Health & Fitness

It is impossible to know everything that you should do to prepare for your babys birth. Finding information on all of the programs and products available for newborns is your first step in ensuring a smooth transition into parenthood. Information is all around you. It is important to seek out this information and to not be afraid of asking questions even if you feel embarrassed.

The Internet is a valuable resource and a good place to start your research on the necessities for your newborn. This research should start very early in your pregnancy. After all, there is so much to learn about your new baby. Of course, there is no way to know everything. Learning the basics as well as answers to any questions you may have will help you feel more confident when your baby finally arrives.

Should You Breastfeed?
A big question for many new mothers is whether or not to breastfeed. The latest research reveals that breastfeeding is good for newborns. For new mothers who are able, pediatric societies recommend breastfeeding your baby for the first year of its life and no less than six months. After all, breast milk is intended for your baby and is the best source of nourishment. In addition, breast milk helps to build your babys immune system and provides the right amount of fat and nutrients for infant development.

Some mothers are unable to breastfeed. There are a variety of reasons why breastfeeding is not viable for some new mothers. Often the mother is unable to produce enough milk to nourish the baby. The inability for the baby to latch on to the mothers breast may also pose a problem in breastfeeding. There is no need to worry if these are issues for you. Infant formula has similar nutrients to nourish your baby and assist in his or her growth and development.

There is so much that is happening to your body when you are pregnant. Over the next nine months, your baby will develop and prepare to be born. Prenatal care is imperative to birth success. You should feel comfortable with the medical professional of your choice. Whether it is an obstetrician or midwife, you will be spending the next nine months with this person, so choose wisely.

Prenatal Care
Throughout your pregnancy you will have periodic appointments intended to check your physical health and the development of your baby. Your medical professional will assist you in staying healthy while you are pregnant. At each appointment you can expect to have your urine and blood pressure tested. You will also be weighed. It is very important that weight is gained steadily throughout your pregnancy. There are potential hazards to gaining weight too quickly, as well as gaining too much or too little weight.

You will have additional tests as your pregnancy progresses. Your doctor will test you for rubella immunity, Rh factor, and sexually transmitted diseases at your first prenatal exam by drawing blood and performing a pap exam. At your next appointment the doctor will check the babys heartbeat using an electrostatic stethoscope.

Between 14 and 18 weeks an amniocentesis may be performed. This test is typically performed in women over 35 years of age or if there is a history of birth defects in the family. An Rh immunoglobin shot is given to women with Rh-negative blood at this time. During week 15 more blood will be drawn from the mother for a test called a triple screen. This test will provide a assessment of the probability of genetic disorders within the fetus. Depending on the probability, your doctor may suggest further screening and/or gene therapy.

Choosing a cord blood company is just one of the many concerns of expectant parents. Your pregnancy will progress week by week. It is most important that expectant parents take the time know what is going to happen each week to prepare for the pending changes. Your attention to these details cannot guarantee a complication free pregnancy, but will certainly improve the odds.

Your Baby from Conception to Fetus
The first week of your last menstrual period is considered the first week of your pregnancy. It is easier to pinpoint this date rather than the date of conception. During the second week of your pregnancy your uterus will form a lining of tissue called the endometrium. If an egg released from the female ovary is fertilized in the third week, the fertilized egg will divide and make its way to the uterus for implantation.

Once the cluster of cells reaches the uterus some cells attach to the uterine wall. These cells form the placenta. The remaining cells form the embryo. Most women will notice a missed period by the fourth week, but may notice spotting which is called implantation bleeding. Neural development occurs during weeks five through ten making this a very critical time for your babys development.

Your embryo becomes a fetus during the ninth week of your pregnancy. The fetus grows steadily during the next month. By week 18 expectant mothers may feel the fetus moving about in the uterus. An ultrasound may be done around week 19. The purpose of the ultrasound is to check the umbilical cord, placenta, and may allow for screening of additional defects. If the baby is in the proper position, the gender of your baby may be identifiable.

Your babys umbilical cord is formed by the fifth week. It will do its job of bringing nutrients to your baby until delivery and the baby is able to sustain life on its own. If you are considering banking your babys umbilical cord blood you should begin thinking about it before delivery. Ask your doctor about options for cord blood donation amongst the many questions that you will have.

The Second Half of Your Pregnancy
Your fetus still weighs less than a pound at 20 and is only inches in length. Your baby will grow a waxy coating called vernix to protect its skin while immersed in amniotic fluid. During the fifth month, it is a good idea to begin thinking about childbirth classes. More than likely your hospital of choice for delivery will offer classes of this type. The classes will also include a tour of the hospital so you will know what to expect during the anxiety-ridden time of labor.

Your fetus weighs about a pound at your 24th week of pregnancy. Your doctor will likely perform a glucose tolerance test between now and your 28th week. This test is intended to ensure that you are producing enough insulin for you and the baby. If not, then gestational diabetes could cause additional issues with your pregnancy. The biggest concern with gestational diabetes is delivery of a large fetus. A fetus from a mother with gestational diabetes also runs the risk of being born with low blood sugar and may produce excessive amounts of insulin to make up for the depleted insulin supply in utero.

Your baby will position itself for delivery around the 34th week. The head down position is optimal though some babies do not turn. Babies in the feet down breech position may have to be delivered via a caesarean section. Your pregnancy is full term at 37 weeks. Your doctor may meet with you monthly to check your cervix. Most babies are delivered around forty weeks, but may come a couple of weeks later or earlier.

The main function of the umbilical cord is to provide nourishment to the fetus through the placenta. The umbilical cord is created early in the pregnancy since it is the fetus only means of receiving nutrients from its mother. It is important for expectant mothers to be aware that they are the only source of sustenance for their babies. Remember that everything you inhale or consume is passed on to your unborn child.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Delivery
Your medical professional is the best source of information on what will occur when you are about to deliver your baby. Full term for your pregnancy is in the 37th week. At this time your babys lungs will have fully developed to sustain life outside of the womb. Delivery usually occurs around 40 weeks. Few women, however, actually make their exact due date.

Be sure to ask your doctor what to expect from delivery. You will want to decide ahead of time whether or not you will deliver vaginally or through cesarean. Some complicated births start out as vaginal deliveries and become cesarean deliveries. In the event of complications you will need to trust your doctor to consult with you to make the best decision for the circumstances.

You should talk to your doctor ahead of time about whether or not you would like to have an epidural. An epidural is an anesthetic that this administered through a shot to the lower back. The shot will numb expectant mothers from the waist down decreasing the pains from labor contractions. The epidural must be administered in a timely manner so that the delivery is not complicated.

Whether or not you want an episiotomy should also be discussed with your doctor. An episiotomy is a cut that is made to the expectant mothers perineum. This cut is made to ease the babys exit from the birth canal. Some medical professionals recommend episiotomies while other believe that this area should be left to tear naturally. There are also massage techniques that may be done to stretch the perineum. Talk to your doctor about various options.