Total Health and Fitness -for healthy living » Pregnancy http://gogethealthynow.com Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:33:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Top five early signs of pregnancy http://gogethealthynow.com/the-top-five-early-signs-of-pregnancy/ http://gogethealthynow.com/the-top-five-early-signs-of-pregnancy/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:20:56 +0000 gogetnow http://gogethealthynow.com/?p=1729
Fetus at 38 weeks after fertilization 3D Pregn...

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Early signs of pregnancypregnancy,what are the signs

 

Some women say they know the exact moment they conceived, some women notice signs before they miss a period,while some don’t know they’re pregnant for a number of weeks.

 

The top 5 signs of being pregnant are:

 

1. Tender breasts that appear to be growing already!

As soon as you become pregnant, your body begins preparing your breasts for producing milk and breastfeeding. Your hormones will start increasing. Additionally to breast tenderness and some swelling, your nipples may feel sore or extra sensitive. Some women may also notice their nipples darken in color.

 

2.Slight bleeding or cramping just as the embryo implants in your uterus.

Once the egg becomes implanted in the uterus – your world is definately going to change, you no longer need to be wondering about pregnancy symptoms, you are indeed pregnant. At this time you might notice a small amount of red or pink spotting. Not all women experience implantation bleeding therefore it is not considered one of the more obvious pregnancy signs.

3.Nausea or sickness which can start very early for some women.

These early pregnancy symptoms may come as soon as a week into the pregnancy. Many women experience nausea in the morning when they have coffee and/or eat their first food of the day. This is what’s called morning sickness, some women may well experience nausea in the afternoon or evening whilst some people feel queasy all day.

4.Extreme tiredness… not neccesarily caused by too many late nights, after all!

Once you discover that you are pregnant, make an effort to take frequent rests or naps of 15 minutes to a half an hour whenever you can. Make an effort to explain to your bosses family, friends and co-workers that you’ll require these naps, Request their help in arranging suitable rest times for you.

5.The need to urinate much more often as the uterus increases in size it puts pressure on your bladder.

 

Most women ovulate two weeks before their period starts. So by the time you miss a period, your unborn baby is two weeks old

But because pregnancy is calculated from the first day of your last period, you are said to be four weeks pregnant. If you have a cycle of five weeks, your baby will still only be two weeks old when you miss your period, but your midwife will put you down as five weeks pregnant!
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]]> http://gogethealthynow.com/the-top-five-early-signs-of-pregnancy/feed/ 0 down`s syndrome baby revealed by blood test http://gogethealthynow.com/downs-syndrome-baby-revealed-by-blood-test/ http://gogethealthynow.com/downs-syndrome-baby-revealed-by-blood-test/#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:12:54 +0000 gogetnow http://gogethealthynow.com/?p=1066 blood test for Down`s Syndrome

Down`s Syndrome Revealed

A new blood test has been developed which allows doctors to check wether unborn babies have Down`s Syndrome.The new test would mean expectant mothers would be prevented from having the currently available invasive examinations which can increase the risks of miscarriages.
Cypriot,Greek and British scientists have stated that the new technique correctly identified 14 Down syndrome cases and 26 normal foetuses in a blind test that was recently carried out. They believe it will also be possible to diagnose the condition at a very early stage.

Study author Philippos Patsalis, of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, said: ‘The method is simple and fast and easy to perform in every genetic diagnostic lab worldwide because it does not require expensive equipment, software or special infrastructure.

‘The test is the first worldwide to demonstrate 100 per cent sensitivity and 100 per cent specificity in all normal and down’s syndrome pregnancies examined.’

Down syndrome (DS), alsoknown as  Trisomy 21, is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. It can affect approximately  1 in every 800 babies.

The physical features and medical problems that are associated with Down syndrome can vary widely from one child to another. While some children with DS  seem to need a lot of medical attention, others can lead very healthy and near to normal lives

Infants with diagnosed with Down`s Syndrome have three copies of the Chromosome 21 instead of the normal two.

It affects about one in every 700 live births but women of 40 are 16 times more likely to have a Down’s child than a 25-year-old.

At the moment all pregnant women are given the opportunityof screening to see if their baby is at risk but for a firm diagnosis, doctors must take a sample of amniotic fluid or the placenta, which can mean a 1 in 100 risk of miscarriage.

Several research teams have published studies suggesting that analysing the mother’s blood can detect Down syndrome in a foetus.

At the present moment  no commercial test available yet, but it is thought that a U.S. company hopes to introduce one within the next 12 months.The team behind the latest findings which were published in the online journal Nature Medicine, said a bigger study is needed to confirm the usefulness of their approach in Down`s Syndrome.

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]]> http://gogethealthynow.com/downs-syndrome-baby-revealed-by-blood-test/feed/ 0 hypnobirthing,is it for you? http://gogethealthynow.com/hypnobirthingis-it-for-you/ http://gogethealthynow.com/hypnobirthingis-it-for-you/#comments Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:55:42 +0000 gogetnow http://gogethealthynow.com/?p=990 Is Hypnobirthing for you

Many expectant mothers like the thought of having a natural birth but can often be dissuaded by the thought of being overcome with pain.One of the new approaches being hailed as the new natural birth choice is hypnobirthing.Hypnobirthing is claimed to allow a full natural birth experience which is  easy, comfortable and a very positive way to go through labour, with a big reduction in pain.

It is in fact a complete birth education programme, one that teaches simple but specific self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques for a better more comfortable birth. HypnoBirthing offers so much more than just simple self hypnosis or hypnotherapy for childbirth.The ultimate aim of a hypnobirth is to achieve the best birth possible, being as natural as it can possibly be, the benefits of which for mother and baby are clear to see.

Many people are quick to tell stories of painful and stressful births but it is clear that this doesn`t necessarily have to be the case. Hypnobirthing teaches you how to release the fears and anxieties you may have about giving birth including helping to overcome the experiences of previous stressful births. It’s all about learning self-hypnosis – being able to relax deeply, if you like – and more importantly being able to access this calm state whenever you choose. Learning proper breathing techniques are really important, as is getting to know all about your own body and which way it works making you more prepared and ready to cope.

There are many benefits to learning and using Hypnobirthing such as reducing the first stage of labour,lessening or eliminating the need for chemical painkillers,a calm and peaceful birth,much fewer complications and a much more involved role for dad,yes,lets not forget dear old dad.Many more good reasons can be found for going down the hypnobirth path and if a natural birth is what you would like then how can you not make it your business to find out more.

Hypnobirthing has certainly arrived and is becoming one of the most popular choices and is being championed by many the world over.

Jay Jeffers-Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing

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]]> http://gogethealthynow.com/hypnobirthingis-it-for-you/feed/ 0 IVF treatment for all http://gogethealthynow.com/ivf-treatment-for-all/ http://gogethealthynow.com/ivf-treatment-for-all/#comments Sat, 26 Feb 2011 13:15:01 +0000 gogetnow http://gogethealthynow.com/?p=965 Thinking of IVF treatment?

For many couples, after exhausting all other methods of  successfully achieving conception may have no better choice than to go down the road of fertility treatment treatment.In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a commonly used technique in which egg cells are fertilised outside the woman’s body.

The process involves hormonally controlling the whole  ovulation process, removing eggs (ova) from the woman’s ovaries which are then allowed to be fertilised by the sperm in a fluid medium.After fertilization takes place, the embryos are allowed to grow for a few days and then placed back into the body of the woman.

How to prepare for IVF

The chances of achieving a successful result with IVF treatment can be hugely improved if you take the trouble to follow a few useful steps. You don`t need me to remind you that this is a massively important time in your life in which you will have to devote all off your efforts into making this happen.

Smoking

One of the most damaging factors in successful conception is smoking.Smoking can have a devastating affect on fertility for both partners. Recent studies have shown a decrease in fertility of around 40% amongst female smokers and a staggering 75% for men. Smoking can also increase the chances of abnormalities occurring in fertilisation. Stopping smoking at the earliest opportunity can hugely help the chances of successful IVF treatment and indeed reversing much of the damage caused.

Drinking Alcohol

We are i think,all aware that expectant mothers should refrain from drinking alcohol but not only is that true but alcohol can also badly affect fertility.On that basis it would be prudent to help the chances of IVF treatment,that both parties stop drinking immediately.

Relaxation and rest.

Plenty of rest and relaxation would be very beneficial to those undertaking IVF treatment with at least 7 to 9 hours sleep needed each night.
Sleep can greatly affect several aspects of our lives from our menstrual cycles and ovulation through to the production of stress hormones. The complex mechanisms responsible for the efficient working of our reproductive systems allow stress hormones to drop, whilst increasing fertility hormones-all during our sleep. Therefore do not under-estimate the importance of good sleeping patterns.
Following a healthy diet

The type of diet that we follow can have a huge impact on all aspects of our health and well-being, and is very prominent where our fertility is concerned. Studies have shown that following a poor diet can be a huge cause of many serious diseases and conditions, such as some cancers and diabetes. Foods such as refined carbohydrates, trans-fats, sugars and non-organic processed foods have all been linked to fertility problems. Following a healthy diet is paramount and important preparation for IVF treatment.You should try to eliminate all undesirable aspects of your diet and base your diet on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, brown rice, seeds, nuts and beans. There is nothing wrong with including some meats in your diet as long as you shop wisely and follow a healthy cooking regime.You will more than likely be recommended to include some supplements to help keep your health in tip top condition.

This can be a very testing and emotional time for both parties concerned,indeed seemingly sometimes taking up the whole of your life but the rewards are, or can be huge.Don`t give up,just keep right on trying and most importantly,remember,you are not alone,many people around the world are in the same boat.If you get a chance,try talking to someone who has successfully undertaken IVF, it will definately inspire you.Good luck with your IVF treatment,we are all with you.

Jay Jeffers.

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]]> http://gogethealthynow.com/ivf-treatment-for-all/feed/ 0 Are You Stuck With Stretch Marks??? http://gogethealthynow.com/are-you-stuck-with-stretch-marks/ http://gogethealthynow.com/are-you-stuck-with-stretch-marks/#comments Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:13:10 +0000 gogetnow http://gogethealthynow.com/?p=544 Lines that appear on the external surface of the skin in the abdominal region, which become visible during and after pregnancy are generally known as stretch marks. The medical term for these lines is Striae. Because of the sudden gain of extra weight, the dermis layer begins to overstretch and surpasses its level of elasticity. So these lines start to appear on the skin as soon as the level of elasticity exceeds it`s norm. Various other conditions which can cause Striae are puberty, heavy workout and extreme obesity.

The primary cause of these stretch marks is pregnancy or gain of weight due to many possible factors. During puberty the hormonal change reached its peak which can sometimes cause a sudden gain of weight.If you workout to excess your muscles could cause stretch marks on your skin. However pregnancy is the most common reason for these scars, therefore it primarily affects women.

One of the ways of getting rid of stretch marks on the body is to undertake surgery although this can be a very expensive process .Over the years a great variety of creams have been developed which have proven to be very effective in repairing the skin to it`s former glory.Most of the best creams contain ingredients usefull in the production of Collagen which helps skin develop more quickly and restoring the elasticity.

Seeking advice from your pharmacist as to which cream products are the most suitable for the treatment of stretch marks would be a good place to start.Don`t forget,it is not just you that is affected by stretch marks,millions of people worldwide are in the same boat and you can very easily help the skin to get back to it`s former glory.

Jay Jeffers-Home of Health and Fitness

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]]> http://gogethealthynow.com/are-you-stuck-with-stretch-marks/feed/ 2 Exercise during Pregnancy http://gogethealthynow.com/exercise-during-pregnancy/ http://gogethealthynow.com/exercise-during-pregnancy/#comments Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:43:36 +0000 gogetnow http://gogethealthynow.com/?p=334 Exercise During Pregnancy

Prescribing  medication for a pregnant women is a complicated process.

Before obstetricians and gynecologists decide the dosage and type of drug which can best treat a condition without causing any harmful side effects on the mother and the baby, they consider the patient’s age, general health, the due date of the baby, tolerance for medications, and any other drugs the pregnant patient may be taking.

Prescribing exercise during pregnancy has to be just as scientific and precise. The type, intensity, frequency, and duration of a period of exercise during pregnancy are all important. One person’s healthy, vigorous workout could be dangerous to another. The dangers may be greater in pregnant women because they are far  more likely to have strains and other serious side effects for the would-be mother.

However, if exercise during pregnancy is undertaken in a controlled manner, this should have no adverse effects on the overall success of the pregnancy and especially on labor or delivery.

Pregnancy

Good quality prenatal care is a very important factor to a mother during her pregnancy. She should be prepared for the normal delivery of a healthy baby. Every measure should be taken to avoid complications at all costs. During the term of the pregnancy over vigorous work should be avoided but equally long periods of inactivity will not be good preperation.A healthy balance must be struck between the two.Promoting a good balanced form of exercise during pregnancy will ensure both mother and baby do well.

Physical conditions like blood pressure, weight and health status is usually monitored during the pregnant woman’s visit to her doctor. It is very clear that good controlled exercise during pregnancy can have a very positive effect on keeping things at the best levels.To go into a little more detail,listed below are just a few of the reasons why maintaining  healthy exercise during pregnancy is important.

1. Helps prevent fatigue

During pregnancy there is an obvious weight gain which in turn puts more pressure on the muscle system,the body needs to work harder so exercise will tone up the muscles and make them more able to cope with the extra work.

2. Reduce backaches

Just sitting or standing for long periods can become tiring as you are still using muscles groups.Regular exercise during pregnancy can not only help with building  and strengthening your muscles but also can develop a good posture which can help prevent backache.

3. Increase the amount of oxygen

Work and exercise rely on glycogen, a substance produced by the body from complex carbohydrates and stored muscles and liver. The supply of glycogen in the muscles determines and limits the duration of activity. Exercise depletes the glycogen in the muscles and leads to tiredness.

However, when glycogen is depleted by strenuous activity, it is replaced increased quantities, as if the body recognizes the need to lay in a bigger supply of fuel.

Hence, oxidation is essential for converting glycogen to the energy that pregnant women need to wiggle a finger, flex a muscle, or practice the lungs and heart for some blowing action during normal delivery.

These are just a few of the many benefits  good controlled exercise can bring to pregnant women.The most important thing to remember is that before undertaking any form of exercise program, whether pregnant or not, you must consult with your doctor first. Make sure you get all the best advice and direction for you and your baby and the very best of luck to you both.
Jay Jeffers Gogethealthynow
Home of Health and Fitness

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]]> http://gogethealthynow.com/exercise-during-pregnancy/feed/ 0 Enjoying a Healthier Pregnancy http://gogethealthynow.com/enjoying-a-healthier-pregnancy/ http://gogethealthynow.com/enjoying-a-healthier-pregnancy/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:09:25 +0000 gogetnow http://gogethealthynow.com/?p=160 While sometimes pregnancy is just difficult, it is possible to have a less stressful pregnancy by following healthy practices. Even though you may not completely get rid of some of the inconveniences (like morning sickness), you can feel better about yourself and your situation if you are careful to indulge in practices that help you feel good. Some of these include exercise, diet, and rest.

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, it is important not to strain your body too much when you are pregnant. Consult with your physician before beginning or continuing any exercise regimen. Walking is usually fine, and if you have been jogging before the pregnancy, it is usually okay to continue. But you should ask your doctor first. Additionally, there are special yoga workouts designed for pregnant women. Many of the moves in more conventional yoga are stressful to the fetus and can cause problems. Avoiding strenuous aerobic activity may be recommended if you do not already do aerobic exercises. And swimming is one of the best exercises you can do for yourself while pregnant. But make sure that you find out from your doctor what is allowed in your condition.

Eating well is another important aspect of pregnancy. It is healthy to gain up to about 20 pounds over the course of your pregnancy. However, this does not mean that eating junk food all the time is a good idea, although everyone needs their fix of it every now and again. Healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and lean meat and poultry are good ideas. Try to avoid fish, as the mercury content can be dangerous to your developing baby. Ask your doctor or a nutritionist whether some types of fish, on occasion, might be acceptable. Avoiding alcohol is important, as is limiting caffeine. The problems associated with alcohol are well known, but many people don’t realize that caffeine can restrict blood flow, making it more difficult for the fetus to receive nutrients from your blood. And be sure to take your prenatal vitamins. This will ensure that your developing baby gets all of the nutrients she or he needs.

Rest is very important during pregnancy. You want to make sure that you get adequate sleep each night. Sometimes this can mean as many as 10 hours. But it is important to give your body and the fetus adequate time to recover from the strains of the day. If something seems too much for you, say no. When you are pregnant, you have other demands on you. You will have a much better pregnancy if you can get rest. If sleeping at night is difficult (as it can be especially in the third trimester), make sure you take some time during the day to lay restfully on the couch with a book or to sit quietly with some other activity that you enjoy.

Taking good care of yourself can contribute to a healthier, happier pregnancy, and one that is a little easier.

About the Author
Learn more about pregnancy, and about other issues that affect women at the women’s resource site For A Better Her

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Enjoying a Healthier Pregnancypregnancy

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