Treatments for a Cold or Flu During Pregnancy

Treatments for a Cold or Flu During Pregnancy

  Certain tried-and-true cold treatments can be trusted while pregnant:

• getting plenty of rest
• drinking a lot of fluids
• gargling with warm salt water for a sore throat or cough

A few home remedies include:

• Saline nasal drops and sprays for loosening nasal mucus and soothing inflamed nasal tissue.
• Breathing warm, humid air to help loosen congestion. Try using a facial steamer, a hot-mist vaporizer, or even a hot shower.
• Chicken soup helps relieve inflammation and soothe congestion.
• Adding honey or lemon to a warm cup of decaffeinated tea to help relieve a sore throat. Elevating your head to help you sleep better.

• Using hot and cold packs to alleviate sinus pain. 

 

What About Medications?

According to the University of Michigan Health System and most OB-GYNs, it's best to avoid all medications in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. That's a critical time for the development of your baby's vital organs. Many doctors also recommend caution after 28 weeks. Speak with your doctor before taking any medication if you’re pregnant, or trying to get pregnant.
Several medications are considered safe after 12 weeks of pregnancy. These include:

• Robitussin (dextromethorphan) and Robitussin DM cough syrups
• Vicks plain cough syrup
• Vicks or other menthol rub on your chest, temples, and under the nose
• Nasal strips (sticky pads that open congested airways)
• Hall's cough drops or Cepacol lozenges
• Tylenol (acetaminophen) for aches, pains, and fevers
• Cough suppressant at night
• Expectorant during the day
• Mylanta, Tums, or similar medications for heartburn, nausea, or upset stomach

Avoid "all-in-one" medications that combine ingredients to tackle many symptoms. Instead, choose single medications for the symptoms you're struggling with. You should also avoid the following medications while pregnant unless recommended by your doctor. These medications increase the risks for problems:

• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others)
• codeine
• Bactrim (an antibiotic)
• naproxen (Aleve)
• aspirin

What Is Miscarriage?

Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks of pregnancy. The embryo or fetus cannot live on its own outside the uterus that early in pregnancy. The medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion.
Many of us who experience miscarriage are not aware that it is fairly common. For every 10 pregnancies, 1 to 2 end in miscarriage. Miscarriage is most likely to happen early in pregnancy — in fact, 8 out of 10 miscarriages happen in the first three months of pregnancy.

- See more at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/miscarriage#sthash.loTJcqI1.dpuf

What Is Miscarriage?

Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks of pregnancy. The embryo or fetus cannot live on its own outside the uterus that early in pregnancy. The medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion.
Many of us who experience miscarriage are not aware that it is fairly common. For every 10 pregnancies, 1 to 2 end in miscarriage. Miscarriage is most likely to happen early in pregnancy — in fact, 8 out of 10 miscarriages happen in the first three months of pregnancy.

- See more at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/miscarriage#sthash.loTJcqI1.dpuf

Breast Pain Pregnancy Symptoms & Complaints:

Pregnancy Symptoms & Complaints: Breast Pain

Sore or tender breasts may come and go throughout pregnancy as your breasts prepare themselves for the major job of breastfeeding your baby. Find out what causes it and how to feel better.

What causes breast pain in pregnancy?

For many women, sore breasts are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Some feel this symptom (which may also be a sign of impending menstruation) as a heaviness or tenderness in the entire breast, while others feel a tingling in the area around the nipple. These sensations are caused by the changes in your breasts brought on by increases in the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Breast tenderness may come and go throughout pregnancy as your breasts prepare themselves for the major job of producing milk for your baby.

What relieves breast pain in pregnancy?

Give your breasts the support they need, and they'll probably feel better. You may need to invest in some larger-size bras. Stretchy maternity bras or exercise bras will allow your breasts to breathe. If you find it painful to go braless even at night, wearing a comfortable sleep bra to bed may bring you more peaceful slumbers.

Better Sleep for Baby and You

 Kara Cantrell knew she was in trouble by the second night after her son was born. "He screamed through the night," remembers the 41-year-old actor from Atlanta. "I'd

had a 4-day labor and C-section and was just a mess. And there was this screaming creature and I didn't know what to do."
A couple months later, things weren't much better. Just when her son seemed to be settling into a sleep pattern, he'd switch things up. "Suddenly he'd get up six times a night, or he'd sleep miraculously for 10 hours," Cantrell says.
About the only thing parents can predict about their newborn's sleep cycles is that they'll be unpredictable. "When babies are first born they're all over the place," says Jodi Mindell, PhD, associate director of the Sleep Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and author of Sleeping Through the Night: How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night's Sleep. Hunger -- or a lack of it -- usually determines when a newborn sleeps and wakes. By around 3 months, babies start making the hormone melatonin, which puts their sleep cycle into a more regular rhythm.

Helping Your Baby Sleep Independently

Every baby's sleep needs are different. Newborns can sleep 10 to 18 hours a day. From 4 months to about 1 year of age, they'll sleep 9 to 12 hours at night, with a couple added naps during the day. But remember, most babies will sleep only about 5 to 6 hours at a time to start. Still, even a 5-hour interval will give you some rest.

After your baby is about 4 months old, running into the nursery at every whimper can set a pattern that's hard to break.
"You really want to start having your child fall asleep independently so that they're not dependent on rocking, nursing, going in the stroller," Mindell advises. "Then when they wake up in the middle of the night, they can fall asleep on their own."

Baby Sleep Secrets

Wrapping your baby in a blanket can help him feel secure enough to drift off to sleep. When you swaddle, make sure your baby's legs can bend at the hips, to avoid hip problems later. Also, make sure you only swaddle when you're awake and are monitoring him. If your baby is alone in the crib, no blankets should be on or around him (you want to lower the risk of SIDS).

Pregnancy Leg and Foot Pain

 What causes pregnancy leg and foot pain?

While morning sickness, fatigue, and back pain are frequent complaints during pregnancy, leg and foot problems are just as common, particularly during the last trimester. Fortunately, chances are these ailments will disappear after you deliver. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to alleviate discomfort.
Beginning early in your pregnancy, alternate circulation-boosting exercise with the proper amount of rest (prop those feet and legs up!). This can prevent foot and leg problems from developing in the first place. But if those aches have already begun, here's the scoop on what's causing them and what you can do about it.

Swelling & Edema

Raised hormone levels cause you to retain water during pregnancy, making you feel swollen and bloated. Your body needs this extra fluid so it can do the work of carrying nutrients and oxygen to your baby, explains David S. Levine, MD, an orthopedist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

Although swelling is not a huge concern, consult your doctor if you notice swelling of your face and hands along with blurred vision, severe or constant headaches, and weight gain of more than a pound a day. These can be signs of preeclampsia, a serious condition.
Typically, fluid retention is particularly pronounced in your feet, ankles, and calves because your growing uterus puts pressure on the veins that carry blood back from your lower body. This partially blocks blood flow, keeping fluid in your legs and feet.
Blood vessels are also smallest in your foot and ankle, adds Dr. Levine, so your body has difficulty accommodating the extra fluid pouring in there.
Jane Anderson, a podiatrist at the Food and Ankle Center in Durham, North Carolina, offers some ideas for relief:

• Elevate your feet as often as you can. Try to raise your legs 6 to 12 inches above your heart for 15 to 20 minutes to help the blood flow back to your heart and lungs.
• Sleep on your side, not your back. This relieves pressure on the vena cava, the largest vein leading to the heart. Otherwise, the pressure slows the blood returning from your lower body.
• Consume a lot of fluids. Dehydration worsens swelling.
• Monitor your weight. Women of normal weight should gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Excessive weight gain exacerbates swelling and can lead to other problems.
• Improve the circulation in your ankles with rotation exercises. Try sitting, with one leg raised. Rotate your ankle 10 times to the right, then to the left. Switch legs. Repeat 10 times.
• Ice your ankles. With your feet up, apply ice to the inside of your ankles for 15 to 20 minutes every half hour to an hour.

Leg Cramps

Some women can't escape leg cramps (commonly called charley horses) during pregnancy. These painful muscle contractions usually occur in the calf. It's believed that leg cramps occur because of a calcium deficiency and too much phosphorous (found in diet sodas and processed meats, so go easy on those foods), says Enid Leikin, MD, an ob-gyn at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. Cramps are common at night when legs and feet are tired. Dr. Leikin suggests eating more dairy products or asking your doctor about calcium supplements. Women who get leg cramps may also have a potassium deficiency. Some expectant mothers report that snacking on potassium-rich bananas or dried apricots nips those cramps in the bud.
Besides dietary changes, you can prevent leg cramps by revving up your circulation -- take a 15- to 20-minute walk in the evening. Also avoid standing or sitting in one position for too long; both cause fluid to accumulate, making your legs feel heavy or full of pressure.

If you find yourself in the middle of a leg cramp, try to ease the pain by resting your calf on a hot-water bottle or flexing your foot to stretch the calf. The best way to ease the pain of a foot cramp is to walk it out. But if it's the middle of the night and you don't feel like getting out of bed, try grasping your foot with both hands and gently pressing your thumbs into the arch, pushing toward your toes.

Varicose Veins

As if tired, aching legs aren't enough, about 20 percent of women develop varicose veins -- those ugly, blue, swollen, ropelike veins -- during pregnancy. Pregnant women have up to 40 percent more blood in their circulatory system and this extra blood increases the amount of pressure on the veins walls, causing veins to stretch so much that their valves don't close properly. Faulty valves allow blood to pool in the veins, causing them to become varicose. You're more likely to get varicose veins if you gain too much weight, stand for long periods during the day, or if your mother had them (they're hereditary).
With varicose veins, many women complain of aching in the legs, as well as heaviness, fatigue, and pressure. Although these symptoms usually subside after pregnancy, they tend to worsen with each new baby.
As with other leg problems, increasing circulation can help relieve discomfort -- and even prevent varicose veins in the first place. Ronald Dee, MD, a vein specialist in Stamford, Connecticut, recommends taking a walk every day or doing other low-impact exercises such as swimming or bicycling. If you can't exercise, try sitting in a rocking chair several times a day; use your legs to gently rock back and forth to encourage better blood flow.
The gentle pressure of stockings can relieve achiness, too. Put them on before you get out of bed so blood doesn't have a chance to pool at your ankles. Also ask your doctor about prescription-strength hose.
Once you've had the baby, you may choose laser therapy or surgery to remove the veins.

Swollen Feet

Besides the discomforts of pregnancy, all that swelling may make it tough to squeeze your feet into your usual heels or boots. It's not unusual for an expectant mom to go up a half to a full size in shoes, says Dr. Anderson. In addition to fluid retention, the hormone relaxin, released primarily during the third trimester to relax your pelvic ligaments for childbirth, flattens and lengthens foot ligaments.
In addition to needing larger shoes, your feet also need extra support and comfort. Since your center of gravity is constantly shifting as you gain weight, you need to wear shoes that actually balance you, and that means it's best to avoid high heels. Choose shoes with a broad-based one- to two-inch stacked heel. For a dressy or office shoe, try an Aerosoles style with a crepe sole for shock absorption. If you're looking for a walking or athletic shoe, buy a running sneaker, which also offers more shock absorption. If width is an issue for you, buy men's shoes in an equivalent size -- they're cut wider.
Here are some more shoe-buying tips from Dr. Anderson:

• Shop late in the day. Feet tend to swell as the day goes on.
• Be sure shoes fit before you leave the store. It's a myth that you can "break them in."
• Choose shoes with a square or round toe. Avoid pointy-toed shoes.
• Buy boots with room in the calf area, because your calves may swell. Also choose a boot with a side zipper -- they're easier to get on and off than a pull-on style.
• Replace worn heels often. Uneven heels can throw you off balance.

Childbirth Delivery Methods and Types:

 

Childbirth and delivery methods and types facts

 

• Childbirth delivery options include natural unassisted childbirth, assisted childbirth, and delivery by Cesarean surgery (C-section).
• Childbirth delivery locations include at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital.
• Vaginal births without medication can be less painful, and smoother if the mother and partner learn breathing techniques and other strategies in a birthing class. Lamaze Method or The Bradley Method are two common childbirth classes.
• The risks and benefits of each delivery method must be weighed along with the mother's preferences to determine what is right for her. 

• Nearly 4 million babies are born in the U.S. every year. Childbirth care in the U.S. is very good. Less than 600 women die annually due to complications during childbirth.

 

Is childbirth painful?

Every woman's experience is unique but most mothers would honestly say, yes, childbirth is painful. However, it is short-lived, and there are many types and methods to effectively reduce the intensity of childbirth pain. There are many choices in childbirth. Women can choose the method that makes them most comfortable, and that makes sense for their personal and medical situation.

What natural childbirth methods are available at home?

Natural childbirth at home was the normal (and only) childbirth delivery option until about 75 years ago. Natural childbirth emphasizes an unrushed, supported process, with minimal interference and less invasive monitoring. Women who prefer an unassisted childbirth often attend classes to learn what to expect and how to be prepared. There are a number of different childbirth classes to choose. In any class, you learn about the stages of labor, breathing and relaxation techniques, what happens to the vagina after childbirth, and how to be prepared for the delivery and new baby. The different methods are taught in different classes.

What is vaginal delivery with no medication?

A vaginal birth without medication benefits both mother and baby. The microbiome, or bacterial environment, is established by birth method². There is some research that suggests the development of the infant microbiome is associated with the likelihood of developing allergic diseases during childhood, but the association isn't clear.

Benefits of vaginal delivery

• Infants born vaginally tend to have fewer respiratory problems.
• Other benefits of vaginal delivery include a quicker recovery for the mother, and avoidance of abdominal surgery and the associated risks that come with a C-section.
• Vaginal childbirth has a lower rate of infection and a shorter hospital stay.

Disadvantages of vaginal delivery

• The disadvantages of a vaginal birth may include tearing of the perineum.
• Sometimes, a vaginal birth may not be recommended for medical reasons.

What is a home birth?

Only about 2% of women in the U.S. opt for a home birth. It can be a safe and relaxing natural childbirth delivery method for women with a normal, low risk pregnancy. Home births are vaginal deliveries with no medication, and a variety of mind-body techniques and preparation methods are used to reduce childbirth pain and promote an easy labor and delivery
Home births are attended by a certified professional midwife, a licensed nurse midwife or a naturopathic midwife. Sometimes a support professional called a doula attends home births. These birth professionals also work in birth centers.

Benefits of home birth

Many women find it relaxing and comforting to be in their own home environment. Other advantages include:

• Not having to worry about being transported to the hospital while in labor or being transported home after the baby's birth
• Having a baby at home means having all of the comforts of home, including snacks and changes of clothing readily available.
• The recovery and transition to breastfeeding can be easy because the environment is comfortable and familiar.
• The mother can invite whomever she wants to attend the birth.
• Many women feel more comfortable with home birth if they need to yell or vocalize.

Disadvantages of home birth

• If special birthing assistance, such as a water birth tub, is desired, this will need to be brought to the home and prepared in advance.
• If the home is very remote or weather is bad, it may be difficult for the midwife to reach the home in time (although it would be difficult to drive to the hospital in these same circumstances).
• If the birth plan does not progress normally, it may require transport to a hospital.
• Some women are not comfortable with a home birth, and it is not a good option unless it is a low-risk pregnancy, and the mother prefers it.

Foods You Shouldn’t Eat While Pregnant

Foods You Shouldn’t Eat While Pregnant 

Eating well-balanced meals is important at all times, but it is even more essential when you are pregnant. There are essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your developing baby needs. Most foods are safe; however, there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy.

Raw Meat:

Uncooked seafood and rare or undercooked beef or poultry should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella.

 

Deli Meat: 

Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria, which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby, which could lead to infection or blood poisoning and may be life-threatening. If you are pregnant and you are considering eating deli meats, make certain that you reheat the meat until it is steaming .

Fish with Mercury:

Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. A sample of these types of fish includes: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Canned, chunk light tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be eaten in moderation.

 

Smoked Seafood:

Refrigerated, smoked seafood often labeled as lox, nova style, kippered, or jerky should be avoided because it could be contaminated with listeria. (These are safe to eat when they are in an ingredient in a meal that has been cooked, like a casserole.) This type of fish is often found in the deli section of your grocery store. Canned or shelf-safe smoked seafood is usually fine to eat.

 

Fish Exposed to Industrial Pollutants: 

Avoid fish from contaminated lakes and rivers that may be exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls. This is primarily for those who fish in local lakes and streams. These fish include bluefish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye. Contact the local health department or Environmental Protection Agency to determine which fish are safe to eat in your area. Remember, this is regarding fish caught in local waters and not fish from your local grocery store. 

Raw Shellfish: 

The majority of seafood-borne illness is caused by undercooked shellfish, which include oysters, clams, and mussels. Cooking helps prevent some types of infection, but it does not prevent the algae-related infections that are associated with red tides. Raw shellfish pose a concern for everybody, and they should be avoided altogether during pregnancy.

 

Raw Eggs:

Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella. Some homemade Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards, and Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs. If the recipe is cooked at some point, this will reduce the exposure to salmonella. Commercially manufactured ice cream, dressings, and eggnog is made with pasteurized eggs and do not increase the risk of salmonella.

Soft Cheeses: 

Imported soft cheeses may contain listeria.  You would need to avoid soft cheeses such as brie, Camembert, Roquefort, feta, Gorgonzola, and Mexican style cheeses that include queso blanco and queso fresco, unless they clearly state that they are made from pasteurized milk. All soft non-imported cheeses made with pasteurized milk are safe to eat.

 

Unpasteurized Milk:  

Unpasteurized milk may contain listeria. Make sure that any milk you drink is pasteurized.

 

Pate:

Refrigerated pate or meat spreads should be avoided because they may contain the bacteria listeria. Canned pate or shelf-safe meat spreads can be eaten.

 

 Caffeine: 

Although most studies show that caffeine intake in moderation is permissible, there are others that show that caffeine intake may be related to miscarriages. Avoid caffeine during the first trimester to reduce the likelihood of a miscarriage. As a general rule, caffeine should be limited to fewer than 200 mg per day during pregnancy. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluids from the body.

 

Alcohol:

There is NO amount of alcohol that is known to be safe during pregnancy, and therefore alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby. Depending on the amount, timing, and pattern of use, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other developmental disorders.

 

Unwashed Vegetables:

Vegetables are safe, and a necessary part of a balanced diet. However, it is essential to make sure they are washed to avoid potential exposure to toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis may contaminate the soil where the vegetables were grown.

 

 

 With Twin Pregnancy Your Weight Gain:

Are you pregnant and have double reason to be happy and excited? Did your doctor just confirm that you are all set to give birth to twins? Have you had a checkup and are already worried about various health aspects you need to take care of while expecting twins? If you can relate to the above situations and are clueless about your weight gain with twin pregnancy, scroll down to know more!

Twin Pregnancy:

Most doctors will advise you to gain about 37 to 54 pounds when you are pregnant with twins.However, if you were a little overweight before you became pregnant, your doctor may suggest you to gain a little lesser weight than others. Similarly, if you were underweight when you became pregnant, your doctor may advise you to gain a little more weight as compared to other moms who are pregnant with twins.
Gaining so much weight while you are pregnant may seem like a nightmare! Go ahead to know more about the weight breakup that makes perfect sense:

• Almost 10 to 12 pounds of the total weight you gain will be that of your babies.

• While you are pregnant, your body will produce a lot of extra blood to help your babies grow properly. It also adds up to the weight gain that you experience during pregnancy.

Your amniotic fluid will also account for your overall weight gain. Once your water breaks and your babies arrive, you will shed some extra pounds.
It is highly possible that once you deliver your babies, you will lose about 30 pounds in the next two to four weeks. That will leave you with a baggage of 12 to 15 extra pounds, which is similar to what a mother who gives birth to a single baby gains.

How Your Baby's Growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, and his head is more erect than it has been. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby develops.

Guide to Prenatal Testing:

When you’re pregnant, prenatal tests give you information about your health and your baby’s. They help
detect any problems that could affect him, like birth defects or genetic diseases. The results can help you make the best health care decisions before and after your child is born.
Prenatal tests are helpful, but it’s important to know how to interpret what they find. A positive test result doesn’t always mean your baby will be born with a disorder. You’ll want to talk with your doctor, midwife, or other health care provider about what the tests mean and what you should do once you have the results.
Doctors recommend some prenatal tests for all pregnant women. Only some women will need other screening tests to check for certain genetic problems.

Routine Prenatal Tests

There are different prenatal tests you can get in your first, second, and third trimester. Some check your health, and others get information about your baby.
Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll get routine exams to make sure you’re healthy. Your health care provider will check samples of your blood and urine for certain conditions, including:

• HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Anemia
• Diabetes
• Hepatitis B
• Preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure

She’ll also check your blood type and whether your blood cells have a protein called the Rh factor. You may also get:

• Pap smear
• Group B Strep screening. Your doctor will swab the skin in and around your vagina to check for this type of bacteria. This usually happens in the last month before you give birth.
• Ultrasound. This technology uses sound waves to make pictures of your baby and your organs. If your pregnancy is normal, you’ll have it twice, once near the beginning to see how far along you are, and the second time around 18-20 weeks to check your baby’s growth and make sure his organs are developing properly.

Prenatal Genetic Tests

Doctors also can use prenatal tests to look for signs that your baby is at risk for certain genetic disorders or birth defects. You don’t have to have these tests, but your doctor may suggest some to make sure your baby is healthy.

What foods are part of a pregnancy diet menu plan?

A well-balanced, micro nutrient dense diet is the key to a healthy pregnancy. Ideally, women should start eating this way before conception, but making healthier choices at any time will always help.
A well-balanced diet should contain:

• carbohydrates from whole grain sources and fruits and vegetables;
• protein from beans, nuts, seeds and hormone-free animal products like meat and dairy; and
• healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados, and the fats that occur in nuts, seeds, and fish.

Pregnant women need more iron, folic acid, calcium, zinc, iodine, and vitamin D, and higher amounts of most other nutrients, than non pregnant women. The US Recommended Daily Allowance sets the level of nutrient intake that is estimated to meet the nutritional needs of 97.5% of pregnant women. Malnutrition increases the risk of having a low birth weight baby or going into preterm labor. Pregnant women need the following daily:

• 600mcg of folic acid
• 27 mg of iron
• 1000mg of calcium
• 11mg of zinc
• 220 mcg of iodine
• 600 IU vitamin D

In general, women will get high levels of these nutrients by choosing a diverse, colorful diet that focuses primarily (but not entirely) on plant-based foods.

                           Home Pregnancy Test How-Tos

The suspense is killing you: Could you be pregnant?! If you're thinking about buying a home pregnancy test, we did the legwork for you. Keep clicking to find out how to use the most popular home pregnancy tests on the market.

When should you test? You can take most home pregnancy tests three to four days before your missed period -- but if you test too early, you're more likely to get a false negative, where the test says you're not pregnant but you really are, says Laurence Cole, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and chief of women's health research at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Whichever test you buy, test first thing in the morning, pop the stick in midstream, lay it flat, and give it a few minutes to work. If it's negative, try again in a few days if your period's still MIA. If you get a faint, is-that-what-I-think-it-is positive, chances are you're indeed pregnant. Wait a day or two and test again. And if it's positive -- congrats, mama!

Tips for Your First Trimester

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OK, now that you've calmed down some from the initial excitement, wiped out the pregnancy shelf at your local bookstore, and made a down payment on a new maternity wardrobe, it's time to focus on the most important thing here (and no, it's not the wallpaper pattern for the nursery): your health and the baby's health. Your first assignment: Pick up the phone and call your doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife—whomever you plan to see throughout your pregnancy and delivery—and make an appointment. It's time to begin prenatal care.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING? 4 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
Studies find that babies of mothers who don't get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than babies born to mothers who do get care. Need any better reason?
The First Visit and Beyond
In a normal pregnancy, you will see your health care professional every month until about the sixth month; then every two weeks during the seventh and eighth months, and then weekly until labor.
During the first visit, your health care professional will take a full health history, including a history of any previous pregnancies. You will also receive a full physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap test in most cases, and will be weighed and measured and have your blood pressure taken. Your health care provider should also test for any sexually transmitted infections. You will get a due date, officially called the "estimated date of delivery," typically 266 days from the first day of your last period if you have regular menstrual cycles. Otherwise it is customary to assign the due date based on ultrasound.
During every future visit, you will be weighed, have your belly measured and blood pressure taken, have your urine tested for protein or sugar (signs of potential complications), and, most exciting, hear your baby's heart beat.
Prenatal Tests
Near the end of your first trimester and early in the second trimester, your health care professional will talk with you about a variety of prenatal tests to assess the health of the fetus. It's up to you which ones you have done. For instance, if you have no intention of terminating the pregnancy if the tests do find a problem, you may want to skip them. However, even then, you may want to have the test so you can prepare yourself emotionally for the possibility of having a special-needs child.
Who and When to Tell
Although you may want to send an e-mail to everyone in your address book, post to your Facebook account and shout your pregnancy from the proverbial rooftops, we urge you to relax and take a deep breath.
The first three months are the most common time for miscarriage; so give the baby time to get settled. Plus, you need time to adjust to the news, to discuss options with your partner (Keep working? Work part-time? Quit your job?) and decide how to break the news to your employer, if you're employed.
If you work for a company that employs 50 or more people for at least 20 weeks a year, you are covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act. The act requires that your employer provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for the birth and care of a newborn child. When you return, you are entitled to your same job or the equivalent.
In addition, most states require that employers offer the same disability leave (and pay) to pregnant women as to employees with other medical conditions that interfere with their ability to work. Thus, many women find that their first six weeks of leave are often paid.
However, every company is different. The only way to know what goes on in your company is to talk to your human resource department or your manager/employer—after your first trimester.
"Preparing for "The Talk"
Make a list of questions regarding benefits and maternity leave to discuss with your employer after your first trimester. Also, develop a plan for how your job will be handled while you're out on maternity leave and for your post-pregnancy employment. The more on top of things you are, the better things will go with your manager/employer
First Trimester Issues
So how are you feeling? If you're like most women, the answer is exhausted and nauseous. Let's deal with the fatigue first. Do you have any idea what your body is doing right now? It is building a home that can nourish and protect that baby for the next nine months—that is, the placenta. This is really hard work. It takes a lot of energy—your energy. So stop being superwoman for once and listen to what your body is telling you. That means:

• Napping on the weekends and when you get home from work
• Slowing down at work if possible.
• Putting your feet up as much as possible.
• Turning over housework, cooking, errands, etc., to your partner, friend or a professional agency—or just letting things go for a while.

Don't worry; in your second and much of your third trimesters, you'll have energy to burn.
Now, about that nausea: They call it morning sickness, but for many women it lasts all day. You may never throw up—just feel like you're occasionally (or continually) seasick—or you may throw up every morning as soon as your feet hit the floor. Don't worry. This is normal. There is even some evidence that the nausea is nature's way of protecting the baby from potentially harmful foods.
Most morning sickness disappears by the end of the first trimester. Until then:

• Eat small meals throughout the day so you're never too full or too hungry.
• Avoid rich, spicy, greasy or fatty foods, and foods whose smells bother you.
• Eat more carbohydrates (plain baked potato, white rice or dry toast).
• Eat bland foods when you feel nauseous (saltine crackers, gelatin desserts, popsicles, chicken broth, ginger ale and pretzels). Keep some crackers by your bed and eat one before you get up.
• Use acupressure wristbands.
• Take additional vitamin B6 (25 mg three times a day), which some studies find can help with nausea.

If your prenatal vitamins make your nausea worse, talk to your health care provider about prescribing a vitamin without iron.
Pregnant Women Ask…
I'm nine weeks pregnant, and I can't keep anything down. Should I worry?
Some women experience a severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. If you experience any of the following, you may have more than just "morning sickness" and should call your health care professional:

• You have lost more than two pounds
• You vomit blood (which can appear bright red or black)
• You have vomited more than four times in one day
• You have not been able to keep fluids down for more than one day

Eating Right throughout Pregnancy
You know you're supposed to follow a "healthy" diet during pregnancy (think lots of fruit and veggies, low-fat forms of protein, high fiber, etc). But do you know why? Beyond the obvious—maintaining enough calories to keep you healthy and ensure the baby keeps growing—we're learning that in-utero nutrition, including whether the mother is overweight or has pregnancy-related diabetes, can impact a child's health throughout his life.