Being Pregnant

The Essentials of Being Pregnant

The time from the moment you see the two lines on a home pregnancy test till the baby is born flies really fast. Those nine months will be filled with emotions (both good and bad), hopes,and worries, but most importantly, they will be filled with love, care, and the most exciting waiting in your life – waiting for your baby.

We’ll take you on a brief excursion about what will happen once you learn you are expecting a baby. Join in!

Finding out about Pregnancy

While the test will detect a pregnancy not sooner than 4 days before the expected menses date, you may learn that you are going to become a mom much earlier. How is that possible? Due to the growth in the levels of hormones, you may have some early symptoms of pregnancy, like

• mood swings;
• nausea and vomiting;
• breast tenderness;
• drowsiness and tiredness.

One of the most vivid early signs of pregnancy is implantation bleeding, which happens in one-third of pregnancies.
If none of these happens to you, but you still think you are pregnant, wait until your period is late and do the testing. You don’t want to wait? Visit your health care provider and ask to test your blood for hCG levels. This way, you’ll be able to learn about your state 6 – 12 days after fertilization.

Your First Visit to Prenatal Care

You’d better plan your first visit to prenatal care when you are 6 to 8 weeks into pregnancy. But if you are not sure about the results of the home testing and want to confirm pregnancy or refute it, you may settle an appointment earlier.

During your first visit, a doctor will probably ask you to pass some blood tests to determine the levels of pregnancy hormones. Besides, you may need to undergo an ultrasound check to make sure you have an intrauterine pregnancy that develops according to the gestational terms.

Also, a doctor in prenatal care will evaluate your overall health condition and ask about any chronic health conditions or disorders running in the family. It’s a standard procedure for all pregnant women, so you shouldn’t worry.

If your pregnancy is confirmed, you’ll be recommended to start taking some prenatal vitamins and folic acid. The latter is essential for the prevention of neural tube defects. Follow your doctor’s advice to ensure your baby gets everything it needs for healthy development and growth.

Please, take care of your health, especially while pregnant. Good luck!