A Guide To Pregnancy – Facts You Should Know

Pregnancy is a very exciting time as you begin your journey into a future that will change forever with the birth of your baby. Whether this is your first or fifth baby there are some facts you should know about pregnancy.

Pregnancy generally lasts 280 days or 40 weeks and the count starts from the first day of your last menstrual cycle. A 36 week gestation is considered full term and your baby will be fully developed although may have a low birth rate.

During the first 28 weeks you will see your doctor monthly. From week 29 to 36 you will see your doctor every two weeks. After 36 weeks you will see your doctor once a week.

The majority of women have a healthy pregnancy that ends with labor and a healthy baby being delivered. But there are some standard tests that doctors recommend be performed. You should also have your regular physical exam to make sure you and baby are doing fine.

7% of pregnancies in North America have gestational diabetes. Early detection helps prevent complications that can arise during delivery.

During pregnancy it is important to take your prenatal vitamins including your iron and folic acid, otherwise you may become anemic. Anemia is diagnosed with blood work and needs to be treated to ensure your hemoglobin levels are correct.

Toxemia or pre-eclampsia generally occurs during the second half of pregnancy. It results in increased swelling that you are unable to reduce, high blood pressure, and high protein counts in the urine. It is most common in teen pregnancies, first pregnancies, in women over 40, and in women with pre-existing high blood pressure. It must be treated.

Prenatal vitamins are important to ensure both you and baby are getting the recommend daily intake of vitamins and minerals. There are also some natural foods that are high in nutrients - leafy vegetables, dark green vegetables, whole grains, and meat are all good for you but you may still not get the correct vitamins and minerals so be sure to take your prescribed supplement.

Average weight gain is between 25 to 35 pounds. If you are overweight your doctor may recommend your weight gain be reduced to no more than 20 pounds.

20% of all pregnancies result in a miscarriage which generally occurs within the first 12 weeks. After the first trimester miscarriages are less likely to occur. Miscarriage is not a result of something you did.

If you are HIV positive your baby has a 25% chance of your baby being infected in the womb. You can reduce the risk of transmitting it to your baby by seeking treatment. Talk to your doctor.

Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs should be avoided while you are pregnant. There are no safe levels of consumption and heavy alcohol use could cause sever birth defects or fetal alcohol syndrome. Drug use such as heroin will result in your baby being born a heroin addicts, while cocaine use may cause the placenta to prematurely separate. Smoking causes low birth rate. So be good to your baby and don’t partake in these bad choices.

Multiple births have been on the rise over the last couple of decades. Invetro fertilization often results in multiple births. Genetics also plays a role in your odds of having twins or triplets.

Take the time to enjoy your pregnancy. Stay healthy and happy as you take this new life journey. It’s an experience worth living and the end of the journey will leave you with a beautiful baby.

Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. This means that as a publisher you may reprint the articles that are included in our site, as long as the article is unedited and the author box is included with it's live hyperlinks.