Some Basic
Pointers (Week 8)
Facts in a Gist
• To calculate your due date
add 266 days or 38 weeks to the date
when you conceived or assuming your
menstrual cycles are 28 days in length,
you add 280 days or 40 weeks to the
first day of your last menstrual period
• You may be eating for two
but that doesn't mean you need twice
as much food when you are carrying.
All that most women require to support
a pregnancy is an extra 100 calories
per day during the first trimester
and an extra 300 calories per day
during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters
• Most women can count on gaining
25-35 pounds during pregnancy. Underweight
women may be advised to gain more
while overweight women may be told
to gain less
• When it comes to prenatal
fitness, your best bets are walking,
swimming, riding a stationary bicycle
and joining a prenatal fitness class
that emphasizes on low impact aerobics
• Hormones are responsible for
the number of pregnancy discomforts
including headaches, constipation,
breast tenderness, skin changes and
morning sickness
The top 12 warning signs every
pregnant woman should know
-
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU
EXPERIENCE ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Heavy vaginal bleeding or clotting
(If it happens in the first trimester,
it could be an indication of a miscarriage;
if it happens in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters,
there could be some sort of a problem
with the placenta).
Lighter bleeding that lasts for more
than one day (If it happens in the
first trimester, it could be an indication
that you are going to have a miscarriage;
if it happens in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters,
there could be some sort of a problem
with the placenta).
The passage of grayish or pinkish
tissue or any amount of bleeding that
is accompanied by cramps, fever, chills
or dizziness (This could be a sign
that you are having a miscarriage).
Severe pain in the abdomen or shoulder
area (This could be a symptom of ectopic
pregnancy).
Severe persistent headache, particularly
one that is accompanied by dizziness,
faintness or blurry vision (This is
a possible symptom of high blood pressure
or preeclampsia - a serious medical
condition that is characterized by
high blood pressure).
Dehydration
(e.g. dry mouth, thirst, reduced urine
output, low grade fever) This is a
sign of illness or something as simple
as an indication that you have not
been consuming sufficient fluids on
a hot day.
Fever of more than 101°F (This
is a possible symptom of an infection
that may require treatment). Note.
Even if you don't have an infection,
your doctor would want to bring your
temperature down because, depending
on the stage of pregnancy, an elevated
core body temperature can be harmful
to the developing baby and may trigger
premature labor.
Painful urination
• (This is a possible sign of
urinary tract infection - UTI - something
that can trigger premature labor and
/ or lead to a kidney infection).
• A watery discharge from the
vagina (This is a sign that your membranes
have ruptured).
• A sudden swelling of the face,
hands or feet (This is a sign that
you may be developing preeclampsia).
• Uterine contractions, vaginal
bleeding or discharge, vaginal pressure
in the pelvic area, menstrual like
cramping, a dull backache, stomach
or intestinal cramping and gas pains,
and a general feeling of unwellness
(These are symptoms of premature labor).
• A significant drop in fetal
movement after week 24 of pregnancy
(This is a possible sign your baby
may be running into difficulty).
