In the news last night and this morning there was a talk about this life saving ultrasounds that was done. It was 3D and was able to get 10 to 12 pictures of the unborn baby fast and was able to detected the diagnosis of the heart. This ultrasound saved this baby's life as the Dr.'s knew how to prepare for this baby. They knew that he would need surgery and medications as soon as he was born.

The Dr that created this software is Dr. Alfred Abuhamad and the the technique or the ultrasound was done by an Eastern Virginia Medical School doctor, and is now licensed by GE. This together will be saving many lives. The best time to get a 3D done is when you are 18 to 23 weeks, this is when the heart is about the size of a dime so they can get a better look at it. Also 3D's are very nice to be able to really see your baby, so that is a great bonus!

Heart defects are the most common of all birth defects and also the number one reason for death from birth defects in the baby's first year. Also a lot of baby's who end up with heart defects are born to woman who had no other risk factors. This is why I am saying it is life saving.

Labels: pregnancy

Some say that they know as soon as they are pregnant and others are just waiting for a test to show them. Here are some early signs to give you a better idea.

~Around the first or second week you may notice your nipples getting darker and your breasts may become tender or a little swollen.

~Anywhere from the first to sixth week you may notice that you are feeling tired or get worn out easily.

~Your sense of smell will increase along with getting cravings and feeling nauseated.

~The frequent urinations starts around week six. Get used to this though because it will continue!

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Before you make that first Doctors appointment you may want to call and see what all you need to have. In my area you need to have proof of pregnancy which is a piece of paper stating that you're pregnant. You can get this at a Doctors office or planned parenthood or even a local health department. Another thing to check is your insurance. Get out your card and call to make sure that maternity is covered. If you are not insured check on getting Medicade or FAMIS. As soon as you find out that you are pregnant try to lead a healthier life style, as you are not just doing this for you anymore. Eat well, try to drink less caffeine, and if you are a smoke do your best to quit. I know that is easier said than done but it is worth a try. One last thing, get ready for the most amazing time of your life, pregnancy is a beautiful thing so enjoy it!

Labels: pregnancy

Being pregnant is such a special time, so that is how your pregnancy should be treated...special. A lot of people think that they are being selfish when doing things for themselves, but when you are pregnant it is not just you, you are doing things for your baby too! So eat better and get lots of rest, and most important, enjoy having that new baby grow inside of you. It is the most wonderful feeling that only you can experience.

Go to the Dr, which you will be doing pretty regularly. Keep the daddy involved too, it is a special time for him as well. Encourage him to go the the Dr with you and have him read to the baby while in the belly. It will be good for the baby to know the voices of the people around him/her.

Labels: baby questions, pregnancy

I had a question about baby blues. This is not something that I know a lot about because I did not suffer from it. I do know that it is normal to have mood swings and things like that up to about 10 days after your baby is born and if it goes on longer than that you might have postpartum depression. It is treatable and it is normally treated with therapy and possible antidepressants. Here are some symptoms that I have located about postpartum depression.

Labels: pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very important time for the development of your unborn baby. The brain is working very hard to develop rapidly. If you are planning your pregnancy and you drink and smoke, try to quit before hand. I know that this is easier said that done, but I did some research on this topic because of the myth that "one drink wont hurt" or "my smoking isn't hurting my baby." That really isn't true, as a matter of fact even second hand smoke is a toxin for your unborn baby. It can damage the lungs and with the drinking can cause some birth defects.

As far as harder drugs if you are doing these while you are pregnant, if the baby survives, then that helpless baby will not only suffer from withdrawal but will also most likely have birth defects along with learning disabilities. This is a topic that some don't take very seriously and thank you to those of you who do!

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If you are pregnant and you will have to go back to work after your baby is born go ahead and start looking for the right babysitter for you. This way you will feel comfortable with who you are trusting with your baby. Do research on the local daycares and if you don't find one that you like try Sittercity.com, they will find local people in your area for you! It can be so hard to know who to trust your baby with, so get a head start on it that way you don't feel rushed once your baby is born.

Labels: babysitters, pregnancy

While you are pregnant it is very important to try not to let the little things stress you out. Severe stress can lead to miscarriage, premature birth and is even the cause of some birth defects. I know this sounds really scary. When you feel yourself getting stressed get out and do something for yourself. Whatever you enjoy, whether it be shopping for the new baby or getting a massage. Let your significant other know that you are getting stressed and see if there is anything that he can do to help.

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Pregnancy is such a delicate time for that unborn baby, it is so important to treat it that way. Those nine months have such rapid brain development, and the baby is eating everything that you are, and is being surrounded by everything that you are as well. Try to stay in a healthy environment, free from excise noise and stress and of course drugs and alcohol. Go to your prenatal Dr. visits and make sure that your baby is growing well. Pregnancy is such a special time, so celebrate with lots of rest and eating well! It is well worth is to bring a healthy bundle of joy into the world!

Labels: pregnancy

They will probably make you wait until you are about 8 weeks along until you go in, and once you do they will ask you questions about your family history. In most cases they will want to know about the fathers family history too, so think about having him come if you don't know all his family history. Then they will measure your belly and do a pelvic exam to see how far alone that they think you are. You will probably get to see an ultrasound and hear the heartbeat! You should be going to the Dr about once a month, then once you get closer to the to the due day they will see you more often. Every 3 weeks, every 2 weeks and then every week for the last month!! You are on your way to a very exciting journey!! Congratulations!

Labels: baby questions, pregnancy

Labor can take very long time. I think for a first time the average is about 12 hours. So you want to stay at home were it is more comfortable for as long as possible. If your contractions are coming 5 minutes apart, or it the pain is getting to much to handle. Also if your water breaks or if you have any bleeding, then go to the hospital.

Do what makes you feel the most comfortable, if you aren't sure then call your Dr and explain your symptoms and ask them if they think you should come in.

Labels: baby questions, pregnancy

In the last few weeks of pregnancy it may seem like getting a good night sleep is impossible. There are some things that you can to help your chances of actually sleeping through the night. Try taking a warm bath to get you nice and relaxed (this is also a method you will probably use on your baby). After you get out of the tub have a snack that has a far amount of calcium in it, or even just a glass of milk (again something you will probably do for your baby). When you wake up often in the middle of the night it is because you are hungry, which causes your unborn baby to be uncomfortable, which then causes mommy to be uncomfortable.

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Well I am sure that you have heard "you will know when you are having contractions." When I was pregnant people told me that and wouldn't tell me how I would know. My labor was induced so I did not have to wait til they were a certain time apart before I went to the hospital. To me at first the felt just like my belly was tensing up. To be honest I wouldn't have known they were contractions if the monitor had not been on. The nurse then came in and told be that they were going to break my water so that they would come closer together and stronger.

After a while of just feeling like I was cramping I would get a pain so strong that I couldn't talk. It felt like I was just my cramping into a ball, but since I had back labor I was trying to keep my body straight. It truly is an indescribably feeling. The key is once you start getting really sharp "cramps" that stop you in your tracks that are coming 10 to 5 minutes apart, go to the hospital.

Labels: baby questions, pregnancy

I remember reading in the Book Belly laughs by Jenny McCarthy about something that happens during labor that I never would have heard before. Be aware that while you are pushing it is possible, even likely, that you will poop on the delivery table. Though it seems embarrassing it is very common, but if you are like me that hadn't crossed your mind. I just thought that I would get this piece of information out there, so you know what to expect! Also Belly Laughs is a really great book to read during pregnancy. She has a good way of making everything that is stressful and scary really funny!!

Labels: baby books, pregnancy

No, you don't have to get rid of your cat, but you do need to have someone else change the litter box. The litter box contains a lot of bacteria that get to your unborn baby, and if could actually cause birth defects. Also if you spend a lot of time petting your fuzzy friend make sure you are washing your hands frequently!

Labels: baby questions, pregnancy

Go ahead and pack you bag for the hospital early, that way when the time comes you wont worry that you are forgetting anything. Here is a list of things that you will need for you:

• Nightgown, slippers, socks
• Nursing bra, bra pads maternity underwear
• Camera and extra batteries
• snacks for daddy
• tooth brush, hairbrush, deodorant, shampoo (if you want your own, the hospital will normally provide some)
• Cell phone, charger, an list of the numbers for the people you need to call when your sweet baby is here!! Make sure the hospital you are going to will allow cell phone use.
• a going home outfit. Brings something comfy because it will still feel like you are about 6 months pregnant. I brought my maternity sweatsuit) and flat shoes.

For baby:

• Car seat! If I were you I would go ahead and have it put in your car. If you want to make sure that it is in there correctly go to your local police station and have them install it for you.
• Clothes (newborn size)
• socks
• hat
• receiving blanket

* The hospital should provide you with diapers and wipes.

Labels: pregnancy

If you can try to schedule the Dr. visits at a time when the daddy can be there too. He will get to share the special moments, listening to the heart beat, and seeing his unborn child move around in the ultra sound.

As strange as this may sound, talk to your baby. He/she will recognize your voices. Something else you could do together is go to a child birth class. That is just another way to keep daddy involved.

*A note to daddy*
Reassure mommy, tell her how beautiful she is, and what great parents you will both be! Also help around the house. Take some of the stress out of her life because when mommy is stressed so is baby!

Labels: pregnancy

When I first felt Alex moving I was about 9 weeks along. Generally it happens after 7 or 8 weeks, but with him being my first it took a little bit longer. When I first started to feel him moving it felt like butterflies!

I was 20 weeks along before I felt Alex kick. Kicking normally happens somewhere between 16 and 22 weeks. Once you start to feel your baby kicking you will notice that you don't feel it all the time. You may feel it all the time one day, then not at all the next. Once you get a little farther along the will be more regular and a lot stronger.

If you are to the point that you are feeling the stronger more regular kicks (normally second trimester) and you stop feeling your baby moving as much , let your Dr. know. They may decide to do a stress test. If your baby's movement stays about the same chances are the baby is fine!

Also in my case once we got about two and a half weeks away from Alex's due date I almost never felt him move. I was really scared, but as it turned out he just didn't have any room to move, and he was preparing for delivery.

Labels: baby questions, pregnancy

Once you find out for sure that you are going to be having a baby, there are probably so many emotions running through you. If you found out by taking one of the at home test, then you should contact your Dr. and schedule a time to go in. That first appointment isn't bad, for me, they just asked a lot of questions about my family history, then felt to see about how far a long they thought that I was. Then they gave me some folic acid and told me they would see me in a month for the first ultra sound!

If you are thinking about having a baby, or are already in the early stages of pregnancy you really should be taking folic acid. It helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. It needs to be taken before and during early pregnancy when the neural tube is developing.

Labels: pregnancy

Heart burn is a very common symptom of pregnancy. Not everyone will get it and there are ways to avoid it. Stay away from spicy foods and large meals. Talk to you Dr. about what antacid is for you. Antacids can really help, and are normally safe to take during pregnancy.

Labels: baby questions, pregnancy