Pregnancy and Smoking- affects your unborn baby

Numerous things could be harmful to your unborn child in the event you smoke throughout pregnancy. If there was ever a correct time to quit smoking, it's whenever you discover out you're pregnant. Whatever distress it causes you to quit, your baby's health is worth it.
Plus you will find obviously so many numerous positive advantages for you, too. Not only will you feel significantly much better, but you'll have a great deal more energy which you'll require. Simply because pregnancy is really a stressful time you have to be additionally committed to what you're performing. Here are just a couple of the numerous hidden dangers for your child when you are smoking throughout pregnancy.
Cigarettes have hundreds of added chemicals which attack all of the systems. When a mother smokes throughout pregnancy, the baby's immune system is compromised which makes them much more susceptible to colds and infections. Smoking throughout pregnancy also causes numerous complications for the respiratory system. Your child's growth will also be affected by your smoking although pregnant. 1 of the most typical problems with babies born to mothers who smoke is low birth weight which can trigger complications. It has been estimated that low birth newborns make-up about twenty to thirty percent of all low birth weight babies. An additional typical condition of smoking throughout pregnancy is the likelihood of preterm labor. Approximately 14% of preterm labors could be attributed to smoking throughout pregnancy. Infant mortality could be attributed to smoking throughout pregnancy such as SIDS. The American Lung Association has studied this statistic to its fullest.
Much more kids are being diagnosed with ADHD or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. In reality, millions of diagnoses are made every year, and also the figure appears to be climbing every year. Researchers know that there are lots of causes of ADHD, but it's also recognized that smoking a minimum of half a pack a day increases your child's tendency toward hyperactivity. This leads to an increased risk of your child being diagnosed with ADHD.
The most severe effect for your unborn child could potentially be fatal. Although most recognized effects passed on to your baby aren't fatal you should keep in mind that you're compromising the health of your baby. Numerous of your body's organs and processes will and could be negatively affected, there's also evidence supporting that your child's future behavior nay be affected.

Week 17 and 18 of Your Pregnancy

As week 17 starts, your baby starts get rounder and fatter. Your baby is roughly the size of a large pear, around 12 centimeters long and weighs nearly 150 grams. The baby's skeleton also continues to grow. While week 18 marks the development of your baby's sense of hearing and he or she can hear your heart beating. The brain also continues to develop cognitive skills and the nervous system continues to develop reflexes. The baby may recoil from a large noise.
Changes to Your Body
The main change you will notice is a fluttering in your belly. This is the baby kicking! You may also feel the occasional tap as if the baby is reminding you that he or she is still here!
By next week, your swelling belly may bring along some slightly uncomfortable symptoms, including heartburn. It's caused when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, and causes burning sensation. Symptoms are most common during the second and third trimesters, because your growing uterus may compress your stomach and push its contents upward.
Lifestyle Considerations
Now's the time to sign up for childbirth classes with your partner! Ask your hospital about its programs or look on the Internet to find information about classes near you. To ease symptoms, you may need to eat five or six smaller meals instead of three large ones. Avoid fatty, fried foods, which take longer to break down, as well as things that are spicy, acidic or bubbly.
Good Advice
Make sure you are drinking your milk. Your baby's soft rubbery skeleton is hardening into bone and needs calcium to grow strong. You may wanted to start taking classes about baby care, a little next week and yet another to get experience with mothering first hand. Call up a relative or friend who has a baby and ask to spend the day with her so you can learn more about diapering and feeding a baby. EzineArticles.com

Looking Your Best While Pregnant

Good skin care practices can help women avoid acne pregnancy problems. Of all of the things pregnant women try to anticipate, the changes in their skin are not one of them. It's easy to plan for weight gain, or even strange appetites, but skin care is a little different. It is especially unexpected in women who never experience skin issues, before pregnancy. This doesn't have to be the end of the world. Women experience a number of skin changes while they're pregnant. But if they make a habit of performing good, regular skin care practices, this is not a problem. This may, however, be more of an issue for those women who have been prone to acne issues. It is possible to avoid acne outbreaks during pregnancy, too.

There are many skin care products on the market today. Pregnant women have a choice, and can easily find skin care products that are right for them. It is also important to understand what your particular skin type is. You should also keep in mind what type of skin changes you're experiencing, so you can treat those symptoms effectively.

One of the most popular things, pregnant women are known for is their glowing skin. This will not be every woman's experience. However, your skin can look its best, as long as, you take care of it throughout your pregnancy. Washing your face well, is the first step in the process.

Although many of the fancy, scented soaps look and smell good, they may not be what you need on your face. Most often, it's the very mild soaps that work best for the skin. These are great skin care products to keep in your home. And, it is a good idea to wash your face twice, daily. This is especially paramount when you're experiencing some sort of skin problems.

For some pregnant women, they will experience abnormally dry skin. This is usually characterized by skin that can barely retain moisture. This skin problem often leaves the skin appearing aged or parched. For dry skin, a pregnant woman must look for products that, add moisture to the skin. These products can be used throughout the day, as well.
Other women will have problems with oily skin. Tackling this problem is one of the simplest ways to avoid acne. Acne is caused, often, by having skin that is too oily. For oily skin, it is important to find the right products, too. Look for the ones that specify treatment of oily skin.

It is also good to find an exfoliating product. This helps get rid of excess oils, and makes the face appear more natural. And if by chance you experience some acne issues, it is wise to consult your doctor before addressing the problem. Since not all products are safe for pregnant women to use, get your doctor's opinion first.

Most often, the use of topical creams, are used to relieve acne symptoms. But depending on the ingredients of the product, you may need one that is milder.
EzineArticles.com Sandra_B_Wilson

Twin Pregnancy FAQ

Discovering that you're pregnant with twins is exciting but also quite overwhelming. Because twin pregnancies carry additional risks and precautions, you likely have many questions.

What's different about a twin pregnancy?

The experience of a twin pregnancy can be very different for some women. In some cases, women who are pregnant with twins experience enhanced pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, or edema (swelling). A a woman who is pregnant with twins is at greater risk for some medical complications, such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and gestational diabetes. What are the signs of twin pregnancy?
While some women report drastic differences in a twin pregnancy, others report no differences from a singleton pregnancy. Some of the most common indicators of multiple births are weight gain, measuring large for gestational age, severe morning sickness, early detection of fetal movement, abnormally High Results on an AFP or Triple Screen Test, extreme fatigue and elevated HcG Levels.

How can I find out if I am having twins?

Ultrasound remains the most reliable way to detect and monitor a multiple pregnancy. The routine use of ultrasound in prenatal care has reduced the number of surprise appearances by twins in the delivery room; most multiples are discovered during the first half of pregnancy. If you have a hunch or suspect that you are carrying twins or more, discuss your feelings with your doctor.

Will I have to go on bed rest?

Bed rest is prescribed in multiple pregnancy as a preventative and precautionary tool. It can provide benefits for both mom and babies, prolonging a pregnancy in danger of preterm labor to a woman whose body is under stress. In 1992, a survey by the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs showed that 70 percent of women expecting multiple births experienced bed rest at some point in their pregnancy. However, times have changed and doctors have become less rigid about sentencing women to bed.

Can there be a hidden twin?

Nearly every pregnant woman considers the possibility that she may be carrying more than one baby. The only way to confirm a twin or multiple pregnancy is by visually identifying the multiple fetuses with ultrasound. If your doctor or caregiver can only see one baby, you're not having twins or multiples. There are some very rare exceptions. Ultrasound provides a picture of the womb, but sometimes the picture can be misleading or misinterpreted, particularly if performed very early in the pregnancy or by an incompetent technician. At twenty weeks, a second fetus would be clearly visible on ultrasound, and the likelihood that there is another baby hidden in the womb is extremely small.

What is vanishing twin syndrome?

Vanishing Twin Syndrome occurs when one of a set of twin fetuses apparently disappears from the womb during pregnancy, usually resulting in a normal singleton pregnancy. One of the fetuses in a twin pregnancy spontaneously aborts, usually during the first trimester; the fetal tissue is absorbed by the other twin, the placenta, or the mother, thus giving the appearance that the twin "vanished." In recent years, enhanced use of ultrasound early in pregnancy has increased the frequency of diagnosis of twin pregnancy. As a result, there has been a heightened awareness of vanishing twin syndrome.

How much weight will I gain?

Women are always worried about how much weight they will gain with any pregnancy, singleton or multiple. Now that you're having twins, the thought of extra weight gain seems scary. Generally, a healthy pregnancy requires that a woman gain 25 to 30 pounds during the nine month gestation period, depending on her body type. But that's for just one baby. Like everything about having multiples, more is required. Doctor recommendations vary, but most women tend to gain about 35 to 45 pounds during a twin pregnancy, with about 10 additional pounds for every additional baby in a higher order multiple pregnancy. However, this is just a guideline so be sure to speak to your doctor about what is appropriate for your body type.

What is the typical gestation for a twin pregnancy?

Generally, twins and other multiples are born earlier than singletons. Research from the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs (NOMOTC) indicates that about half of multiples are born before 36 weeks gestation. There's no way to know exactly when your babies will be born. In some cases, a premature birth can not be avoided. Some doctors feel that thirty-seven or thirty-eight weeks should be considered full-term for twins and will seek to prompt the delivery of the babies at that time.

Are my twins identical or fraternal?

This is one of the first things people want to know about a twin pregnancy. Here are some ways to discover is you're twins are identical or fraternal:
* If you're twins are the same gender, they are identical.

* If you're twins have been diagnosed with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTS), they are identical. TTS does not affect fraternal twins.

* If there is a single, shared placenta, it is more likely you're twins are identical.

* If you're twins have been identified as monoamnionic, they are identical. Only identical twins develop with a single, shared amnion.

Answers to 5 Most Embarrassing Pregnancy Questions

There are several pregnancy questions that might be appearing in your mind but you may not be asking the same from your best friend, doctor, midwife because the questions sound downright dirty and you may feel awkward. For example, you may be perturbed about your pee or worried about your wind. This article is your opportunity to get those questions answered.

Q1 - Why Is My Weeing Becoming All Wonky? It is quite usual during the last stages of pregnancy because your urethra can be displaced and stretched because of the pressure from the baby (particularly if the head is engaged). This is a harmless condition and there is nothing to worry about if your flow of urine is going in an unexpected direction.

Q2 - Is It Usual To Accidentally Pass Urine When I Laugh, Cough, Or Sneeze? This is obviously one of the most embarrassing pregnancy questions. Well such accidents are quite common during pregnancy, but you have to be very careful about it. There can be two reasons for this - first, it may be because of an issue with your pelvic floor, and second, because of the pressure from the baby. If the latter is the case, don't worry - it's completely usual. But, if former is the case, you are strongly recommended to talk to your midwife or doctor about it. They will tell you how to strengthen that area by practicing some simple pelvic floor exercises.

Q3 - Good Things Are Smelling Bad - What's Wrong With Me? There is nothing wrong with you and there is nothing wrong in asking such pregnancy questions from your midwife or doctor. It happens during pregnancy because the change in hormones heightens your senses. For example, if you loved coffee before, you may now start hating that smell. In fact, the hormonal changes during those special days make your body pretty clever and it develops a sense of deciding what is good and what is bad for it - what it should accept and what it should avoid. So, if smelling coffee makes you feel sick, it may be because your body is telling you to avoid too much caffeine, as it can be harmful for your and your baby's health.

Q4 - Should Morning Sickness Happen Only During The Morning Hours? Is It Unusual If It Lasts All Day? "Morning sickness" is just a term to describe the tendency of feeling nauseous during pregnancy. It does not necessarily have to happen only during the morning hours. For the majority of pregnant women, it does last all day. So, there's nothing unusual about it. The best way to deal with it is to eat small meals 5-6 times a day instead of three big meals.

Q5 - What About The Wind? Is It Normal To Fart So Much? This is obviously one of the most embarrassing situations and it is obvious to feel awkward asking such pregnancy questions. But, it is worth educating yourself on such issues. Well, experiencing increased flatulence is completely normal while you are pregnant. It mainly happens because of the slow digestive process caused by the hormonal changes.

PREGNANCY- HOW TO KNOW YOU ARE PREGNANT(EARLY SYMPTOMS).

It is not every woman that takes time to check herself on daily basis. This explains why a woman may be pregnant for weeks, month or months without knowing. (Although there are times when a woman is breast feeding and coincidentally she takes in without knowing because her period still flows every month.) There are cases where women were pregnant for three months yet they do not know they are pregnant. For the fact that pregnancy is associated with certain natural sicknesses or symptoms that are known for other sicknesses like typhoid, malaria etc, most women end up treating themselves for sicknesses that does not exist in their body. Atimes it takes doctor, friends, husband or relatives to convince them to go for a pregnancy test to ascertain the cause of her sickness, especially when she is newly married or she did not experience such sickness or symptoms in the same degree and manner in her first pregnancy if she is a mother. We are going to outline primary symptoms of pregnancy in its early stage, with these, you will easily know when you are pregnant. Especially when you are expecting to be pregnant.Now, fix your seat belt and let’s travel down to the land of 'symptoms of being pregnant’. It is a journey you will enjoy, it's free! No flight ticket is needed.

AMENORRHOEA- This is the first symptom you need to look out for in your body. Amenorrhoea in pregnancy means the seizure of menstruation. Normally every woman who have reached the menstrual age menstruate every month but the moment there is fertilisation of egg by sperm in the womb, she stops seeing her menstruation. The seizure of menstruation tells her that something incredible that will put her at the mercy of an unknown but known and unborn but loved 'wonder' is growing gracefully in her womb!It is pertinent to note that pregnancy is not the only cause of amenorrhoea. You may wonder why. The reason is that amenorrhoea can be caused by other factors in absence of pregnancy. These factors include emotional stress, some vaginal diseases, loss of weight especially when it is a severe weight loss, certain illness etc. Therefore when you are expecting to be pregnant and you notice amenorrhoea, be sure it is amenorrhoea caused by pregnancy before you package it as a 'surprise pack' for your husband.

BREAST- Most women witness increase in their breast during menstruation. But when you notice an increased breast that really look bigger than the usual breast size you used to know, firmer, supple and continued to increase day after day just do not hesitate to ask yourself 'Am I pregnant'? For some women, the changes in the breasts are noticed easily due to the sudden increase of the breasts while in other women the changes may constitute a gradual process of increase. The changes in the breasts are caused by female sex hormones called oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones are responsible for the absolute changes in a woman's body during pregnancy.

VOMITING AND NAUSEA- Vomiting in pregnancy is very common and sometimes inevitable. It usually occur in the morning for most women (this explains why some doctors call it morning sickness)while others witness it any time of the day. Going by research, it is the most vulnerable symptoms of pregnancy women dislike most. May be because it embarrasses them when they least expect it. 'Can you imagine vomiting in your office or in a super market where you went to shop! Isn't it embarrassing? Now you know why most pregnant women dislike it.

FREQUENT URINATION- By the virtue of being pregnant, you will start experiencing constant urge to urinate. This is caused as a result of the pressure on your bladder. The bladder at this time produces more urine than usual as a result of the increased weight of the womb which exert pressure on the bladder.

SALIVATING AND FART- These symptoms are also common among pregnant women although the rate at which it occurs varies from one pregnant woman to another. Imagine you being pregnant and while you are at the office you will need to stand up from your seat and walk to the 'ladies' (toilet) to spit out saliva 7 times before the end of the day’s work! Would you feel comfortable with that? Definitely No! But you have to do it for your baby's sake. Or imagine being in your company's round table meeting and before the end of the meeting, you have quietly and silently polluted the air! As the offensive odour circulate round the board room, the next person seated to you will give you this glance that suggest to you that he is saying "I know you are the culprit".
What a journey! You can now unfix your seat belt. We are back from the land of 'symptoms of pregnancy at early stage'. Now you know what to look out for when you are expecting to be pregnant or what you must notice to suspect you are pregnant. When you see these symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor for medical analysis before you package the surprise for your husband or the important people in your life that need to know.