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An enlivening time for you and your family, pregnancy can be challenging and difficult at times. The toughest decision initially is to choose the right time to have a baby, which means getting ready for an extended family. When you and your partner have taken the first step, it's time you begin the healthy start.
- Stop smoking
- Stop drinking
- Stop drugs
- Begin your morning walks or any form of exercise
- Go for a healthy diet including lots of fruits and vegetables
- If you are taking an x-ray, tell the doctor you are trying for pregnancy
Once you are pregnant, you will face many unfamiliar changes. There will be days when you will have highs and days when you will feel very low. Discomforts regarding your physical changes are common, but you have to adjust to it.
The pregnancy period is divided into three stages of three months each. Each of these stages brings new changes. Different emotions, physical changes and many moods will see to the development of fetus. Your relationship with your partner undergoes a change. You think in terms of three in the family and not two. It helps in forming a new bond. Both of you will enjoy the new phase of responsibilities and will value the love and support you share to cope with the feelings.
Pregnancy changes your sexual relations with your partner. Normally, a decrease in sexual activity is visible during the first trimester and as it reaches the third trimester, your body expands and some sexual activities become uncomfortable to perform.
During your pregnancy, it is natural to worry about birth-complications or your own ability to cope with labor pains.
Premature Labor
If labor starts before 37 weeks, you will have premature labor. Some signs of premature labor include:
- Stomach pains which doesn't go away
- Bleeding
- Fever, chills, dizziness
- Increase in the amount of vaginal discharge
- Change in baby's movements
Labor
Contractions and pinkish mucus are the two important signs of labor. If you can time your contractions, you can determine the labor time. There are three stages of labor: early labor, active labor and transition. During the early labor, the cervix begins to thin and opens to three centimeters. The contractions get stronger during the second stage. And in the transition stage, the cervix is dilated to ten centimeters. The contractions will be long and stronger with very little time in between.
Labor is experienced differently by all women. There is pain during labor. But now you can attend many pre-natal classes and learn new ways of relaxation. Massages, breathing techniques and medications will help you well.
Soon after your baby is born the first mini check up for your baby completes within a minute. It is called the Apgar score, which is a standard way to measure the baby's response at birth.
The more you learn about pregnancy, the more you can really enjoy the experience of being pregnant. Pregnancy is a special period for a woman and her partner and what follows the childbirth experience is even more special to explain. |
