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Foods to avoid during pregnancy

You're eating not only for yourself but also for the baby. When you're pregnant, you should always stay alert and avoid all items that could potentially make you sick or badly affect your baby's health condition.Why should you avoid certain foods during pregnancy?Some foods are a shelter of bacteria like E.coli.🦠 Meanwhile, pregnancy also diminishes your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to all ailments like flu or common cold.🥶 You are more likely to get sick or suffer from complications such as miscarriage or premature delivery if you have foodborne illness.😟 The disease which crosses the placenta will harmfully affect your baby, developing severe birth defects or serious infections.😔 Foods to avoid during pregnancy🐟High mercury fishFish is loaded with brain-boosting nutrients and omega-3.🐟 However, some fish contain a dangerous level of mercury that is detrimental to your baby's developing nervous system.🧠 The bigger and older the fish, the more mercury it carries. Avoid shark🦈, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and bigeye tuna. Limit white albacore to 6 ounces a week. Fish such as salmone, anchovies, cod, catfish, shrimp, trout, or sardines can be eaten up to 8 to 12 ounces per week. 🥩Raw, undercooked foodRefrain from blood-red meat🥩 because they can harbor bacteria causing food poisoning such as E.coli or Salmonella. Uncooked fish in sashimi🍣, raw oysters should also be off-limits because the danger of ingesting bacteria or parasites is too high. Dishes having undercooked eggs🥚 are so prevalent such as soft scrambled eggs, homemade mousse, raw batter or cookie dough, mayonnaise. Pregnant moms🤰 who consume these rampant raw and undercooked eggs are prone to Salmonella infection.☕Too much caffeineCaffeine wakes you up when you're tired. However, too much caffeine can interfere with the ability to absorb iron, leading to anemia.☕ It is time to switch to decaf ones. You should consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day. Any caffeine sources such as chocolate🍫, black or green tea, energy bars and coffee-flavored desserts, ice cream🍨, yogurts should also be controllably devoured to ensure the 200 milligram limit. 🥛Unpasteurized dairy and juicesDairies such as skim milk🥛 and cheese🧀 can be a healthy part of your pregnancy diet. However, anything containing unpasteurized milk is a big no-no since they might have Listeria and other pathogens. Check your products' label before making a purchase.🐄 🍷AlcoholAlcohol is extremely harmful to your health during pregnancy so avoid it at all cost.🍷 The concentration of alcohol that goes into your bloodstream is also the same as that enters your baby, resulting in fetal alcohol syndrome, which can cause facial deformities and intellectual disability.☠️ Toast happy events with healthy fruity juices! If you're concerned about alcohol that you drank before you knew you were pregnant, please consult your worries with doctors.👩‍⚕️ 

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Best food to eat during pregnancy

Are you worried that you're not hitting the healthy pregnancy diet mark? Don't worry, you can always look up to this information and prepare all vitamins and minerals that both you and your baby need.Essential nutrients for you and your baby💊Folic acidGetting at least 600 micrograms per day during pregnancy is important. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects, serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord.🧠💊IronIron plays an important role in hemoglobin formation🩸, a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. Your body needs iron to make more blood to supply oxygen for the baby.👶💊CalciumCalcium makes bones and teeth strong.🦷 It also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems function normally.🧠 You should aim for 1000 milligrams a day.💊Vitamin DVitamin D assists calcium to do its job and your immune system to stay healthy. You should take 600 IU a day.😃💊DHAAn omega-3- fatty acid called DHA is vital in your baby's brain and retinal👁️ development. It helps absorb fat soluble vitamins and reduce symptoms associated with prenatal depression. You need 200-300 milligrams per day.👁️💊IodineIodine, available in salt, promotes your baby's brain and nervous system development.👁️ You should get 290 micrograms per day.🧂Examples of recommended pregnancy diet🥩Lean meatHigh protein lean meat🥩 provides you energy throughout the day and stabilizes your blood sugar. In addition to being protein-packed, it's also rich in iron, developing red blood🩸 cell supply for both you and your baby.🥜LentilsLentils are a great alternative source of protein that deserves a good place on your plate.🥜 Not only are they rich in vitamin B folate, they are also high in fiber which protects your digestive system and prevents pregnancy-related constipation.🚽   🐟SalmonFatty fish are one of the best foods to eat during pregnancy.🐟 Since your body cannot produce omega-3, salmon are packed with DHA omega-3s and iodine, making it a safe seafood choice for pregnancy.🤰🥑AvocadoThis creamy green fruit has a high amount of folate, along with vitamin B6 which also alleviates morning sickness. It's a healthy source of monounsaturated fats so your body can absorb vitamins in veggies and fruits better.🥑 🥬KaleKale is a potent pregnancy, all in one package of food.🥬 It serves lots of nutrients that you need, including folate, iron, vitamin C, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K and fiber.😄   

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Morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy

Congratulations! Finally you're sailing along on your pregnancy adventure. Are you feeling any seasickness along the way? That's probably because you are experiencing morning sickness which definitely does not occur in just mornings. Morning sickness🤢What is morning sickness?It describes the nausea and vomiting that happen when you are pregnant.🤰 Depending on how sensitive you are to smells and odors, you may have strong aversions to certain smells or foods that are so powerful that you feel sick to your stomach.👃Morning sickness does not necessarily mean it only happens in the morning. In fact, you can suffer the symptoms any time of the day or night.☀️🌃🤢When does morning sickness start?It typically starts around week 6 until the middle of month 2. It is truly the first sign you'll notice after your hCG hormone levels overcome the threshold to produce a positive pregnancy test result.🤰  🤢How long does morning sickness last?  Nausea and vomiting diminish between weeks 12 and 16, but they are at their peaks form weeks 10 to 16. It is possible that you continue experiencing these symptoms when you enter the second trimester or even throughout pregnancy.🤮 Morning sickness causes🤢Hormone levelshCG hormone level is at its peak when morning sickness is worst. Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone relax the muscles of the digestive tract and make it difficult for you to digest food.📈🤢A sensitive brainIf you are already hypersensitive to car sick🚗 or seasick🌊 compared to others, you are subjected to morning sickness. A family history of migraine also makes you prone to morning sickness. 🤢StressEmotional stress such as anger😠, depression😫 can upset the gastrointestinal tract. No wonder when you're under stress, you experience morning sickness more often.🤢FatigueIf you have morning sickness, fatigue can make the nausea worse. On the other hand, morning sickness can increase fatigue.🥴🤢First time pregnancyIf this is the first time you're pregnant, the symptoms might appear more severely and decrease when you're pregnant again.🙋 Your body is less prepared for the sudden surge of hormone levels, making you feel more anxious and resulting in stomach upset.  Morning sickness remedies🤢Stay away from offensive smellsBecause your sense of smells is so keen, some scents may be offensive and sickening despite them being familiar. Stay away from smells that make you feel nauseous. Open windows so the air inside your room can be well ventilated.🍲🤢Wear Sea-Band wristlets  They are clinically proven to be effective to protect you from severe morning sickness. These 1-inch-wide bands are anti nausea acupressure wristbands that put pressure on an acupressure point and naturally relieve the symptoms.😃🤢Rest wellMeditation, visualization or any methods that help you stay calm can help minimize queasiness. Relax your body and take it easy since rushing only makes your pregnancy experiences worse.😶‍🌫️😌 

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Miscarriage rates by week

The experience of miscarriage is physically and mentally painful that no words can describe. Miscarriage often occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy when the fetus isn't heathily developing and happens less often after that. Miscarriage🤰What is a miscarriage?Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of pregnancy before the 20th week.🤰 It typically happens during the first three months of the first trimester.📅 Miscarriage can take place for a variety of medical reasons, some of them are unpredictable and out of control. It is very common but that doesn't make the entire experience easier.😭🤰Miscarriage signsDepending on your stage of pregnancy and health condition, the symptoms may vary. Sometimes it happens so fast that you can't detect the signals.😥  Some of the symptoms of a miscarriage are heavy spotting, vaginal bleeding🩸, discharge of tissue or fluid from your vagina, severe abdominal pain, or back pain. If you experience any of these, please call your doctor immediately as soon as possible to prevent miscarriage.👩‍⚕️ Miscarriage causes🤰Chromosome problemsChromosomes are blocks of DNA.🧬 They are the keys to control a wide range of factors, from the baby's hair color to the baby's formation.👶 Any problems happening during cell division or at the point of conception, leading to the fetus receiving repeated or not enough chromosomes can result in miscarriage.😥 The exact cause of chromosomal abnormalities is unknown. The phenomenon is known to occur more frequently in women at advanced maternal age, or greater than 35 years old.👩👵 🤰Maternal health conditions  Uterus or cervix infections can be detrimental to a developing baby. If the uterus cavity has any defects, it can't support a healthy pregnancy.🤰   Underlying health conditions and bad lifestyle habits also impair successful pregnancy rate. Malnutrition, drug abuse, hormone issues, or obesity, for instance, can all interfere with fetus development.😟Miscarriage rate by week 🤰Week 0 to 6These early weeks have the highest potential of miscarriage. You can experience it without realizing you're pregnant.😟 The later you conceive your baby, the more dangerous the risks are. 🤰Week 6 to 12When your baby makes it to 6 weeks and has confirmed viability with a heartbeat, the rate of miscarriage drops to 10 percent. The miscarriage rate decreases as the gestinational age increases.😃🤰Week 13 to 20By week 12, the risk of miscarriage drops to 5 percents. However, you shouldn't be ignorant as complications can arise at any point.⚠️    

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Early pregnancy symptoms

Have you been actively trying to conceive? Because very early signs of pregnancy symptoms are similar to premenstrual syndrome, the most accurate way to know that you have a baby on board is to take pregnancy tests. However, these symptoms can still provide credible clues.Early signs of pregnancy before a missed period🤰Basal body temperatureAn elevated basal body temperature🌡️ by 1 degree when you check your first morning temperature can be a good indicator of the big news. The temperature may rise and stay the same during pregnancy, but it's not likely to be a huge increase.😃 🤰Smell sensitivitySmells of your favorite food or previously mild odors👃 that once made you pleasant become unappealing and distasteful. You might want to throw up immediately if the situation is severe.🤮 This is a very common symptom of pregnancy indicating good news.🤰Breast changesTender, swollen breasts followed up with darkening and bumpy areolas🧐 are signs of breast changes that make you feel itchy and be in pain. Tiny bumps growing in size and quantity appearing on your areolas are preparing to produce oils that lubricate your nipples. 🤰FatigueSince all of your energy goes into building a placenta at the early stage of pregnancy, you tend to get hungry more easily. Pregnancy fatigue occurs shortly after you conceive.🥘Other signs of pregnancy including missed periods 🤰 Missed periodsIf you have regular periods🩸, this can be a good sign that all expectant moms experience. Missed periods are very common when you suspect pregnancy.😃🤰Implantation bleedingLight spotting or implantation bleeding can be an early pregnancy signal that an embryo has deposited itself into the uterine wall. Unlike the usual red color of periods🩸, implantation bleeding is usually medium pink or light brown, lasting for a few hours to a few days in discontinuity.📅🤰Changes in cervical mucusIf your cervical mucus becomes creamy and remains the same after ovulation, it's likely that you'll have a positive pregnancy test result.😃 Increased amount of thin, milky-white vaginal discharge post ovulation is normal and healthy. If it gets thicker and lumpy, you need to have a checkup with your practitioner or doctors.👩‍⚕️ 🤰Incessant urinationAfter conception for two or three weeks, you constantly want to pee.🚽 Due to the hormone hCG, your kidney receives more blood, aiding the solid and liquid waste disposal process from the body.  Your growing uterus is putting more pressure on your bladder, leaving less space for urine and increasing the need to pee.🚻 🤰Mood swingsBlame your hormonal changes all you want for the sudden mood swings you may be experiencing.😃🥴☹️ Your life is going through a major change, so it's completely normal for your moods to fluctuate. 

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Pregnancy acne

Pregnancy breakouts are common during pregnancy. Whether you have never had acne or already battled with one, you will see some pimples on your face when you're pregnant. Don't worry, acne can be treated with self-care and medication.Causes of acneThe real culprit of pregnancy breakouts is overproduction of sebum as androgens hormones overdrive. Androgens are responsible for triggering sebaceous glands in your skin to get bigger and produce more sebum🛢️. This extra oil on your skin clogs your pores, allowing bacteria to rapidly inhabit, leading to skin inflammation and skin outburst of acne.😟  Treatment of acne💊Wash your face with a gentle cleanserYou should wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser🧼 and lukewarm water.🌊 Excessive washing like facial scrubs can irritate your skin more severely.💊Shampoo regularlyIf you develop acne around your hairline, you should wash your hair everyday.🛀 Choose shampoo that is safe for pregnant women.🙆‍♀️💊Don't pick or squeeze blemishesSqueezing your blemishes can cause infection and prolong the acne treatment process.🙅‍♀️ If infected, they can leave acne scars on your face.😟💊Avoid irritantsAvoid oily or greasy cosmetics💄, hair styling products or acne concealers because they irritate your skin more badly. You should consult with your dermatologist, choosing products labeled water-based or noncomedogenic.👩‍⚕️💊Be aware of what touches your skinAvoid putting your hands✋ or objects on your face. Try to wear comfortable clothes👚 because tight clothing or hats can increase your body temperature and provoke sweating and oil, contributing to more acne.  💊MedicationSince any medication applied to your skin or swallowed during pregnancy affects your baby👶, you should consult with your dermatologists about the safest treatment.👩‍⚕️ Generally, skin treatment containing erythromycin and clindamycin are considered safe. 

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Pregnancy headaches

You're pregnant and having headaches? You're not alone in this journey.Causes of headaches🤕Hormonal changesIncrease and fluctuation of hormones when you're pregnant cause you headaches.🤕 If you are more sensitive to a high level of estrogen, you tend to have headaches more easily compared to others.🙁🤕Increase of blood volumeDuring the first trimester, you need more blood🩸 not only for yourself but also for the baby's development. You may also notice headaches as a side effect of increased blood volume.🤕 🤕A lack of sleep and nutrientsLack of rest due to stress, depression or stuffy nose👃 can lead to headaches in the morning. Low blood sugar levels from a poor nutrient diet🥣 also cause headaches, making you feel fatigued and tired.Common type of pregnancy headaches🤕Tension headacheTension headaches are the most common kind of headaches during the first trimester. You feel a steady pain behind your eyes👁️ and in your head🧠 and at the back of your neck. If you've always been prone to tension headaches, pregnancy will make it worse.🤕Sinus headacheSinus headaches happen the most often when you have a cold or respiratory infection.😷 It feels like pressure or pain in your cheeks, around your eyes, and in your forehead.🤯 🤕Cluster headacheCluster headaches are not common during pregnancy but there is a possibility that it might happen. You will notice sudden and severe pain around one eye or temple, sometimes accompanied with teary eyes😥 or a stuffy nose.👃  🤕Migraine headacheMigraines are most common during the first trimester. You'll experience moderate to severe pain, typically one side of your head. The pain soon will be reduced when your body gets used to the altered amount of hormones in the second and third trimester.😃Ways to prevent or treat migraines🤕Relaxation techniquesTry biofeedback, meditation, or yoga🧘 to reduce stress and headaches. You can also consider self-hypnosis and consult with your medical provider to make yourself less in pain.👩‍⚕️🤕Drink waterTo prevent low blood sugar, eat small meals🍲 frequently throughout the day. Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.🥛 Sip water slowly if you've vomited from a migraine. 🤕Take a showerCold shower or a big splash of water into your face🚿 can relieve migraine headaches temporarily. A warm shower can soothe tension headaches.🛁🤕SleepJust sleep. Having a good sleep in your quiet and dark room will help ease the pain.😴 🤕ExerciseGentle exercise during pregnancy can reduce the severity and recurrence of migraine. It also reduces stress that can cause tension headaches.🏃‍♀️ 

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Rubella antibody screening

Why should I take the test?💡 Rubella is a contagious disease that spreads through droplets in the air when people cough or sneeze. It typically begins with rash, swollen glands and fever. Although rubella has been eradicated due to widespread vaccination with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, if you're unvaccinated, you are prone to be infected.If you catch the virus during pregnancy, you can transfer the virus to your baby through the bloodstream. If you catch rubella within the first 11 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is likely to have congenital rubella syndrome. If you are infected after week 16, the baby is considered safe from the virus.  Unfortunately, no treatment is available to prevent the baby from catching rubella if you're infected. Vaccination can only provide protection before you're infected, but once the virus is present in your bloodstream, it is too late to be vaccinated. How is the test done?💉 The rubella antibody screening determines prior protection and assesses immunity to rubella virus. Testing requires a sample of blood, urine, or a nasal or throat swab.During a blood draw test, a needle is injected into a vein in your arm while an elastic band is placed around the upper part of your arm to increase blood flow. The area where the needle is inserted is cleaned with antiseptic. Then, a test tube or vial attached to the needle is there to collect the blood.  During a rubella test that requires a nose or throat swab, a cotton swab is inserted into nostrils or the throat to collect samples. You may experience some discomfort or watery eyes during the procedure. Then they are stored in a tube for analysis. During a rubella test that asks you for a urine sample, you will need to provide a sample in a cup for analysis. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: A rubella antibody screening checks for the level of antibodies to see if you have been vaccinated. There are several types of rubella antibody tests. Immunoglobulin M antibody test: IgM develops as soon as 4 days after the symptoms start to kick in when you are first infected with rubella virus. IgM is detectable for six to eight weeks or longer after infection.Immunoglobulin G antibody test: IgG can be considered as a memory antibody which distinguishes between recent infections and immunity due to past infections and enhances the release of IgM antibody attacking the virus faster. IgG testing is also an accurate method to understand how well your body can fight against rubella. Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT): uses reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method to identify genetic material of rubella virus present in a nasal swab, throat swab or a urine sample. The test is highly sensitive, can be done in a short period of time and requires minimal template for detection and amplification of a specific sequence. It detects and amplifies the DNA and RNA sequences of the virus despite the small quantity of the virus.  

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Urine tests

Why should I take the test?💡A urine test is used to assess bladder or kidney infections, diabetes, dehydration and preeclampsia by looking at markers that show up in your urine. It is expected during your first prenatal exam and periodically in future prenatal visits.  If you feel tired, lethargic, or constantly thirsty, you might need to consider taking the test. If you lose weight or have a consistent level of sugar detected, the urine test is necessary to detect any risks and protect both you and your little one.How is the test done?💉You will be given a specimen cup and an antiseptic wipe and sent to the bathroom to collect a clean, midstream urine sample. Wash your hands first, then separate your labia and clean your vulva from front to back with the wipe. After you start urinating for a few seconds into the toilet, you can slip the cup under the stream until you collect enough for the sample.Remember not to contaminate the sample and avoid touching the inside of the cup. Once you finish, close the lid of the cup and deliver it to medical assistants. They will check your urine by dipping a colored test stick in it and compare the result with the chart. A color change of the strip indicates a positive test result. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: What is your urine tested for?The test looks for:Diabetes: If a high level of glucose/sugar is detected in your urine, it may indicate that you might have pre-existing type 2 diabetes. If tested later in the pregnancy, it may indicate gestational diabetes (which is also tested for with a glucose screening between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy)Preeclampsia: The level of protein in your urine early in the pregnancy will be compared to levels measured in later stages of the pregnancy. High levels of protein can be a sign of preeclampsia (characterized by sudden high blood pressure, severe swelling of the hands and face, and signs that some organs may not be working normally, including protein in the urine), or pregnancy - induced high blood pressure.A urinary tract infection (UTI): If red or white blood cells of bacteria are detected in the urine, it can be a sign of a UTI (a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, the urethra, or in more serious cases, the kidneys).Risks of the procedureThere are no risks of urine tests to you or your baby so keep calm and pee in your cup! Maybe a glass of water before coming to your appointment might help you keep things short and simple! Results of the testPositive for glucoseIt's normal for your sugar level in urine to be a bit high, especially after you eat a large meal or drink a really sweet beverage. However, if you have elevated levels at a few more prenatal visits in a row or an extremely high level at one visit, you may be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.Positive for protein  High levels of protein may suggest a possible urinary tract infection or kidney disease. You might be offered further tests by the hospital in order to make a preeclampsia diagnosis. Positive for urinary tract infections (UTI)UTIs occur when bacteria enter and grow in the urinary tract. Because of your growing uterus and an increase in hormones that relaxes your muscles in your uterus, the bladder is less likely to be completely empty when you urinate.Hence, the urine remnants support the development of bacteria. There is no need to worry since the infection can easily be treated through a course of antibiotics.Positive for ketonesHigh levels of ketones infer that your body is too acidic. It can be a potential indicator of diabetic ketoacidosis which is a severe complication of diabetes. 

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Morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy

Congratulations! Finally you're sailing along on your pregnancy adventure. Are you feeling any seasickness along the way? That's probably because you are experiencing morning sickness which definitely does not occur in just mornings. Morning sickness🤢What is morning sickness?It describes the nausea and vomiting that happen when you are pregnant.🤰 Depending on how sensitive you are to smells and odors, you may have strong aversions to certain smells or foods that are so powerful that you feel sick to your stomach.👃Morning sickness does not necessarily mean it only happens in the morning. In fact, you can suffer the symptoms any time of the day or night.☀️🌃🤢When does morning sickness start?It typically starts around week 6 until the middle of month 2. It is truly the first sign you'll notice after your hCG hormone levels overcome the threshold to produce a positive pregnancy test result.🤰  🤢How long does morning sickness last?  Nausea and vomiting diminish between weeks 12 and 16, but they are at their peaks form weeks 10 to 16. It is possible that you continue experiencing these symptoms when you enter the second trimester or even throughout pregnancy.🤮 Morning sickness causes🤢Hormone levelshCG hormone level is at its peak when morning sickness is worst. Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone relax the muscles of the digestive tract and make it difficult for you to digest food.📈🤢A sensitive brainIf you are already hypersensitive to car sick🚗 or seasick🌊 compared to others, you are subjected to morning sickness. A family history of migraine also makes you prone to morning sickness. 🤢StressEmotional stress such as anger😠, depression😫 can upset the gastrointestinal tract. No wonder when you're under stress, you experience morning sickness more often.🤢FatigueIf you have morning sickness, fatigue can make the nausea worse. On the other hand, morning sickness can increase fatigue.🥴🤢First time pregnancyIf this is the first time you're pregnant, the symptoms might appear more severely and decrease when you're pregnant again.🙋 Your body is less prepared for the sudden surge of hormone levels, making you feel more anxious and resulting in stomach upset.  Morning sickness remedies🤢Stay away from offensive smellsBecause your sense of smells is so keen, some scents may be offensive and sickening despite them being familiar. Stay away from smells that make you feel nauseous. Open windows so the air inside your room can be well ventilated.🍲🤢Wear Sea-Band wristlets  They are clinically proven to be effective to protect you from severe morning sickness. These 1-inch-wide bands are anti nausea acupressure wristbands that put pressure on an acupressure point and naturally relieve the symptoms.😃🤢Rest wellMeditation, visualization or any methods that help you stay calm can help minimize queasiness. Relax your body and take it easy since rushing only makes your pregnancy experiences worse.😶‍🌫️😌 

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Dizziness in pregnancy

Dizziness is a common pregnancy symptom and goes away without medical intervention. You should stay alert for other symptoms that accompany dizziness and call your doctor if necessary.Causes of dizziness😵Cardiovascular system changesYour heart❤️ is beating faster. Your heart pumps more blood per minute so the blood in your body levels up by 30 to 50 percent. When the cardiovascular system can't adapt quickly to these changes and supply enough blood🩸 to your brain, you feel dizzy or even faint. 😵Dilated blood vesselsWhen you're pregnant🤰, your blood vessels are widened. Blood pressure drops, making you feel dizzy. Soon it then begins to return to its normal state by the end of pregnancy.😃Other health conditions associated with dizziness😵Vasovagal syncopeWhen you force yourself to cough, sneeze🤧 or have a bowel movement, your blood pressure and heart rate drop, leading to dizziness and fainting. Dehydration🌊, anxiety, and pain can also trigger dizziness.😵AnemiaIron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia.🩸 Shortage of red blood cells to carry oxygen to your brain and other organs make you feel dizzy. 😵AnxietyWhen you're under stress😟 and get anxious, you tend to hyperventilate and feel lightheaded. You should consult with therapists to avoid depression and figure it out how to make yourself feel better.👩‍⚕️Ways to prevent dizziness😵Don't stand up too fastBlood concentrates on your feet and lower legs when you sit.🪑 If you suddenly stand up, blood hasn't been able to catch up your standing speed and return to your heart from your legs. As a result, blood pressure drops quickly, making you feel dizzy.When you're lying down and preparing to wake up, sit up slowly and stay seated on bed for a while, then slowly stand up.🛏️😵Don't lie on your backYour growing uterus puts pressure on the large vein, slowing down the circulation. Your heart❤️ pumps less blood and blood pressure drops, so you may feel anxious, dizzy, and nauseated for a while.🤢 😵Eat and drink regularlyWhen you don't eat enough, especially when you're pregnant, low blood sugar can also make you feel dizzy.🥣 Split your meals throughout the day so you can snack on them more frequently.Dehydration also leads to the same effect. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.🥛 😵Avoid overheatingTaking a hot bath🛀, going into a sauna room can make your blood vessels dilated and lower your blood pressure, resulting in dizziness. You will feel dizzy when you are in stuffy and crowded places too.🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Always try to keep your bathroom cool and avoid crowded areas.😵Don't overdo your exercisesHeavy exercises cause you to hyperventilate and feel faint. Gentle exercises are the way to go and be careful not to overdo it.🏃‍♀️ 

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Blood test

Why should I take the test?💡 The first blood sample that comes from you as a pregnant woman contains a lot of vital information. With this information, the hospital is able to check on infections, diseases, immunity, which will give them a heads up on potential future complications or the treatments that you may need.How is the test done?💉   You can have blood tests at hospitals or clinics nearby. A blood sample is collected with a needle and syringe from your arm. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️:Blood groupThere are 4 blood types A, B, AB and O. You'll be given a blood test to determine which blood type you are. It's useful to know your blood type in case you need blood transfusion if you have heavy bleeding or hemorrhage during pregnancy.Your hCG levelsHCG is a hormone that shows up in the bloodstream and urine, which is produced by the fetus. The blood test for hCG can detect pregnancy with an accuracy close to 100%. This will also allow the doctor to estimate your due date by measuring the amount of hCG in your blood, since hCG levels change as pregnancy progresses.Sexually transmitted infectionsSTIs such as syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV can be detected through the blood sample. You can still catch these diseases during pregnancy although the result of the test is negative initially. HIV and hepatitis B can arise if you and your partner take risks, such as having unprotected sex. You can still get HIV and syphilis if you share needles and inject drugs during pregnancy.   Immunity to certain diseasesIf you have been vaccinated, you can find out if you have immunity to certain diseases such as rubella titers (immune to German measles) and varicella (immune to chickenpox).Pregnancy can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to viral illnesses such as malaria, but enhances other parts of the system such as resistance to HIV.   Vitamin D deficiencyPregnant women who are deficient in vitamin D are more likely to have pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia, diabetes, preterm birth and small babies. Therefore, checking up on your vitamin D levels could help you avoid these pregnancy complications.Rhesus (Rh) factorWhen you find out your blood type, you are able to find whether you're Rh positive or Rh negative. Rh factor is a substance known as D antigen on the surface of your red blood cells. Rh incompatibility between you and your baby could cause complications if you are not aware of it. However, you will need an injection at 26 to 28 weeks and at 34 to 36 weeks to protect your baby if you happen to fall into the category of having the incompatibility.Genetic riskThe blood test can screen the risk for cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, hemoglobinopathy and possibly other genetic diseases. Anemia is an iron deficiency during pregnancy because your body requires extra iron so your baby receives a sufficient blood supply, oxygen and other nutrients. It makes you tired and vulnerable to loss of blood during labor and birth.Gestational diabetesIf you are suffering from obesity, have had gestational diabetes or a large baby in your previous pregnancy, have a family history of diabetes or have any other risk factors for gestational diabetes, the blood test can inform your doctor, get you and hospital ready for possible future complications. Except for the discomfort felt from a needle prick and maybe a little bruising afterwards, there are no health risks of an initial blood workup.   

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Spotting during pregnancy

A little light bleeding or spotting is common during the first trimester. It can also be a sign of a serious problem. Differences between spotting and bleeding🩸SpottingSpotting is very light bleeding🩸 with signs of occasional small blood drops in your underwear. The color varies from pink to red to brown, similar to what you have at the end of your period.🌸🩸BleedingBleeding is a heavier flow of blood. You need to wear pads or a panty liner to avoid blood soaking your underwear.🩲Constant blood flow can signal a serious problem such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.🤰 You should consult with doctors immediately if you notice any sign.👩‍⚕️Causes of early pregnancy bleeding🩸ImplantationImplantation bleeding can happen when fertilized eggs attach to the uterine lining, triggering approximately 6 days of spotting or bleeding consequently.🩸 You probably won't be aware of your pregnancy when this happens.🤔 🩸Subchorionic hematomaSubchorionic hematoma is bleeding under a membrane that surrounds the embryo inside the uterus.👶 When the amniotic sac, also called chorion, detaches from the wall of the uterus, you experience this harmless type of bleeding and usually it stops on its own. If you notice any sign of constant bleeding, you need to go to doctors immediately for an ultrasound test. It can raise the risk of miscarriage or abortion.👩‍⚕️🩸MiscarriageSpotting or bleeding, together with severe abdominal pain or cramping, can be signs of miscarriage.⚠️ However, sometimes you don't have any bleeding prior to miscarriage diagnosis.Feeling better, no longer having early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness can also be an indicator to determine miscarriage.😟 You should consult with your doctor for a more detailed checkup.⚠️🩸Ectopic pregnancyBleeding can also be a warning of ectopic pregnancy. When the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes, bleeding accompanied with pains in the abdomen, pelvis or shoulder infers a threatened abortion.👶 Let your doctors know immediately to avoid this life-threatening situation.👩‍⚕️ 🩸Molar pregnancyWhen the placenta doesn't develop properly, it can't nurse the embryo. You need to seek medical help immediately if this happens.👩‍⚕️ 🩸InfectionAn infection can irritate your cervix and cause bleeding, especially after you have sex.👨‍👧 Some types of infection are common such as yeast infection, herpes, chlamydia. As severe infections can lead to pregnancy complications, you have to ask your doctor👩‍⚕️ for antibiotics or another treatment if necessary. 

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Genetic counseling

Why should I take the counseling?💡 A genetic counseling guides you through complex information about whether your little baby may have a birth defect or a genetic disorder. The counselor walks you through each technical information in detail and offers you the best advice so that you can make your decision wisely for you and your baby.As fertility wanes as you age, the odds of your baby having chromosomal abnormality also increase with your age. If you're over 35 or older on your due date, you may want to talk to your counselor. If you or one of the other family members have a genetic disorder, it can be passed down to the next generation and especially to your baby. Any history of infertility, stillbirth, miscarriages also greatly affects your baby's health condition. If you've had chemotherapy or have a medical condition, such as epilepsy or diabetes, the medications that you're taking can deteriorate your baby's growth. Birth defects are more feasible if you've been exposed to substances that are reported to cause birth defects. How is the counseling done?💉   A genetic counseling aims to provide information and emotional support. The counselor will ask you and your partner about your background, health histories as far back as possible, possibility of chronic diseases or inherited disorders. You may also need to find out the health histories of your parents, siblings and close relatives to accurately determine the possibility of disorder inheritance of your baby.TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️:  Your exposureThe counselor will ask you if you've ever been exposed to dangerous substances before and during your pregnancy. Also you should bring a list of medications that you're taking for evaluation.Prenatal testsCarrier screening is done to determine if you or your partner carries the genetic mutation and possibly passes down to your baby. Screening tests help determine your risk for carrying a baby having birth defects, genetic disorders, or chromosomal abnormalities.Diagnostic tests indicate the range of genetic mutations or chromosomal conditions in your baby. You can choose to initially have screening tests done before making decisions about further testing. If your baby has a problem…Even if you're scared and against abortion, don't automatically reject going to a prenatal testing or a genetic counseling. Abortion is not the only solution. The counselor is there to offer you support and guidance and explain all options that you have. Full comprehension of your child's problem would enable you to be prepared both mentally and physically. Genetic counselors will ask you open-ended questions for you to think carefully about your decision, but they won't make any decisions or steer you in a particular direction. The decision is yours.What would having a child with a genetic condition mean to you? Are you aware of all the difficulties that may arise when raising your child? Would you feel guilty of your child's lifelong needs for special care? Will your child be resentful of you for the disabilities and different treatment from other people? Most importantly, are you ready to become a mom of a child with disabilities?  

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Blood pressure

Why should I take the test?💡 Your blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure that your blood puts against the walls of the blood vessels. High blood pressure suggests threatening complications such as pre-eclampsia, kidney disease, diabetes or chronic hypertension. High blood pressure can also prevent blood from flowing to the placenta. Placenta abruption, premature birth, gestational diabetes or birth defects may occur if your baby doesn't get enough nutrients or oxygen. Therefore, you should check your blood pressure regularly so that high blood pressure is picked up and immediately treated.How is the test done?💉   If you use an upper arm monitor, always measure your blood pressure using the same arm. Fit the cuff onto your bare arm, sit straight with your back supported, both feet flat on the ground. Make sure that the machine is on a flat surface. Rest your arm on a table or across the lab with your palm facing upward and slightly open. Press the 'Start' button and the cuff starts tightening around your arm. Done! Get your blood pressure result.TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️:Results on the monitorYour blood pressure is recorded in two numbers. The top one is called systolic, the pressure when the heart is pumping. Diastolic is the bottom number indicating the pressure in between each beat.When you're pregnant, your blood pressure is considered higher than normal. It usually disappears after your baby is born. When systolic is 140 or more, diastolic is 90 or more, it means you have hypertension.Treatments for high blood pressureIf you have chronic hypertension, you need to have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure it returns to safe levels during pregnancy. It's important to quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and especially gain weight healthily. Pre-eclampsia is one of the complications that may arise due to high blood pressure. It can be managed with medication and close monitoring of both you and the baby. If the situation gets worse, you have to go to emergency and have your baby delivered early. 

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