A full term pregnancy lasts anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks (counted from the first day of the last menstrual period). Contractions starting on or after the 37^th week of a healthy pregnancy are normal and expected and will lead you to the delivery room.  It is contraction or dilation (opening of the cervix) before the 37^th week that may lead to preterm labor and/or premature birth.

The danger in premature birth is that the baby may not be fully developed to live outside the womb. Premature babies (also called preemies) are at high risk to develop complications, which in some cases can result in death. The risk of complications increases the earlier the baby is born. After a preterm birth, the preemies are cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until they are of full term, have reached the minimum weight and are out of harm’s way.

It is hard to predict preterm labor or birth, especially with first pregnancy. There is a range of factors that can affect preterm labor, including certain genital tract infections, placenta issues, excessively large uterus, too much amniotic fluid and certain chronic maternal illnesses. Speak to your doctor about preterm labor or birth if you experience any of the above issues or are concerned about it and want to know more.

Announcing you are pregnant can be a joyful moment, but at the workplace it may need to be planned out or at the very least thought of rather than being blurted out on a whim. Save the excitement and celebratory feelings to when you tell your family and friends, and take a moment to think about your work place and employer and figure out when would be best to share this type of news.

How far along into the pregnancy should you be when you tell your employer is entirely up to you, unless the type of work you do involves potential hazards materials or a medical condition is involved.  Otherwise, your pregnancy is legally irrelevant to your work. If you can do your work, keep doing it.

Learn about your rights in regards to your employment and how your pregnancy may affect it. Contact the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and your state civil rights commission for information specific to your state.

Check your pay stab to see if your work place deducts state disability insurance (not all states have this), which means you are eligible for a paid maternity leave (check with state disability insurance for more information). Also review your company’s employee manual for their take on maternity leave, or if they do not have this type of policy, read about short term disability, as well as pregnancy Disability Leave.

When you have researched the topics above make sure to document your questions, so when you are ready for that announcement at the workplace, you will be ready to ask human resources the questions you have. Remember – knowledge is power.

In the United States, Canada, and a growing list of other countries, a baby shower is an event to celebrate the expected birth of a new baby by presenting gifts to the parents to be at a party. Traditionally, a baby shower is held only for the mother-to-be, and is attended by women only. This is because the original intent was for women to share wisdom and lessons on the art of becoming a mother.

Traditionally, baby showers were given only for the family’s first child, but over time, it has become more common to hold them for subsequent children as well.

Deciding whether you should have a baby shower is personal as well as cultural. Some cultures celebrate the birth of a child only after the delivery for various reasons such as religion, belief and/or superstition. Others may choose not to have a shower due to a previous miscarriage or other unfortunate experiences.

Many moms to be and their family and friends see the baby shower as a celebration of the new life coming to the world. It is also a great excuse to get everyone together…

Whatever you choose for yourself and your baby, weather you have a shower or not, if it is a small gathering or an elaborate event, get someone to either throw it for you (you have enough on your plate with your baby coming) or help!

There are different symptoms that can suggest a pregnancy. First, and usually the most obvious, is a missed period. Although, it is possible to be spotting while pregnant, a late or missed period is usually the first indication you should check if you are pregnant or not.

Most common early pregnancy symptoms include:

Fatigue. Increased, unusual or unexplained fatigue is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. There is not much you can do to prevent it but rest. Usually fatigue is associated with the first trimester and disappears around the 12^th-14^th week.

Nausea is probably the most know symptom of early pregnancy. Also called morning sickness, but can occur at any time of the day. This pregnancy symptom usually lasts between the 6^th and 12^th weeks of the pregnancy. Make sure you are hydrated.

Sore, swollen breasts are caused by increased blood flow. Other changes to your breasts will come throughout the pregnancy. Read more about breast changes.

The only way to confirm a pregnancy is to take a pregnancy blood test. Yes, you can start with the home pregnancy tests, which these days are becoming more and more accurate, but a blood test is still the most accurate way to get an absolute answer. It’s better than guessing or relaying on symptoms, which if you are not pregnant may need to be checked.

Happy pregnancy!

You’ve had your first baby, and you and your partner have decided you are ready to expand the family once again. While that is an exciting decision, you now have a little one to factor into these types of decision makings.

Yes, it is YOUR decision, but taking a minute to consider how it will affect your little one may go a long way. That is not to say that you should go and consult your first born what he/she thinks of the possibility of becoming an older brother/sister, but think of how he/she will react to such news (based on personality), will he take well to sharing your attention, how will he/she treat the new baby, what will be a good time to share the news, etc.

Is your little one ready to be an older brother or sister? Is there really a way to know? Well, not really. Only time will tell. What you CAN do is prepare the whole family for this new adventure.

This can be a wonderful and exciting time for all of you. After you tell your little one the news, you can go to a prenatal visit together so your firstborn can ‘meet’ the new baby. You can practice holding a doll together, take sibling preparation class at the hospital, and talk about ‘your little brother/sister’ and how things may change, what they can do together, etc.

You may need to help your firstborn to adjust to the newly expanded family. If you have family or friends near by, use them for help. Continue whatever routine your eldest already have (daycare for example), and make him/her feel a part of the joy your family is graced with.

While pregnancy is not an illness, it may have various affects on your body. Not every women experience pregnancy related problems, and you may very well be lucky enough for these problems to never arise. Like with your delivery, you want to plan for the best, but be open to whatever comes your way, for you do not control it (or most of it) and more reassuringly, whatever problem(s) you are experiencing, it will be gone with the arrival of your baby or shortly after.

Even the most fit women may experience common pregnancy problems. A healthy lifestyle may help prevent some issues, but genealogy is always a factor as well as the nature of each individual pregnancy (even in the same women). Even though not avoidable, many of the common pregnancy problems can be treated for relief.

Nausea, also known as morning sickness, doesn’t always occur in the morning. Some women experience nausea or vomiting during different times of the day or its entirety. You can take comfort on the fact that this usually disappears after 14-16 weeks.

Fatigue is common in the first and third trimesters. During the first trimester your body is undergoing many changes, which affect your energy levels. Fatigue during the third trimester is due to the baby’s size and weight, which are grater now and harder to carry.

Mood changes are common during pregnancy. This is cause both by hormone level changes and the stress that may come with the realization of the responsibility that comes with parenthood. If you are concerned, talk to your healthcare provider.

Constipation is caused by a hormone that relaxes the intestinal muscle. To avoid constipation drink plenty of fluids and eat foods that are rich with fiber.

Gas is on the embarrassing side of pregnancy problems. It is caused by much higher levels of progesterone, a hormone that relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation slows down your digestive processes, which can lead to gas, bloating, burping, and flatulence and generally create miserable sensations in your gut, especially after a big meal. To overcome it, eat smaller, more frequent meals. You can also try Simethicon..

Heartburn is caused by the hormone progesterone that is produced by the placenta. It relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing gastric acids to seep back up, which causes a burning sensation. To prevent heartburn, avoid carbonated drinks, chocolate, caffeine and acidic foods. Speak to your doctor to see what medication you can take for it if you experience chronic heartburn.

Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the
rectum or anus; they are usually a result of constipation (which is common during pregnancy). They can be treated with a cream. Consult your healthcare provider for a cream or other solution.

Oedema is swelling in your ankles, feet and hands. This happens due to fluid retention and more blood in your body during pregnancy. Try to rest with your feet elevated, and know that it will disappear after your delivery.

These are some of pregnancy’s common problems; most of which are treatable or will disappear shortly after the delivery. Other problems include headaches, diarrhea, vaginal discharge and Sciatica pain. You may or may not suffer from any pregnancy problems. If you are one of the lucky ones, enjoy your problem free pregnancy while it lasts.  For the rest of you, take care of the problems that do show up to avoid discomfort. And remember, it is only temporary.

The saying “God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers” could not be any closer to the truth. Think of it for a moment.  Once you have your first baby, it will become more evident to you how needed you are (and how much can be done in not to much time…).

At home, even before the baby, you most likely did (or shared with your spouse) the household chores. Cleaning the house, washing & folding laundry, washing dishes, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning again, etc. Once you become a mother, your ‘skills’ are needed even more, and by more people. The obvious new roll you take on is the one of a mother. Your baby needs you for everything, especially in the first six months. Once your newborn can crawl, sit and entertain him/herself, you will still be needed, but will have more freedom to multi task as you may have done before.

The life you had before, may seem to have vaporized in front of your eyes, but one thing that hasn’t changed, is how much your spouse needs you now. Having a baby means changing the rules of the game completely, but at the same time it is important to continuously work on your romantic relationship. It is very common for new Dads to be jealous of the attention their newborns are getting from Mom. Attention that used to be his. Keep this in mind and talk to your spouse. Together you can divide the work load at home and find time to be together just the two of you.

After the birth you’ll find that you are needed at work more than you may want to be (at least in the beginning). After you get used to working, you’ll even find the positive sides of having time apart from your baby. Depending on your arrangement at work, you will be kept busy during the day.. and later kept busy at home too.

The many hats you wear keep you busy, and a helpful and understanding family will help you find the balance to tackle it all as well as find a minute to rest. If you can, accept any help offered to you, especially right after the delivery and in the first three months. Do not be too hard on yourself if you can’t get it all done as fast as you did before or beat yourself up if need help, embrace the new situation and ask for help when you need it.

It may not look like it in the beginning, but it DOES get easier.

When you think of your pregnancy, or your baby, you don’t commonly consider the changes that your body will endure in the process. Yes, you expect your belly to grow, but once you deliver you also wish for your body back and your baby belly to disappear. After all, you delivered, the baby is no longer inside and therefore your belly should go back to its normal state. Right? Well, not quite…it may take a little while.

Your genes (go ask you Mother about her experience to know what your starting point is!), along with your diet and lifestyle will dictate how your body will act post delivery. There is no magic wand to help you get your flat belly back (be true to yourself, was it really flat before the pregnancy?), and no way around having to exercise. Do so only after your doctor clears you to, after your six weeks postpartum check up.

Stretch marks appear due to stretching of your skin during pregnancy. If you have stretch marks, they are probably purple red in color. They will fade to some degree, but a scar will remain. If you absolutely can not live with these scars, wait for at least one year before you consider surgery. Tanning helps in some cases too.

Your breasts will endure the most dramatic change. During pregnancy you may have noticed that your breasts have increased in size. After delivery they enlarge even more due to your milk coming in. If you are breastfeeding you may also experience nipple pains such as cracking, engorgement of your breasts and leaking. These conditions will stabilize within a month or so. Just be patent and use lanolin or another ointment to relive the pain.

After nine month without experiencing your period, it may take you by surprise that you are bleeding so heavily and for so long after you give birth. Lochia (postpartum bleeding) usually lasts 4-8 weeks. This is normal. Your body is cleaning itself and unless you are passing through large clots of blood, there is no reason to be alarmed. The bleeding will get less intense and the red color will change to a brownish one. During this time use heavy duty pads. Do not use tampons.

Yes, things change after having a baby, your body included. Embrace the changes you approve of or cannot control (like sleepless nights with your baby and new emotions of love), and take action to change the ones you disapprove of (maybe start exercising to get your pre pregnancy shape back).

Pregnancy is a miraculous thing. The formation of new life is fascinating, and if you follow your pregnancy week-by-week, you’ll find that this change in your life includes more than just morning sickness  and doctor visits, right from the beginning.

Each woman experiences pregnancy differently, but each woman can experience difference with each subsequent pregnancy as well. Therefore, asking your friends and family about their pregnancies may not help you understand your own, because it is likely you’ll have a very unique experience with only a few shared similarities.

Throughout your pregnancy you will see( should see) your obstetric/gynecologist regularly, so make sure you are satisfied with him/her. If you aren’t, take the time to find another health professional for the duration of your pregnancy. Prenatal visits are important for monitoring your baby’s health and development as well as your own health. Throughout your pregnancy you will be asked to take several different prenatal tests – all aimed at ensuring your pregnancy is progressing properly. Genetic testing may be done depending on yours and your family’s health history.

Some very Common pregnancy problems include nausea, fatigue, mood changes, vaginal discharge, fluid retention, back and leg pains, diarrhea, dizziness, gas, headaches, heartburn, insomnia, hemorrhoids, sinus problems. These discomforts may or may not affect you. There is no way to foresee which pregnancy related issues may affect you, nor is there a way to prevent them. Therefore, it is best to not worry about what could happen. Remember that pregnancy problems are usually not severe and in most cases will disappear after the delivery. If you do suffer from any of the symptoms above or happen to be blessed with multiple issues – you should know that there are ways to minimize your discomfort. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms for a solution.

A pregnancy is not an illness. You can continue your life almost as you have before, as long as you are healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle. If you had engaged in regular exercise before pregancy, you can continue exercising until your doctor tells you otherwise. You may want to consider prenatal yoga. What you should change once you find out your pregnant is your diet. Avoid raw meats, seafood, raw eggs, high mercury fish, soft cheese, caffeine and more. Learn about what foods you should avoid and speak to your doctor about any questions you may have.

You should know that most pregnancies do not involve complications and even if you suffer from discomforts, they do not have to take over your life and ruin this miraculous experience for you. Expect for the best, but be flexible and learn to accept whatever comes your way. This nine months journey may be overwhelming at times, but it is temporary, and at its end you will meet your baby and your life will change forever…

A pregnancy takes its tall on your body in different ways. One of which includes the changes in your skin. Some of which include acne, melasma (also known as “mask of pregnancy”), pregnancy glow, Varicose veins, Spider veins, Linea nigra, stretch marks and other more or less pleasant changes. Not all women experience changes to their skin, but it is likely to occur, more so to lighter skinned women.

Stretch marks, also called striae gravidarum, are caused by excessive stretching of the skin accompanied by hormone changes. The hormone relaxin, that causes collagen levels in skin fibers to drop, makes the skin more vulnerable to getting stretch marks. The type of extreme stretching of the skin mostly happens during the third trimester, though it can happen earlier.

Pregnancy related stretch marks will usually develop on the abdomen, though it is common to get them on the buttocks, hips, breasts and thighs as well.  Therefore, if you choose to use lotion / butter / other products in attempt to avoid getting them, make sure you ‘attack’ all the above areas at minimum.

Will lotions and the like make a difference?

It is said that cocoa butter, vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids lotions and other products are helpful in preventing the appearance of stretch marks. As of today, no method is medically proven to have a direct effect on the appearance of stretch marks, so don’t expect miracles. At the same time, it never hurts to try – at a bare minimum (no pun intended) these lotions may help relive the itchiness of the skin caused by the excessive stretching.

Who will get them?

Your genetic make up is key in knowing weather or not you should expect stretch marks, and if so, how sever they may be. However, your lifestyle and diet may have an impact on the elasticity of your skin as well.

If all else fails, you can be comforted by the fact that with time your stretch marks will fade to some degree. Tanning will help conceal them as well. But simply accepting them as a part of the changes you had to go through on your way to motherthood is the best approach..