Get To Know Your Cycle
How much do you know about your menstrual cycle? Really understanding helps you know when you’re most fertile, says Hillard.Ovulationis the best time to get pregnant. “This is the time to focus on having sex,” Hillard says.
It helps to become aware of the signs of ovulation, such as a change in your cervical mucus. It usually becomes thin and slippery when you are most fertile. Some women may also feel a one-sided twinge of pain.
Ovulation prediction kits can also help you predict the best time to get pregnant, says James Goldfarb, MD, director of the infertility service at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. Not only can they help assure you that you are ovulating, “if you are having infrequent intercourse, this tells you when to have it to increase your chances of getting pregnant,” he says.
Here’s how it works: The first day of your menstrual period is considered day one. “Start testing on day nine and keep going until you get a positive,” advises Joanne Piscitelli, MD, an associate professor of gynecology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Women with a 28-day cycle tend to ovulate on day 14. But many women have longer or shorter cycles, so casting a wide net can help you be sure.
Continued
How To Get Pregnant Fast
A normal healthy couple has a 25-30% chance of getting pregnant in each cycle they try to conceive.
Its important not to get your hopes up too high in the first cycle statistics are against getting pregnant quite so quickly.
Youll probably hear about friends who got pregnant in their first cycle, or without even trying.
Just remember that thats unusual. Not getting pregnant in the first cycle doesnt mean theres anything wrong with you.
However, there are ways to increase your chances.
How Much Weight Should I Gain In Pregnancy
Weight gain in pregnancy varies from person to person. It also depends on your weight before you become pregnant.
Most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg , putting on most of the weight after week 20. Much of the extra weight is due to your baby growing, but your body will also be storing fat, ready to make breast milk after your baby is born.
Putting on too much or too little weight while you’re pregnant can lead to health problems for you or your unborn baby. But don’t worry, it’s easy to make healthy food choices. Find out what to eat when pregnant and what foods to avoid.
You May Like: Can You Use Vagisil During Pregnancy
Feeling Full Really Quickly During Pregnancy Second Trimester
The study that shows progesterone rising during the first trimester of pregnancy also shows it continuing to rise in the second trimester.
At this stage, the progesterone level can be around 40 times higher than that of a woman who isnt pregnant.
Unfortunately, this means an increase in the feeling of fullness.
How Can You Avoid Or Treat Constipation During Pregnancy
Don’t Miss: Can You Donate Plasma While Pregnant
Pregnancy Sign: Lower Pelvic Cramping
Pelvic cramping as an early pregnancy sign? Yep, it can be, according to Nordahl. That might seem counterintuitive, as cramps are super-typical symptoms of Aunt Flow. You were probably hoping that being pregnant meant you could kiss cramps goodbye, but sadly thats not the case. Light cramps can be caused by early pregnancy hormonal shifts and implantation of the fertilized egg on your uterine lining.
How Can You Avoid Or Treat Morning Sickness:
If you have severe morning sickness, aka hyperemesis gravidarum, speak with your doctor about your options as you dont want to get dehydrated or malnourished as this can cause more serious issues. Your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter remedy, an anti-nausea medication, and/or a strict nutritional guide .
Also Check: Risks Of Donating Plasma While Pregnant
How To Get Pregnant If You Have Endometriosis
Endometriosis is another common reproductive condition, affecting more than one in 10 women in the United States. It occurs when tissue found in the uterus grows in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes.
Even mild endometriosis can reduce fertility, while severe endometriosis can distort a woman’s pelvic anatomy and, for example, block her fallopian tubes, according to a 2015 study in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India.
It is still possible for a woman with endometriosis to become pregnant, and, once pregnant, the pregnancy is expected to be no different to that of a woman without endometriosis. Medical treatment through drugs does not improve fertility, according to Endometriosis UK, an endometriosis-focused charity. These medications involve regulating a person’s hormones, and can slow the growth of endometrial tissue and prevent new pieces from developing, said the Mayo Clinic. But because these drugs are based on hormones , they actively stop a woman from getting pregnant.
Endometriosis presents differently in different women, so its treatment depends on the individual,according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Surgery to excise the endometrial and scar tissue may improve fertility rates and help reduce pain associated with endometriosis, researchers reported in the 2015 study in TheJournal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India.
Pregnancy Sign: Sore Breasts
Before you start cursing your bra for suddenly feeling more like a contraption from the hardware store than the lacy lingerie that took a serious chunk out of your paycheque, consider that your newly sore boobs could be a sign that youre pregnant. Breast tenderness is another common early pregnancy sign, according to Nordahl. For many women, what can make this symptom particularly confusing is that breast soreness is also a very common sign of your period. But early on in your pregnancy, your breasts may hurt because theyre expanding in preparation for producing milk.
Don’t Miss: Accidentally Donated Blood While Pregnant
Shortness Of Breath In Pregnancy
Many, many women who are pregnant find themselves short of breath at some point. One reason is that the uterus is expanding and pushing up into the abdomen. This squeezes the lungs a bit, reducing the space they have for oxygen exchange.
An even bigger cause for shortness of breath is progesterone, a hormone that increases during pregnancy. High progesterone levels cause pregnant women to breathe faster. The rise in progesterone begins early in pregnancy, and the shortness of breath it causes can come as a surprise.
While shortness of breath can be worrisome, most of the time it is harmless and due to the normal changes of pregnancy. That said, it’s still a good idea to consider if there might be some other reason for it.
This guide will help you assess whether your shortness of breath is normal pregnancy-related shortness of breath or something else.
Severe shortness of breath, shortness of breath that comes on suddenly, and shortness of breath accompanied by certain symptoms requires immediate medical attention. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, it is a medical emergency:
– Severe shortness of breath
– Difficulty talking in full sentences
– Chest pain with shortness of breath
– Swelling in the face or abdomen with shortness of breath
– Shortness of breath that appears suddenly and unexpectedly
Do you have any of the symptoms listed above?
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
When Do Pregnancy Cravings Start
There isn’t a specific time when pregnancy food cravings start. It’s different for every woman â and you may not necessarily have any cravings.
If you do start having cravings, it’ll probably be in your first trimester . They’ll get stronger in your second trimester, and then eventually stop in your third trimester.
Cravings come in all shapes and sizes. Some women crave fatty foods like chips. Others get pregnancy cravings for things they didn’t like before they got pregnant, or strange combinations of food such as mars bars with bacon.
Try to eat as healthily as possible â keep those unhealthy temptations to a minimum!
If you find yourself craving things that aren’t food, like toothpaste, coal or even soil, speak to your midwife or doctor, as this may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency.
Read Also: Is It Okay To Use Vagisil While Pregnant
Varicose Veins Hemorrhoids And Constipation
Varicose veins, usually found in the legs and genital area, happen when blood pools in veins enlarged by pregnancy hormones. Varicose veins often go away after pregnancy. To help prevent them:
- avoid standing or sitting for long periods
- wear loose-fitting clothing
- wear support hose
- raise your feet when you sit
Hemorrhoids varicose veins in the rectum are common during pregnancy as well. Your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis. So the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can be very painful, and can bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement .
Constipation is another common pregnancy woe. It happens because pregnancy hormones slow the passing of food through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it hard for you to have a BM. And constipation can contribute to hemorrhoids because straining to go may enlarge the veins of the rectum.
The best way to deal with constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent them. Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of liquids daily, and exercising regularly can help keep BMs regular. Stool softeners may also help. If you do have hemorrhoids, talk to your health care provider about a cream or ointment that can shrink them.
Feeling Full Really Quickly During Pregnancy
Its common to say a pregnant woman is eating for two.
In other words, she can eat twice as much as usual, because shes eating for herself and the baby.
This can be a misconception as many pregnant women report feeling full really quickly during pregnancy.
Women often cant eat as much food during pregnancy as they usually would.
Why do many pregnant women feel so full after eating?
Read on to find out more about this phenomenon and what to do about it.
Don’t Miss: Is It Safe To Use Vagisil During Pregnancy
If You Have A Headache Or A Migraine You Can Try To Relieve It By:
- Applying a compress to your head or neck
- Eating more frequent meals to avoid low blood sugar & drink more water
- Massage your head
- If you are sensitive to light and/or sound, try blocking these out or minimizing
- Take a dose of acetaminophen
If you experience headaches that become worse or come on suddenly, headaches that are different than normal, headaches that are accompanied by vision changes, sudden weight gain, pain in the upper right abdomen, or swelling in the hands and face, contact your healthcare provider immediately as this could be a sign of preeclampsia.
Compiled using information from the following sources:
1. Koren, G., Madjunkova, S., & Maltepe, C. . The protective effects of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy against adverse fetal outcome-A systematic review. Reproductive Toxicology. Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.05.012
Have Sex At The Right Time
Knowing when youre ovulating and therefore fertile is the first step. Having sex during that window of fertility is the second .
Having sex before your expected ovulation can help account for any variation in when you ovulate. Sperm can also live in the body for several days having some already in action can help increase your likelihood of conceiving.
Once you ovulate, there are only 12 to 24 hours for your egg to meet the sperm . If you know when youll be ovulating, you can have sex before ovulation. This can help ensure some of the slow-moving sperm will get to the egg on time.
If the sperm reach their final destination when you arent fertile, they wont hang around. Have sex after ovulation to increase the odds for some of those fast-moving sperm to meet up with your egg.
Dont forget to enjoy the process as you go along this wild ride. Stress doesnt help with fertility so avoid the robot sex if at all possible. Orgasms improve the likelihood that sperm will successfully journey to your egg .
Read Also: Is It Safe To Take Tums While Pregnant
Fruits Are Quick Easy Snacks
Assorted berries, grapes, melons, and the “easy on your stomach’ banana are good fruits to have on hand. I always envied the women birthing during summer months who have lots of in-season fruits that are full of flavor to choose from. Having them cut up into bite size pieces all ready to go will make things easy for you and your labor team.
Some women even find freezing berries, grapes, and other grab and go fruit makes for a soothing, cool treat when you are working hard. A smoothie is a nice way to consume the fruit, and your birth team can add some protein powder for an added boost.
How Can You Avoid Or Treat Headaches During Pregnancy
- Posture plays an important role. Try to stand up and sit up straight.
- Get plenty of rest and practice relaxation exercises
- Exercise
- Eat frequent and well-balanced meals
- Foods can often be a trigger for headaches or migraines. Keep a food diary and avoid foods that set off headaches, such as chocolate, caffeine, dairy, meats with preservatives, etc.
- Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 cups of water a day
Recommended Reading: What Happens If You Donate Plasma While Pregnant
What Other Changes Can I Expect During The First Trimester
Frequent urination. Towards the end of the first trimester, you will feel like urinating more often. This is because your growing uterus pushes on your bladder. You may even leak a little urine when you cough or sneeze.
Lightheadedness. Your body is working overtime to make extra blood to support your baby. This can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Hunger, weakness, or stress can cause these symptoms as well.
Heartburn. The muscles that break down food become more relaxed during pregnancy. Hormone changes also slow down this process. Food also stays in your stomach longer to give your body more time to absorb nutrients. All these things can cause or worsen heartburn.
Constipation. You should be taking a daily prenatal vitamin that contains iron. The iron in the vitamin can lead to constipation. The slow process of breaking down food also can cause constipation, gas, and bloating. Your doctor may suggest taking fiber supplements or a stool softener to provide relief. Make sure you drink plenty of water . Tell your doctor if you have severe problems. They may switch you to a different prenatal vitamin.
Visible veins. Your body makes extra blood and your heart pumps faster to meet the needs of pregnancy. This can cause the blue veins in your belly, breasts, and legs to become more noticeable. You may develop spider veins on your face, neck, or arms. These are tiny blood vessels that branch out from a central area, like the legs of a spider.
In Very Small Amounts
Food or drinks high in fat, sugar or salt are not recommended for good health. This includes sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks, crisps, biscuits, muffins or cakes.
If you do eat these types of foods, limit it to once or twice a week.
Tips during pregnancy – HSE mychild.ie
Please accept Youtube cookies to view this content.
Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them.
You May Like: Is It Safe To Eat Tums While Pregnant
What Causes Hunger Pangs When Pregnant
There are numerous things that can be the cause of your hunger pangs. It can be difficult to pinpoint just one, but below you will find several possibilities.
