Home : health : Pregnancy – Stages, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Prevention
Pregnancy – Stages, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention

Pregnancy – Stages, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention

A proper family and pregnancy planning is one of the most important aspects of life. The entire pregnancy period lasts for about 40 weeks. During this time, it is very important to stay healthy and safe. Early diagnosis and proper care ensure that both the mother and the child remains in good health. It is important that you understand the different stages of pregnancy to make sure of taking proper care.

Stages of pregnancy

The duration of the pregnancy is generally divided into three trimesters or stages.

  • First trimester
    The first 12 weeks of the pregnancy is known as the first trimester. By the end of this stage, the heart, muscles, nerves, and the sex organs of the baby starts to form.
  • Second trimester
    The 13 th week to the 28 th week is known as the second trimester. This is when the baby starts to form fingerprints and footprints. Hair starts to grow on the head and the blood cells are created by bone marrow too. By the end of this trimester, the baby can become up to 12-inches long.
  • Third trimester
    The remaining of the pregnancy up to the 40 th week is the third stage. By the 37 th week, the organs of the baby can function on their own. The baby fully forms by the time of the delivery.

Symptoms and diagnosis of pregnancy

The family and pregnancy planning starts right when you see the first signs that indicate your pregnancy. If you can read the signs right, you will know that you are pregnant even before visiting the doctor.

  • Missed period
    If you are someone whose menstrual cycle maintains regularity then a missed period can be an indication of pregnancy. A delay of a week can be a possible sign.
  • Fatigue
    If you are pregnant then the progesterone hormone production significantly increases in your body. This leads to feeling sleepy and fatigued, which may indicate pregnancy.
  • Increase in urination
    The amount of blood present in your body increases when you become pregnant. This leads to your kidneys processing fluids in more amount and causes you to urinate more.
  • Nausea
    Nausea during pregnancy is very common and it is known as morning sickness. However, you can have this condition at any time of the day. This generally starts after a month since pregnancy but it may start early for some people too.
  • Pregnancy test

There are pregnancy test kits available which you can use at home too. The result of this test is generally 99% precise. However, you should always visit a doctor who can confirm the diagnosis with a blood and urine test.

Prevention

If your family and pregnancy planning is to not get pregnant right now, you can take precautionary measures to prevent it. Condoms, cervical caps, diaphragm, spermicide, contraceptive patch, contraceptive pills, and other commonly used birth control methods can be effective for you. Implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs) can also be used to prevent pregnancy. You should talk to your doctor regarding these.

Top Reads

Top Tags

Popular Reads

4 effective flea tablets for dogs
pets

4 effective flea tablets for dogs

Pests can invade a dog’s furry coat and create quite havoc. Some dogs are extremely sensitive to these crawly bugs and can develop skin reactions. That said, several products are available in the market to tackle this problem, and flea tablets are one of them. These fast-acting pills control ticks, worms, and other pests, so pet owners won’t have to worry about infestations. Here are a few trusted flea pills for dogs that will actively protect your pet’s fur coat. Capstar Flea Tablets Capstar is a well-known brand for effective flea-prevention and treatment products. Their flea pills for dogs and puppies can prevent allergy dermatitis, which often occurs due to a flea infestation. Their tablets can start killing these pests within half an hour of ingestion, and they are safe enough for daily single-dose consumption. While no prescription is needed to purchase these, remember to get approval from your vet as they will know if the medicine will agree with your canine. Trifexis Chewable Tablets These strong monthly chewable flea pills for dogs are a good fix for fleas, and they also help keep heartworm disease at bay. They have a blend of pest-fighting agents like milbemycin oxime and spinosad that fight parasites and curb infestation.
Read More

Top 3 dog collars against fleas and ticks

Fleas and ticks are parasites that are a nuisance for pets as well as pet parents. If these pests are not dealt with on time, quite a few health problems can occur. In such cases, flea and tick collars are one of the most effective products that can help your dog get rid of these blood-sucking parasites. Here are three of the best flea and tick collars that are popularly used by pet parents. PREVENTIC® Tick Collar for Dogs by Virbac The PREVENTIC® by Virbac is one of the most effective dog collars in the market today against fleas and ticks. Customer reviews suggest that the collar starts killing and repelling parasites on your pet within 24 hours. A single collar can provide protection from fleas and ticks for up to 90 days. Since the active ingredient used in this collar is an odorless insecticide called amitraz. This collar can even be used on puppies as young as 12 weeks. The available sizes of this flea collar are 18 inches for medium to small dogs and 25 inches for large dogs. Seresto® Flea and Tick Collar by Bayer This collar can also be one of your best bets for protecting your dog against blood-sucking parasites.
pets

5 snacks that can help lower cholesterol levels

5 snacks that can help lower cholesterol levels People who struggle with high cholesterol levels tend to begin thinking more about everything they eat. Whether it’s a bowl of fruit or a delicious hamburger, they are left wondering how their choices will impact their numbers. While it is tempting to skip snacking altogether, a healthy snack can go a long way in maintaining metabolism as well as blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Changing the kinds of foods one eats can not only lower cholesterol levels but also improve fat levels through the bloodstream. Here are some great snacks that are extremely helpful in fighting cholesterol. Popcorn Popcorn can be low in calories when one eats a smart serving size and avoids the salt and butter. What’s more, it’s a whole grain full of fiber. Popcorn can be easily made at home by air popping it and adding some olive oil and a little bit of parmesan cheese or a few seasonings for some extra flavor. Using olive oil instead of butter helps lower the bad LDL cholesterol and increase the good HDL cholesterol. Nuts Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc. are great for the heart and are powerhouses of energy. Some studies have even demonstrated that nuts slightly lower the levels of bad LDL cholesterol.
Diets & Meal Plans

Top 8 cholesterol-lowering foods

An elevated cholesterol level is a huge risk factor for developing heart disease in the long run. One of the best ways of lowering your cholesterol levels is by following a heart-healthy diet. The key is to include foods in your diet that mainly lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol content in your blood. So, here are some foods that can help lower cholesterol levels and eliminate some risk factors for possible heart disease. Dark chocolate and cocoa This is something that many people might love. Research has revealed that dark chocolate and cocoa can lower bad cholesterol content in your blood. However, you must choose dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 75–85% or higher, or cocoa alone to enjoy the benefits. Milk chocolate and white chocolate are high in sugar content, which can negatively affect your heart health. Whole grains Including whole grains like oats, barley, and others in your daily diet is an easy way of lowering cholesterol levels. Whole grains, especially oats and barley, are loaded with vitamins and minerals, plant compounds, and fiber that can help manage cholesterol. So, don’t forget to have a bowl of oatmeal or oat-based cereals for breakfast every day.
health

Useful ways to treat cold and flu

Imagine working in a high-security building that uses facial recognition technology to keep out intruders. It works well until the intruders figure out how to breach the security system. It does not matter how often the intruders are caught, new intruders will find new ways to infiltrate. The same analogy can be applied to our body’s immune system and the flu virus. The building is our body, the security system, our immune system, and intruders are the virus trying to enter the body. Whenever a new influenza vaccine is formulated and distributed, more potent viruses develop ways to evade them, making it difficult to treat cold, flu, cough & virus symptoms. So until there is a definitive cure for the infection, it is imperative to take steps to get relief from symptoms and keep the immune system intact. Following are some ways which can provide relief from symptoms and strengthen immunity: Hydration Consuming plenty of fluids helps thin your mucus and breaks congestion. It also prevents headaches and fatigue that is caused by dehydration. Keep a glass or reusable bottle in hand, and refill it with water. Salt water gargles A salt water gargle soothes a throbbing throat. It eases swelling and loosens mucus.
health