At this visit, I felt like a voyeur peering into a life I helped create in a world outside of my hands. Just like the past three visits, my wife’s eyes welled up with tears. It is amazing and eye-opening whenever we get to see and hear the baby–though my wife knows she will soon be feeling those cute acrobatic kicks and swings soon. The baby looks safe, secure, and happy. The doctor said all the measurements are well within the normal range, at the next visit we’ll get the results of the blood work.

Well, I am very excited to show-off the latest pics to family and friends. We’ll know the sex of the baby very soon…I’ll keep you posted. ultra scan pics

On Sunday, our local paper, the Oregonian, ran an extensive feature on still-birth in their lifestyle section. In the past, I wouldn’t blink an eye at the story, but I was really sad after reading that “1 in 200 births are still“. I wanted to hide the paper from my wife, but I left it out on the kitchen table. Everything has become more intense, I feel closer with my wife and my family than I ever did before and even if something were to happen to the baby nothing could replace these memories. —Hmmm, I guess it wasn’t such a chill weekend after all. If I wanted to, I could spend every day reading and worrying about the tragic possibilities inherent in every pregnancy, but I choose to stay informed and hopeful. I’ll let you know how the ultrasound goes

What kind of working mother does Aguilera want to be? “I want it get it right, to balance (motherhood) well with my career,” she says according to the Associated Press.

 Loading …

Get Pregnancy Magazine FREE

It’s true. If you’ve been lucky enough to find this site and you’re willing to give a couple of minutes of time to fill out a brief survey you can have Pregnancy Magazine free.

What could be better than this? If you act now you’ll not only get Pregnancy Magazine you will also get Parenting and American Baby. That’s three free magazines for a couple of minutes of your time.

So here’s the only question you need to ask yourself about this offer, is two or three minutes of your time worth $188.78? Because, that’s the combined newsstand price of a year long subscription to all three. This offer cannot last forever, and while we can’t predict when it will end, we can say that we’ve never seen Pregnancy Magazine, American Baby and Parenting all offered together and for free before and we don’t expect it to come around again for awhile. So how do you get yours? Simply click on the image above.

*Please note, the above is not offered in conjunction with magazines.com if you would like to order magazines from magazine.com please search for titles in the search box on the right of this page or click the banner top center.

Much research has been done, however, in the last 30 years, to answer these questions. Here is what happens during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy as it relates to hCG.

There are three phases of the menstrual cycle:

1. Follicular phase: the pituitary gland increases release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH stimulates growth of follicles in the ovary and prompts the release of estrogen from the ovary. Estrogen, in turn, causes the thickening of the endometrium. One follicle will mature and release an ovum (egg). LH is secreted mid-cycle, and stimulates the release of that ovum from the follicle in the ovary.

2. Ovulatory phase: The ovum is released from the follicle and makes its way down the fallopian tubes toward the uterus, perhaps to be fertilized along the way. There are increased levels of LH during this phase. An ovulation prediction kit will detect a surge in LH about 1-2 days before ovulation.

3. Luteal phase: this covers the time from ovulation through the next menstrual period. Following ovulation the follicle that released the ovum closes and becomes the corpus luteum. LH sustains the corpus luteum until, in the event of pregnancy, it is supported by hCG. Increased production of estrogen and progesterone follow. Both hormones prepare the endometrium for the implantation of a fertilized egg.

If pregnancy does not occur: the corpus luteum regresses, the hormone levels of progesterone and estrogen go back down, and the breakdown of the endometrium causes menstrual bleeding. The corpus luteum will last 10 to14 days and then die. If pregnancy does occur, the corpus luteum begins to produce hCG. This hormone stimulates the corpus luteum, preventing it from dying in early pregnancy. The corpus luteum produces estrogen and progesterone in the early part of the pregnancy, and is therefore vital for maintaining that pregnancy. Later, these hormones will be produced by the placenta. Therefore, if the corpus luteum does not function early on, the uterine lining will not support a pregnancy. Menstruation will occur and the pregnancy will miscarry. hCG is produced by the placenta in pregnancy, specifically by what is called the trophoblast of the chorionic villi. Levels are higher in the first trimester and then decrease as other hormones take over the job of protecting the embryo and, later, the fetus.If, for any reason, the embryo does not develop normally, the trophoblast will lose its capacity to sustain the rapid rise in hCG necessary to maintain the corpus luteum. To force support of the corpus luteum and sustain a pregnancy, hCG can be used clinically as part of IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and other infertility programs.

 Loading …

Should I take a multivitamin during my pregnancy?

Yes. Most doctors recommend that pregnant women or those trying to get pregnant take a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin every day. This ensures that you and your baby get enough important nutrients like folic acid. Folic acid helps prevent serious birth defects of your baby’s brain and spine. These birth defects often happen before most women know they are pregnant.

Even women who plan carefully to eat healthy every day sometimes fail to get important nutrients. Taking a daily multivitamin or prenatal vitamin will guarantee you daily dose of needed nutrients. But don’t overdo it. Taking more than one multivitamin daily can be harmful.

What about other supplements?

Folic acid: Pregnant women need 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid every day to help prevent birth defects.

Folic acid is important for any woman who could possibly become pregnant. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent serious birth defects of a baby’s brain or spine called neural tube defects. Getting enough folic acid can also help prevent birth defects like cleft lip and congenital heart disease.

Getting enough folic acid is most important very early in pregnancy, usually before a woman knows she is pregnant. So, at least one month before you try to become pregnant you should make sure you’re getting enough folic acid. Women who are already pregnant need to get enough folic acid every single day.

An easy way to get enough folic acid is to take a multivitamin every day. Most multivitamins sold in the U.S. contain enough folic acid for the day. But be sure to check the label! Choose a multivitamin that contains 400 mcg or 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for folic acid.

Another way to get enough folic acid is to eat a serving of breakfast cereal that contains 100% DV for folic acid, every day. Check the nutrition label on the box of cereal to be sure. It should say “100%” next to folic acid. Orange juice, spinach and legumes are also good sources of folic acid.

Iron: Pregnant women need twice as much iron — 30 mg per day — than other women.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women start taking a low-dose iron supplement (30 mg/day) or a multivitamin with iron beginning at the time of their first prenatal visit. Ask your doctor what she recommends. Prenatal vitamins prescribed by your doctor or those you can buy over-the-counter usually have the amount of iron you need. But be sure to check the label to make sure. Pregnant women should also eat lots of iron-rich foods. Some good sources of iron include lean red meat, fish, poultry, dried fruits, whole-grain breads, and iron-fortified cereals.

Pregnant women need extra iron for the increased amount of blood in their bodies. Iron helps keep your blood healthy. Plus, your baby will store iron in his body to last through the first few months of life.

Too little iron can cause a condition called anemia. If you have anemia, you might look pale and feel very tired. Your doctor checks for signs of anemia with the routine blood tests taken at different stages of your pregnancy. If your doctor finds that you have anemia, she will give you a special iron supplements to take once or twice a day.

Calcium: Pregnant women aged 19 to 50 years should get 1,000 mg/day of calcium. Younger pregnant women need even more — 1300 mg/day.

Most women in the U.S. don’t eat enough calcium. So many pregnant women will have to change their diets to get their fill of this important mineral. Low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt, cheese or other dairy products are great sources of calcium. Eating green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified foods like orange juice and breakfast cereal can also provide calcium. If your diet is not providing 1,000 mg/day of calcium, talk to your doctor about taking a calcium supplement.

What role does water paly in nutrtion?

Water: Pregnant women should drink at least six eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Plus, pregnant women should drink another glass of water for each hour of activity.

Water plays a key role in your diet during pregnancy. It carries the nutrients from the food you eat to your baby. It also helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, excessive swelling, and urinary tract or bladder infections. Drinking enough water, especially in your last trimester, prevents you from becoming dehydrated. Not getting enough water can lead to premature or early labor.

Juices also contain water. But juice also has a lot of calories that can cause you to gain extra weight. Coffee, soft drinks, and teas with caffeine actually reduce the amount of fluid in your body. So caffeinated drinks do not count towards the total amount of water you need every day.

As wonderful as pregnancy is, it can also be confusing and emotional. Sometimes you’ll feel all alone in your situation. It can be pleasantly surprising to find out that others have similar questions to yours.

From time to time at Pregnancy Hhc we will take a look at the questions that brought people to this site and we’ll share those questions with you. We hope, if nothing else, that you get a sense that you’re not alone, that whatever it is you’re wondering about it’s quite normal to be questioning.

We hope that the Pregnancy Hhc community will chime in with answers to some if not all of these questions. Either way we will focus on bringing you content that answers these questions.

• What are the very early symptoms of pregnancy?
• What to expect before a c section?
• What to expect at three months of pregnancy?
• Pregnant, what to expect at first doctor appointment?
• How early in pregnancy can fatigue start?
• How soon after implantation will you begin to feel pregnancy symptoms?
• What to expect during 3rd trimester?
• UTI in first weeks of pregnancy?
• Miscarriage rate second trimester?
• How common is an ectopic pregnancy?
• How often will I go to the Doctor in the last trimester?
  How much weight should I expect to gain in the third trimester?
• How to ease light headedness and dizzyness during pregnancy?
• Is cramps part of symptoms of pregnancy?
• What to eat before pregnancy?
• How can you feel your baby during the first trimester?

 Loading …

While you are pregnant, you will need additional nutrients to keep you and your baby healthy. But, that does not mean you need to eat twice as much. You should only eat an extra 300 calories per day. A baked potato has 120 calories. So getting these extra 300 calories doesn’t take a lot of food. Make sure not to restrict your diet during pregnancy either. If you do, your unborn baby might not get the right amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Low-calorie diets can break down a pregnant woman’s stored fat. This can lead to the production of substances called ketones. Ketones can be found in the mother’s blood and urine and are a sign of starvation. Constant production of ketones can result in a mentally retarded child. If you are eating a healthy diet before you become pregnant, you may only need to make a few changes to meet the special nutritional needs of pregnancy. According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), a pregnant woman needs only 300 calories a day more than she did pre-pregnancy. The ADA recommends that pregnant women eat a total of 2,500 to 2,700 calories every day. These calories should come from a variety of healthy foods. But what pregnant women eat is more important than how much. A pregnant woman needs more of many important vitamins, minerals and nutrients than she did pre-pregnancy. To get enough nutrients, pregnant women should take a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin and eat healthy foods from the four basic food groups everyday including:

Fruits and Vegetables — Pregnant women should try to eat 7 or more servings of fruits and vegetables combined (for example: 3 servings of fruit and 4 of vegetables) daily.Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables with vitamin C help you and your baby to have healthy gums and other tissues. Vitamin C also helps your body to heal wounds and to absorb iron. Examples of fruits and vegetables with vitamin C include strawberries, melons, oranges, papaya, tomatoes, peppers, greens, cabbage, and broccoli. Fruits and vegetables also add fiber and minerals to your diet and give you energy. Plus, dark green vegetables have vitamin A, iron, and folate, which are important nutrients during pregnancy.

Whole-grains or Enriched Breads/Cereals — Pregnant women should eat 6 to 9 servings of whole-grain or enriched breads and/or cereals every day. Whole-grain products and enriched products like bread, rice, pasta, and breakfast cereals contain iron, B vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Some breakfast cereals are enriched with 100% of the folic acid your body needs every day. Folic acid has been shown to help prevent some serious birth defects. Eating breakfast cereals and other enriched grain products that contain folic acid is important before and during pregnancy.

Dairy Products — Pregnant women should try to eat 4 or more servings of low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt, cheese or other dairy products every day. Dairy products provide the calcium you and your baby need for strong bones and teeth. Dairy products are also great sources of vitamin A and D, protein, and B vitamins. Vitamin A helps growth, fight infection, and vision. Pregnant women need 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day. If you are 18 or younger, you need 1,300 mg of calcium each day. Try to eat low-fat or non-fat milk and milk products to lower your fat intake. Other sources of calcium include dark green leafy vegetables, dried beans and peas, nuts and seeds, and tofu. If you are lactose intolerant or can’t digest dairy products, you can still get enough calcium. There are several low-lactose or reduced-lactose products available. In some cases, your doctor might recommend a calcium supplement.

Proteins — Pregnant women and their growing babies need 10 grams of protein more than non-pregnant women. Pregnant women should eat 60 grams of protein every day. Two or more 2-3 ounce servings of cooked lean meat, fish, or poultry without skin, or two or more 1 ounce servings of cooked meat contain about 60 grams of protein. Eggs, nuts, dried beans, and peas also are good sources of protein. But don’t rush out and buy high protein drinks! Women in the United States regularly eat more protein than they need. So you probably won’t have to make an effort to eat the needed 60 grams of protein a day. Don’t eat uncooked or undercooked meats or fish. These can make you sick and may harm your baby. Pregnant women should also avoid deli luncheon meats. Protein builds muscle, tissue, enzymes, hormones, and antibodies for you and your baby. Protein-rich foods also have B vitamins and iron important for your blood.