signs of pregnancy

Do You Have Any Doubts About Accuracy Of Pregnancy Tests?
Read this and all doubts about pregnancy and pregnancy tests will be cleared ....more

Pregnancy after 35 years
For last 15 years number of women who gave birth for the first time in the age between 30 and 39 years increased more than twice. For the same period number of women over 40, giving birth for the first time, increased 50%. 10 years ago a woman’s biological clock began sound the alarm, when she was 30. Today the first ring sounds somewhere in 35 or even after 40 ....more

Facts about Miscarriages
Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 24 weeks. It is against the will of a woman and cause a lot of grief and tears to her ....more

You can have a healthy pregnancy after 35
There's not an expectant mother alive who hasn't had some anxiety about her baby's health. She wonders whether her baby will be born healthy. Thoughts that never entered her mind are now present ....more

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Do You Have Any Doubts About Accuracy Of Pregnancy Tests? - by Arindam Chatterjee

The fertilized egg plants itself on the wall of the uterus and placenta forms. This then starts secreting a unique hormone called the HCG or Human Chronic Gonadotropin. This hormone is secreted 4-6 days after the first missed period. The number of days taken may vary. Each pregnancy test detects this hormone.

First of all let me tell you about these tests. There are two types of pregnancy tests

What is Home/Urine Pregnancy Test? The home/urine pregnancy test kits are available in any retail store or a medical outlet. You can say this is the easiest way to find out whether you are pregnant. This home pregnancy test also guarantees you privacy just in case you do not want to let anyone know about your pregnancy. This test is also clean and hygienic.

What are Pregnancy Test Kits? The pregnancy test kit has strips on which there is a chemical which detects the hormone HCG. Some kits have two lines some have a positive or negative sign on them. However, before buying a home pregnancy test kit make sure that it is within its validity date. Ditto, with the ones which have been lying in your home for a long time. Checking validity date of pregnancy test kit is important. A pregnancy test kit past its validity date will not give you the correct results. Buying bulk urine pregnancy test kits works out to be lot cheaper than the retail kits.

Each manufacturer gives different instructions about how to use the kit. Following instructions is the important part of this test. Any deviation from instructions can yield incorrect results. Some might ask you to pee directly on the test strip whereas others will ask you to first take some urine in a clean cup or bowl and use a dropper to put a few drops or urine on the strip.

If you are pregnant, both lines on the strip will change color, after urine has been put on it. Incase of strips with positive or negative signs, if the positive sign shows, that means you are pregnant and if the negative sign shows that means you are not pregnant.

Urine at any time cannot be used as a sample for the urine pregnancy test. It is very important to know which urine should be taken as sample. First morning urine should be used ideally as the sample urine for the test. HCG takes time to accumulate in urine. Therefore, this test required concentrated urine sample. If the test requires to be done in day time, see to it that you do not urinate for 4-5 hours before using this urine as sample.

For last 15 years number of women who gave birth for the first time in the age between 30 and 39 years increased more than twice. For the same period number of women over 40, giving birth for the first time, increased 50%. 10 years ago a woman’s biological clock began sound the alarm, when she was 30. Today the first ring sounds somewhere in 35 or even after 40.

Why does this happen? One of the reasons – is more safety. Prenatal researches reduced women’s over 40 danger of giving birth to babies with genetic defects till the level of 20 y.o. girls. New methods of sterility treatment appeared, which women over 35 often suffer from. New achievements of medicine in the sphere of helping a future mother, suffering from chronic disease or in case of complicated passing of pregnancy, allowed women giving birth to normal, healthy babies. Rather safe methods of contraception and such popular persons, like Hollywood actress Kim Basinger, who became a model exemplary, first gave birth being over 40, also contributed to popularization of an opinion “it’s never too late”. Now many women consider that they can delay giving birth to a baby without any risk for themselves till some certain time, and this means – until they receive education, reach success in carrier, strengthen their financial situation and find an appropriate soul mate.

Indeed, many women give birth lately not because they wish to. Late pregnancy can be a result of sterility, late entering into marriage or second marriage.

Although according medical prescriptions the best age for giving birth is between 20 and 24 years, many women feel that they are not emotionally ready for it in this age. For some women, whose childhood passed in 50-60ies, this age was rather a prolonged awkward age, than a beginning of adult life. Such shift means that women reach emotional maturity 10 years after peak of physical maturity. But nowadays a woman who became pregnant being 35 is not in a high-risk group already.

Really, if a woman over 35 is physically healthy, does not suffer from sterility, had no miscarriages, her chances to give birth to a normal, healthy baby are almost the same like a 20 y.o. girl has.

Pregnancy after 35, of course, cannot be completely free from risk, but it is not so high, like you think, and in many cases it can be reduced to minimum. Not very young woman, who wishes to give birth for the first time, should remember following moments.

Firstly, it may be difficult for you to become pregnant. There is documental information that ability to give birth reduces after 35 years little by little.

Even not mentioning such negative factor, like premature menopause, this means that you can conceive in one day, and cannot in other. It may require 6-12 months from you, instead of 4, to conceive.

But greater danger, which traps an older woman that is pregnant for the first time is connected with giving birth to a baby with genetic defects, especially Down syndrome.

Statistics shows that for 40 y.o. woman a danger to give birth to a baby with Down syndrome is 9 times higher, than for 30 y.o. one. For 40 y.o. woman a probability of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome is less 1%. And, although risk increases with age, for 45 y.o. woman it is 3%, i.e. if looking from other side, a probability of giving birth to a healthy baby is 97%. Women over 35 have health complications during pregnancy more often, in particular this concerns diabetes and high blood pressure, which are peculiar to people of older age in general. About 6% of women over 35 suffer from such complications in comparison with 1,3% of younger ones.

According to statistics, women of older age may suffer from complications of pregnancy, including abruption of placenta and pathologic condition of fetus, which require medical operation, and can have very serious after-effects for both mother and baby health. Risk of miscarriage increases too. Delivery can be complicated and prolonged, and these are main prescriptions for Cesarean section, which is quite popular now. However, researches showed that on average duration of delivery of women, giving birth in older age, exceeded duration of delivery of young ones only on 45 minutes.

For women over 35 a risk of problems connected with endometriosis and fibroid, which may affect fertility and passing of pregnancy, increases.

But all this sorts of dangers can be reduced to minimum, if a woman, who, most likely, plans her pregnancy carefully, prepares herself physically for coming pregnancy beforehand.

Fetus organs are formed during first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and in this period fetus is most wounded, as doctors consider, so, if you eat well, refuse from nicotine and alcohol, caffeine and drugs, start taking vitamins and do physical exercises, you will increase your chances to bear pregnancy easily and well and give birth to a healthy baby. However, pregnancy is not the time for starting physical exercises, doctors warn. You need to prepare yourself physically for this, before you become pregnant, then it will be easier for you to cope with problems, if they appear.

A correct valuation of real risk can become a woman of older age to reduce stress while pregnancy, which often leads to complications during childbirth. Every emotion is accompanied by changes in organism’s biochemistry. If you consider you are ill, you may become ill in fact.

If a woman is about 40, and she is going to give birth for the first time, while first sings of some problem a doctor begins to work. He is in rush to meddle. Unfortunately, you should not completely trust to previous researches of women of older genital age. Somewhere women of this age either had many children, and everything was not ok with their health, or these were women, who had been trying to become pregnant for a long time – may be, last 15 years, but they had miscarriages.

In researches, which were held recently, main attention was paid to women, who corresponded to a modern demographic situation to a greater extent: these women, as a rule, belonged to a middle class, were well-educated, gave birth to first, not 10th baby. If not taking into account fact of sterility, then women of older genital age and their younger sisters differ little.

It becomes absolutely obvious, that late maternity has a range of advantages. Women, who are not in a hurry to give birth to babies, turn to be best prepared for bearing and growing babies. It is proven that older women do not suffer from ambivalence of feelings during pregnancy and go through inner conflicts seldom. They treat pregnancy rather like God’s bless, not because they could not give birth in earlier age. Knowledge of who you are and what you want comes with age and experience.

You are more disciplined and live in harmony with yourself. You understand what you will have to refuse from and what expects you.

Pregnancy in later years usually falls on time of deep reflections, two mature persons take this decision, having big life experience. Depending of a wife’s age, they can see the “last chance” in it, and to treat it like a precious gift of destiny.

Research showed that late baby means especially a lot for a mother; a woman in such age is less subjected to stress, is more open and interested in learning new, than young mommies.

Late baby comes in world like a beloved gift for a woman, who knows what she wants. In one American hospital a research was carried out, when they compared feelings of women, who were going to give birth for the first time, of different ages: it was discovered that women of older age group felt less stress during pregnancy, than very young women, despite of heightened risk of giving birth to a baby with genetic defects, despite of the fact that a baby will most likely change her usual life more. Older woman, majority of which got married later, according to researchers’ opinion, have more chances to become more self-confident, independent, feel better, and this improves their mood during pregnancy. Although when childbirth approaches, they may feel oppressed, but not so much, like young women.

Moreover, older woman, who dedicated all her young years for carrier, can treat pregnancy like an opportunity to try herself in what was left blank in her life. Unlike a young woman, who has not found her place in the world yet, an older mother is less inclined to expect that her baby will become a realization of her dreams. She also does not think that a baby “pulls her back”, when she is trying to finish her achievements. Majority of mothers who gave birth late have already taken care to become professionals.

Late maternity, of course, has negative sides. Women of older genital age recover from delivery not so quick, like young women.

Some women encounter difficulties to get used to requirements, connected with baby care, as they have been taking care only of themselves for so many years. A very organized woman feels bad in a situation, when everything – pregnancy, delivery, taking care of a baby – cannot be planned, like this happens most often. As for late pregnancy, there are other things, which should be taken into account. Although now women give birth in older age, there is still a moment, when it is too late to give birth. Parents have to restrict with only baby or give birth with very short interval. Some opponents of late childbirth point out that parents spoil them too often - a syndrome of precious baby, - especially if this is an only baby. However, such tendency can be observed in any age group.

We also need to dwell on other arithmetic. At 35, 40 a woman may simultaneously play a role of both a newly-made mother and a nurse for her old parents.

Which types of role models can grey-haired parents offer to teenagers? Because of big age difference between parents and a child there is a danger of generation gap. Many parents, who gave birth lately, turn to be too busy to feel old.

Late maternity obliges you to remain young. You response to everything, take part in everything.

Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 24 weeks. It is against the will of a woman and cause a lot of grief and tears to her.

Most of the miscarriages take place in the first 12 to 13 weeks. As a woman grows older the chances of miscarriage are more. At the age of 20 to 30 the pregnancies ending in miscarriage is about 15 % while the percent of miscarriages increases with the age.

* It cannot be said clearly why miscarriages occur. Most of the times it is a genetic problem and not because of carelessness. The early miscarriages are generally due to genetics and cannot be prevented.
* Some reasons of miscarriage could be heaving drinking and smoking. If you do not take proper care of yourself and take alcohol.
* Another factor could be that you are undergoing a lot of stress.
* At times medical tests could be the reason for a miscarriage.
Does a miscarriage mean some kind of health problem?

If a woman has a miscarriage that does not mean she has some health problem or she cannot become a mother again. There are a number of women who become mothers after a miscarriage and there are also women who had more than one miscarriage and become mothers. Though continuous miscarriages could be indications of some health problems and need medical help. At times medical tests could be the reason for a miscarriage.

What are the symptoms of miscarriages?
* If there is vaginal bleeding that could be followed by brownish discharge then it could a warning of a miscarriage.
* If there is pain in the lower back or abdomen then it could be an indication of miscarriage.
* Another symptom is pain in the pelvic area.
* A gush of fluid from the vagina without pain or bleeding.
* Spotting or bleeding without pain.
* Heavy bleeding along with severe pain.

If a woman experiences any kind of bleeding it is best to visit a doctor and have a check up. The doctor will check the shape and size of the uterus. She could also have an ultrasound to see the image of the uterus and baby. An ultrasound will confirm the heartbeat of the baby. You could also undergo a blood teat known as Complete Blood Count to asses the amount of blood you have lost.

When a woman looses pregnancy it is recommended to take rest and proper care. It would be best if she could share her feelings with someone she loves and trusts. It will make her feel lighter and recover fast. Pregnancy after miscarriage is possible therefore the woman who has had a miscarriage should be consoled and convinced that she can give another try and that this is not an end.

There's not an expectant mother alive who hasn't had some anxiety about her baby's health. She wonders whether her baby will be born healthy. Thoughts that never entered her mind are now present.

Movies, books, television, the nosy woman in the hair salon tell birth horror stories that increase a pregnant woman's anxiety. Combine all this with the hormone changes that take place in the body during pregnancy, and it's a wonder that any woman survives with her sanity in tact.

An expectant mom over 35 is hit with a double dose of anxiety. She worries about her baby's health and worries about the role her age will play in her baby's health.

Here are 8 guidelines to ease your mind and to help you achieve a healthy midlife pregnancy:

1) Choose an obstetrician or midwife who doesn't view midlife pregnancy as a problem. Ask if your prospective health care provider has concerns about pregnancy over 35.

Listen carefully to make sure the concerns are medically-based rather than opinion-based. Opinion-based concerns are those that do not have any medical validity.

Your health care provider may be concerned that collectively the medical history of pregnant women over age 35 shows an increased risk of: high blood pressure, diabetes, cesarean birth and chromosomal defects.

Remember that these studies are based on the results of midlife pregnant women as a group and are not based on your individual medical history. Select an obstetrician or midwife who respects your right to have your pregnancy viewed individually.

2) Diet Matters. A pregnant woman needs an extra 300 calories a day. You can get these calories by eating foods which are high in protein, calcium and iron.

To prevent bacteria and parasites that could be harmful to your unborn baby, avoid unpasteurized milk or soft cheeses and uncooked or raw meat, fish, shellfish or eggs. Also, all fresh fruits should be washed thoroughly before eating.

You'll need to increase your intake of protein and folic acid. Protein is cruical for the development of all new cells. A minimum of 60 grams per day is needed for the physical and cellular development of your baby.

Taking a multivitamin supplement that includes 400 micrograms of folic acit daily is beneficial to a pregnant woman as well as all women of childbearing age. Folic acid helps in developing the spinal cord and the brain of an unborn baby.

During pregnancy curb your craving for caffeine. Consumed in large quantities, caffeine can cause irritability, nervousness and insomnia as well as low birth-weight babies.

Some studies show that caffeine intake during pregnancy can harm the fetus. Other studies state there is no evidence that small amounts of caffeine cause problems during pregnancy. Until more conclusive studies are done you may want to limit your caffeine intake while pregnant.

3) No to Alcohol. No one knows how much alcohol a woman has to consume to put herself at risk for a miscarriage or her baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome may include mental and growth retardation, facial malformations, liver and kidney abnormalities.

Because there is such uncertainity surrounding alcohol consumption and pregnancy, most health care providers recommend that expectant moms avoid alcohol.

4) Stop Smoking. An expectant mom who smokes is putting her baby at risk. Smoking while pregnant reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to your baby, which may impair the growth of your baby resulting in a greater chance of a premature or too small baby.

5) Legal and Illegal drugs. Some medications are not safe for a pregnant woman. You should review all drugs including prescriptions, over-the-counter and herbal medications with your physician during and after pregnancy.

Illegal drugs. Stay away from them. They can kill your future and the future of your baby.

6) Exercise regularly. Never begin an exercise program without first checking with your doctor. Exercise is a a good way to keep your body in shape and relieve stress during pregnancy.

7) Rest. The body goes through many physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. Listen to your body. Rest whenever possible. Stop or cut back on many activities that sap your strength.

8) Limit your contact with negative people. All expectant moms, regardless of age, run into unwanted advice about everything from clothing to weight.

As an expectant mom over 35 you will run into people who applaud your decision to give birth later to people who tell you outright that you are too old to have a baby.

The key is not in what others say but in how you react and believe the message they are saying. Like a solider who puts on her physical attire for combat you must put on your mental gear to protect negativity from penetrating your spirits. Most of all enjoy your pregnancy!