the9months

Sneak peeks: ultrasounds

These days, almost every woman at some point in her pregnancy is given a sneak peek at her growing baby with an ultrasound. Usually done to find out a fetus’s size and position, ultrasounds use reflected sound waves, rather than X-rays or other types of radiation, to produce an image of the fetus and placenta on a monitor. They are considered completely safe for both fetus and mother. (more…)

Feeling better

Phew! Isn’t it nice to be past those early weeks of pregnancy at last? The second trimester is often the most enjoyable as you have more energy and less discomfort.

If you still have nausea, ease it by “grazing,” or eating frequent small meals, especially foods high in vitamin B6 (such as breakfast cereals), and by nibbling crystallized ginger or sipping ginger tea. A high-protein diet will keep your blood sugar levels at an even level to lessen your nausea. (more…)

Hearing the first heartbeat is the most amazing feeling in the world! You have to hear it to believe it! My friend and her husband had trouble controlling their happiness in front of the doctor and his assistant. The first ultrasound took place when she was 6 weeks and 4 days pregnant and the second at 10 weeks and 3 days. The heartbeat was much clearer the second time around.

• Research shows that 1 out of every 5 pregnancies (i.e. 20% of all pregnancies) ends in a miscarriage during the first 12 weeks. That is why it is wise to not to raise your expectations during the initial few weeks.
• Do not tell your family. In case something goes wrong with the pregnancy, you would have to hear a lot of unwanted things from your family along with coping the loss yourself. Miscarriages can happen even if you took and followed all the advice that your mother and aunts can give. (more…)

I believe most of us are extremely paranoid and anxious on our fist visit to the doctor. We wonder about all the possible good or bad news that may be awaiting us. My friend remembers having a fight with her husband on her way to see the gynaecologist. One always feels for the men in such cases. And a few moments after the fight, she was sitting with her gynaecologist who was looking at the couple that just walked in through her rectangular glasses. She was every bit the professor at a well-known medical college that she expected her to be – spectacles with a chain hanging by, a thin frame, and skepticism written all over her face. (more…)