Your Pregnancy Journal - Ton’s of Fun and Ton’s of Benefits
March 14th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Pregnancy journals are very popular today and women maintain them for different reasons. Your journal can resemble a diary, a scrap-book or consist of a collection of yellow sticky notes. The format and the purpose of your journal are completely up to you.
A pregnancy journal is a great way to document and understand your feelings, monitor your symptoms, record any pregnancy tips you discover during your journey, monitor your weight and exercise, share special thoughts with your developing baby and just about anything else that pops into mind. A pregnancy journal or scrap-book is a great way to enhance your total pregnancy experience.
Before starting your pregnancy journal, consider how you want to use it and who will be reading it. Some women prepare a fancy journal as a gift to their child, some pass their journal to their pregnant daughter, some share it with their partner and some keep their journal private. The important thing is that you’ll be preserving a very special time in your life.
Although journals are more popular among pregnant moms, some dads also participate in the process. Couples can create a joint journal or prepare separate ones. Your pregnancy journal can be alot of fun while also providing medical, emotional and other important benefits.
Medical Benefits of Journaling
Using your pregnancy journal to record your questions, concerns and symptoms makes it alot easier to prepare for your prenatal visits. You will no longer forget your questions or go blank at the doctors office. Before going to the doctor, just review your journal and highlight (or make a note of) the items you want to discuss. In addition, bring your journal with you in case you need to answer unexpected questions. Used in this manner, your pregnancy journal can help your make the most of each doctor visit.
It’s also a good idea to record pregnancy information in your journal that you want to verify with your doctor. For example, you may read something in a Pregnancy Guide and want independent verification from your doctor before following the advice. A second opinion can be useful and provide you with peace of mind.
Emotional Benefits of Journaling
The emotional benefits of journaling can occur during and after your pregnancy. During pregnancy, your journal can provide emotional benefits because:
- it provides an outlet for you to express your fears and concerns;
- writing or verbalizing your feelings often helps you understand yourself better;
- it can help develop or stregthen the emotional bond between you and your developing baby;
- it can enhance the emotional bond between you and your spouse; and
- journaling can be a source of enjoyment; etc.
When times get stressful after your baby is born, your pregnancy journal may provide unexpected emotional support. When your baby wakes you again at 2AM, a glimpse at your pregnancy journal or scrap-book can lift your spirits. Reliving a previous special thought, feeling or experience can have a positive impact on your current mood. It helps you keep a proper and more balanced perspective.
Practical Benefits of Journaling
Your pregnancy journals can function as a pregnancy support guide and provide real like practical information to other pregnant women in your life. Used in this way, the journal is a great reference for your pregnant daughter, other pregnant relatives or friends and yourself in subsequent pregnancies. You can use it as a reminder of when certain tests or doctors appointments should be scheduled the next time you are pregnant. The benefits of a pregnancy journal are only limited by your imagination. Like everything else in life, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
Wishing You a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy
Periods and Pregnancy - Bleeding During Pregnancy
March 14th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
A pleasant benefit of pregnancy is no monthly period for nine months. Upon conception, your body begins to produce a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG. This hormone signals your body to stop ovulation which also stops your monthly period. Most home pregnancy tests work by testing your urine for HCG, if the hormone is present you’re pregnant. It is impossible to experience your period and pregnancy at the same time. You may however experience spotting and/or period like bleeding during pregnancy for other reasons. Whenever you experience bleeding during pregnancy, keep a record and consult a Pregnancy Guide and/or your doctor if needed. Never be afraid to ask your doctor about any symptoms you experience, they may be important.
Does a Missed Period Always Mean Pregnancy?
A missed period is not always a sign of pregnancy. There are many other reasons why you might miss your monthly period including:
- extreme physical and/or mental stress or fatigue;
- extreme and/or rapid changes in your weight;
- hormone problem or imbalance;
- extreme changes in your diet or lifestyle; and
- changes in the type or use of various birth control methods, etc.
In addition to the above reasons, some women have irregular menstrual cycles so irregular bleeding is normal for them. If you missed your period, check to see if you are experiencing other early pregnancy signs such as morning sickness. If you are still unsure or worried consider buying a home pregnancy test.
Home pregnancy tests are fairly reliable, can be purchase at your local pharmacy and are inexpensive. Pregnancy tests today can detect the pregnancy hormone very early. If you realize you have missed a period, purchase a pregnancy test and read the directions carefully before using. If the test is negative but you have doubts, ask your doctor to perform a blood test. Your doctor can test your blood for pregnancy hormones. The blood test is extremely sensitive and much more reliable than the store bought urine tests.
Why do I Have my Period While Pregnant?
As we discussed, it is impossible to have your period during pregnancy. However, you and many other women experience period like bleeding during early pregnancy, this is perfectly normal. This bleeding is called implantation bleeding and occurs when the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. This does not signal a problem with the pregnancy and is not your period. If you mistake this bleeding as a period, the pregnancy may be affected with respect to your due date and prenatal care.
Implantation bleeding usually lasts for just a few days. The normal bleeding during early pregnancy usually differs from your monthly period in two respects: the bleeding spans a shorter period of time than your period and the blood flow or discharge is much ligher than your period.
What Is Spotting - Why am I Bleeding?
There may be multiple times during your pregnancy that you experience bleeding. Roughly 30% of all pregnant women experience period like bleeding and/or a discharge called spotting. Although bleeding and spotting are normal pregnancy symptoms, you should always monitor bleeding during your pregnancy. Maintain a pregnancy journal to record the following: when the bleeding began, when the bleeding ended, how heavy the bleeding was, accompanying symptoms such as cramping, what you were doing when the bleeding first occured, etc. This information is useful when talking with your doctor or using a Pregnancy Guide.
Droplets of blood on your underwear or when using the bathroom are typically referred to as spotting. Spotting during early pregnancy is fairly common and is usually associated with implantation bleeding. If the spotting becomes heavier, similar to your period, the pregnancy could be in danger. Call your doctor immediately.
During the later stages of pregnancy, you may experience bloody show. Bloody show is not a period and is common in pregnancy. Heavy period like bleeding in late pregnancy can indicate problems such as: the placenta has detached from the uterus wall or the placenta is erroneously located at the bottom of the uterus. Both of these situations are considered medical emergencies.
Rectal bleeding is also common during pregnancy due to tears in the rectal tissue caused by severe constipation. Unfortunately constipation is a common pregnancy symptom. You may mistake rectal bleeding for vaginal bleeding, try and verify the blood source before you call the doctor.
Nervous About Your Pregnancy?
It is normal for all mothers (especially first time mothers) to worry or be anxious about pregnancy. Education is the best way to reduce fear, gain confidence and ensure a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby. There are some really good Pregnancy Guides available. If you’re still unsure, call your doctor for clarification. Don’t worry, you’re not the first pregnant mom to call with questions.
To Your Health,
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Recognizing the Early Signs of Pregnancy and Taking Action
March 13th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Early pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and can be difficult to detect. Some woman begin experiencing symptoms within 1 week of conception other women within 2 to 4 weeks. The most well known pregnancy symptoms include morning sickness and a missed or late menstrual cycle. Other early pregnancy symptoms can easily be confused with your normal menstrual symptoms. It is extremely important that you pay close attention to your body so you know as soon as possbile that you are pregnant. You need to take special care of your body during pregnancy and the sooner you start the better for you and your baby.
The Easiest to Detect Early Symptom of Pregnancy
A missed or significantly delayed menstrual cycle is usually the first potential pregnancy symptom that you will notice. The best way to notice changes in your monthly cycle is to monitor it on a regular basis. If your period is more than two weeks late this may indicate that you are pregnant. You may want to take a home pregnancy test or consult with your doctor.
Although a missed menstrual cycle can be an early symptom of pregnancy, it can also be caused by other non-related factors such as:
1) physical or mental stress;
2) exteme changes in your weight (up or down);
3) changes with respect to your birth control pills;
4) significant changes in your eating habits or lifestyle; etc.
Under certain curcumstances, you may miss a menstrual cycle without realizing it. Many women experience spotting from implantation bleeding and minor cramps within 1 to 2 weeks of conception. This is an early pregnancy symptom that you can easily confuse with your menstrual cycle.
Other Potential Early Symptoms of Pregnancy
Other early pregnancy symptoms include tender or swollen breasts, excessive tiredness, headaches, lower back pain and mood swings. These pregnancy symptoms are extremely difficult for most women to identify because they are the same symptoms that many of us experience during our normal monthly cycle. In addition to your monthly cycle, there are other non-related factors that can cause many of these symptoms. You need to know that these symptoms are potential signs of pregnancy and note whether they occur with other early pregnancy signs such as morning sickness and/or a missed period.
As we discussed, there are many early symptoms of pregnancy that can alert you to the fact that your body has another living being developing inside. It is important that you understand and recognize the potential signs of pregnancy so that you can determine immediately if the pregnancy is real. The developing embryo needs special care and nutrition from you as soon as conception occurs.
If you suspect you may be pregnant, have the pregnancy confirmed immediately and begin following a special pregnancy nutrition and fitness program. The first 13 weeks of your baby’s development are the most critical. This is also the time that most miscarriages occur. Proper nutrition is needed to reduce the risk of birth disorders, malformations and miscarriage.
The best way to prepare yourself mentally and physically for your pregnancy is to:
- review the free pregnancy information at our website;
- study our top two recommended pregnancy resources; and
- consult with your doctor.
Wishing You a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy
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The Stages of Pregnancy - The Pregnancy Trimesters
March 13th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
The stages of pregnancy are commonly called trimesters. The three trimesters span a total of forty weeks. The first and second pregnancy trimesters are each thirteen weeks long and the third pregnancy trimester is 14 weeks long. Your forty week pregnancy begins with the first day of your last menstrual cycle. The standard use of a pregnancy start date, the forty weeks and the pregnancy trimesters (or stages) is critical because of the difficulty in determining the date of conception. Doctors needed a standard pregnancy cycle so they could define the normal symptoms and growth expected during each week and stage of pregnancy. All pregnancy resources use this same standard pregnancy cycle. This is the same cycle your doctor will use to determine if your baby is developing normally.
Stage 1 of Pregnancy: The First Trimester
The first stage of pregnancy is probably the most critical. During this stage both you and your baby are experiencing alot of changes. It is extremely important to identify your pregnancy as early as possible so you can begin to take special care of yourself to ensure the health of your baby. Your fitness and nutrition are very important during this period. Most miscarriages occur during the first pregnancy trimester.
The first trimester is when your baby is going through the the most critical phases of its development. By the time you are 13 weeks pregnant your baby has all the parts of an adult, can make a fist, is roughly 3 inches long and weighs a little more then an ounce. The baby’s sex organs have also developed but are usually too small to identify at this time.
Morning sickness and vomiting are common during this stage of pregnancy and may be the first recognizable pregnancy symptom you experience. For many woman, this symptom ends before the second stage of pregnancy begins. You may also experience breast tenderness, spotting, mild cramping and fatigue. Many early pregnancy symptoms may be difficult to detect since they are similar to menstrual cycle symptoms. It is usually advised that you avoid all prescription, over the counter and herbal medications during this stage of pregnancy to avoid potential birth defects, malformations and miscarriage. Although you have started to gain weight, there is usually no need for maternity clothes at this time.
Stage 2 of Pregnancy: The Second Trimester
During the second stage of pregnancy you will be more aware of the impact pregnancy is having on your body. You will gain more weight and become easily fatigued. It is important to listen to your body and to get additional rest. Everyday activities can become exhausting. Your nutrition and fitness is critical during every stage of pregnancy to ensure your baby gets the nutrients it needs to develop and grow. Exercise is very important during pregnancy and can minimize some of your discomforts. You also want to monitor your weight gain. Gaining too much weight or too little weight are both unhealthy for you and your baby.
For most women, morning sickness and vomiting has ended or will end during the first few weeks of the second pregnancy trimester. Pregnancy symptoms that typically develop during the second or third trimester include: heartburn and indigestion, back pain, gas and bloating, constipation, leg cramps and hemorrhoids. Your pregnancy will be showing and maternity or loose fitting clothes will be needed. During this stage of pregnancy you will be able to feel your baby’s movements and notice their waking and sleeping patterns.
Your baby is growing fast during the second pregnancy trimester. By the end of your 26th week of pregnancy your baby looks similar to a newborn, has fully developed eyes, has finger nails and finger prints, has eyebrows and eyelashes and baby’s skin is less transparent because of the development of fat. Your baby is now 12 -14 inches long and weights about 2 1/2 pounds. Your baby’s sex can easily be determined. If you gave birth at the end of the second pregnancy trimester your baby could survive with modern medical technology.
Stage 3 of Pregnancy: The Third Trimester
During the third stage of pregnancy, you have a big belly and your baby is kicking. You are still fatigued, feeling a little fat and anxious to meet you new baby face to face. Your baby is also getting anxious. Most of the symptoms from the second pregnancy trimester are still present and your back aches may worsen because of the additional weight. Your baby is growing very fast and gaining the most weight now. Although birth weight varies, the average birth weight for newborns is between 6 and 9 pounds.
Congratualations, you made it!
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My Pregnancy Stages for All of Your Pregnancy Questions
March 13th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
My Pregnancy Stages is dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive and up to date pregnancy information and resources available. We realize that the best way for you to have a healthly and happy pregnancy is for you to know as much as possible about what you are experiencing. This knowledge will increase your confidence and reduce your fears.
To ensure that you get the pregnancy information that you need we will:
- report pregnancy news items on our website so you have the latest information available;
- review the most popular pregnancy books and guides in order to create our list of recommended resources; and
- include pregnancy information articles on our website as needed.
Although My Pregnancy Stages is a new website, we have been reviewing pregnancy and baby guides for quite some time. Our top recommendations are listed on our website.
Here at My Pregnancy Stages we value your feedback and suggestions.
To contact us please send an e-mail to:
We will try to respond within 48 hours.
To Your Health!
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