Pregnancy is a time of great joy and happiness. This is when couples everywhere celebrate the creation of new life. It is also when they start counting down the days to the birth. A healthy pregnancy typically takes about nine months from start to finish. During this time, there's a great deal that any given woman can do to maximize her chances of having a full term birth. Women can also do many things that will reduce their chances of preterm labor, decrease the possibility of complications and help them make a smooth transition to motherhood. All pregnant women should be aware of the many steps they can take to have the pregnancy, the labor and the delivery they want. Even small steps can lead to great results. It is crucial to be mindful of details such as what the woman’s diet and the kind of exercise she gets each week. The nine months of pregnancy are a time of hope and wonder. They are also a time to fully prepare for the new life each person is bringing into their world. Caring parenting begins in the womb.
Types of Pregnancy
There are several different types of pregnancy. The most common is a singleton pregnancy of a single fetus. In rarer cases, a woman may partake of a multiple pregnancy. A multiple pregnancy may involve twins or what is known as higher order multiples. Higher order multiples are pregnancies consisting of more than two fetuses such as triplets and quadruplets. A pregnancy with more than one fetus is generally considered high risk. Even if the mother is otherwise healthy, having more than one baby means an increased risk of all sorts of conditions including premature labor, high blood pressure and diabetes that may pose a serious risk to the health of the mother. Obviously the mother doesn’t have a choice, however it’s often common for certain families to be prone to multiple pregnancies. It’s often said that “Twins run in the family.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is There Anything to do Before Getting Pregnant?
A: Many people wonder if there's something they can do to ensure a healthy baby before they get pregnant. The answer is yes. Losing weight can help prepare the body for pregnancy. The same is true of getting fit through proper exercise. A fit mother is likely to find it easier to deliver a healthy baby. A woman should also ensure she is getting enough folic acid. This will help reduce the possibility of neural tube defects.
Q: What are the Stages of Pregnancy?
A: Pregnancy is traditionally divided into three stages. These stages are known as trimesters. Each trimester lasts approximately three months. Woman can expect to experience different symptoms during each stage. For example, during the first trimester, nausea is highly common. A woman should be aware of her growing belly and how it may influence her body. As the pregnancy continues, the woman may need to pay close attention to her diet, her exercise and her sleeping habits to make sure she's doing all she can to prepare her body for becoming a mother.
Q: Is Exercise Safe During Pregnancy?
A: Many women like to work out. They wonder if it's safe to continue doing so once they are pregnant. For women who are high risk of miscarriage or early labor, vigorous exercise may not be advised. Other women are told that it is safe to keep exercising during pregnancy. Indeed, exercise can help improve blood flow to the fetus. As the pregnancy progresses, many doctors suggest that a pregnant woman refrain from harder exercise that may tax their heart. Gentle exercise such as yoga and swimming can help the woman relax and still stay in shape for her upcoming birth.
Q: What Should I Eat?
A: Eating well is a crucial part of any pregnancy. During the early days of pregnancy, many women face serious issues with morning sickness. This can make it hard for them to keep food down and provide enough calories for their growing fetus. Light, frequent meals can help provide enough food for a woman to get through this stage of her pregnancy. As the pregnancy continues, it is wise not to overeat. A woman should plan on an additional five hundred calories a day as her due date approaches. This will give her body the food she needs to grow the baby and still carry out her daily activities.
Q: How Many Doctor Visits are Required?
A: During the pregnancy, a woman can expect to work closely with her OB-GYN. Her first visit will confirm her pregnancy. A doctor will typically do a blood test and then find out if she's immune to many common diseases. As the pregnancy continues, she can expect to see her doctor about once a month. During the last trimester, many doctors ask their patients to come in once a week. Prenatal visits are vitally important. A doctor can identify any potential issues that may need to be addressed as the pregnancy continues such as the possibility of a breech birth.
Q: Will Other Medical Professionals be Involved?
A: Any pregnant woman can expect to interact with many other medical professionals over the course of her pregnancy. A specialist may be called in to help if complications develop. Genetics counselors can point out the genetics profile of the couple and indicate their risks for certain hereditary diseases. As the pregnancy continues, a woman may want to go with a midwife rather than an OB. This a good choice for a low risk birth. A doula is another professional. They are trained to provide assistance during the childbirth process and make it easier and less stressful on the woman.
Q: How do I Prepare for Labor and Delivery?
A: Preparing for labor and delivery will start to take center stage as the pregnancy comes to a conclusion. A woman should understand how labor begins and what happens as it progresses. This can ease her fears and make it easier for her to cope as the labor starts. Taking a childbirth class is an excellent way to learn about this process. A woman should know what her options are during labor such as the type of pain relief she wants, if she wants any pain relief, and what she wants to happen should her labor not continue optimally. The woman should also know where the nearest hospital is and exactly how to get there.
Understanding the answers to these questions can help any woman have the safe and healthy pregnancy she wants.
