Identifying Food Allergies

Identifying Food Allergies

December 6th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Food allergies have been a growing concern among new parents, as the medical community raises more awareness of how common they are becoming. With frightening stories circulating about sudden and severe reactions to baby foods, many parents are anxious about allergies and taking extra precautions to be prepared.

Recognizing a food allergy isn’t too difficult in most situations, although you might not realize what it is at first. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in the case of a truly severe reaction will require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of a Food Allergy

Common food allergy reactions include difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling, rashes, itching, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The onset of the symptoms is generally fairly quick, within a few minutes to a few hours after your child eats the allergenic food. In rare, severe cases, a food allergy can result in anaphylaxis, where the throat swells up, blood pressure drops and the child may go into shock and be as risk of death if not treated immediately. This type of reaction requires a 911 call without delay and a visit to the emergency room.

How to Determine Which Food Caused a Reaction

If the reaction occurs early in your child’s introduction to solid foods, it should be fairly easy to tell which food is the culprit. When introducing new foods to a baby, allowing a space of several days in between adding new foods will allow you to tell whether a reaction develops in response to the latest new addition to the menu.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always that easy. Some allergies can develop even if the child has tried the same food in the past with no reaction; allergic reactions can happen after several uneventful servings of the food. And in older children, who eat a much more varied diet, it can be very difficult to tell which food is to blame.

If you have a good idea which baby food caused the reaction, you should immediately remove it from your child’s diet. Even if the initial reaction was mild, a stronger reaction could occur the next time. If you aren’t certain which food is to blame, start by eliminating the most likely culprit – watch for highly allergenic foods such a dairy, strawberries, eggs and nuts as likely choices.

An allergist can perform tests to find out specifically which food your child is allergic too, but you will generally figure it out fairly quickly if you keep track of what your child ate and when reactions occurred.

What to Do If an Allergy is Discovered

First of all, you should of course prevent your child from eating that food. Next, make sure that any caregivers such as grandparents and babysitters are aware of the allergy. In the case of a severe allergy, you might be required to carry a special injectable medication that can be used in case of accidental contact with the food. You should also make sure all caregivers are ready and able to provide the injection should it become necessary.

Allergies can change over time, and your child may outgrow the allergy. Talk to your doctor about this possibility and how to go about re-introducing the food with caution. Some allergies are so severe that it is unlikely they will be outgrown and not worth taking the risk of finding out.

Dealing with Lactose Intolerance During Pregnancy

Dealing with Lactose Intolerance During Pregnancy

July 31st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

If you are lactose intolerant, you have probably already found ways to deal with it on a daily basis. However, when you become pregnant, a new set of challenges presents itself. Getting all the calcium you need can be a challenge without milk or milk products, but there is no reason it can’t be done.

What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose, a form of sugar found in dairy products, is broken down in the digestive system by lactase, an enzyme produced in the small intestine. When the body has a deficiency in production of lactase, lactose can’t be digested properly, resulting in painful abdominal problems. This is known as lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is not the same as being allergic to milk products although they are often confused. Lactose intolerance generally does not develop until later in life, unlike milk allergies which are common in infancy.

What are the Symptoms?

Not all people who are lactose intolerant have noticeable symptoms, but for some they can be quite severe. Symptoms occur about 30 minutes after consuming milk products and can include gas, abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea and nausea.

Getting Enough Calcium

The solution to lactose intolerance sounds like a simple one; those suffering from it need only stop consuming dairy products to avoid the symptoms. This is true, but unfortunately dairy products are the best source of calcium in our diets. When you are pregnant, calcium becomes even more important than ever, and your need for it increases. This can make it even more difficult to obtain enough from non-dairy sources.

It might be difficult, but it’s not impossible to get enough calcium, especially with some help from fortified foods. Many juices, especially orange juice, are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. The vitamin D is important because it helps your body to absorb the calcium. Read the label to make sure your choice contains both. Leafy green vegetables and some fish can also be good sources of calcium. Soy milk is a good replacement for cow’s milk that can also provide your body with calcium.

Some people with lactose intolerance use special medications that allow the body to digest lactose. These are generally considered to be safe during pregnancy, but as with any medication, it should be discussed with your doctor first.

Concerns About the Baby

Luckily, lactose intolerance in the mother is not likely to do any damage to the baby, as long as you make sure to find enough calcium sources to make up for not eating dairy products. Lactose intolerance does seem to have a genetic link, which means there is a possibility you could pass it on to the baby. It won’t likely affect the baby until later in life, however, but you should consider breastfeeding as opposed to milk-based formulas as a precaution.

Premature babies are considered to be at a higher risk for lactose intolerance, so if you want to protect your baby as best you can, take every possible precaution to avoid a premature delivery.

As long as you get enough calcium to support the baby as well as your own body during pregnancy, no matter what the source, lactose intolerance won’t be detrimental to your pregnancy. There is no reason you can’t have a perfectly normal and healthy pregnancy, and a very healthy baby!

Why you Need a Prenatal Supplement?

Why you Need a Prenatal Supplement?

June 29th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Even if you are striving to eat a balanced diet from all four food groups, your vitamin and mineral intake can still fall short. During pregnancy, it is especially vital that you get the needed amounts of all of the necessary nutrients to support your health as well as your baby’s growth. In order to help you meet all of your nutritional needs, your doctor will recommend that you take a prenatal supplement.

What Is A Prenatal Supplement?

Like other multivitamins, prenatal supplements offer a combination of all of the vitamins and minerals you need on a daily basis. Just as some supplements are specifically targeted to other populations such as men, women, seniors or children, a prenatal supplement contains specific levels of vitamins and minerals to meet the needs of a pregnant woman. Prenatal supplements generally contain more of the nutrients pregnant women require to remain healthy and nourish the baby growing within, such as folic acid, calcium, and iron.

Where Should I Get My Supplements?

There are two options for prenatal supplements; over the counter and prescription versions are both available. Talk to your doctor about which option is best for you. Prescription supplements often contain larger doses of important nutrients, but can also cause reactions such as nausea and constipation. Over the counter options can be purchased at a drugstore, grocery store or any other store that offers vitamin and mineral supplements. If the options are confusing, ask the pharmacist for help. If your doctor has prescribed a supplement, do not switch without asking first. There may be a reason in your medical history why that particular supplement was chosen for you.

If you are having a really bad reaction to your current supplement, you should be able to switch to a different option with your doctor’s help. It may take some trial and error to find one that you tolerate well.

Can’t I Just Eat Right?

You can, and you should eat right during your pregnancy! But some of the nutrients your body needs may be difficult to get in the right amounts from your diet. Prenatal supplements aren’t intended to replace a healthy, balanced diet, but to support it by filling in any potential holes in your nutrition. Pregnancy isn’t a good time to take chances on getting the right nutrients. Your baby’s health depends on your heath – so take good care of it and take every precaution to make sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

Tips for Taking Prenatal Supplements

Some pregnant women struggle with taking their prenatal vitamins due to nausea. If you are feeling sick, try to take your vitamin at a time of day when you are feeling the least nauseous. You may find that taking them with food helps to ward off the nausea as well. To help your body get used to them, try to take them at the same time every day. Remember that if you aren’t eating well due to nausea, it’s even more important to get nutrition into your body in any way you can. If you do miss a day, there is no need to double up on your supplements. In fact, this might not be a good idea as too much of certain vitamins and minerals can be detrimental to your health.

If you are not yet pregnant but planning to conceive, start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you start trying. You won’t know you are pregnant until your baby has already been growing for several weeks, so make sure you are already providing a healthy body in which your baby can thrive.

Surviving the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Surviving the First Trimester of Pregnancy

June 23rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You know that there’s something special going on inside of you the minute that you get the results of that pregnancy test. Though you may have gone several weeks without even knowing that you were pregnant, everything seems to change once you find out that you are. Your whole mindset may change, and you may have already been experiencing symptoms that you didn’t recognize as such.

Pregnancy is such a special time for a woman. The first trimester, however, can be not only a bit scary, but also full of all sorts of symptoms, emotions, and questions. If this is your first pregnancy, then you may feel like you are in completely unknown territory. Even if it’s not your first trimester, you may feel as though you are completely overwhelmed. You may feel like the symptoms are too much or you may feel as if you are in constant fear of a miscarriage. Whatever the case, you need to know what it takes to survive the first trimester of pregnancy.

Focus On and Take Care of Yourself

The first thing that comes as a bit of a surprise to many pregnant women is that they can’t necessarily get a doctor’s appointment right away. Though they may be itching to get in to see their doctor as soon as they take the pregnancy test, they may be diverted for a couple of weeks. Many doctors don’t even want to see a pregnant woman until she is around eight weeks pregnant. So while this may seem like an eternity, it’s a reality in many instances. If however you have any questions or concerns, you can always call in the meantime.

Many women are also surprised by just how quickly or intensely the symptoms may hit them. Some women skate through their first trimester without a care in the world, feeling great the whole time. Others may feel sick from the moment they find out that they are pregnant. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, tender breasts, and extreme fatigue are quite common in the first trimester. They can come out of nowhere and leave you feeling like you just got hit by a truck! This is a sign that the hormones are hard at work, and that your body is doing everything it needs to in order to provide for that little baby. The good news for many pregnant women is that these symptoms will subside in the second trimester, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Gaining Perspective on Things

Many women are concerned about the potential risk for miscarriage, and this can be a legitimate fear. If there is a history of miscarriage or if a woman has seen a friend or family member suffer through one, then it makes sense as to why they would be concerned. Though it is a real fear, it isn’t something that you should become obsessed with. All that you can do is take the very best care of yourself and your baby possible, and then leave the rest up to nature.

If you see any symptoms that are of concern such as bleeding or cramping, then call your doctor. However if you feel fine, then just keep going along and take good care of yourself. It’s always wise to get extra rest whenever possible, particularly in the first trimester. Don’t worry too much about what or how much you can eat, as that will even out as you enter the second trimester of pregnancy. Try to put perspective on things and know that there are better days ahead. In the meantime, enjoy the news of your pregnancy and know that taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for that baby.

Managing Your Exhaustion During Pregnancy

Managing Your Exhaustion During Pregnancy

May 31st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There are many aspects of pregnancy that you can’t even explain to others. The way that you feel, that first kick from the baby, so many things are just miraculous and difficult to put into words. One such aspect of pregnancy that is rather difficult to put into words is the absolute exhaustion that you feel.

For many women, exhaustion during pregnancy is a tired feeling that you’ve never quite felt before and it just beats you down. You can barely keep your eyes open during normal and rather routine activities, leaving you feeling drained so very easily. This is very common at the very beginning of a pregnancy and in the first trimester. Usually you feel much better by second trimester, though you’re certainly not up as late as you used to be. Then by the time that third trimester comes around, you feel that exhaustion again. There are many factors that contribute to it, and learning how to properly manage it is always a good idea.

It Seems to Come Out of Nowhere

One of the first indicators to many women that they are pregnant is that absolute exhaustion that you feel. It’s hard to describe, but as you have difficulty getting up in the morning or keeping your eyes open through dinner; you somehow know what’s going on. Though it is a very common symptom of pregnancy, it can be very frustrating for many women. If you have other children to care for, have a full time job, or simply have responsibilities that you must maintain then it can be very trying.

It may seem that the exhaustion comes out of nowhere, but it does make sense if you think about it. In the first trimester, the exhaustion is often attributed to the major change in hormones. As it often is, progesterone is usually the culprit and contributes to everything slowing down and you feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck. You are likely experiencing other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and these can take a lot out of you as well. You are also building another person and as you work through the process of building another human being and the placenta, it’s only natural that you feel tired. You will feel this again towards the end of your pregnancy as you are carrying around a lot of extra weight and your body gets ready for delivery.

So How Do You Manage Pregnancy Exhaustion?

Since the exhaustion can be so debilitating and frustrating, many women want to know how to properly manage it. As you can see from these ideas, there are some rather simple but effective measures one can take which will help the exhaustion to subside a bit. Though it may sound counterintuitive, getting in a bit of exercise can be a real lifesaver when it comes to restoring some of that lost energy.

Along the same lines, eating the right foods that are loaded with nutrients and natural energy boosters can help you to feel more like yourself again. You can also rely on short little naps to help you get back to a normal state. Shutting your eyes for just twenty minutes when you feel tired can be a real energy booster. Getting more sleep at night and taking it easy throughout the day will always help you to feel more energized and ready to take on the world.

How to Handle Common Pregnancy Symptoms

How to Handle Common Pregnancy Symptoms

May 25th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Every woman seems to deal with different symptoms and discomforts throughout her pregnancy. If it’s not one thing, then it’s another. Though there are a few women that are lucky and slide through their pregnancy unaffected, this is not necessarily the norm.

Women have been plagued by things such as heartburn, backaches, and nausea for as long as they have been having babies. Though we have become more adept at diagnosing them, there is often a lack of education for how to properly deal with them. There’s so much to think about as it is when it comes to pregnancy and our unborn child. So if you can find a way to handle the most common pregnancy symptoms, wouldn’t that make life much easier. Here are some simple ways for warding off or at least limiting the pregnancy symptoms that you may be coping with on a regular basis.

Get the Gastrointestinal Upset Under Control

Oh there are just so many things that can go wrong when it comes to your gastrointestinal system and pregnancy. You have to remember that your body is in a hormonal overdrive and that accounts for many of the discomforts that you may be feeling. When it comes to nausea, this is likely the most common symptom that women experience during their pregnancy. You can turn to home remedies such as Vitamin B6, ginger, and even peppermint. These are all proven to provide relief and alleviate that constant sick feeling that may have taken you over.

When it comes to heartburn, you want to avoid common triggers. There are certain foods that tend to present the most problems in terms of heartburn and these include spicy foods, caffeine, and fried foods. You can also eliminate the likelihood of heartburn by eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. If you eat big meals all at once in one sitting, then the food will likely sit like a brick in the stomach. This will all contribute to a greater likelihood for chronic heartburn that can plague you throughout your entire pregnancy.

You also want to work to get a handle on constipation, as this is quite common amongst pregnant women everywhere. The best thing that you can do is slowly add in the appropriate amount of fiber into your diet. Start with this as a part of your diet through fresh fruits and vegetables and beans. Then if necessary move to fiber supplements with your doctor’s approval to ensure that things keep moving and you don’t end up with constipation that can be frustrating and even painful.

Managing the Aches and Pains

You may feel as though there are times when your whole body hurts. Your feet hurt, your back hurts, and your whole body aches from carrying around the extra weight. This is all too common and fortunately there are some simple but effective things you can do to manage this symptoms. If you are battling the common aches and pains, particularly in a common area such as your back, then work to get it under control quickly. Start by getting off your feet. Sometimes the simple act of resting can be a great help to this common discomfort. Next you want to alternate hot and cold compresses to the affected area. This will help to provide natural relief and also give you a much needed opportunity to relax.

If you are coping with chronic headaches as a part of your pregnancy, you’re not alone. Between the increase of hormones and the increase in mucus that can result in terrible sinus problems, this is something that many pregnant women face. You want to first eliminate any unnecessary stress from your life. This will help to get rid of any tension headaches and put your whole body at rest. You want to also be sure that you are getting a good night of sleep because this can contribute to a headache over time. You can alternate the compresses here too. If all else fails, you may turn to a pain reliever such as acetometaphin so long as your doctor approves it.

Feeling Out of Breath During Pregnancy

Feeling Out of Breath During Pregnancy

May 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There are many things that we anticipate in pregnancy and many things that we can’t possibly predict. We certainly expect that we are going to gain weight and gain that all important and all adored baby bump. We may very well expect that we are going to suffer through certain symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or even backaches. Many of us know that pregnancy isn’t always going to be a pleasant experience, but that with the bad comes the good and that means that we will end up with a baby at the end of the process. This is well worth it, we tell ourselves, and we deal with the circumstances we are dealt.

There are, however, certain aspects of pregnancy that we may not be ready for. When women feel shortness of breath, they tend to worry. They can’t understand why they feel breathless, and therefore it’s important to explain why a woman may feel this unanticipated symptom of pregnancy.

Where Are You At in Your Pregnancy?

There is a multitude of reasons as to why you may get out of breath during your pregnancy. It is usually due in large part to exactly where you are at in your pregnancy as that can make a big difference. What you feel in your first trimester is very different than your second trimester. What you feel and experience in your third trimester doesn’t even compare to anything else as your body is working hard to prepare for baby’s arrival and doing everything it can to pull from the resources. Therefore if you feel short of breath, it’s important to consider what stage of your pregnancy you are at so that you can get the necessary explanation.

In the first trimester, the blood flow multiplies exponentially. This is to get ready for everything that baby will need, it is to build the placenta, and it is to prepare for the pregnancy overall. You will have a great deal of additional blood flow and hormones in your pregnancy, and as this is all happening it can result in you feeling a bit short of breath. Though this is short-lived, it can help to know what exactly is going on.

As you can see, feeling shortness of breath later on is due to other circumstances. It is often due to the extra weight that you are carrying around, and it is also due to your growing uterus pressing up on the diaphragm. As the baby gets into the position for birth, the pressure on the lungs and the diaphragm continues and grows exponentially. This is however a great indication that the baby’s arrival is getting near.

Consider This in Your Daily Activities

Many women are taken off guard by this shortness of breath and don’t really know how to account for it in their everyday life. It can become a very frustrating issue for women when they go to their regular workouts, but it is something that can be worked around. Taking a yoga class that focuses on breathing and taking it a bit slowly with your workout regimen can help you to get used to this. It won’t necessarily last the entire pregnancy, but it is something that you should plan for. Though walking up a flight of stairs may leave you out of breath now, it will get better later on. It’s a symptom of pregnancy like anything else, and therefore it will subside and you will get back to your normal self in no time.

Managing Morning Sickness Throughout the Day

Managing Morning Sickness Throughout the Day

May 13th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Whoever called it morning sickness clearly never experienced it. Though some women are lucky enough to avoid the nauseous stage of their pregnancy, many are extremely affected by this all-too-common symptom. The reality is that most women will experience some sort of nausea or vomiting at some point in their pregnancy. It can be very difficult to deal with, and can make the simplest functions seem complicated.

Another harsh reality that many women experience is that they don’t just experience this sickness in the morning, but rather the whole day through. Some may feel sick throughout each day and it lasts as long as they are awake. Still others are affected by that sick nauseous feeling in the afternoon or later in the day. There’s no rhyme or reason as to how it affects different women. There are, however, some reasons behind why it occurs and those can be very helpful to know.

What Makes You So Sick?

If you’ve ever experienced this terrible nausea it can feel like you have the stomach flu or as if you’re sea sick. The problem is that it can last for hours throughout the day and can carry on for weeks or even months. What’s happening in most instances is that the hormones are hard at work to supply for your baby. Hormonal changes are the most common cause for morning sickness or nausea at anytime.

The hCG hormone which helped to indicate that you were pregnant is what starts off the process. Then the higher levels of estrogen and progesterone that are needed for the baby go to work. They are essential for the pregnancy and the baby’s development, but they can really slow things down in terms of digestion and overall stomach upset.

Add to these hormonal changes the fact that your sense of smell is heightened. This results in a great aversion to foods and smells that can leave you feeling awful if you experience them. The simplest things that you may have loved before pregnancy such as coffee can make you sick to your stomach with a single whiff. As the day goes on and particularly if you have a tricky stomach to begin with, the nausea may hit you later on in the day. It may even last throughout the entire course of the day, and that makes eating and simple functioning very difficult. So you can see why some women are hit particularly hard with the nausea and even vomiting in some instances.

Managing Your Nausea

If you happen to be one of those women who experience the nausea later on in the day, there may be some things that you can do to alleviate it. Many will tell you that eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day can bring great relief and help the nausea to subside on its own. Keeping the stomach full and eating bland foods when the nausea hits such as saltine crackers or pretzels can offer additional help.

No matter what time of day the nausea hits, you can always get some help with natural remedies that are perfectly safe to take during pregnancy. You can always turn to ginger in any form as it naturally helps to soothe the stomach and alleviate the nausea that you may be feeling. You can also turn to remedies such as Vitamin B6 which help to naturally curb the nausea. Knowing about these remedies and helping to naturally get rid of the nausea can help you to ward it off later in the day and get rid of it altogether.

Detecting the Early Signs of Pregnancy

Detecting the Early Signs of Pregnancy

May 11th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Pregnancy can be such a wonderful and miraculous time. For some it comes rather unexpectedly and therefore can catch you off guard. For others, it can come after years of trying and a great deal of stress along the way. No matter how prepared you truly are, the early signs of pregnancy can be something that you want to focus on. Though they say that every pregnancy is different, there are certain signs that act as a good indicator if a woman is pregnant or not; and although these can be symptoms of other health conditions, their presence means it is often well worth taking a pregnancy test to see if that’s what is going on. It is also worth noting that many times, the earliest signs of pregnancy can tend to come in pairs, leaving less room for doubt and necessitating confirmation.

Food Plays a Big Role

Some women may float through their pregnancies without one single food aversion. Others feel sick at the very look of chicken or other common culprits. As you will see on any early signs of pregnancy list, food aversions are often a big indicator. Food cravings often come later on, but the aversion to coffee, meat, or other commonly enjoyed foods can usually tell you that something is different. Some of the very things that you’ve always enjoyed or consumed on a daily basis may all of a sudden make you want to vomit. Just the smell of something like bacon cooking in a pan may make you physically ill. Food often plays a big role and shows up in the aversion form early on in a pregnancy, so keep an eye out for this.

Subtle Yet Obvious Body Changes

One of the biggest things to look for is the way in which your body changes. Have you noticed that all of a sudden your breasts feel very tender for no apparent reason? Do you feel as if you are getting headaches every day and can’t really explain why? Though you aren’t going to necessarily put on the pregnancy weight until later on, the reality is that your body is going to change and it will likely happen early on. Some of the most obvious early signs of pregnancy include headaches, vomiting, and extreme nausea. These are often due to the changing hormones and the way that your body responds to them. The good news is that these symptoms usually go away into the second trimester, but they can make for a bumpy ride along the way. Keep tuned into this and if you feel nausea well beyond a day or two or feel as if you are constantly battling a headache, it may be time to take a pregnancy test.

Use Your Cycle to Guide You

Some women don’t necessarily keep track of their monthly menstrual cycle. However one of the first signs of pregnancy early on is a missed period. You may not even miss a period, but you may notice that you have a very light one a little earlier or right around the time that you would have had your period. This could be implantation whereby the embryo is implanting itself into the uterus. So look out for either a missed period or a slightly different period because those are usually good indicators. And of course if you have any lingering question, a positive pregnancy test is of course your best indicator that you are pregnant.

Expected Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week

Expected Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week

March 25th, 2010 by admin  |  1 Comment

Most pregnancy information focuses on the growth and development of the fetus, and what you need to do to help that process along. But there are many pregnancy symptoms and changes that you yourself will experience during pregnancy that may or may not have any bearing on the infant itself. It is important to understand what pregnancy symptoms to expect, and how to take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your baby when it arrives.

Pregnancy Symptoms During First Trimester (Week 1 – Week 14)

The first few weeks of pregnancy is often the most difficult for the mother. It starts with morning sickness, which can actually come on throughout the day, at any time. This nausea is rarely beaten by anything you do. It is important to keep your strength up, and to nourish your body. Even if you don’t feel like eating, remember that your baby is taking most of the nutrients your body has stored, and it is important to get something down. Eating small meals can help, but if solid food doesn’t work you should take in plenty of fluids, as well as chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.

The first trimester can also bring fatigue, so make sure you are getting plenty of rest. If you don’t work, taking naps during the day can be a huge help. You may also experience some tenderness in your breasts, which can usually be relieved by wearing an extra-supportive bra that limits movement. You will also have increased urination, so be sure to drink lots of water. Drinking water and juices will also help you avoid the issue of constipation that will generally arise in the first trimester, and last throughout the pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms During Second Trimester (Week 15 – Week 27)

This is the easiest trimester of pregnancy for the mother. Most of the pregnancy symptoms from the first trimester, such as fatigue and nausea, will begin to fade and eventually disappear. You will still have frequent urination, and you may still experience constipation. Keep up a high fiber diet with lots of fluids to avoid this. Your spouse will enjoy this phase of the pregnancy as well, as your breasts begin to become enlarged. Do not be surprised if you have some seepage from your breasts, particularly after a warm shower. Lotion on your nipples and breast area can help prevent dryness caused by the seepage.

Due to hormones released during this trimester, your blood tends to circulate faster. This is what gives your skin the pregnancy glow, but it can also cause bleeding gums, nasal congestion, or leg cramps. Make sure to address any concerns with your doctor, and rest frequently whenever needed.

Pregnancy Symptoms During Third Trimester (Week 28 onwards)

This final trimester of pregnancy can be rather uncomfortable, and most women are happy to go into labor to end it. As your baby continues to grow, he will begin kicking you in the ribs. You will also have some shortness of breath, heartburn, and back pain due to the baby pushing on your lungs and stomach, and the sheer weight of the baby on your body. Circulation is still increased, so you may experience some spider veins, especially in the legs. If the uterus presses on veins near the legs, you may also experience some swelling of the ankles and feet. Fear not, the discomfort will be over soon!