Is that a Pregnancy Symptom You are Experiencing?

The best way for a woman to determine if she really is expecting is to see a positive result on a pregnancy test. However, many women who are actively trying to get pregnant have a hard time waiting until that test can be taken. For some, a pregnancy symptom here and there may appear long before the next menstrual period is late. While these signs are not a sure fire way to predict a positive pregnancy test, they may provide some insight into what is going on with the conception process.

Changes to the Breasts

Many women will begin to experience swollen breasts that are tender as the earliest pregnancy symptom. These first signs of pregnancy can occur as early as a couple of weeks after conception has taken place, and is the result of hormone fluctuations that occur in the early stages of pregnancy. This early pregnancy symptom will often continue well into the first trimester and then ease up a bit until the end of the term.

Spotting

As the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus, some women have implantation spotting about ten days to two weeks after conception. This pregnancy symptom is much different from a regular period, because it occurs earlier and the blood tends to be lighter in color. Generally not as heavy as a normal period and it also doesn't last as long. Some women also experience some mild cramping with this pregnancy symptom, similar to period cramping.

Fatigue

Most women get tired once in a while, but if you are dead tired more often than not, it may be a pregnancy symptom. During the early stages of pregnancy fatigue is often the result of the rising levels of progesterone that take place. Most women find that fatigue tends to improve during the second trimester and then pick back up again in the later months as the extra weight takes its toll on the body and it is harder to sleep soundly with a protruding belly in the way.

Morning Sickness

The term "morning sickness" is a bit of a misnomer, since the nausea of this early pregnancy symptom can take place at any time of the day. Rising estrogen levels that keep the digestive tract from working as efficiently can cause sickness like this. It may also be due to an increased sensitization to smells during this time that can make some women feel nauseous.

These first signs of pregnancy may be the earliest pregnancy symptoms that a woman experiences, but they are not a definite diagnosis of pregnancy until the tip of that stick definitely turns pink. Talk to a doctor if you suspect that you are pregnant.

Tips to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy

The tip of the stick turned pink right on schedule as you took the home test. Congratulations! Now that you know you are pregnant, you are shouldered with the very important task of ensuring that both you and your baby stay in top health for the next nine months. If this sounds easier said than done, relax. To keep you and your baby healthy and happy until the big due date arrives, there are some simple tips that you can follow from that very first pregnancy symptom.

You are What You Eat

This may be true throughout life, but it is especially true during the months of pregnancy. Many women find that eating five or six small meals a day is much easier on an already stressed digestive system. Make sure you are loading up your plate with plenty of fresh produce and whole grains for the biggest bang for your nutritional buck. It is also important to take the prenatal vitamin that your doctor prescribes without fail, since the nutrients found in this simple pill will make all the difference in a healthy pregnancy. Don't take any type of additional supplements, medications or herbal remedies without checking with your doctor first to ensure their safety.

The List of Don'ts

For your health and the safety of your baby, yes, there are a few things you should refrain from during those important nine months. Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking street drugs are all prescriptions for disaster during pregnancy, since overuse of some of these substances can result in birth defects or a less than healthy newborn. Since accidents can and do happen, it is also important that you never ride in or drive a car without your safety belt. It is also important not to overdo physical activity during this time; when your body tells you to stop and rest, listen to it by all means. The resources that your body needs to do this job properly may not leave you with as much stamina for other things, as it is lot of work growing a baby inside your body.

Take Care

If there was ever a time to indulge in a little extra pampering and care, this is the time. Don't skimp on your sleep during pregnancy, since your body needs sufficient rest to care for that little life inside. Take time to exercise, even if it is a moderately paced walk around the neighborhood at night. This will help to keep your body in shape during pregnancy and prepare it for the work of labor and delivery that lies ahead.

Pregnancy is a wonderful and exciting time, but it should also be a healthy time. By following these important tips, you can do plenty to help ensure that both you and your baby remain happy and healthy until the big birth day arrives.

For Pregnancy: Super-foods that should be in any Pregnant Woman’s Diet

The key to any healthy pregnancy is a good diet. You probably know that the best diet for pregnancy is low in fat and includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean meats. Vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are very important for health during pregnancy and for your baby include but are not limited to iron, folic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and fiber. In order to get these nutrients, we can take a prenatal supplement but most importantly, we need to eat well. The best diet for pregnancy should include the following nutrient-rich, super-foods.

Red Meats that Make the List

While the benefits of low fat meats like fish and poultry are praised, red meats often get a bad rap because their fat content has been linked to various health problems. Eating lean cuts of red meat a couple times a week during pregnancy is a good idea however because they provide B-complex vitamins and important minerals like iron and zinc. The best diet for pregnancy includes lean cuts of red meat like sirloin steak and pork tenderloin.

The Three Bs: Beans, Broccoli and Berries

The best diet for pregnancy includes beans, broccoli and berries and here’s why. Beans like chickpeas, lentils, and soybeans are packed with nutrients like iron, fiber, protein, calcium, and zinc. Beans are a vegetarian pregnant woman’s best friend. Berries supply a good dose of Vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and folate. You can eat them in place of unhealthy, fat-laden desserts and pastries in order to satisfy that persistent sweet tooth. Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that contains a wide range of nutrients including folate, lutein, fiber, and calcium.

It’s All About Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are all the rage, especially for women who are expecting. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids promote brain development and vision in babies. The best diet pregnancy should include salmon, eggs with omega-3, and flax seeds, all of which will provide you with these famous fatty acids. Chewing on a palm full of flax seeds is not tasty and no fun so in order to incorporate flax seeds into your diet, crush them and put them on salads, cereals, and oatmeal.

Believe me. Once you start adding these foods to your diet, you will notice a change in your general sense of well being. If you make the effort to eat pregnancy super-foods and follow the best diet for pregnancy, you will feel better, look better, and contribute to the healthy development and birth of your baby.