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Pregnancy Symptoms, Signs and Symptoms of Being Pregnant
By Brian Gardner


EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

Although a lot of women experience pregnancy symptoms, and find signs of being pregnant, other's don't "feel" pregnant. Certain signs and symptoms of being pregnant can be confused with other illnesses. The following list are some telltale symptoms of pregnancy. Morning sickness is one of the most common signs of being pregnant, but you also might be one of the lucky ones who never experience this pregnancy symptom. Missing a period is another sign and symptom of being pregnant. We'll go into greater detail below, and you can read below.

MISSING A PERIOD

One of the most common signs and symptoms of being pregnant, missing a period can also be caused by other reasons. Although missing a period is one of the most common of the pregnancy symptoms, stress, illness, weight fluctuations or coming off the oral contraceptive pill can also be the cause of this. Irregular periods are a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition in which periods can occur several months apart. If you still feel like you are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms, continue reading the other signs of being pregnant.

TENDERNESS OF THE BREAST

Another sign and symptom of pregnancy is the changing of size and feel of your breast. As early as a few days after conception, this pregnancy symptom may occur. Your breast is beginning to enlarge, as it gets ready for breastfeeding. Many women claim that their breasts are very sensitive and that they experience a very sharp, tingling sensation as well. Being one of the signs and symptoms of being pregnant, the tenderness of the breast often disappears a few weeks later.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Considered another one of the classic sign and symptoms of being pregnant, nausea and vomiting, (aka morning sickness) has become one of the most feared of all pregnancy symptoms. Feeling sick is a common complaint and is experienced by most women from weeks 5 to 6 of their pregnancy. However, morning sickness can also be felt as early as two weeks after conception. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, and can vary from an occasional faint sensation to overwhelming vomiting and nausea. By and large, morning sickness is one of the pregnancy symptoms that tends to disappear towards the end of the first trimester.

TIREDNESS

Many women experience fatigue as one of their pregnancy symptoms. Although this might be a sign of being pregnant, it can also indicate other things as well.

DARKENING OF THE AREOLA

Being one of the first physical symptoms of pregnancy, the darkening of the areola can occur throughout your entire pregnancy. If you notice the darkening of the areola, this could be considered one of the signs and symptoms of being pregnant.

FREQUENT URINATION

If you experience that you are urinating more frequently, this might be another of the pregnancy symptoms that confirm that you are pregnant. As early as two weeks after conception, you might find yourself experience this pregnancy symptom. The pressure of the literally reducing size of your bladder is the cause of this. Your uterus beings to rise up into the abdomen, and this annoying pregnancy symptom is the result. Rising levels of the pregnancy hormone progesterone stimulate the bladder muscles, so that it feels full, even though you might not need to urinate. Of all of the pregnancy symptoms, and signs of being pregnant, women sometimes find this to be the most annoying.

CHANGES IN TASTE AND SMELL

Don't be surprised if you experience this pregnancy sign and symptom. Many women claim that certain foods make them feel queasy - while others experience a craving for other foods. Another sign of this pregnancy symptom, is a strange metallic taste.

CONSTIPATION

Another of the annoying signs and symptoms of being pregnant, constipation occurs.

CONFIRMING YOUR PREGNANCY

Two weeks after conception, your baby is no bigger than a pinhead, comprised of a few balls of cells. As it begins to develop in the lining of the uterus, the placenta begins to form and produce necessary pregnancy hormones. Below are some ways to confirm that the pregnancy symptoms and signs of being pregnant that you have noticed are accurate, and that you will be having a baby.

HOME PREGNANCY TESTS

Being very accurate, these tests can be purchased at a local drugstore, and can confirm pregnancy by detecting the level of HCG in your urine. Your health care provider may rely on this test, and may only repeating testing if complications arise. If you receive a positive result, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor so that they can confirm you are pregnant and begin follow-up.

OFFICE URINE TEST

Similar to that of a home pregnancy test, and office urine test confirms pregnancy by also detecting the level of HCG in your urine. Being nearly 100% accurate, this test does not require you to urinate first thing in the morning. This type of test also can determine that the signs and symptoms of being pregnant hold true, and that your pregnancy symptoms are right.

PREGNANCY BLOOD TEST

In order to assist dating your pregnancy, your healthcare provider may also perform a pregnancy blood test. This particular pregnancy test can give you a positive or negative result, and once again detects the level of HCG. This time, it detects that level in your blood, and depending on your pregnancy symptoms, helps them determine what kind of care to give you. Pregnancy blood tests are useful if there are any concerns about miscarriage, or if there are indications that an unusual pregnancy is occurring.

INTERNAL EXAM

Four to six weeks after conception, your doctor can receive indefinite proof by examining you internally. Certain signs like the thickening of vaginal tissues and the softening of your uterus will confirm that the pregnancy symptoms are right on!

Brian Gardner is the Founder of PregnancyEtc.com - An Online Pregnancy Resource For 9 Months & Beyond. Having recently experienced pregnancy firsthand with his wife Shelly, Brian has dedicated his efforts towards pregnancy research. The development of http://www.pregnancyetc.com was to ensure that expecting parents had a place to find information on pregnancy and babies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/










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Pregnancy Symptoms, Signs and Symptoms of Being Pregnant
By Brian Gardner


EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

Although a lot of women experience pregnancy symptoms, and find signs of being pregnant, other's don't "feel" pregnant. Certain signs and symptoms of being pregnant can be confused with other illnesses. The following list are some telltale symptoms of pregnancy. Morning sickness is one of the most common signs of being pregnant, but you also might be one of the lucky ones who never experience this pregnancy symptom. Missing a period is another sign and symptom of being pregnant. We'll go into greater detail below, and you can read below.

MISSING A PERIOD

One of the most common signs and symptoms of being pregnant, missing a period can also be caused by other reasons. Although missing a period is one of the most common of the pregnancy symptoms, stress, illness, weight fluctuations or coming off the oral contraceptive pill can also be the cause of this. Irregular periods are a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition in which periods can occur several months apart. If you still feel like you are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms, continue reading the other signs of being pregnant.

TENDERNESS OF THE BREAST

Another sign and symptom of pregnancy is the changing of size and feel of your breast. As early as a few days after conception, this pregnancy symptom may occur. Your breast is beginning to enlarge, as it gets ready for breastfeeding. Many women claim that their breasts are very sensitive and that they experience a very sharp, tingling sensation as well. Being one of the signs and symptoms of being pregnant, the tenderness of the breast often disappears a few weeks later.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Considered another one of the classic sign and symptoms of being pregnant, nausea and vomiting, (aka morning sickness) has become one of the most feared of all pregnancy symptoms. Feeling sick is a common complaint and is experienced by most women from weeks 5 to 6 of their pregnancy. However, morning sickness can also be felt as early as two weeks after conception. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, and can vary from an occasional faint sensation to overwhelming vomiting and nausea. By and large, morning sickness is one of the pregnancy symptoms that tends to disappear towards the end of the first trimester.

TIREDNESS

Many women experience fatigue as one of their pregnancy symptoms. Although this might be a sign of being pregnant, it can also indicate other things as well.

DARKENING OF THE AREOLA

Being one of the first physical symptoms of pregnancy, the darkening of the areola can occur throughout your entire pregnancy. If you notice the darkening of the areola, this could be considered one of the signs and symptoms of being pregnant.

FREQUENT URINATION

If you experience that you are urinating more frequently, this might be another of the pregnancy symptoms that confirm that you are pregnant. As early as two weeks after conception, you might find yourself experience this pregnancy symptom. The pressure of the literally reducing size of your bladder is the cause of this. Your uterus beings to rise up into the abdomen, and this annoying pregnancy symptom is the result. Rising levels of the pregnancy hormone progesterone stimulate the bladder muscles, so that it feels full, even though you might not need to urinate. Of all of the pregnancy symptoms, and signs of being pregnant, women sometimes find this to be the most annoying.

CHANGES IN TASTE AND SMELL

Don't be surprised if you experience this pregnancy sign and symptom. Many women claim that certain foods make them feel queasy - while others experience a craving for other foods. Another sign of this pregnancy symptom, is a strange metallic taste.

CONSTIPATION

Another of the annoying signs and symptoms of being pregnant, constipation occurs.

CONFIRMING YOUR PREGNANCY

Two weeks after conception, your baby is no bigger than a pinhead, comprised of a few balls of cells. As it begins to develop in the lining of the uterus, the placenta begins to form and produce necessary pregnancy hormones. Below are some ways to confirm that the pregnancy symptoms and signs of being pregnant that you have noticed are accurate, and that you will be having a baby.

HOME PREGNANCY TESTS

Being very accurate, these tests can be purchased at a local drugstore, and can confirm pregnancy by detecting the level of HCG in your urine. Your health care provider may rely on this test, and may only repeating testing if complications arise. If you receive a positive result, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor so that they can confirm you are pregnant and begin follow-up.

OFFICE URINE TEST

Similar to that of a home pregnancy test, and office urine test confirms pregnancy by also detecting the level of HCG in your urine. Being nearly 100% accurate, this test does not require you to urinate first thing in the morning. This type of test also can determine that the signs and symptoms of being pregnant hold true, and that your pregnancy symptoms are right.

PREGNANCY BLOOD TEST

In order to assist dating your pregnancy, your healthcare provider may also perform a pregnancy blood test. This particular pregnancy test can give you a positive or negative result, and once again detects the level of HCG. This time, it detects that level in your blood, and depending on your pregnancy symptoms, helps them determine what kind of care to give you. Pregnancy blood tests are useful if there are any concerns about miscarriage, or if there are indications that an unusual pregnancy is occurring.

INTERNAL EXAM

Four to six weeks after conception, your doctor can receive indefinite proof by examining you internally. Certain signs like the thickening of vaginal tissues and the softening of your uterus will confirm that the pregnancy symptoms are right on!

Brian Gardner is the Founder of PregnancyEtc.com - An Online Pregnancy Resource For 9 Months & Beyond. Having recently experienced pregnancy firsthand with his wife Shelly, Brian has dedicated his efforts towards pregnancy research. The development of http://www.pregnancyetc.com was to ensure that expecting parents had a place to find information on pregnancy and babies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/










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A Teen Pregnancy Can be a Crisis
By Valerie Giles


A pregnancy web site is an excellent resource for women of all backgrounds and ages, especially in the case of teen pregnancy. A pregnancy web site can let a girl know the first month symptom of pregnancy and very early sign of pregnancy she may be experiencing so that she can early on get proper medical attention and advice.

For a pregnant teen the information on a pregnancy web site from first month symptom of pregnancy to very early sign of pregnancy can be invaluable in what most likely is an emotional and difficult time. Teen pregnancy statistics tell us that babies born in the United States to teenage mothers have a higher chance for school failure, poverty and physical or mental illness. While that is not good news for an expecting mother to hear, it will perhaps help influence the future decisions that young mother may have to make. Teen pregnancy can be a crisis for a young mom and it is very important that if a teenager finds out she is pregnant she immediately seek out assistance, through a visit with a medical doctor or counselor who can answer her questions and provide proper medical attention.

A pregnancy web site is also a confidential way for a teen to look up a first month symptom of pregnancy and a very early sign of pregnancy that she may be experiencing and have a chance to think about her current situation if she is indeed pregnant. There are also great message boards available on a pregnancy web site some of which may include; new moms, expectant moms, raising babies and single mothers. There are plenty of pregnancy web sites with information to include:


baby name finders,
due date calculators,
prenatal (morning sickness and prenatal care),
childbirth (birthing methods),
breast feeding (benefits of, techniques),
postpartum (postpartum depression and postpartum exercises)
and new trends in labor pain medications.

A pregnancy web site is so very helpful at letting a teenage girl know that she is not alone in what she is going through.

Some other information a pregnancy web site on teen pregnancy can include are facts such as how teen pregnancy rates are a lot higher in the United States compared to other developed countries. Each year approximately one million teenage women become pregnant with the majority of those pregnancies being unplanned and about one quarter of those teenage mothers having a second child within two years. While these pregnancy statistics teen seem somewhat overwhelming it can be noted that overall the teen pregnancy rates have declined in recent years.

A pregnancy web site can be an excellent tool when a girl may be experiencing a first month symptom of pregnancy or very early sign of pregnancy. It can be easy to confuse first month symptom of pregnancy as they can be similar to a woman’s regular pre menstrual signs such as swollen tender breasts, fatigue, feeling bloated, cramping and implantation bleeding (which may be mistaken for a normal period). Some of the other earliest possible sign of pregnancy can include; increased saliva, headaches and a change in libido (increase or decrease).

A pregnancy web site may offer advice on first month symptom of pregnancy and very early sign of pregnancy and when a woman will start to experience these symptoms. A woman will usually start to notice symptoms a couple of weeks after conception (twelve to fourteen days) unless a woman is carrying twins, triplets or more as they will have higher levels of pregnancy hormones in the system. If a woman has already had children it is likely that her body will be more sensitive to the hormones and she’ll feel the symptoms sooner.

A pregnancy web site can reveal first month symptom of pregnancy, earliest possible sign of pregnancy and very early sign of pregnancy with the top ten pregnancy signs being:


basal body temperature remaining high,
missed period,
frequent urination,
food aversions,
sensitivity to odors,
nausea (feeling like you don’t want to eat or keep any food down) and vomiting,
implantation bleeding (easily mistaken for a regular period) or cramping,
tender swollen breasts,
fatigue (waking up in morning feeling like you haven’t slept)
and of course the positive home pregnancy test.

While a pregnancy web site may be an invaluable tool to a teenage girl who is dealing with a pregnancy it cannot replace the advice, support and care that a proper medical doctor or counselor can provide. Once a teenage girl finds out that her first month symptom of pregnancy and very early sign of pregnancy are in fact pregnancy she should make sure that her nutritional, emotional and other needs be properly met. Teen pregnancy without a doubt can be a difficult and emotional time and at the earliest possible sign of pregnancy should be met with the right support and care of family, friends and physicians.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Are-You-Pregnant? http://www.are-you-pregnant.com. Find resources and FAQ for expectant parents on our pregnancy web site, including symptoms of pregnancy, conception calculator, trimester development, child birth, breast feeding as well as maternity merchandise. The accompanying article is copyrighted. It may be reproduced only if the hyperlinks here are left intact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/











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7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy
by: Jane Thurnell-Read

It is always important to take whatever steps you can to be healthy, but while you are pregnant it is even more important: not only do you need to take good care of yourself, you are also profoundly affecting the life of another person – your baby. Here's 7 tips to help you along the way.

1.If you smoke, one of the most important things you can do is to stop smoking: babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average birth weight, are more likely to be born prematurely, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome than babies of non-smokers. Sometimes mothers feel having a low birth weight baby could be an advantage as it will make the baby easy to deliver. This is not necessarily the case, as it may lead to an emergency delivery, which can result in all sorts of complications. Even if you are already pregnant, stopping smoking will benefit the baby for the rest of your pregnancy. It is not only the baby who benefits. You are likely to suffer from less morning sickness, experience fewer complications and have a more contented baby after the birth.

2. It is also important to pay attention to your diet. Many women feel they should ‘eat for two’, but research has shown that women only need an extra 200-300 calories a day while pregnant, and you may be eating those extra calories anyway. What is important is to ensure that you get the protein, vitamins and minerals necessary to build another human being. Those extra 200-300 calories should not be squandered on chocolate or crisps, but should be eaten as fruit, vegetables, etc. It is also important to increase your water intake, which will help avoid constipation.

3. It is generally a good idea to take a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement too. There are now ones specially formulated for pregnant women. Ideally these should be started before you become pregnant, so that you are in the best shape possible for the pregnancy, and then continued throughout your pregnancy. An adequate supply of vitamins and minerals is important right from conception. For example, a deficiency of one of the B vitamins, folic acid, in the first month of pregnancy may lead to the baby being born with a cleft lip, congenital heart disease or spina bifida. Omega-3 fatty acids (obtained by eating oily fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts, spinach and spirulina, or taken as a supplement) are important for the development of the baby’s eyes and brain. Omega-3 also reduces the risk of premature birth and post-natal depression.

4. Nobody knows how much alcohol it is safe to consume during pregnancy, so many health experts feel it is better to avoid alcohol entirely for the sake of the baby. This can seem hard on the pregnant woman when everyone else is drinking, but it is important to remember that alcohol is a poison for the growing baby, and no caring mother willingly gives her baby poison.

5. Pregnancy is not a time to sit still. Although adequate rest is vitally important, most experts believe that healthy pregnant women should be taking 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.

6. It is also important to minimise exposure to toxic chemicals while pregnant, so spending a lot of time painting the house and laying new carpets is not a good idea, especially in the early stages of pregnancy when the baby is particularly vulnerable.

7. Many women find pregnancy stressful, and this can be a particularly good time to turn to safe, non-invasive options such as Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, kinesiology and other therapies.

Making a new life is something miraculous. Doing the best you can for that new life starts long before you have the baby in your arms for the first time.

About The Author


Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. She has written two books for the general public: "Allergy A to Z" and "Health Kinesiology". She also maintains a web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com with tips, inspiration and information for everyone who wants to live a happier, healthier life.














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Pregnancy
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For a broader view of pregnancy in mammals see mammalian pregnancy. For the medicine of pregnancy, see Obstetrics.

A pregnant womanPregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or feti by female mammals including humans inside their bodies. In a pregnancy there can be multiple gestations. Human pregnancy is the most studied of all mammalian pregnancies.

Human pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks between the time of the last menstrual cycle and birth (38 weeks from fertilisation). The medical term for a pregnant woman is "gravida," just as the medical term for the unborn human is an embryo (early weeks) and then "fetus" (until birth). A woman who is pregnant for the first time is known as a primigravida or gravida 1: a woman who has never been pregnant is known as a gravida 0; conversely, the terms para 0 and para 1 are used for the number of times a woman has given birth.

In many societies' medical and legal definitions, human pregnancy is arbitrarily divided into three trimester periods, as a means to simplify reference to the different stages of fetal development. The first trimester period carries the highest risk of miscarriage (natural death of embryo or fetus), while during the second trimester the development of the fetus can start to be monitored and diagnosed. The third trimester marks the beginning of viability, which means the fetus can survive if an early natural or induced birth occurs. Because of the possible viability of developed fetus, cultural and legal definitions of life often consider a fetus in the third trimester to be a distinct living person.


A pregnant woman, close to term, takes a swimSee also Pregnancy terms and definitions
Contents [hide]
1 Detection and dating
2 Beginning of pregnancy
2.1 Fertilization
2.2 Implantation
3 Duration
4 Medical aspects of pregnancy
5 Diagnosis
6 Birth
7 Postnatal Period
8 Terms and definitions
9 See also
10 Reference
11 External links




Detection and dating
The beginning of pregnancy may be detected in a number of ways, including various pregnancy tests which detect hormones generated by the newly-formed placenta. Clinical blood and urine tests can detect pregnancy as early as 6-8 days after date of conception. Home pregnancy tests are personal urine tests, which normally can't detect a pregnancy until at least 12-15 days after conception. Both clinical and home tests can only detect the state of pregnancy, and cannot detect the actual date of conception.

In practice, for the purpose of giving a date for a conception (i.e. an "age" for an embryo), doctors typically date the pregnancy by "menstrual date," based on the first day after the end of a woman's last menstrual period, as the woman reports it. Unless a woman's recent sexual activity has been limited, the exact date of conception or implantation are unknown. And absent any symptoms of morning sickness, the only visible sign of a pregnancy is often an interruption of her normal monthly menstruation cycle, (i.e. a "late period"). Hence, the "menstrual date" is simply a common educated estimate for the age of a fetus, which is an average of two weeks later than conception, (the margin of error considers 0 to 30 days after last menstruation, hence a 14 day average). The term "conception date" may sometimes be used when that date is more certain, though even medical professionals can be imprecise with their use of the two distinct terms. An unknown date for conception means that in practice the distinction between embryo and fetus is a clinical one only, and not used as to refer to stages of development of a particular pregnancy.


A blastocyst.There are likewise finer distinctions between the concepts of fertilization (conception) and the actual state of pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy, the fertilization of the egg usually will have occurred in the Fallopian tubes or in the uterus. (In women with fertility problems, an egg may become fertilized yet fail to become implanted in the uterus.) If the pregnancy is the result of in-vitro fertilization the fertilization will have occurred in a Petri dish, after which "pregnancy" begins when one or more zygotes implants after being transferred by a physician in the woman's uterus.


A human embryo, two weeks after implantation.In the context of political debates regarding a proper definition of life, the terminology of pregnancy can be confusing. Because precise assessment of a pregnancy as being at the "embryo" or "fetus" stage is usually undeterminable, the terms (though more clinically precise) are less commonly used than terms like "baby" or "child." The medically and politically neutral term which remains is simply "pregnancy," though this can be problematic as it only refers indirectly to the embryo or fetus. In the context of personal treatment, bedside manner generally dictates that doctors make sparse use of clinical language like "fetus" and "embryo," and instead simply refer to the developing child as a "baby."





Beginning of pregnancy

Fertilization
Main article: Fertilization

Conception (fertilization).
Implantation.Before pregnancy begins, a female oocyte (egg) must be fertilized, by male sperm in a process referred to in medicine as "fertilization," or commonly as "conception."


Implantation
In medicine, pregnancy is defined as beginning when a fertilized zygote becomes implanted in a woman's uterus. This occurs when the zygote then becomes embedded into the endometrium (lining of the uterus) where it forms a placenta, for the purpose of receiving essential nutrients through the uterus wall. The umbilical cord in a newborn child signifies the remnants of implantation.


Duration
Traditionally (according to Naegele's Rule, which is used to calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD)), a human pregnancy is considered to last approximately 40 weeks (280 days) from the last menstrual period (LMP), or 38 weeks (266 days) from the date of conception. However, a pregnancy is considered to have reached term between 38 and 42 weeks. Babies born before the 37 week mark are considered premature, while babies born after the 42 week mark are considered postmature.


First month of pregnancy.However, the average length of pregnancy depends on ethnic background of the mother (Caucasian women are more likely to have a longer pregnancy than other women) and if it is a first pregnancy (which tend to last longer than subsequent pregnancies). For example, a Caucasian woman's first pregnancy lasts an average 274 days from conception (288 days from the last menstrual period)[1].

An accurate date of conception is important, because it is used in calculating the results of various prenatal tests (for example, in the triple screen test). A decision may be made to induce labour if a baby is perceived to be overdue. Due dates are only a rough estimate, and the process of accurately dating a pregnancy is complicated by the fact that not all women have 28 day menstrual cycles, or ovulate on the 14th day following their last menstrual period. Approximately 3.6% of all mothers deliver on the due date predicted by LMP, and only 4.7% give birth on the day predicted by ultrasound. [2]


Medical aspects of pregnancy
Main article: Obstetrics




Diagnosis
In a woman who has regular menstrual cycles and is sexually active, a period delayed by a few days or weeks is suggestive of pregnancy
elevated B-hcG to around 100,000 mIU/mL by 10 weeks of gestation

Birth
Main article: Childbirth
Childbirth is the process in which the baby is born. It is considered by many to be the beginning of a person's life, where age is defined relative to this event in most cultures.

A woman is considered to be in labour when she begins experiencing regular painful uterine contractions, accompanied by changes of her cervix — primarily effacement and dilation. While childbirth is widely experienced as painful, some women do report painless labours.


Postnatal Period
Main article: Postnatal
For topics following on from a successful pregnancy and birth, see:

Breastfeeding
Child development

Terms and definitions
TECHNICAL
zygote - from fertilization until second cell division
embryo - conceptus between time of fertilization to 10 weeks of gestation
fetus - from 10 weeks of gestation ot time of birth
FASD - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, a clinical term for the effects alcohol can have on the developing fetus
gestational age - time from last menstrual period (LMP) up to present
gravidity (G) - number of times a woman has been pregnant
infant - time of birth to 1 year of age
viability - minimum age for fetus survival, ca. third trimester
previable infant - delivered prior to 24 weeks
preterm infant - delivered between 24-37 weeks
term infant - delivered between 37-42 weeks
first trimester - up to 14 weeks of gestation
second trimester - 14 to 28 weeks of gestation
third trimester - 28 weeks to delivery



parity (P) - number of pregnancies with a birth beyond 20 weeks GA or an infant weighing more than 500 g
Ga Pw-x-y-z - a = number of pregnancies, w = number of term births, x = number of preterm births, y = number of miscarriages, z = number of living children; for example, G4P1-2-1-3 means the woman had a total of 4 pregnancies, of which 1 is of term, 2 are preterm, 1 miscarriage, and 3 total living children (1 term + 2 preterm).
COLLOQUIAL
There are a number of colloquialisms for pregnancy, usually regional. The action of impregnating a woman or girl is called 'knocking (her) up' in Canada and some parts of the U.S., and the state of being pregnant 'knocked-up'. The term 'lady-in-waiting', meaning a pregnant mother, is used broadly in the U.S. The word 'gone' or 'along' is used to represent gestational time, e.g. 'she's really far gone' or 'about 6 weeks gone' or 'six months along'. In the southern U.S. the euphemism of a water well is occasionally used to represent pregnancy (e.g. 'drink out of the well', to become pregnant), and a baby almost ready to be delivered is 'on his/her road'. Eastern Seaboard slang describes the mother as being 'in a fix' or, occasionally, 'preggers'; the Southern U.S. equivalent is 'in the family way'. An alternate term not slang or colloquial is 'with child', now restricted mainly to England.


See also
Wikimedia Commons has more media related to:
PregnancyAbortion
Lamaze
Obstetrics
Contraception
Twin and Multiple birth
Teenage pregnancy
Pregnancy discrimination
Low birth weight paradox
Pregnancy in science fiction
Melasma
Wrongful abortion
False pregnancy
Simulated pregnancy

Reference
^ Mittendorf R, Williams MA, Berkey CS, Cotter PF. The length of uncomplicated human gestation. Obstet Gynecol 1990;75:929-32. PMID 2342739.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia









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Successful Weight Loss After Pregnancy
by: Christoph Puetz

Pregnancy and gaining weight go along with each other. But once the little one is born the weight put on during pregnancy can be a concern for many women. How fast you lose weight after a pregnancy will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of weight you gained during your pregnancy.

Studies have shown that most women will lose anywhere from 8-16 pounds within the first 2 weeks of delivery. This weight is primarily attributed to the loss of excess fluid in the body, (of course) the baby's weight, the placenta and amniotic fluid that are removed from the body with the birth. Some women might lose a little bit less, and others might lose a little bit more - there is no "one" number.

How do you lose weight? The uterus shrinks back down to its normal size once the baby is born and you lose weight this way. Often women gain around 6-8 pounds of fat during pregnancy. This additional body fat is meant to help women to have enough energy resources available while breastfeeding. How fast this weight comes off depends on a number of factors including: your overall health, genetics, diet and (of course) exercise.

A woman should expect that it will take some time to lose the weight she gained during her pregnancy. It did after all take you nine months to put that weight on! So, do not expect to lose it in 2 weeks. But many women have seen significant weight loss 2 to 4 months after giving birth.

Breast feeding: Some women will hang on to the last few extra pounds they want to lose until they stop breast feeding. The body uses these extra pounds of weight to allow for enough energy resources while breast feeding.

The good news is that with some discipline when it comes to eating and with moderate exercise, a woman can expect to lose the weight she gained during pregnancy within a reasonable time frame.

Experience shows that most women will be back to their pre pregnancy weight within nine months of delivery if they do exercise frequently and eat a healthy diet after delivery. That said some women will lose their pregnancy weight in as little as six to twelve weeks!

About The Author


Christoph Puetz is a successful entrepreneur and international book author. Examples of his search engine optimization work can be found http://www.highlandsranch.us and http://www.smallbusinessland.com.















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