cost between $6 and $18 although a higher price does not necessarily mean the test is more accurate Some tests are more expensive because they are heavily advertised Others contain more than one test in a package

The EPT pregnancy test First Response pregnancy test and Clear Blue pregnancy test are three of the most popular brands of home pregnancy tests

Taking a Pregnancy Test

Taking a home pregnancy test is surprisingly easy In most cases you should urinate briefly and either hold the test stick under your urine stream or collect urine in a cup before dipping the test strip into the cup

Most tests take only a few minutes to provide the test results Lines or slashes are often used to show the result One is used as a control to determine that the test is working properly The presence of a second line or slash is used to show that you are pregnant

Since instructions can vary according to the brand of test you have purchased read the enclosed pamphlet carefully before you begin your home pregnancy test If you have questions about when to take a pregnancy test visit the manufacturers website or call the customer service hotline

Pregnancy Test Accuracy

Home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate when used correctly To get the most accurate results remember the following tips as youre deciding when to take a pregnancy test

Wait until your period is at least one week late Testing on the first day of your missed period reduces the test accuracy to about 80%

Home pregnancy tests are typically most accurate when taken in the morning

Follow the directions carefully Instructions for completing a pregnancy test can vary according to the brand you have purchased

Avoid reading the results of your test too early or too late If it says to wait three minutes for the results wait three minutes

False Positives and False Negatives

A home pregnancy test works to detect a hormone in the blood called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin HCG However sometimes the test fails to accurately detect this pregnancy hormone When this happens you may get a false positive that says you are pregnant when you are not You could also get a false negative that says you arent pregnant when you really are

Pregnancy test false negative and false positive results are fairly rare Most are caused by impurities in the urine sample failing to read the test instructions using an expired pregnancy test or trying to take the test too early However certain medical conditions and prescription drugs can sometimes affect your pregnancy test results

If you have doubts about the accuracy of your home pregnancy test reread the instructions and try to take another test If youre still not confident youve received an accurate result contact your healthcare provider He she can schedule a blood test to clear up any confusion

How Online Pregnancy Tests Work

An online pregnancy test will ask some of the same questions your OB health professional would ask This information includes the number of days in your menstrual cycle the date your last period began and the date when you had intercourse to calculate the mathematical probability of your pregnancy

Information Needed for an Online Test

The basic information that many of the online tests ask for includes

The average number of days from the first day of one period until the first day of the next period

The date your last period started

The date you think you conceived or the date you had intercourse that you think resulted in conception

What Early Pregnancy Symptoms you have been experiencing These symptoms might include nausea or vomiting odd sensations of the abdomen changes in appetite and fatigue among others

Your stress level

What form of birth control you have been practicing

Test Result Revelations

The online test results will provide you with the odds that you are actually pregnant based on the normal Ovulation process In other words there is only a fourday window around two weeks into the menstrual cycle when most women can conceive By looking at the information you have provided about your menstrual cycle the software can calculate how closely your sexual experience fell in line with the predicted window of ovulation You may also be provided with links to more information about ovulation conception unprotected sex home pregnancy tests and abortion options

The test may also take into account the side effects of your chosen birth control method and its effectiveness For example if you use DepoProvera for birth control one of the side effects is missed periods and some weight gain If your significant other has had a vasectomy the test will calculate your chance of pregnancy as extremely low On the other hand if you are having unprotected sex during the period of ovulation chances are significantly increased that you may be pregnant

Online Test Accuracy

No one can tell you whether you are pregnant without a blood or urine pregnancy test however the online pregnancy test results can tell you whether your intercourse may have coincided with the time when you would have expected to ovulate

Finding an Online Pregnancy Test

Visit Epigee Womens Health or PregnancyInfo net Or do an Internet search on online pregnancy test

What To Do If the Test Says Youre Pregnant

Follow up with a home pregnancy tests Remember even though a home pregnancy test may claim to be accurate as soon as five days prior to your next menstruation date the test will be significantly more accurate if you wait until a week after your missed period If the home pregnancy test shows a negative result but you are still experiencing some of the symptoms of pregnancy wait and take the test again in three days or make an appointment with your health care professional

Miscarriage

No one likes to think about something going wrong during a pregnancy but a miscarriage can occur A miscarriage is defined as a pregnancy that ends spontaneously prior to 20 weeks After 20 weeks a baby that dies is referred to as a stillbirth As many as 50 percent of all pregnancies may end in miscarriage It is hard to determine this statistic and many pregnancy losses occur before a woman realizes she is pregnant Most of these pregnancies end in a fetal death within the first 13 weeks for pregnancy A miscarriage can happen for a number of reasons The most common cause is chromosomal problems or genetic abnormalities In these cases during or soon after conception the fetus fails to develop properly Up to 50% of all early fetal deaths can be linked back to this cause

Other common causes include

1. Diabetes

2. Uterus abnormalities

3. A blow to the stomach

4. Caffeine exceeding 300 mg per day

5. Ectopic or tubal pregnancy meaning a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg is implanted someplace other than the uterus

6. Poor nourishment at conception or during pregnancy

7. Fibroids

8. Placenta problems

9. Poor maternal immune system or elevated hormone levels during pregnancy

10. Environmental pollution

11. Alcohol cigarette or recreational drug use

The symptoms of a miscarriage might include spotting which can lead to heavy vaginal bleeding cramps similar to those experienced during a menstrual period and severe abdominal pain Remember Early Pregnancy Symptoms include light spotting during the first few weeks of pregnancy This type of spotting is no reason for concern but if bleeding increases to the point of soaking a sanitary napkin there may be reason for concern Often they start out as small amounts of bleeding or vague abdominal pains that might then become more intense

Most women who experience an early miscarriage require no treatment You will experience what appears to be a heavy period as the uterus expels its contents However if heavy bleeding continues or an infection is indicated a physician may recommend a D C to remove any tissue from the uterus that it does not naturally expel Once it is determined that a pregnancy isnt growing your health care provider will discuss options with you If this is the first miscarriage a woman has experienced chances are your OB provider will not require any follow up treatments however if this is not the first more tests might be suggested such as an ultrasound of the uterus hysteroscopy or an endometrial biopsy.Physically it takes up to a month for a womans body to recover after a fetal loss OB providers typically recommend waiting until after she has experienced one normal menstrual cycle before attempting to get pregnant again Mentally it may take much longer before a woman feels ready to try again Mourning the loss and concerns over subsequent problems can be overwhelming Losing an unborn baby can wreak havoc on your emotional state You may need to go through a grieving process which is natural Some parents choose to plant a tree or bush in memory of their loss You should take your time as you try to heal emotionally It may help if you seek counseling

High Risk Pregnancy

Up to ten percent of all pregnancies are considered high risk pregnancies In other words the health of the mother or child may be at risked due to any number of factors Among the factors that may qualify a pregnancy as high risk are

1. Blood disorders

2. Diabetes

3. Kidney Disease

4. Preelcampsia and eclampsia

5. Clotting disorders

6. Placenta problems

7. Preterm labor

8. Multiple fetuses

9. Mother is over 35yearsold

10. High blood pressure

11. Fetus abnormalities

12. Mother who smokes

The most common among these qualifying factors are hypertension and pregnancy induced hypertension also called in preeclampsia eclampsia gestational diabetes infections preterm labor and birth and blood clots Preeclampsia and eclampsia are conditions in which the mother develops high blood pressure excessive swelling and high amounts of protein in the urine Hyptertension can exist before pregnancy and women are usually on medications to keep their blood pressure in a normal range PIH develops later in the pregnancy and did not exist before the pregnancy developed Your OB provider will watch your blood pressure and excessive weight gain during pregnancy You can help avoid these problems through a healhty high protein and high fiber diet drinking lots of water and decreasing stress during your pregnacy If these conditions develop and get serious your OB provider might will encourage you to have your baby early Once you have your baby these conditions usually go away If PIH diagnosed many women are put on bed rest until their expected birthing dates In more severe cases a early birth might be recommended to assure the safety of both the mother and child

Gestational diabetes GDM is another condition that can develop during pregnancy Increased sugar levels in the blood and excessive insulin can result in very large babies and higher blood sugar levels Women who are at higher risk of developing GDM include At risk would be Women who develop gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies or Women who weigh over 200 Women who have had 9 babies Women with PCOS Women with a family history of diabetes

Over 50 percent of women who have GDM can develop diabetes later in their pregnancy and need to be tested after their babies birth for Type II Diabetes Careful attention to diet and exercise can help prevent the development of Type II Diabetes

Common infections such as a cold may not present any significant risk to a pregnant woman or her fetus but other infections such as Parvo B19 CMV and toxoplasmosis can affect the development of the fetus and give you a high risk pregnancy This is why it is important for pregnant women to avoid the following

1. Eating raw meat or fish

2. Drinking unpasteurized drinks

3. Eating soft unpasteurized cheeses

4. Changing cat litter

5. Gardening without gloves

6. Respiratory infections

7. Blood Clots

Blood clots during pregnancy can create lifethreatening conditions for both the mother and fetus Blood clots move through blood vessels and can end up in the lungs If this happens the life of both mother and the fetus can be endangered Family or personal history can be indicators of a womans chance of a highrisk pregnancy due to blood clotting issues Symptoms of blood clotting problems include pain or swelling in the legs shortness of breath or chest pains

Preterm labor is when your baby is trying to be born before it has completed its development A baby born before 37 weeks is considered preterm Lung maturity is a major concern with a preterm birth but feeding problems and neurological problems can develop if a baby is born too early There are many things you can do to prevent preterm birth Cutting back on your activities decreasing stress eating a healthy diet avoding smoking infections and other risky behaviors There are screening tools that can detect possible preterm birth that your OB provider might suggest There are also medications and treatments that can help prevent preterm birth

The best way to determine if your pregnancy is high risk is to schedule an appointment with your OB provider Your medical provider will ask questions about your personal and family history and run a series of tests over the course of your pregnancy to ensure you and your baby have the best possible chance at a healthy birth Remember conditions creating a high risk pregnancy can develop any time over the course of your pregnancy Follow up visits with your health care provider are essential to making sure you and your child remain healthy If you receive a high risk diagnosis this does not necessarily mean you will lose your baby or the baby will be born with health problems More than ninety percent of all high risk pregnancies result in the birth of healthy children What a high risk pregnancy diagnosis does means it is even more important that you adhere to the advice of your OB provider and adhere to a schedule of regular obstetric exams throughout your entire pregnancy The precautions you take today may mean a world of difference

Hypertension in Pregnancy

One theory is hypertension in pregnancy is an abnormal reaction to the increase in blood volume during pregnancy The blood vessels are supposed to dilate in order to accommodate the increase but sometimes this process doesnt happen correctly A moderate rise in pressure isnt harmful but a severe rise can be dangerous An average blood pressure is about 120 70 and doctors generally arent too concerned if the bottom number or the diastolic measurement increases by only ten or 15 points However if a woman already has a higherthanaverage blood pressure a moderate rise might mean that her numbers become worrisome A blood pressure measurement is part of every prenatal visit Hypertension in pregnancy may damage the way the placenta functions making it work harder to transfer oxygen and nutrients to the fetus The baby may become malnourished and grow more slowly than usual This process is called IUGR or Intra Uterine Growth Restriction High blood pressure is also associated with Placental Abruption which is a very serious condition where the placenta detaches from the uterus before the birth of the baby Women with high blood pressure might need medication to keep their blood pressure levels within the safety range Doctors can prescribe medicines which can be safely used during pregnancy Sometimes hypertension in pregnancy is part of a different syndrome which used to be called Toxemia but is now generally referred to as preeclampsia Preeclampsia is a combination of symptoms with a wide range of expression Often it is a very mild condition other times it can be lifethreatening One of the primary purposes of prenatal care is to identify the woman with preeclampsia so she can receive treatment before she becomes dangerously ill

There are three symptoms historically used to identify the preeclampsia

1. A rising blood pressure

2. Edema meaning swelling from excess fluid

3. Proteinuria when a protein called albumin is found in the urine

Of course we know most women experience some degree of swelling during pregnancy If the swelling is only in the feet or ankles and if it is gone in the morning after a nights sleep it is probably normal edema Some women will also occasionally have a trace of protein in their urine and many will have a slight rise in blood pressure in the last month of pregnancy This makes it harder to tell if they are experiencing the onset of mild preeclampsia so a doctor or midwife may schedule extra prenatal visits to monitor conditions more closely She will probably order a blood test to look for changes which are often seen in preeclampsia such as a rise or fall in hematocrit and a change in liver function Mild preeclampsia probably only needs to be watched A woman will usually reach full term with no harm to her or her baby But if the condition changes or if it starts to affect the health of mother or baby intervention is needed The cure for preeclampsia is to deliver the baby even if this means the baby is born prematurely If the cervix is ripe labor will be induced If the cervix is unripe or the baby is very premature the safest choice may be to deliver by cesarean section This decision is best made in consultation with a perinatologist The doctors will compare the benefit of waiting for greater fetal maturity against the risk that the preeclampsia may worsen to a dangerous state of severe preeclampsia or eclampsia On average five to ten percent of pregnant women have some signs of preeclampsia About five percent of the women with mild preeclampsia may develop severe preeclampsia About five percent of the women with severe preeclampsia may continue to progress all the way to eclampsia As you can see severe preeclampsia is uncommon and eclampsia itself is rare But eclampsia is such an extremely dangerous condition for both the mother and the baby that every possible effort to be made to prevent preeclampsia from developing into eclampsia Eclampsia is a type of convulsion It is thought to be caused by cerebral irritation probably as result of the severely disturbed metabolic condition Women with eclampsia go into extreme convulsions They may stop breathing The placenta may abrupt The baby may die and in severe cases the mother may die too Fortunately women in developed counties have access to medical care so that preeclampsia is successfully treated and eclampsia is prevented Eclamptic convulsions are now fortunately extremely rare.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure and pregnancy can be a dangerous combination If you have high blood pressure and are thinking about getting pregnant make sure you check in with your doctor Youll want to do everything possible to keep you and baby safe High blood pressure is a problem even when youre not pregnant If not treated it increases your risk of heart attack and stroke It can also cause problems with your kidneys and your vision High blood pressure wont usually affect your ability to conceive However once you become pregnant high blood pressure brings a new set of risks It can reduce the blood flow to the placenta The placenta is the babys connection to your own body allowing oxygen and nutrients to pass from you to him her Without proper blood flow the placenta doesnt work right and your baby cant grow properly Another risk from high blood pressure is placental abruption Normally the placenta is attached to the wall of your uterus until the baby is born If it detaches too early which is called abruption you can have severe bleeding into the uterus This is dangerous for both you and the baby High blood pressure can also increase the chance of your baby being premature If you normally control your high blood pressure with diet and exercise following the same routine may be all you need to do Check with your doctor to find out if your exercises are safe for the baby or if theres a time in pregnancy when you should stop Some blood pressure medications are considered safe to use during pregnancy but some are not If your high blood pressure is mild your doctor may have you stop taking medicine altogether Most women experience a drop in blood pressure during the first half of pregnancy Its possible that your blood pressure will be normal during that time Later on close monitoring will help you know if treatment is needed

Doctors dont know if any blood pressure medicines are 100% safe during pregnancy but some are safer than others Methyldopa Brand name Aldomet is often used for the combination of chronic high blood pressure and pregnancy The FDA rates it as usually safe in pregnancy Side effects include dry mouth and sleepiness Serious adverse effects include liver problems Pindolol Brand name Visken This medicine is a type of betablocker Many betablockers are not used in pregnancy because they are thought to cause mild fetal growth restriction Pindolol seems to have a lower risk of causing this problem although doctors cant say for sure Its also rated usually safe by the FDANifedipine Brand names Adalat and Procardia This is a type of calcium channel blocker The FDA says that safety during pregnancy has not been established which simply means that it hasnt been thoroughly studied Many doctors feel that its safe your own doctor can help you make the decision

Angiotensinconverting enzyme ACE inhibitors Brand names Vasotec Prinivil and Altace ACE inhibitors should not be used during pregnancy They can cause the babys kidneys to develop improperly and even lead to fetal death Angiotensin II receptor blockers are another type of medicine that work in a similar way They should be avoided during pregnancy too

Early in your pregnancy your doctor will do some routine tests to check for anemia and other problems For women with high blood pressure these tests should always include a urine test for protein and a blood test for liver function This is because preeclampsia a dangerous condition that can develop during pregnancy involves high blood pressure protein in the urine and sometimes liver problems The high blood pressure in preeclampsia has a different cause than chronic high blood pressure and it can signal immediate danger If your blood pressure goes up during your pregnancy your doctor will need to know if its just your usual high blood pressure or a sign of preeclampsia .

Pregnancy Loss

Pregnancy loss can happen in many ways You could have a miscarriage or a stillbirth You may choose to have an abortion because of serious problems with the baby No matter how pregnancy loss happens its normal to feel sad You may also feel helpless angry and disappointed that you will never get to meet your baby Miscarriages stillbirths and birth defects can have many origins They may be due to health problems in the mother Lifestyle choices like smoking can make miscarriage also called spontaneous abortion more likely Much of the time though miscarriage is the result of a genetic accident The growth and development from embryo to fetus to baby is very complicated Even if both parents are healthy its possible for something to go wrong To learn more about why pregnancy loss happens visit the articles on Miscarriage and Spontaneous Abortion Some people arent deeply troubled by pregnancy loss If youre able to accept the loss of your pregnancy put it behind you and move on thats great If youre having trouble though there are many things you can do to help overcome your sadness Just because you never met this baby doesnt mean he or she wasnt real to you You might have chosen a name picked out furniture for a nursery maybe even started saving for college No one would question the need for a funeral if your baby had died after birth Having a memorial for the pregnancy that you lost can also help ease your pain and allow you to feel closure Choose a location It could be your home a friends home a favorite outdoor place or anywhere you feel safe and comfortable Gather friends Pregnancy loss is a very personal thing so make this gathering personal too Invite only your closest friends and most supportive family members Say a prayer together If youre not religious choose a favorite poem or write a message of love to the baby Rabbi Goldie Milgram who has developed mourning rituals for miscarriage suggests having your loved ones recite a sentence from Psalm 185 From a narrow place this woman or couple cries out we hear her you we care for her you her your sorrow is huge Narrow place brings images of a woman trapped in sadness The Hebrew word for narrow place can also mean birth canal a reference to your loss

Write about your sadness or disappointment Then in a safe place and with your friends around you set the paper alight and let the flames carry your bad feelings away Women often pretend that everything is fine even if theyre feeling terrible Maybe your partner is sad about the pregnancy loss and you dont want to burden him with your pain Maybe you feel silly for mourning a baby who was never born Burying your feelings can be very stressful You may find yourself having trouble concentrating lashing out at loved ones or crying at unexpected times Acknowledging your feelings can free up your energy so you can begin to heal

Premature Birth

Premature births are those babies that are born less than 37 weeks along According to the March of Dimes about 12 percent of babies in the United States are born preterm Approximately 84 percent are born between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation Roughly 10 percent are born between 28 and 31 weeks and about 6 percent are born at less than 28 weeks of gestation Prematurity is the leading cause of death in newborns during the first month of lifeThere are many risk factors that may help explain why women go into labor early However nearly half of all premature births occur for unknown reasons

Here are some factors that can put you at risk

1. Delivering a previous premature baby

2. Having an infection such as a urinary tract infection beta strep STD or bladder infection

3. Having uterine or cervical complications

4. Being younger than 17 or older than 35

5. Being AfricanAmerican and or economically poor

6. Receiving late or no prenatal care

7. Smoking drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs

8. Being a victim of domestic violence or having little or no social support

9. Being stressed

10. Working long hours or performing a job that requires long periods of standing or walking

11. Being obese or underweight before your pregnancy

12. Carrying multiple babies or carrying a baby with a certain type of birth defect

13. Being diagnosed with high blood pressure or clotting disorders

14. Undergoing in vitro fertilization

15. Waiting a short amount of time between pregnancies less than 69 months

You also may also be induced before your baby is at fullterm if your health or your babys health is in jeopardy Health complications that may require an early induction include

1. Preeclampsia

2. Pregnancyinduced hypertension

3. Maternal diabetes

4. Heart disease

5. Placental abruption when the placenta detaches early from the uterine wall

Your care provider will try very hard to stop preterm labor However if your membranes rupture he she may have no choice but to deliver your baby It is vital if you are going into preterm labor that it is caught quickly If you experience any labor symptoms before 37 weeks you need to contact your care provider immediately If your cervix is dilating or you are having real contractions and not Braxton Hick contractions your care provider may put you on bed rest This can mean anything from not being allowed to get out of bed to being able to move around your house and sit up in bed or on the couch Your care provider may also use certain medicines to halt labor Terbutaline is used to relax the uterus Terbutaline may be given to you as a shot when if you come into the hospital You can also take in pill form every couple of hours in your home If labor does not stop your doctor may give you magnesium sulfate through an IV Magnesium sulfate will relax all of your muscles You will be required to stay in bed be on a fetal monitor and have your blood pressure monitored There is a great deal of debate about the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate If labor cannot be halted your doctor may give you corticosteroids to help mature your babys lungs You can find more information about the complications of prematurity at March of Dimes Respiratory Distress Syndrome RDS is a breathing difficultly many babies born before 34 weeks have Babies with RDS may need additional oxygen and mechanical breathing assistance to help them breathe The sickest or most premature babies may need a respirator

Jaundice happens when preemies livers are too immature to process a waste called bilrubin Though fullterm babies may become slightly jaundiced premature babies are more sensitive to the effects of excess bilrubin Too much bilirubin can cause brain damage though with medical technology this is usually prevented

Apnea occurs when babies stop breathing for 20 seconds or more It may be accompanied by a slow heart rate Preemies are constantly monitored for apnea If your baby stops breathing in the NICU the nurse will stimulate your baby to help him her start breathing again One of the monitors your baby may be attached to in the NICU checks for apnea Intraventricular hemorrhage IVH is bleeding in the brain and occurs in the most premature babies While IVH can cause brain damage many brain bleeds resolve themselves with no or few long term complications

Patent ductus arteriosus PDA is a heart problem fairly common in premature babies A large artery in the heart called the ductus arteriosus may not develop properly It can lead to heart failure and lack of oxygen to the organs

Retinopathy of prematurity ROP is an abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye It can cause damage to the retina of the eye vision loss or blindness

Preemies are often are anemic which means they do not have enough red blood cells Anemic babies may develop feeding problems and can have exacerbated heart or breathing difficulties

Premature babies are more prone to infections and viruses Preemies are more likely to contract pneumonia sepsis and meningitis