Sunday 3 February 2013

Third Trimester of Pregnancy

What will happen to Mother?

Mother:
  • Irregular, painless contractions of the uterus may be experienced. (Braxton Hicks contractions)

  • Heartburn, haemorrhoids, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping may be experienced in the early part of the third trimester.

  • Toward the end of the third trimester, breathing may improve due to the uterus settling down into the pelvis, this may also cause an increase in frequency of urination.

What will happen to Baby?

Baby:

  • The baby becomes aware of sounds outside the body, the pupils can react to light

  • The baby stores fat under the skin

  • The baby increases the store of maternal antibodies and thus resists some diseases.

  • By 40 weeks, the baby is 45-55cm long (18-22in.) and usually weighs at least 3200g or 7lbs.

Second Trimester of Pregnancy

What will happen to Mother?

Mother:
  • The uterus has risen in the abdomen decreasing pressure on the bladder

  • The breasts may begin to secrete colostrum

  • The mother may feel the baby's movements now.

  • The mother may experience back and leg pain, constipation, varicose veins, or mild swelling of the ankles, feet, hands, and face.

And what will happen to Baby?

Baby:

  • The head has hair, as do the eyebrows and eyelashes.

  • The baby's heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope.

  • The baby's movements can be felt by the mother.

  • The baby is 30cm or 12 inches, and weighs 600 grams or 1 1/4 lb by 24 weeks.

  • By 26 weeks, the baby's outline may be felt through the abdomen.

First Trimester of Pregnancy

To all mothers in the world:

I want to share info about what will gonna happen to you and your baby in the first trimester of your pregnancy.
This is so a wonderful time, just enjoy it with fun & no worries.

Mother:
  • The breasts will start to change, becoming larger, and tender as hormone changes cause changes in breast tissue. This is to prepare them for breastfeeding. The pigment of the areola may also get darker, and small lumps may appear called Montgomery's tubercles.

  • Nausea and vomiting may occur at any time of the day usually lasting 8-12 weeks.

  • Mother may feel very tired as her energy demands increase.

  • Some women experience headaches as a result of the physical and emotional changes.

  • A dark line may appear from your navel downward (linea nigra)

  • Increased frequency of urination due to pressure on the bladder



Baby:


  • By eight weeks the fetus has all the organs including the heart that is already pumping. Bone formation has begun.

  • By twelve weeks, the baby's sex can be determined. The baby teeth are present in the gums. Fingernails and toenails are forming. The baby can move in the amniotic fluid, but the movements are small and cannot be felt by the mother.

  • The baby is 9cm or 3.5 inches, and weighs 15 grams or 0.5 oz

Thursday 24 January 2013

First Trimester Basics

by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo.

The first trimester is the most critical time in your pregnancy. Although the fetus at the end of three months is only about 4 inches long and weighs less than 1 ounce, all of its functions have begun to form — major organs and nervous system, heartbeat, arms, fingers, legs, toes, hair, and buds for future teeth. This is not a time to skimp on food or count calories. You're not quite eating for two people, but you do need extra nutrients for your growing fetus. The general recommendation is to eat about 300 extra calories a day. You'll need to gain 25 to 35 pounds during your pregnancy. This will allow you to nourish your fetus and store nutrients for breast-feeding. Expect to gain at least 3 to 4 pounds during the first trimester. For many women, the first trimester is also the period when you experience the most profound changes. Although you may not appear pregnant, you'll certainly feel all of the differences.

Common First Trimester Conditions

Morning Sickness and Nausea
The nausea — "morning sickness" — that many women experience during the first trimester of pregnancy is the result of hormonal changes. Morning sickness (which isn't necessarily limited to mornings) may actually be a positive thing — though you may not feel particularly grateful. Some scientists believe that morning sickness evolved as a natural way of protecting women against foods that might contain dangerous microorganisms or parasites, or foods whose chemical compositions might prove harmful to a developing fetus, by expelling those foods. Also, increasing levels of the hormone beta-hcg have been linked to nausea. Since high levels of beta-hcg tend to protect against miscarriage, look on the bright side: Your morning sickness may well be an early sign that your pregnancy is off to a good start. Morning sickness usually disappears after the first trimester.

Mood Swings
Women are often surprised that they don't feel more buoyant at the start of pregnancy — especially when it is a long-awaited result. The stresses of the first trimester can produce many emotional ups and downs. Although you may be delighted that you're pregnant, the hormonal adjustments you're experiencing can make you feel anything but joyous. You may experience mood swings, fatigue and insomnia, anxiety about your ability to experience a successful pregnancy, and fear about what will happen.

Constipation
Constipation is a fact of life for most pregnant women. Hormonal changes are largely responsible, signaling food to move more slowly through your system as it nourishes your fetus.

Fatigue
Your entire system is fully engaged in creating a healthy environment for your fetus — producing the placenta, a process that is completed at the end of the third month, as well as providing sufficient nutrients. Every organ is engaged in a vast reorganization. No wonder you're tired.

Food Aversions and Cravings
The food cravings and aversions that many women experience during pregnancy are something of a mystery. While you may crave what's good for you and be repelled by foods that are harmful, it doesn't always work that way. Your best strategy is to eat what's right for you and try to find replacements within your diet for the harmful foods you may crave.

Prenatal Supplements
Vitamins are very important to the developing fetus. However, you should be aware that overdoing supplements can cause grave problems in the baby, so consult your physician before taking any vitamins or supplements. Virtually any of the commercial prenatal multivitamins will be effective. But many are made with synthetic components rather than the preferred whole food ingredients. Choose a blend of the B vitamins, along with antioxidants. Look for quality, not quantity. Not all formulations release the specified amount of nutrients on the label. When researchers at the University of Maryland tested nine prescription prenatal vitamin tablets to see whether the folate contained would dissolve, only three passed the muster. Two failed so miserably that they released less than 25 percent of the folate specified on the label. That means that if swallowed by someone, more than 75 percent of the folate in those pills could possibly travel right through the body with very little chance of being absorbed by the blood and transported to various tissues, including tissues belonging to the fetus. If possible, use powder-in-capsule versus compacted pills: Evidence suggests that dissolvability is a big problem with many prenatals. Encapsulated ingredients do not need to dissolve. Your daily prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement probably doesn't give you enough calcium. Most of the daily prenatal formulas only contain about 200 to 300 milligrams of calcium — about 1,000 milligrams less than you and your baby need every day. So check the label on your bottle or talk to your doctor. You'll want to make sure that you are getting at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium every day from natural food sources and supplements.







 for information about "Healthy Start ABO."

Monday 21 January 2013

Finally....I'm pregnant!

My name is Shanty, me and my husband stay in Singapore as Permanent Resident. We're both from Indonesia.
We had marriage for 9 years without children.

In 2011 we had done IUI in KK Women Hospital, Singapore. But it failed.
And early in 2012 we tried to do IVF (in the same hospital) when doctors said the successful chance is around 50%, but it failed as well. I've got miscarriaged at that time.

I felt so frustrated and thought to adopt baby from China or Indonesia.
I've tried to get information from Youtube and search in Google about how to adopt baby in China.

And while during the 2 months waiting for the second trial for IVF, we just prayed and went to Bangkok for refreshing, tried to forget everything.
My aunt told me to consume chinese medicine called Pai Fong Wan for 2 months.

And without planning or anything.......suddenly I conceived naturally......Praise The Lord!
I didn't realize that I was pregnant, and when I checked in the hospital, they said the baby was 6 weeks old. And I heard baby's heart beat for the first time.....Wow....it's so amazing! I almost cried happily at that time. Of course, I spread the good news to my family, relatives & friends!

Now, I am still pregnant for 5 months, still have half way to go to the due date.
But I want to share this to every moms who still waiting for the miracle like I was.
There is nothing impossible in this world!
Just pray to God, relax and maybe better consume the Pai Fong Wan like I did.

Last week, we went to hospital for regular check, and doctor said my baby is a boy.
We are so happy waiting for the healthy baby boy's coming.