Pregnancy Week by Week | Pregnancy Stages

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Labor is a very long and really painful process.  Some say that you cannot describe labor pain until you have experienced it.  This is why medications are sometimes given to laboring mothers, to prevent unnecessary exhaustion caused by extreme pain.  It is a collaborative decision between the mother, the husband and the physician whether or not an epidural will be used during labor.  This is usually decided upon before the actual event, but the decision can be changed during the labor itself due to certain circumstances.

What Does Epidural Do?

Epidural is actually the location where local anesthesia is injected.  In the lumbar area, a spinal long needle is inserted, and before reaching the dura or the outer area of the spinal cord, the local anesthesia is injected.  It is injected in that area to maintain localized effect.  Injecting the needle beyond the dura makes the drug be absorbed in the central nervous system and will have a systemic effect similar to that of general anesthesia.  Epidural anesthesia can significantly decrease labor pain to a minimum when given at the correct time.

Potential Adverse Effects to the Mother

Epidural is a drug, therefore, it is inevitable that it may have side effects and adverse effect just like any other drugs.  According to recent studies, some epidurals can lengthen the first and second stage of labor which is the effacement and dilatation stage and the actual birth of the baby stage.  This is because pushing urge and contractions can be affected by the anesthesia and become sluggish.  Your physician will most likely give Oxytocin to speed up the delivery.  If given too early, labor initiation may be compromised, and risk for C-Section is increased especially for overweight patients.  There is significant drop in BP after epidural administration.  Because of this, mothers also may feel nauseated and dizzy.  Lower milk supply is also reported to be a side effect of epidural.  This hinders with baby bonding and baby nutrition.  There are also reports that mothers may loose sensation in their lower extremities which may last up to two weeks after delivery.

How about the Baby?

If the drop in BP is higher than expected, there will be decreased blood going to the baby.  The risk for fetal distress is then increased.  Because of the anesthesia given, babies are born sluggish, with low APGAR score and some of them even needed resuscitation.  Some reports say that babies are noticeably disoriented and unable to latch on to their mother’s nipples, therefore, not able to get adequate nutrition combined with the decreased milk supply.  This leads to early introduction of milk formula which is not that good for the baby compared to breast milk.

It’s hard when a married couple makes all sorts of plans and wake up one day realizing that they are unable to bear children.  Women are the ones most commonly affected by infertility, but according to statistics, one-third of the time, men are the ones affected.  Current statistics show that around 6% of men between 15 and 50 are infertile.  There are many risk factors which may predispose one to being infertile.  Some of these factors are testicular trauma, delayed or advanced puberty, history of genital infection, mumps occurring after onset of puberty, heavy alcohol and drug abuse, unfavorable and toxic working conditions, certain drugs and certain congenital conditions.

It’s Usually about the Sperms

Sperm cells, to be able to reach and penetrate the egg cell should be mature, adequate in amount and should have good motility.  Problems arise when one or more of these properties are failed to be met.  Infertile men usually have sperms that are immature, abnormal in shape, lacks good motility, too few or not produced at all!  Many factors lead to these conditions.  Some of which are anatomical, hormonal, genetic, immunological, environmental or lifestyle related in nature.

Low Sperm Count

Among the many causes of infertility, the most common is having low sperm counts.  The vagina is acidic.  This kills the sperm on their way to the egg cell.  This is the reason why millions of sperm is required to reach that single egg cell though only one sperm cell is required to fertilize it.  Sperm production is done in the scrotum.  This is because they are unable to survive in the high temperature of the body.  When the scrotum is always brought closer to the body or if the man is working in a generally hot place like cooks, drivers and factory workers, the sperms are exposed to higher temperature and they are destroyed.  This is the most common cause of low sperm counts.  Also, chronic alcoholism, emotional stress, infections and blockage somewhere along the passageway are also causes of low sperm counts.  Frequent sex also depletes your supply of sperms.  This is when you use them up faster than your body can make them.

I’m Not Sure

Instead of playing the blame game, it is best that both you and your wife get checked.  The most common diagnostic test for determining infertility in men is the Multiple Semen Analysis.  In this test, at least two semen samples are sent to the laboratory on separate days. 

 The semen is examined for characteristics such as volume, consistency, and alkalinity.  The sperms are examined for their number, morphology or shape and their motility.  Infertility is not always permanent.  There are always other ways for you and your partner to have children and build a family.

The Ovulation Calendar Method is also popularly known as the Rhythm Method, The Ovulation Roulette or simply The Calendar Method.  It is a natural family planning method which involves knowing your fertile and unfertile days based on your usual ovulation cycle.  Using these methods you can determine the “safe” and “unsafe” days for you if you are avoiding to get pregnant.  During safe days, you can have unprotected sex without having to worry about getting pregnant because you are very unlikely to ovulate.  During unsafe days, it is best to abstain from sex or simply use a backup family planning method like the barrier method.

Establish Your Range

A woman’s menstrual cycle is determined by counting from the first day of your menstruation to the first day of your next menstruation.  The first step is to count your menstrual cycle duration for a minimum of 6 months.  Regular menstrual cycle lasts usually from 26 to 30 days.  In this case, you must get the average of your 6 months menstrual cycle.  Irregular cycles are more variable in duration and lasts from 25 to 35 days.  Knowing if your cycle is regular of irregular is important because there are different formulas for each of them.  Irregular cycles have fewer “safe” days.

Do the Math

For those who have regular cycles, get the average of your cycle.  Ovulation happens 14 days before your next menstruation.  Ovums are susceptible for fertilization for 18 – 24 hours only while sperms live up to 72 hours.  The general principle is you must abstain 5 days before and 3 days after your ovulation.  According to the Ogino-Knaus formula, you must subtract 14 from your computed average.  For example, your average cycle is 28.  Subtract 14 and you get 14.  Subtract another 5 from 14 and you get 9.  Add 3 to 14 and you get 17.  You are “unsafe” from days 9 to 17.  For those who have irregular menstruation, for example your cycle ranges from 26 to 33 days.  According again to the formula, you must subtract 18 from your shortest cycle and subtract 11 from your longest cycle.  This makes your “unsafe” days, days 8 to 22.  Ovulations of those who have irregular cycles are generally more variable which makes it more difficult to predict which particular day they ovulate.

Is this Applicable to You?

Women who have just started their menstrual cycle and whose cycles have become less frequent than usual should take caution because they may not be ovulating yet or may not be ovulating regularly anymore.  This method is very difficult to perfect.  It requires a very good, accurate and continuous recording of your past menstrual cycles.  To use this, you also must have discipline regarding abstaining or using backup methods during “unsafe” days.  A lot of will power is definitely required.

A small percentage of couples, who want to have children, are likely to be infertile.  Infertility is one of the causes of broken relationships because couples blame themselves as the reason for the inability to have children.  But who is to blame?  In this article, we will better understand infertility and the main reasons for being infertile.

What is Infertility?

Infertility is the inability to bear a child or sustain a pregnancy until childbirth.  They can be classified into two.  The primary infertility is defined as having no conceptions even after 1 year of unprotected coitus (sex).  On the other hand, secondary infertility is defined as having previous live births but the couple cannot currently conceive.

Factors Contributing to Infertility

Infertility can be caused by many factors.  The first factor affecting infertility is because of an abnormality in the reproductive system.  Most of the infertility factors for men are disturbances in the production of sperm cells, low sperm count, low sperm motility and obstruction in the tubules where the sperm passes.  Other men also encounter erectile dysfunction which also causes infertility.  Diseases known to cause infertility in men are cryptorchidism (undescended testes) and varicocele (varicosity of the spermatic vein).  Men whose work involves long hours of sitting and working in places with hot weather can also cause infertility.  Women, on the other hand, can have disturbances in the production of egg cells, obstruction in the fallopian tube such as pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine problems such as endometriosis, cervical problems and vaginal problems.

Some couples are very anxious when they cannot conceive a child.  They should be aware of the length of time they need in order to conceive.  Sometimes it would take at least 6 months to conceive to those couples who engage in sex for at least 4 times a week.  If couples perform coitus less frequently, they will only have a smaller chance of conceiving a child.

There is a myth that if couples engage in sex daily, there is a greater chance of early impregnation.  Couples who are so much engrossed in conceiving a baby may engage in sex daily, but this can lower the sperm count of the male partner, thus, giving less chance for early impregnation.

Another factor that contributes to infertility is the age factor.  Women with advanced age will have the difficulty in conceiving as compared to younger women.  Women who are taking contraceptive pills should take some time out at least 7 months before planning on getting pregnant.  Because it will take time to normalize the hormones of the body.

The signs of pregnancy are the changes a woman experiences in the days and weeks after conception. Listed below are the most common symptoms of pregnancy and their other possible causes. If you have five or more of these symptoms, you may be pregnant. However, some pregnant women experience only a few of these symptoms, while others experience all of them.

Amenorrhea. Absence of your monthly period. Other possible causes: weight gain or loss, hormonal problems, tension, stress, breast-feeding, discontinuing birth control pills or birth control injections.

Morning sickness. Nausea and queasiness usually experienced in the morning, but sometimes during the entire day. Thought to be caused by a high level of the pregnancy hormone human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) in the blood, rapid stretching of the uterine muscles, excess acid in the stomach, and an enhanced sense of smell. Morning sickness usually starts two to eight weeks after conception. Other possible causes: food poisoning, tension, infection, gall bladder disease, other diseases.

Tender, swollen breasts. Caused by an increased amount of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This is rarely accompanied by nipple discharge (galactorrhea). Breast tenderness usually begins a few days after conception. Other possible causes: birth control pills, beginning of period, fibrocystic breast condition.

Darkening of the areolas, the skin around the nipples. The bumps on areolas (called Montgomery’s tubercles) may look more prominent. These changes happen gradually during the first few weeks of pregnancy, as your breasts prepare to produce milk. Other possible causes: hormonal imbalance, prior pregnancy, tanning, the physical changes of puberty.

Food cravings. Caused by hormonal changes in the body. Food cravings are usually experienced during the first trimester. Other possible causes: poor diet, stress, beginning of period (PMS).

Frequent urination. Caused by an increased volume of body fluids and pressure from the growing uterus. This usually starts six to eight weeks after conception. Other possible causes: urinary tract infection, diuretics, tension, diabetes, drinking excess fluid. 

Fatigue. Caused by high levels of the hormone progesterone and the body’s increased use of energy as the fetus develops. This usually appears during the first trimester. Other possible causes: tension, stress, depression, poor diet, flu, lack of exercise, poor sleep or lack of sleep.

Bleeding. Spotting of blood that’s pink or brown in color, sometimes accompanied by stomach cramps. Caused by the egg implanting itself in the endometrial lining. Usually occurs about a week after ovulation. Other possible causes: beginning of period, breakthrough bleeding from the pill.

During your pregnancy, there are some harmful substances which have to be avoided or fewer intakes of certain food items.

How should I avoid hazardous or harmful items, if it is risky for my baby?

 Alcohol during pregnancy

Mental and physical birth defect causes abnormalities in a developing fetus due to alcohol. It may seem harmless to have a glass of wine at dinner or a mug of beer out with friends but consumption of large quantity of alcohol leads to problematic situation during pregnancy. Its better to avoid drinking during the pregnancy time rather having unwanted complications.

Caffeine

Miscarriage can be one of the cause due to caffeine. Pregnant women have to cut down the intake more than 150 mg a day is safe more than that amount go to higher risk

Certain Foods

Life threatening food borne diseases like listeriosis, toxoplasmosis and salmonella leads to miscarriage and also cause damage to the developing brain of fetus because they contain high level of mercury which is not good during pregnancy time for the baby. Uncooked fish, raw meat, unpasteurized milk, juices etc are not to be taken. Healthy fish meat properly cooked and the food which contains high quantity of proteins, carbohydrates are preferred at that time.

Prescription Medications

Before taking any kind of medicine one should first consult the doctor. The other common medicines are sometimes safe which has potential effects on fetus or babies. Certain prescription medication can also cause problem to the developing baby. Many herbal remedies are harmless but slow in process but much safer to use during pregnancy period. During pregnancy if you feel discomfort like backache etc then you must consult the doctor so as to avoid further complication if arise.

Smoking

The problems which can arise due to smoking are SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), prematurity, Asthma or respiratory problems etc by which it passes nicotine and carbon monoxide to the developing baby or fetus. Mother to be having to quit smoking if they want healthier baby.

Artificial Sweeteners (Sugar Substitutes)

Artificial sweetener can cause birth defects and illnesses ranging from multiple sclerosis to Parkinson’s disease. Mother should avoid aspartame if you or your partner has a rare hereditary disease called phenylketonuria (PKU), in which the body can’t break down the compound phenylalanine, which is found in aspartame. In rare occasion mother can take the low moderation

Postpartum Blues: 

Mood swings, anxiety, unexplained crying and irritability are all caused by the hormonal changes taking place, as well as the lack of sleep. 

This usually happens between the second and tenth day after birth.  These feelings are normal and pass quickly. 

Try to get as much rest as possible

Go ahead and cry- don’t try to keep your feelings in.  Talk to someone about your feelings your partner, friend or nurse. Be realistic. Don’t try too much.   

You and your baby come first.  Housework and entertaining can wait.  

Recognizing Signs of Post Partum Depression

If you don’t feel better about life by two weeks after delivery, call your doctor, midwife or public health unit for help.  Approximately 10 - 20% of all mothers develop postpartum depression.  This is quite different from the “baby blues”.   

Signs and symptoms of postpartum depression include: 

• Strong feeling of sadness or guilt
• Difficulty sleeping even when tried
• Crying all the time
• Sleeping all of the time, even when the baby is awake
• Unable to eat, even when hungry
• Not able to eat because of poor appetite or feeling unwell
• Worrying about the baby too much
• Panic attacks
• Feelings of anger toward the baby
• Thoughts about harming the baby or yourself 

If you have any of these signs, get help right away.     

Breast Feeding Baby

Breast milk is recognized as the best source of nutrition for babies. Breast milk is higher in protein, chloride, calcium, sodium, iron and nitrogen. Human milk provides all the protein, sugar, fat, vitamins and specials benefits that babies need to be healthy because human milk contains protective substances that are not found in formula milk, these protective substances helps to protect babies against certain diseases and infections. Babies don’t have allergies to the milk produce by their mother as they do react to something the mother eats. This problem could be eliminating if the mother remove that particular foods from her diets. For example, smoking can cause vomiting and diarrhea, breast feeding mothers should not smoke.

How it is produced?

During pregnancy, the pregnant woman body increases the production of a hormone called prolactin that stimulates breasts cells to increase breast milk production. When she start to nurse, the amount of prolactin her body produce also increases. It is worth noting that the breast size does not control the amount of milk produced. The production of milk is controlled by the baby nursing. The more a mother nurse, the more milk her body will produce.

Babies benefits breast feeding in the following ways:

• Breast milk is natural for babies.
• Breast fed infants tends to have a lower rate of ear infections, diarrhea, allergies, and rashes than you give other milk products.
• Breast milk is easier to absorb and digest.
• Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies to fight infections.
• Breast milk doesn’t need to be prepared and is always available at the right temperature.
• It is harder to get milk out of a breast than a bottle so the  babies have to work harder at sucking at the breast which promotes good jaw development.
• A closeness creates a bond between the mother and her baby

Mother benefits by breast feeding:

• Breast feeding burns more calories which will help you to get your pre-pregnancy weight back more quickly.
• It helps the uterus to contract to its regular size more quickly.
• It reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
• It builds bone strength to protect against older age bone fractures.
• It delay the return on menstrual period (may help to extends the time frame between pregnancies)

Breast Feeding Disadvantages:

• In early weeks, your nipple may become sore or cracked.
• When your breast is full of milk, it may become hard and painful.
• You must wear clothing that allows you to nurse everywhere and changing your diets to avoid foods that may irritate your baby.

Duration of Breast Feed

Breast feeding benefits both the mother and her babies, it is important to breast feed your baby as long as possible (1 year or even longer). Although 1 year is recommended, some women choose to breast feed for six months. How long you choose is a very individual choice. All women have to keep in mind that some breast milk is better than none at all. When your baby starts to teeth it may be difficult to breast feed. This can be solving by expressing breast milk to give to your baby. Breast milk can be efficiently and effectively expressed using a breast pump.

While the baby is in the womb it starts to learn about its environment after about six months of pregnancy when it is capable of hearing external sounds. When it comes to external environment, you are in a position to have some influence even from the early stage of development. Music is proven stimulation to babies which stimulates their brain and senses. The volume of music if its loud then she can hear clear and react inside and mother feels the joy of pain. Later after the birth of the baby, when the same music is played she would be reacting to it as good as per the musical tastes.

The main aim we are telling here is that the babies should get familiar with the outside world environment… The other noise where babies can react is vacuum cleaner, Mixer grinder, etc Every minute, there are new brain cells being formed in the unborn child. And as the new brain cells are being formed, pathways or circuits are being formed along the lines that help assist communication for whatever the child the needs. For example, the child will obviously need to breathe, the child will need to move when he is born, the eyelids will need to open and close; so all these organs and all the nervous tissue that supply these organs has to start developing long before birth.

Tips to shape your child’s future:

1. Converse with your unborn baby one of the simplest ways for you to do that is to start communicating with your baby as if he or she is already present with you. Treat your baby as a conscious being. Begin talking, singing or even humming to your baby. This will help them get used to your voice and begin to recognize language formations.

2. Think about your baby. Although your baby is not physically present with you at this moment, you can still think about him now and about the time when you would meet soon. Your baby will be able to sense your loving thoughts and this will provide him with a sense of comfort, love and stability.

3. Use daily experiences to prepare your baby for life after birth The prenatal experience is all about preparing your baby for life after birth. So it is only fitting that you use normal, everyday experiences to share with your baby. It is all about showing your baby your lifestyle and the world that he will be born into. Make an experience out of the little activities in your daily life. Talk about your experiences to your baby no matter how mundane or ordinary it may seem to you.

Remember, what seems ordinary to you is certainly not ordinary for your baby

Sure you’re the one who’s pregnant — but you’re both expecting. Be certain to give your pregnancy partner his share of attention, too.

True, he’s not actually carrying the baby but he can feel the pain and happiness with all the excitement of becoming a father. There’s plenty of effort to go around when it comes to pregnancy and plenty of sacrifices to be made on both sides.  You get sciatica (backache); he does more walking.  You turn green at the sight of uncooked food; he does the broiler. You crave watermelon in the middle of the night (and the middle of winter); he’s driving around trying to find an open market that sells fruit out of season. You get mood swings, he gets swung at.   You couldn’t do it without him, or you wouldn’t want to try.  

And while much is said about his responsibility to baby and you, don’t forget that he deserves some babying, too.  Just to acknowledge that you’re glad he’s along for with you and that there’s no one you’d rather share the ride with.  After all, you’re partners in pregnancy who are about to become partners in parenting as you make that life-changing transformation from twosome to threesome, nurturing the relationship you share as a couple has never been more important. Here are some tips for strengthening that bond during your 40 weeks:

1. Be thankful - Whatever his efforts and even if they don’t seem like much of an effort to you acknowledging them is the best way to keep them coming.  It’s called positive reinforcement, and not only does it work (and work a whole lot better than its negative counterpart, nagging), but it’ll make him feel appreciated.   So when he goes that extra mile (or even those extra ten feet to the hamper to drop in his dirty socks, instead of dropping them wherever he takes them off), let him know you’re grateful.  Give him a big hug when he folds the laundry (even when he folds your sweaters the wrong way).   Give him a friendly squeeze while he’s vacuuming (even if he’s clearly missing all that dog hair under the sofa).  And say “thank you” often.

2. Be patient when he gets it wrong  - Unless you’ve done this before, your partner has no idea what lies ahead, either.  So try not to explode when he can’t read your mind well enough to anticipate your every need.  If you’re crazy for honeydew in week nine, don’t melt down if your honey doesn’t remember to pick up your nightly melon on the way home from work…or if he surprises you with one in week 11.  You specifically told him that the smell of garlic makes you gag but he comes home smelling like he inhaled forty cloves?  Give the guy a break (and hand him a bottle of Listerine) it’s hard for him to commit your 12-page list of “don’ts” to memory, or not confuse it with your 20-page list of “dos.”  You’re racing to figure out every fluctuation you’re having (you’re up, you’re down, you’re hungry, you’re queasy, you’re in the mood, you’re not) how can you find fault in him if he can’t keep up?

3. Include him. You get the smiles from strangers, the cooing from coworkers, the showering of gifts, and all the attention. He gets the regular load at work plus the extra load at home. Don’t leave him on the outside looking in rather invite him to the pregnancy party.   Include him in your practitioner visits and not just at the side of the exam table — in your conversations with your practitioner, too.  Take him shopping for baby gear, and ask him to test-drive the stroller.  Even consider making him a guest of honor at your baby shower where should be part of the fun.   And most of all, take every opportunity to let him know that he’s as much a part of your pregnancy as you are. Try to encourage and make him feel to cuddle up or to touch your belly and start bonding with that amazing baby of yours.

4. Turn the tables.  Offer him a massage, buy him a little something special when you’re out shopping for the layette, and cook a romantic dinner during your second trimester when you’re feeling up to it.  He’ll appreciate being indulged and you’ll both be reminded of the mutual love that got you here in the first place.

5. Make him a priority.  Sure, you’ve got baby on the brain and in your belly and a certain amount of preoccupation with that new life is expected, and important.  But as you make room for a baby, don’t forget that you’ll need to leave room for him too.  Keep this in mind in the months and years of parenting that lie ahead:  The single most significant relationship in your life is the one with your partner, even after the baby comes on the scene.  Fetuses grow into babies, who grow into children, who grow up and move away from home, but a spouse is yours with a little luck and a lot of hard work into old age.  Nurture your baby, but don’t forget to take the time and put the effort into nurturing your spouse as well.