Often times, in an email or face to face, I have been asked if I know of some great resources on pregnancy. So, I was doing lots of research and thinking of when I was pregnant with my son, who is now 7. Here are the following sources, in no order, that I loved when I was pregnant and I think are useful today.
1. Baby Center: I loved how I was able to read about about my pregnancy on a week by week basis. This helped me stay informed of what was going on. I believe knowledge is power.
2. What to Expect: I love the books. Wherever I went, the book was in my bag, for times I had moments to read. I even gave copies to my friends and family members who were pregnant. I now am excited to see that What to Expect also has a website full of resources.
3. American Baby Magazine: I subscribed to this magazine which is a great magazine for parents. This magazine is FREE.
4. Parenting: As soon as my son was born, I subscribed to Parenting Magazine because it was full of resources from ages 0 through school age years. You want to know something? I still subscribe to this magazine.
If you have any favorite resources on pregnancy, feel free to list them in the comment section.
1. Baby Center: I loved how I was able to read about about my pregnancy on a week by week basis. This helped me stay informed of what was going on. I believe knowledge is power.
2. What to Expect: I love the books. Wherever I went, the book was in my bag, for times I had moments to read. I even gave copies to my friends and family members who were pregnant. I now am excited to see that What to Expect also has a website full of resources.
3. American Baby Magazine: I subscribed to this magazine which is a great magazine for parents. This magazine is FREE.
4. Parenting: As soon as my son was born, I subscribed to Parenting Magazine because it was full of resources from ages 0 through school age years. You want to know something? I still subscribe to this magazine.
If you have any favorite resources on pregnancy, feel free to list them in the comment section.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms Explained
Molly B., a mother of three, has written at length about forensic science education and the benefits of online coursesIf you've just had a bedroom mishap or perhaps you and your partner have been trying to reproduce for some time, knowing the facts will help you figure out if your body is telling you that you have a little bun in the oven, a bad case of indigestion, or something else. Read on for how to identify the early symptoms of pregnancy.
First, it's important to know that many mothers, especially first-time mothers, can overreact to some very normal symptoms of early pregnancy. Often these women assume the worst--that they might be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, sub-chorionic bleeding, or a miscarriage. While these extremely unfortunate events are possibilities, not every twinge or discomfort should send you running to the ER.
A common symptom of early pregnancy that people may worry over or even confuse with their regular menstrual period is light to moderate spotting. A small amount of spotting may be one of the first signs of pregnancy. This is known as implantation bleeding, and it occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, about two weeks after ovulation. Spotting is lighter in color and volume than a menstrual period. Also, implantation bleeding shouldn't last as long as a normal period.
Next, pregnancy might bring about vomiting or nausea. You have probably already heard the term "morning sickness," but it can occur during any time of the day. Feelings of nausea are due to fluctuating estrogen levels that cause the stomach to empty slower than normal. Unfortunately, a pregnant woman's heightened sense of smell often contributes to the frequency and severity of her nausea. While it may be smart to avoid fish markets for awhile, be thankful for this evolutionary advantage. Your 'nose knows' you're pregnant early on, perhaps even before you do, and is doing its best to prevent you from consuming potentially hazardous food, such as undercooked meats or spoiled fruits.
Always feeling like you just stood up too fast? You might just be in your first trimester. Due to increased blood flow to the womb -- away from the brain -- dizziness and even fainting are signs of early pregnancy. Standing up for extended period of times or engaging in physical activity can make pregnant women feel lightheaded. Swelling of the uterus compresses the arteries in the legs, drops the blood pressure, and can cause that wobbly feeling in your knees.
A very noticeable sign of early pregnancy is heavier, swollen, and tender breasts. When you're pregnant, your body prepares to make milk so that you can breastfeed, which coincides with a rapid change in hormone levels. In addition to tenderness, you also might experience a darkening of the areolas or more pronounced veins on your breasts. Breast tenderness is often a premenstrual symptom, but during pregnancy, it is much more intense. Lastly, bloating, fatigue, and frequent urination may also indicate that you might be expecting.
With all these symptoms in mind, if you suspect you might be pregnant and/or you are experiencing symptoms that seem severe or out of the ordinary, please notify your primary care physician or OB/GYN as soon as possible. Nothing comes before your health or the health of the unborn baby you might be carrying. Pregnancy resource centers are widely available for your assistance.
(Early Pregnancy Explained is a paid post).
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