Pregnancy symptoms and common symptoms of pregnancy.

Just as everyone is different so are the common symptoms for pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms may even vary from your previous pregnancies. Keep in mind, some pregnancy symptoms mimic pre-menstrual symptoms, hence to be sure do a home pregnancy test or have one done at your doctor’s office. If you are pregnant, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

Your first clue, especially if you are regular will probably be a missed period. Sometimes a decreased flow of your period could be an indictor of pregnancy.

Breast tenderness. Your breasts may be sore or tingly to the touch, and may feel full or heavier then usual. You may also notice your nipples are darker and more sensitive. Putting on a bra can be painful, at times.

Although “Morning Sickness” is the common phrases used for vomiting and nausea, it can happen at any time during the day; not necessarily only in the morning. You may have feelings of nausea or queasiness, or even vomiting, in the very early stages of pregnancy and through out the first trimester (the first 12 weeks). You might want to carry small snacks with you at all times, to ease your “morning sickness” try eating small snacks throughout the day, and especially when you first wake-up.

Some women may notice an increase of oiliness in their skin. Causing breakouts and/or dark patches on your face.

Smells may become more prominent. Your favorite perfume may become your worst enemy. Due to the changes in skin chemistry your favorite smells may make you nauseous. When pregnant, I was nauseated from the smell of gasoline, I couldn’t even fill p my car, my husband had to do it (thinking back on it, I think that was a plus) and I fell in love with the smell of burning wood.

You may feel a dull acheness or stiffness in your lower back, as hormonal changes relax ligaments.

You may also experience odd food cravings, or an odd taste in your moth. This is due to changing chemical content in your blood, along with rising hormone levels, and also a need for extra calcium in your body. Food cravings and aversions to certain foods are common during pregnancy. I craved frozen green apples at midnight, every night, thru-out my whole pregnancy. One of my girlfriends had something called Pica; this is the urge to eat nonfood substances, like laundry starch or clay. Note- that the consumption of nonfood items is not safe.

Fatigue may also be one of the earliest symptoms. Caused by high levels of progesterone, it may persist throughout your pregnancy. Resting or napping for 20-30 minutes at a time is highly recommended and is also very healthy for your pregnant body.

Frequent urination. The blood supply to the pelvic area doubles, causing congestion. The bladder becomes irritated, causing frequent urination. As weird as this sounds, you may feel the need to go more often, but less urine comes out.

Early pregnancy loss. Experts estimate that, as many as 50% of all fertilized eggs spontaneously abort, with most of these cases occurring before the woman even knew she was pregnant. Of all miscarries 7 out of 10 occur in the first trimester (the first 12weeks) of pregnancy. The first potential miscarriage symptom is vaginal bleeding, possibly accompanied by cramping and/or lower backache pain. While bleeding doesn’t always mean loss, you should always consult with your doctor immediately. The main cause of miscarriage is an abnormality in the development of the embryo.

Please consult with your doctor with any questions, comments or concerns they may arise about pregnancy or miscarriages.

Congratulations! You're pregnant! Having been first time moms ourselves, we know that it could be difficult understanding the many changes that may occur throughout your pregnancy. Hopefully our summary of the next 9 months (40 weeks) will give you an insight of what to expect during your pregnancy.

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, or into 3 almost equal parts. If you count from the last menstrual period with a 28-day cycle, usually a pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, don't worry your not actually pregnant 10 calendar months. It is considered that the first trimester of your pregnancy ends at approximately 14 weeks. The second trimester continues from 14 to 28 weeks and the third trimester takes you from 28 to 40 weeks, or until you deliver. Because there is a 2-week pregnancy cycle exception, most doctors will not induce until the 42nd week.

If you are like most of us, you have just received your 5th positive response from your home pregnancy test, and after receiving definite thumbs up from your doctor, you can consider yourself officially pregnant. Although you may not feel or look pregnant, your body is fast at work ensuring the growth and health of your unborn child. At five weeks, your "baby" measures approximately 2 whole millimeters, but every organ is already under construction. Facial features, including eyes and ears begin to form. By six weeks, you may finally be feeling your pregnancy, by the dreaded morning sickness, which can occur at anytime of the day. Although swallowing the horse sized pre-natal vitamins may seem more then you can stomach, it is of more importance then you might think. Vitamins provide your "baby" with all of the necessary nut rations to help growth and development during your pregnancy.

By the end of your first trimester of pregnancy, your "baby" is approximately 3 inches long and weighs 14 grams. He/she is able to swallow, absorb, and discharge fluids, and the hands, tooth buds, and vocal cards are under development.

Pregnancy symptoms such as dizziness and irritability, fatigue and headaches, as well as nausea, may occur, by the beginning of the second trimester of your pregnancy most if not all of the symptoms should be gone.

You are now out of the first stage of pregnancy, you are not only feeling better, but you are finally starting to look pregnant; the nausea is gone and the energy is back! Most women start showing a belly between the 14th -16th week of pregnancy. If you showed a little bit earlier or your stomach doesn't seem to be showing, there is no cause for alarm, every woman carries her pregnancy differently. Between the 18th - 22nd week of pregnancy, your baby becomes very active; the babies start using your pregnant stomach as their own personal playground. After the 20th week of your pregnancy, you can identify the gender, via an ultrasound test.

During the second trimester of pregnancy, you may feel a tightening sensation in your uterus known as Braxton Hicks contractions; these contractions are harmless and may be felt throughout your pregnancy. At 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy your baby is at its most active stage and can respond to loud noises as well as your touch. At 28 weeks you are now finishing your second trimester of pregnancy. Your baby's eyes are now open and he/she is now busy familiarizing him/herself with his surroundings (your womb). This second stage of pregnancy is a wonderful time filled with energy and growth for both you and your future bundle of joy. Your belly is finally out there for the world to see and no one can mistake your pregnancy for just gaining weight. You are officially more than half way done with your pregnancy and will soon be holding your precious one in your arms.

It is almost over; you are nearing the end of the pregnancy roller coaster ride. All those emotions you are now experiencing, anything from elation to dread are perfectly normal and something all moms' to be go through at some point in the last months of pregnancy.

Taking on projects such as getting the baby's room ready and shopping for that extensive newborn wardrobe can either fill you with that new mommy fear or can excite you and make the prospect of holding that long awaited bundle of joy in your arms a reality.

At 32 weeks of pregnancy your baby may develop more adult patterns of sleeping and waking as he/she may now respond to light and dark. Backaches are a common discomfort for many moms during this last stage of pregnancy as your body accommodates the growth of your baby. At 35 weeks of pregnancy your baby weights approximately five pounds and steadily gains about a half pound per week.

Now is the time to discuss various issues of labor and delivery with your doctor to ensure a smoother birth for your baby and a less strenuous labor process for you. As you near the end of your pregnancy, family and friends feel compelled to recount their own labor and delivery experiences in great detail, a subject you may or may not be interested in discussing.

Near your due date your child weighs around seven pounds although a three pound variation either higher or lower is very common (remember the story of the 11 pound baby your neighbor told you). You are now nearing the home stretch of pregnancy, your kitchen calendar has more red marks and notes on it then the president's, your to do list is longer and more complicated than the national debt. The wait is almost over your due date is here, you wait anxiously for signs of labor but none come. Do not panic it is quite common for labor to happen naturally before the 42nd week of pregnancy and not at the 40 week mark you have been waiting for, a post dated pregnancy is very common among first time moms, and as long as your doctor is fine waiting you should be to. Those sleepless nights will come soon enough; enjoy the peace while it lasts.

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience to be treasured and remembered as well as hopefully repeated in the years to come. Despite the discomfort of the last few months of pregnancy you are finally near the moment you have so anxiously dreamed about for so long, you are holding your brand new bundle of joy in your arms as those close to you marvel at the miracle you have just delivered. You have completed the journey from a couple to a family; let your new life as a parent begin.

As new mom's ourselves, we have experienced the full range of emotions and physical changes that you have just gone through. Although each pregnancy is different, some basic characteristics remain the same for us all. Pregnancy is a miracle! Birth is a miracle! But, your new baby will be the greatest miracle of all! Let the miracles begin!

Improper care of their teeth and gums during pregnancy can have a negative impact on not only the teeth and gums of their babies, but also on birth weight and ability to carry to term.

Past studies have shown that women with periodontal disease may be up to seven times more likely to deliver a preterm low birth weight baby. Further substantiating the finding are results of a study released in May by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Preliminary study data indicates that women with generalized periodontal disease affecting 30 percent or more of the mouth are eight times more likely than women without severe periodontal disease to deliver underweight and/or premature infants. Even women with a small measure of periodontal disease are reported to be at risk.

Although not yet determined as the cause, periodontal disease can trigger increased levels of biological fluids that bring on labor, the study found. In addition, the more severe the periodontal disease during pregnancy, the higher the risk of premature birth. And hormones often are attributed to an increased likelihood for periodontal disease during pregnancy.

This study also has a second component, an intervention trial to look at what happens when periodontal disease is treated in pregnant women. It is expected to be completed next year.

The data tells us the best advice continues to be that women considering pregnancy have a periodontal screening and get any problems with their oral health under control before becoming pregnant. However, women who are already pregnant should not shy away from dental care. The optimum time to receive periodontal treatment is in the second trimester. It is advisable that women inform their dentists about a pregnancy so adequate care and treatment of the teeth and gums is addressed.

By Felix A. Gen, D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. Felix Gen is an Orthodontic Specialist in Lyndhurst, Ohio
He can be reached at (216) 291-3525 or visit his web-site www.brace4success.com