Wednesday, 21 January 2015

4 weeks pregnant

 

4 weeks pregnant

It's still early days, many still won't know they are pregnant

What's happening in week four

4-weeks-pregnant It's still early days, many still won't know they are pregnant.

Your baby in week four

Your growing baby is not even 3mm long yet and still not much bigger than a poppy seed. Despite the tiny size there’s plenty going on as the embryo splits into three different sections.

In one section the brain and central nervous system are already beginning to take shape as their neural tubes develop. In the other two sections, the heart and circulatory system are already beginning to form and the lungs and intestines are in the very early stages of development.

How amazing is it that all this is going on totally undetectable to the outside world? (and maybe even you at this point!)

You at four weeks pregnant

You might feel some pregnancy symptoms at four weeks, but there is every chance you will put them down to your period being about to arrive. You boobs might have that 'time of the month' feeling, and you might even have some spotting or light bleeding.
If you have taken a positive pregnancy test, you need to follow it up with a visit to your GP to get your booking appointment made with the midwife. Things are getting real now! Check out our newly pregnant page to find out what to expect during your first brush with maternity services.
Once you know you are pregnant, if you are a smoker you will probably be keen to ditch the cigarettes to protect your growing baby (not to mention your own health). Have a look at our diet and health in pregnancy pages for lots of info and support on this, and all aspects of health and diet.

What to think about in week four

If you are not registered with a GP or dentist in your area, now's the time to get sorted. As soon as you've taken a positive pregnancy test, you need to visit your GP so you can get signed up with your local maternity services team. Looking after your teeth is really important in pregnancy, too, as expectant mums can sometimes be more prone to problems like bleeding gums. Dental care is free when you are pregnant and remains so for 12 months after your baby is born, but you need to have a MATB1 certificate from your midwife or GP

3 weeks pregnant

 

3 weeks pregnant

What to expect this week

What's happening in week three

3 weeks pregnant You are three weeks into your pregnancy – here's the science bit!

Your baby in week three

Three weeks into your pregnancy, and you might be wondering just how this little miracle occurred (as in the science bit – we'll assume you know the other part!).

So here goes: the joining of your partner's sperm and your egg at the moment of conception resulted in a ball of cells (or a blastocyst, if you want to get really technical) which is now starting the 6 day journey from the fallopian tube to the uterus where it will attach itself to the lining of your womb – and in nine months’ time, will result in a real live baby in your arms!

Amazingly, although you won’t know for a few months (or until the birth) the sex of your baby has already been determined. The fertilised egg contains 46 chromosomes with 23 from you and 23 from the dad. You as mum will always provide the X chromosome but the dad can provide an X or Y chromosome. XX and you’ll be having a girl, XY and you’ll have a little boy in 9 months’ time!

You at three weeks pregnant

Even though your body is awash with hormones, you are probably feeling pretty much the same as usual at the moment – you might even by checking your diary and stocking up on the san pro in the naรฏve assumption that your period is due any day! Any body changes now are likely to be very similar to those you experience just before you come on – perhaps some mild cramping, sore, heavy boobs, and generally PMS type feelings. Amazing to think what is actually going on in there!

What to think about in week three

Discovering you are pregnant is obviously a totally joyous occasion – but it is also one that can throw up a few practical issues too! You might need to think about making some big lifestyle changes, such as moving house, changing your car, or even re-thinking your long term career plans.  Babies certainly make a huge financial impact on parents, too, so it is never too early in your pregnancy to start budgeting for all the things you are going to need, from nappies through to travel systems! Have a look at our money and finances pages for lots of helpful advice on family finance.

2 weeks pregnant

 

2 weeks pregnant

What to expect this week

What's happening in week two

2 weeks pregnant Although you might not feel pregnant, your body is producing bucket loads of pregnancy hormones, and your baby is growing faster than it will at any other time of your pregnancy. All this at just two weeks along! How exciting?

You at two weeks pregnant

By the time your period is due, you will have been pregnant for around two weeks, yet any inkling that you might be will probably come from wondering when your period is going to show, rather than actually feeling any symptoms.  Start on the folic acid supplements if you suspect you might be pregnant at this point as they will help protect your growing baby from spinal cord defects.

Your baby in week two

Your baby's sex has already been decided, and their major organs are all beginning to form. Because of how pregnancy is calculated, you are actually already one month pregnant at this stage – only eight more to go until you meet your baby! 

What to think about in week two

Getting all the right vitamins and minerals is so important right now. Even if you have not done a positive pregnancy test just yet, if you are trying to conceive, it is recommended that you take folic acid supplements to aid your baby's development and protect them from certain conditions. You could also think about taking a multivitamin or supplement, yourself, too, and of course ensuring your diet is full of nutrient-rich fruit and vegetables. Get your partner on a heath-drive as well, particularly if they are a smoker! Now is definitely the time to be quitting smoking for the sake of you AND your family's health! See our pages on giving up smoking in pregnancy for lots of help and advice.

UNDERSTANDING PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK..........1-40 WEEKS!!!

WEEK 1.

What's happening in week one

1-week-pregnant It is highly unlikely you even know you are pregnant right now – but there are a whole lot of things already going on with you and your unborn baby.

Your baby at week one

Your son or daughter – because yes, their sex is already decided this early! – is growing faster now than at any other point in your pregnancy, and their brain, heart and spine are already forming. It's doubtful you are feeling any signs of their presence this early though.

You at one week pregnant

If you have been trying to conceive, you've hopefully been taking folic acid supplements already, but if you haven't, now's the time to start – check out our nutrition and supplements page to find out why this is so important for your developing baby.
And guess what – because of how pregnancy is calculated, at this stage, just a week into your pregnancy, you are actually already considered to be one month pregnant!

What to think about in week one

Even though you probably have no idea you have a baby on board right now, if you have been trying to conceive, you are no doubt already making lots of plans for when you do have your little one, and eagerly awaiting that positive result on your pregnancy test! Obviously your health – and that of your unborn baby – is paramount throughout pregnancy, and never more so than in these very early days of conception and development. Check out our pages on diet and health in pregnancy for lots of top tips on staying fit and active no matter what stage of pregnancy you are at.

Friday, 9 January 2015

Natural Ways to Increase Sex Drive

Natural Ways to Increase Sex Drive

 | By Kevin Rail
Natural Ways to Increase Sex Drive
Chocolate is said to boost your libido. Photo CreditJupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
The sex drive, also called "libido," begins around the onset of puberty. For various reasons, sex drive can decline. These include aging, stress, diseases, the use of drugs and side effects from medications. Regardless if you're a man or a woman, there are ways to boost your sex drive by taking a natural approach.

Step 1

Get some exercise. Exercise has a number of benefits to the body. It can help you lose weight, improve your muscle tone, promote testosterone release, elevate your mood and it improve your self-image. In addition exercise helps to increase the circulation to your sexual organs.

Step 2

Do some relaxation exercises. If your lack of sex drive is due to stress, then partake in some calming activities to reduce it. Some examples include yoga, Tai-chi, Pilates, meditative breathing and enjoying nature.

Step 3

Try some herbal remedies. There are various herbal formulations that can be used to increase sex drive, treat impotence and cause more sexual excitement. Some of these include yohimbe, ginkgo biloba, dong quai, Siberian ginseng and maca.

Step 4

Be experimental with your sexual practices. Boredom can often result in a loss of sex drive. Try some new things like having sex in remote locations or using some toys. This can create interest and give you an element of interest that might have been missing.

Step 5

Boost your libido with some foods. Sometimes you need not look any further than the refrigerator or cupboards to boost your sex drive. Some foods that can help increase your sex drive include oysters, bananas, figs, garlic, avocados, almonds, chocolate and celery. These foods release sexual hormones, they help with impotence and they also improve stamina.

Step 6

Throw away the cigarettes. Smoking is already known for its damaging effects on the lungs, but it can also decrease your sex drive as well. When you smoke, oxygen that is required for blood circulation is being depleted. This lack of circulation affects all areas of the body including the sexual organs

Symptoms Your Period Is Coming Soon

Symptoms Your Period Is Coming Soon

 | By Suzanne Robin
Symptoms Your Period Is Coming Soon
Many women experience symptoms right before their period starts each month. Photo Credit female image by Lovrencg from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
Up to 85 percent of menstruating women experience some premenstrual symptoms in the few days before their period starts, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Women who experience symptoms five days before a period lasting no more than 4 days after the period starts three months in a row have premenstrual syndrome, often called PMS. Premenstrual symptoms that indicate a period will start soon occur because of fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels, and vary from woman to woman.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Many women experience abdominal pain or cramping, diarrhea or constipation, bloating and even nausea and vomiting in the days right before their period starts, Massachusetts General Hospital reports. Food cravings and increased appetite also plague some women, along with weight gain from fluid retention.

Emotional Symptoms

Many women know their period is about to start by mood changes. Some women become oversensitive, irritable, angry, depressed or tearful. Others are nervous, have difficulty sleeping, or withdraw from social situations. Memory loss, trouble concentrating and even paranoia can occur in the time leading up to a new period starting, Massachusetts General Hospital explains. Antidepressants may help women with severe emotional premenstrual symptoms, the Merck Manual states.

Skin Symptoms

Acne often worsens just before a period starts. Cold sores are also more likely to occur, along with localized skin reactions known as scratch dermatitis, the Merck Manual states. Some women also experience easy bruising and have numbness and tingling in their hands and feet. Swelling in the face, hands and feet may also occur. Breast tenderness and pain from fluid retention also affects many women just before a period.

Fatigue

Many women are more tired than normal just before a period. Some find themselves becoming more clumsy than usual.

Worsening Health Problems

Women with seizure disorders, asthma, allergies and connective tissue disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus may find their symptoms worsening just before a menstrual period, the Merck Manual warns.

Other Symptoms

Headache, dizziness, fainting, a rapid heartbeat, hot flashes, joint pain and muscle spasms can all occur just before a menstrual period. Vision problems and conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva that causes eyes to redden, affect some women. Some women develop a disinterest in sex, while others find their interest increases just before their period starts.