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Five Weird Pregnancy Symptoms

There are a number of weird, though perfectly normal, side effects to pregnancy that no one tells you about.  You might get all or none of these, and it could vary from one of your pregnancies to another. 1. Bloody Gums.  Early in the second trimester I began noticing a bit more blood than normal when I flossed.  I went to my routine dentist appointment, and the hygienist confirmed that yup, that’s just something that can happen when you’re pregnant.  Chalk this one down to hormones; they’re making your gums (and other parts) more inflamed than usual.  Pregnant women are … Continue reading →

Spotting During Early Pregnancy

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When I was about six weeks pregnant with my son, I started experiencing intermittent spotting and became very concerned. I called my doctor right away and scheduled an exam and some blood work. The doctor ended up doing an ultrasound and was unable to find anything wrong with the baby. He diagnosed me with a sensitive cervix and ordered pelvic rest (no sex!) for two weeks. He also told me to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. After a few days the spotting stopped and did not return for the rest of my pregnancy. Spotting can be … Continue reading →

Cramping in Early Pregnancy

Finding out you are pregnant is an exciting time. It can also be stressful and frustrating, particularly if you are having symptoms that are causing worry. One common worry in early pregnancy is feeling cramping. Often, this is nothing to worry about and completely normal. Many women experiencing cramping around the time of a missed period. This may lead some to think they aren’t actually pregnant, but just a little late. Often they are surprised to learn a few weeks later that they are pregnant and the cramping had to do with the pregnancy and not an impending period. There … Continue reading →

The Pregnancy Blog Review for Sept 10-21

The pregnancy blog review is a regular synopsis of recent posts in the blog. I try to cover all topics related to conception, fertility, pregnancy, labor, birth and beyond. Catch up on recent topics in the review. If you have any suggestions for future articles, they are always welcome. Placental abruption is a condition in which part of the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus. The severity of the tear can range from mild to severe. Learn more in What is Placental Abruption? The other main complication involving the placenta is known as placenta previa. This is when … Continue reading →

When to Worry About Spotting in Pregnancy

Realizing you are spotting is one of the scariest moments in a pregnancy. It immediately brings fear of miscarriage to mind. However, there are several causes of spotting in pregnancy. Some are potentially dangerous and others are less serious. Spotting isn’t all that uncommon. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, about twenty percent of pregnant women experience spotting in the first trimester of pregnancy. While spotting may not be cause for alarm, you should always report it to your health care provider. Spotting is one of the main symptoms of a miscarriage, so call your doctor and … Continue reading →

What Does It Feel Like When You Get Pregnant?

If you are trying to start a family, you might be wondering what pregnancy will feel like. Personally, when I was trying to get pregnant, I always wondered if I would be able to tell once I conceived. What does it feel like to be pregnant? Would I get that special intuition that some women talk about? As it turns out, the symptoms were there right away, but I didn’t know what to look for. A few days after we conceived (as we calculated later once we had our ultrasound), we went on a camping trip with some friends. Now … Continue reading →

Is This Labor Yet?

Even for women who have gone through it before, trying to read the signs of impending labor seems impossible. Every cramp or unusual symptom may very well be the beginning of labor, but then again, delivery may still be weeks away. Even the doctors will tell you, “It could be a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks!” It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out. Take the bloody show, for example. What is it supposed to look like anyway? How do you know if you’ve had it and what does it mean? For some … Continue reading →

All Roads Lead To… Rest

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After going through one pregnancy myself and witnessing the pregnancies of several of my friends, I’ve come to the conclusion that although there are a few exceptions, nearly every complaint leads to the same advice from our doctors or midwives: get some rest. If pregnancy were some illness that did not result in a beautiful baby, no woman would sit back and take nine months of pain, discomfort, nausea, and a whole host of other irritating symptoms. There would be an entire corner of the drug market dedicated to pregnancy and its ailments. Yet, because we are supporting the growth … Continue reading →

What To Expect At Your Prenatal Appointments

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A positive pregnancy test is the beginning of an exciting journey towards parenthood. Once you find out your are pregnant, you should immediately call your health care provider to schedule your first obstetric appointment, especially if your OB/GYN has a waiting list. If this is your first pregnancy, you may be wondering what will happen at your appointments. The following guidelines are based on a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor will adjust your care to meet your individual needs. How often will I visit my practitioner? How In the beginning, you’ll visit your practitioner about once per month. Your first appointment … Continue reading →

My Experience With Natural Childbirth, Part 3

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“What was it really like?” That was the question I was asking all my girlfriends who’d gone before me. I learned that woman have such a wide variety of experiences, even between their own children. No labor and delivery is quite the same as the next. Each one is unique. Some women made me a little nervous with their stories of 48 hour labors and 4th degree tearing. Fortunately, my story is not so traumatic. That is why I’m sharing my childbirth story: if one woman can take a breath and relax after reading this, I’ve done my job. I’m … Continue reading →