Pregnancy

Am I pregnant? How can I tell if I’m pregnant? When should I do a pregnancy test to see if I am expecting a baby? These are all common questions asked by young girls, if they have of late, had unprotected sex. Talking of late one of the most regular symptoms of pregnancy is if you’re period is “late” and doesn’t show at all – having said that, there are many things that cause a delay in menstruation.  

Pregnant Women’s Overall Health Guide

Have A Safe Birth And Healthy Baby!

Let’s talk about pregnancy and its symptoms to help give you an insight to find out if conception had happened.

The best and sure way to see if you are having a baby is to have your doctor determine your condition, however pregnancy tests are very effective, but like many things, sometimes because women differ, the readings of positive and negative may differ too, and have not always been accurate in some rare cases.

As mentioned above the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is if a woman who has a regular monthly cycle, misses that month and had no bleed.

Symptoms of pregnancy

The first couple of months into a pregnancy are the most critical, so it is in yours and your unborn baby’s best interest to make an appointment with a doctor or midwife as soon as you suspect you might be pregnant.

Missed Period 

Women vary so some might only have a much lighter period compared to their usual. You might not experience any of the pregnancy signs listed below until around the time you notice you’ve missed your period..

Breast Tenderness 

A common early symptom of pregnancy is tender, swollen sore breasts. More noticeable at bedtime, of course once again this might not apply to all pregnant women.

Fatigue 

Another early sign of pregnancy is fatigue and exhaustion. Just a simple activity like going to the shop can you leave feeling tired. This symptom is caused by all of the changes that your body is going through, plus the increasing levels of hormones. Take regular naps of 15 minutes if you have to – to help perk yourself up.

Frequent Urination 

Another early symptom of pregnancy is that you have to use the toilet often. The cause is usually down to a swelling uterus which puts pressure on your bladder. 

Nausea 

Nausea and vomiting can take you by surprise when you least expect, and can happen at any time of the day, and not just in the morning (Morning Sickness.) This particular pregnancy symptom you could experience as soon as a week into the pregnancy. .

Dizziness and/or Fainting 

One of the more surprising pregnancy signs is dizziness and/or fainting. There is a possibility you could faint, however this would depend on the woman and her pregnancy. As the uterus swells it compresses arteries in your legs. This can drop your blood pressure and make you dizzy.  

Food Cravings or Aversions to Foods 

Popular symptom is craving for certain foods as in contrast to throwing up to certain sorts, as well. Sometimes smells of specific foods can have a woman be seriously sick.

Heartburn early signs of pregnancy and/or constipation 

This pregnancy symptom is reasoned by the uterus swelling and pushing against the stomach and other organs as it grows. Also, increasing levels of hormones may slow down digestion and bowel movements to permit the body to absorb as much vitamins, minerals and nutrients as possible from foods. Taking a quality prenatal multi-vitamin-mineral supplement is important to help your body get the nutrients it needs for your growing unborn baby in the womb.  

The slower emptying of the stomach may also cause the release of increased stomach acid to assist digestion, leading to a feeling of heartburn.  

Ask your doctor before taking any kind of antacids as some contain aluminum and should be avoided. These two pregnancy symptoms can last throughout your term.

Mood Swings and Irritability 

It is perfectly natural to experience mixed emotions, excitement and depression, joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, but it’s all worthwhile in the end 

Increased body temperature 

One of the pregnancy symptoms that take a while to gauge is usually above normal body temperature. Take your temperature and see if it is higher than it normally would be, and if you see that it has increased speak to your doctor.  

Low Back Pain 

Low back pain is a common pregnancy symptom. This can be caused by many reasons. It could be due to weight gain where your uterus gets bigger, and your baby grows bigger day by day. Next, your posture and torso are thrown out of alignment. This weight is mostly in the front of your torso, which pulls on your back, hence pain.  

Implantation Bleeding 

This specific pregnancy symptom might have you experience slight bleeding and spotting –caused when the fertilized egg (embryo) begins to implant itself into the uterus. This is known as “implantation bleeding” and it usually takes place between 3 to 6 days after fertilization.

Have a healthy pregnancy and ask for advice if you are not sure what to do to ensure this, and issues on infections such as vaginitis.

Birth contol

Birth contol and the side affects of contraceptive pills and other forms of contaception.  Are you in a steady relationship and contemplating having sexual intercourse for the first time, if so you will need to know all about contraception i.e. birth control. Birth control can prevent an unwanted.

 pregnancy, however choosing what type of birth control is best for you will have to be determined by your doctor/gynaecologist. Teen sex is a time when birth control should be importantly considered as the consequences can be devastating if you fall pregnant. Family planning appointments and taking the morning after pill can be avoided if common sense prevails if sex is on the agenda.

Because there are many types or contaceptive methods available for birth control – it is in your best interest to talk to someone at the family planning clinic before taking or using any form of contraception you may have been given by someone not in the medical profession.

Birth control

Familiar methods used during intercourse to prevent pregnancy are the male condoms female condom – diaphragm – cervical cap – fem cap – lea’s shield – today sponge and spermicides

All the above mentioned birth control methods work by stopping any sperm from getting to the egg so therefore no fertilization. Some barrier methods can also be used to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like the common male and female condoms. Sexually transmitted diseases can be very harmful to your health and if left untreated the condition is left to fester causing more problems – so urgent medical treatment is imminent.

Birth control

The contraceptive pill is one form of birth control that young girls prefer to be prescribed by their doctor, however side affects from birth control can occur and vary in each woman.

Hormonal methods work in different ways depending on the method being used. The two main ways most of the hormonal methods can work to prevent pregnancy are: By keeping the eggs from leaving the ovary.
They change the mucus made in the cervix so that sperm can’t live and travel through it to get to the egg.

One long term method of birth control is known as sterilization, however any decision made to go down this route will take a considerable amount of thought because it is a final action where the odds are against reversing the operation if you decide to have a child later in years. These are just a few options of birth control to mention of what is available for women who are not ready for motherhood yet. Abortion clinics will have important information on having a termination. Abortions are normally carried on the basis that a full term pregnancy will affect the health of the baby or mother, other reasons are also considered before termination takes place to abort a baby. If you want to avoid an unwanted pregnancy then consider the birth control options available.