Monday, January 7, 2008

Pregnancy Discharge: The Basics

Pregnancy discharge is one of the first signs of being pregnant. During pregnancy, increased hormones and increase in blood circulation in the vagina cause a whitish runny discharge called Leucorrhea. If this early pregnancy discharge does not smell foul but does smell mild it is a perfectly normal bodily symptom of pregnancy. In fact, this is the way your body removes harmful bacteria from the vagina to protect you and your baby.

The other type of discharge occurs towards the end of pregnancy, when about a month from your due date you may find an increased discharge thick in consistency. Some women prefer to use panty liners at this time as this makes them feel more at ease.

Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is considered abnormal when it is foul smelling, and is greenish, grayish or yellowish in color and may cause itching or redness of the vagina lips. This may mean you have a vaginal infection like a yeast infection or a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). You must go to the doctor and not try to cure it your self.

You must inform your doctor immediately if the pregnancy discharge changes in consistency and smells foul. Also spotting is a normal pregnancy symptom, but you should inform your doctor at once if it is accompanied by cramping and pain that lasts longer than a day

What Not To Do

Do not Douche your self – this could lead to a vaginal infection
Do not use tampons during pregnancy
Do not try to treat yourself for any vaginal infections

That was about pregnancy discharge. You can also read more about the subject in good books and magazines and stay well informed so that when the time comes, you are well prepared to have a healthy and safe pregnancy.

First Sign Of Pregnancy- A Defining Moment In Your Life

The first sign of pregnancy is an important message that your body gives you that you may be pregnant. For many women, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. However, a period can also be missed because of hormonal problems, tension and stress and discontinuing the pill.

Signs And Symptoms

Morning sickness is also an indicator of being pregnant, but feeling nauseas could also be because of food poisoning, or any other stomach disorder.

You usually crave a particular food during pregnancy, but this could also be a sign of depression, poor diet, stress, or lack of a particular nutrient.

Frequent passing of water is another sign of being pregnant. However, this could also indicate a urinary tract infection, excessive intake of diuretics, too much drinking of water or diabetes

How Do You Know For Sure That You Are Pregnant?

So, how do you know you are pregnant? Well if you have any one or all of these signs and have been having unprotected intercourse, then you can buy a pregnancy test kit and do a test on your self. Alternatively, you can visit the doctor who will do an internal examination of the vagina to find a soft swollen uterus, if you are pregnant. He may also do a urine test to check for hormones in the urine from the developing fetus. On the other hand, he may do a blood test to find out if you are pregnant.

Talk To Your Doctor

Do not take the first sign of pregnancy lightly. After all, now there could be a special human being forming in your womb. You may have doubts, fears and many questions. Do not feel afraid to ask your doctor, write down the questions on a piece of paper, and get your doubts cleared. Get yourself vaccinated, ask doctor’s advice if you have any history of illnesses in the family, stop taking over the counter drugs and stop smoking, drinking and doing drugs. The first sign of pregnancy is an important one. Take it seriously, because you may be ready to have a beautiful baby.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Pregnancy Symptoms- The Signs that Tell You, You’re Pregnant

Earliest Symptoms

The earliest symptoms of pregnancy are when a woman misses her period. However, even before this, she may feel a slight tingling sensation in her breasts or may start to urinate more frequently and have a slight fluid discharge from the vagina.

For Second Time Mothers

A woman, who is having a second or third baby, may feel the symptoms of pregnancy much earlier as she may feel nauseas, irritable and suddenly develop cravings for a particular food. Alternatively, she may feel slightly faint or dizzy.


The Doctor’s Visit

If a woman has had unprotected intercourse during her most fertile period, she could be pregnant. The doctor will conduct a vaginal examination to find a soft swollen uterus inside her, or he may do a urine test for traces of hormones from the baby.

Another test that may be carried out to check if the woman is pregnant is the Ultrasound Test. This test can clearly show the picture of the developing uterus, even in the 6th or 7th week of pregnancy.

Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy

These early signs of pregnancy could indicate that a woman is pregnant and going by her pregnancy symptoms, she should start preparing herself for a healthy pregnancy.

She should eat nutritious food, rich in folic acid supplements, multi vitamins, and calcium. She should eat fresh green leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits, citrus fruits and fortified cereals. She should eat three regular but small meals a day. She should also drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day, to avoid dehydration. It is important that she take regular exercise, either yoga or some walking or swimming exercises. Yoga will help her relax and bring down her stress levels as well. Meditation will help her feel at peace with her self. She should also read good books and magazines and check out worthwhile sites on the internet about pregnancy.