Welcome to my new site, I like to keep myself busy, this site is for parenting, everything from being pregnant, to losing a baby. I also have other sites, which shall be linked to this site, so hope you enjoy being a member of this site. I would like it to be more like a community based site.
Think Your Pregnant, But Not Sure!
Your first clue as to whether you maybe pregnant, it that your periods would have stopped. It may sound obvious, but this is a crucial point. Before the placenta is created your uterus is need to nourish the growing embryo inside you, until the placenta is developed. Of course, you may be someone who has irregular periods, it may take you anything from weeks to months before realizing you might be pregnant. Some women may get spotting around the same time their period was due, this may carry on for the first few months, and is often mistaken for periods. Some women will still get period pains for the first few months, and can be common in women who have stopped taking the pill.
Breasts may be the first thing you notice, a change in how they feel, they may feel tingling, especially around the nipple area, or a sense of fullness, just like before a period. Your breasts are now feeling more tender, and getting bigger, it would be advisable to buy some good supportive bra's.
You may feel tired (fatigue) this may leave you feeling tired and exhausted during the day, or evenings. If you do feel tired, don't try and fight it, this is your bodys way of telling you to lay down for a bit and rest. Your body over the next nine months is going to go under amazing changes, and you need to get as much rest as you possibly can manage.
Nausea is unpleasant, but most pregnancies go through this, known as morning sickness which can be deceptive, as it can come at any time, evenings or night. Usually between weeks 12 and 16, the morning sickness would have come to an end. Having a drink and biscuit beside your bed, can help, ready to eat within minutes of you getting up, as a sudden wave of nausea can be caused by a drop in your blood sugar, this is quite common.
Need to use the loo more often, getting up during the night maybe. This is your body getting ready to clear out all the waste from the baby and yourself that are in your blood. You may even find yourself more constipated than usual. Drink as much fluid as you can more water, or juice is best, and make sure you eat foods which contact fibre.
Take a pregnancy test, pregnancy tests are easy to get hold of, either buy one from your local chemist, see your GP, or go to family planning you can also do you a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are so sensative that they pick up hormones in your urine which you have during pregnancy. Although they are not 100%. So if you do a test and its negative, it is worth trying again in about 7 - 10 days if you feel pregnant, as your result could change. All all depends if there is enough hormone in the urine sample you have taken.
Exercise during pregnancy as long as it is gentle exercise is a good thing. It helps tone up your muscles, and also helps make you feel good inside, and helps support your back. If, however, you are not someone who is used to exercise, start very gently, then gradually build your exercise routine. Stick to easy exercise routines, like walking, swimming or cycling.
You will need to make an appointment with your doctor, so that he can refer you to the local antinatal clinic at your hosptial. Where you shall receive antental care up until you give birth. If you want a home delivery, you may need to ask for a GP or midwife that feels confident enough in providing this service. After all whoever delivers your baby, but be up-to-date with latest information, and experienced in delivery a baby.
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Pregnancy Tests
1. There are three ways in which you can test to find out your pregnant:
Pop around to your local family planning, ask them to do a pregnancy test for you, although they will not be able to refer you to the hospital. You can also get your GP to test you to find out if you are pregnant, you G.P will be able to refer you to a local hospital. The tests done with family planning and G.P. are free.
You can also buy pregnancy tests, these can be expensive, although worth looking around, sometimes you can see packs of three for the price of two.
Of course you can go private, but this will be costly.
Tests at your First Antenatal Visit
WEIGHT & HEIGHT
Each time you visit your antenatal department, you will have your weight taken, on your first visit your height will be taken as well. This is to keep an eye on your weight during your pregnancy, as a quick increase of weight can mean diabetes. The average weight gain in pregnancy is 10 - 12.5kilos (22- 28lbs), although most women do go over that figure. Most of the weight also goes on in the last three months of pregnancy.
ABDOMINAL EXAMINATION-PALPATION
Every visit to see your midwife, doctor, or consultant, your stomach with be palpated, this is an examination which tells your midwife or doctor how your baby is growing in the uterus, how the foetus is lying in the uterus, and roughly the size of the baby, when compared to dates. This will also be established during a ultrasonic scan at a later stage of pregnancy, usually 12 weeks, 18 weeks, 24 weeks, and maybe a growth scan at 34 weeks.
URINE TESTING
Every time you visit your midwife, you will be asked to take a midsteam urine sample, this is to check for protein, and sugar in the urine. They ask you to do a midsteam, as the first part of your urine, is often dirty, and not as clean as midsteam, which provides better results when tested.
Protein - this can indicate the first signs of infection, it can also be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
Glucose - If glucose is found in your urine on repeated occasions, this can be a sign of diabetes. This usually only lasts during the pregnancy, and can be controlled by diet, or possibly by taking insulin.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Each visit your blood pressure will be taken, it is quiet normal that during the first three months, you pressure might drop slightly, this should not be a problem as long as you do not experience dizzyness on a regular basis. Although this is quiet common with low blood pressure for you to feel lightheaded, or dizzy if you stand up to quickly.
High blood pressure can be a problem. It can lead to pre-eclampsia a dangerous condition during pregnancy if not treated. You will need to rest more, and keep your feet raised, at above heart level. You will also discuss with your doctor a management plan of this if your blood pressure continues to rise.
With protein in your urine samples, and swelling of ankles, fingers, hands, face which is known as oedema. This can indicate pre-eclampsia, a very dangerous condition during pregnancy, for both mother and unborn baby. Often more common in the later stages of pregnancy. It is treated by bedrest, (sometimes in hospital), and drugs. In some cases the baby may be delivered early.
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BLOOD TESTS
When you attend your first antenatal appointment, some blood will be taken, and shall be tested for the following:
Rhesus Factor - Everyone is either rhesus positive, or negative. For most people who show up from the test to be positive, there is no posing problem, if you are rhesus negative, this should not affect your first baby. At the delivery, however, you may need an injection to be given to you, to prevent a problem for subsequent babies you may have later in life.
Blood Group - In case you need an emergency transfusion, its important we know your blood group.
Immunity to German Measles (Rubella), during pregnancy if you are not immune to rebella you will need to take extra care to avoid any contact with it during your pregnancy. You will be likely to be offered an immunisation after your baby is born, an may be re-tested later during your pregnancy.
Haemoglobin level - This will be tested throughout your pregnancy, you could need to take supplements to prevent anaemia or treat it.
Aids/HIV - Many antenatal clinics around the UK, now offer you a routinely done test to all pregnant women to test them for Aids and HIV. If the test has not been offered you can request a test to be done. You may also refuse the test. This can be taken when you have your first lot of blood taken on your first visit to antenatal.
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