Teenage pregnancy is pertaining to women who are getting pregnant within the ages of 13-19. Do you think this is a problem in the society? That depends on which region or country you belong to. In developed countries, teenage pregnancy is usually within marriage and does not involve a social issue. Among developed countries, the United States and United Kingdom have the highest level of teenage pregnancy, while Japan and South Korea have the lowest. In developing countries, among Asian countries like Philippines, teenage pregnancy is a socio-economic problem. Such socio-economic issues are as follows:
Educational levels
Women that are not given a chance to go to school at least having reached secondary high school, haven’t experience proper education and lack of guidance from their parents are resulted to teenage pregnancy.
Poverty
Few teenage mothers are continuing to finish their education giving them less chance or less opportunity to find a better career in the future; they’ll be exposed to find means for a living at an early stage of their lives. Hopes and dreams are mostly ended right after getting pregnant thus it resulted to experience poverty.
Poor pregnant mothers become Poorer
Unplanned pregnancy is usually the outcome of the teenage pregnancy. Teenage mothers suffer from early motherhood responsibilities that they are not much ready to take. Teenage mothers belonging to middle class and lowest class family need to sacrifice a lot of things like education and other dreams just to cope with their new life situation as a mother. Without much income because of unfinished education, they can’t give better future for their children.
Higher rates of Abortion
Teenage pregnant that is afraid to face the consequences of unplanned pregnancy and acts cowardly in accepting the motherhood responsibilities, abortion is her last option. And in this case, Philippines don’t embrace abortion.
One of the ways to limit the growing issue on teenage pregnancy is having a closed-family relationship at home. Parents play a very important role of teaching sex education to their children. A mother is obliged to introduce sex education to her daughter once she experiences the first menstrual period. A father is responsible to remind good values of his growing son on how to respect women.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Possible Pregnancy with Calendar Method
Calendar-based methods are various methods to determine the fertility period of a woman to have positive pregnancy result, by timing unprotected intercourse for days identified as fertile or to some, to avoid pregnancy by restricting unprotected intercourse for days identified as infertile.
The first red bleeding is considered day one of a menstrual cycle. Most menstrual cycle has several days of infertility, fertility periods and then other days of infertility for the next menstrual cycle. Before selecting the best type and most effective calendar method to achieve positive pregnancy result, you have to determine the length of your menstrual cycle. Various systems are known as the:
Rhythm method
1. Determine the length of menstrual cycle
2. Estimated length of pre- infertility period: Subtract nineteen (19) from the length of woman’s shortest cycle
3. Estimated length of start of the post- infertility period: Subtract ten (10) from the length of woman’s longest cycle.
Illustration:
Woman’s menstrual cycle is range from 30-36 days.
Estimated length of pre-infertility period is ((30-19) = 11).
Estimated length of start of post-infertility period is ((36-10) =26)
Therefore: A woman is infertile for the first 11 days of her cycle. Fertility period on days 12-25 and then the start of post infertility period is on the 26th day.
Standard Days Method
The Standard Days method is simpler and more effective than rhythm method. The Standard Days Method may only be used by women whose cycles are always between 26 and 32 days in length. In this system, days 1-7 of a woman's menstrual cycle are considered infertile. Days 8-19 are considered fertile.
The first red bleeding is considered day one of a menstrual cycle. Most menstrual cycle has several days of infertility, fertility periods and then other days of infertility for the next menstrual cycle. Before selecting the best type and most effective calendar method to achieve positive pregnancy result, you have to determine the length of your menstrual cycle. Various systems are known as the:
Rhythm method
1. Determine the length of menstrual cycle
2. Estimated length of pre- infertility period: Subtract nineteen (19) from the length of woman’s shortest cycle
3. Estimated length of start of the post- infertility period: Subtract ten (10) from the length of woman’s longest cycle.
Illustration:
Woman’s menstrual cycle is range from 30-36 days.
Estimated length of pre-infertility period is ((30-19) = 11).
Estimated length of start of post-infertility period is ((36-10) =26)
Therefore: A woman is infertile for the first 11 days of her cycle. Fertility period on days 12-25 and then the start of post infertility period is on the 26th day.
Standard Days Method
The Standard Days method is simpler and more effective than rhythm method. The Standard Days Method may only be used by women whose cycles are always between 26 and 32 days in length. In this system, days 1-7 of a woman's menstrual cycle are considered infertile. Days 8-19 are considered fertile.
Common symptoms and Complaints of Pregnancy
Each expectant mom may experience a variety of symptoms over the course of nine-month pregnancy but there are three main causes of these symptoms.
HORMONAL CHANGES
The hormonal level during pregnancy is high and this can cause to morning sickness, skin pigmentation, frequent urination, constipation and frequent perspiration.
INSUFFICIENT NUTRIENTS
You should eat a well-balanced diet to meet enough vitamins and minerals that you and your baby's requirement. Otherwise, you'll fell tiredness due to anemia and leg cramps.
INCREASING SIZE OF YOUR UTERUS & THE GROWING BABY
This can cause difficulty in breathing, constipation, heart burn, indigestion and urinary leakage.
Some of these symptoms may alleviated by a simple change of diet or lifesytle but as always, once you experience one or more of the symptoms that you are pregnant, CONSULT your DOCTOR before taking any MEDICATION.
HORMONAL CHANGES
The hormonal level during pregnancy is high and this can cause to morning sickness, skin pigmentation, frequent urination, constipation and frequent perspiration.
INSUFFICIENT NUTRIENTS
You should eat a well-balanced diet to meet enough vitamins and minerals that you and your baby's requirement. Otherwise, you'll fell tiredness due to anemia and leg cramps.
INCREASING SIZE OF YOUR UTERUS & THE GROWING BABY
This can cause difficulty in breathing, constipation, heart burn, indigestion and urinary leakage.
Some of these symptoms may alleviated by a simple change of diet or lifesytle but as always, once you experience one or more of the symptoms that you are pregnant, CONSULT your DOCTOR before taking any MEDICATION.
Watch a healthy diet during pregnancy!
Here are some servings that you may consider in your diet during pregnancy.
UP TO 2 SERVINGS
1 tablespoon of oil
1 tablespoon of margarine or butter
2 SERVINGS
2 slices of cooked meat or 1 medium fillet of fish (i.e palm-size)
3/4 cup cooked peas and beans
1 egg
3-4 SERVINGS
1 glass of milk 1 small tub of yogurt
2 slices of cheese
5 SERVINGS
1 medium apple/ orange
1 wedge of watermelon
1 cup of fruit juice
1 medium potato
1/2 cup of cooked vegetables
5+SERVINGS
1bowl of rice or noodles
2 slices of bread
1 bowl of cereal 1 small camote, 170 g.
Eat moderate amounts of food. Avoid eating large amounts of food at one time because digestion is slower during pregnancy.
UP TO 2 SERVINGS
1 tablespoon of oil
1 tablespoon of margarine or butter
2 SERVINGS
2 slices of cooked meat or 1 medium fillet of fish (i.e palm-size)
3/4 cup cooked peas and beans
1 egg
3-4 SERVINGS
1 glass of milk 1 small tub of yogurt
2 slices of cheese
5 SERVINGS
1 medium apple/ orange
1 wedge of watermelon
1 cup of fruit juice
1 medium potato
1/2 cup of cooked vegetables
5+SERVINGS
1bowl of rice or noodles
2 slices of bread
1 bowl of cereal 1 small camote, 170 g.
Eat moderate amounts of food. Avoid eating large amounts of food at one time because digestion is slower during pregnancy.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Baby gender and Chinese calendar
I had never known about this baby gender and the Chinese calendar before I got pregnant. One day a friend handed me a paper, a baby gender and the Chinese calendar written on it. I tried to check if it worked for me. Let's see!My age from the time of conception: 22
Month of conception: August
Wow! It worked! Yes, I had a baby boy! How about you? Try it out!
Pregnancy checkup
Once your pregnancy has been confirmed by your doctor, you are advised to have a regular checkup. Here's a rough guide as to how often you should visit your doctor at different stages of your pregnancy.
Weeks of Pregnancy/ How Often
1st-28th monthly
29th-35th Once in 2 weeks
36th-40th weekly
If you have some important questions in mind, better list them down before going to the doctor!
Weeks of Pregnancy/ How Often
1st-28th monthly
29th-35th Once in 2 weeks
36th-40th weekly
If you have some important questions in mind, better list them down before going to the doctor!
What to AVOID while pregnant
Research has shown that alcohol, smoking and unprescribed medications (including herbs) should be avoided during pregnancy. These will definitely put you and your baby's health at risks.
ALCOHOL
Alchohol intake should be avoided as it affects your baby's mental, nervous system and other vital parts of his body's development. Once the alchohol enters the blood stream of the unborn child when the mother drinks, this may result to mental retardation, nervous system problem and facial abnormalities.
SMOKING
Smoking is definitely not recommended during pregnancy. If you smoke or inhale smoke while you are pregnant, you are at a higher risk of having a premature or underweight baby. Mothers who smoke may result to miscarriage and fetal malformation. Sudden infant death syndrome has also been linked to having a smoker in the family.
MEDICATION
It is always been safer to consult your doctor during pregnancy, NEVER SELF-MEDICATE! Certain drugs may have harmful effects on your fetus.
CAFFEINE
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and cocoa-based beverages, chocolates and caffeine- containing softdrinks. Though its effects on the developing human fetus is unclear, but animal studies have shown that it can cause fetal abnormalities or low birth weight babies. Try to avoid excessive amounts of caffeine intake in your diet.
HAZARDOUS FOOD PREPARATION
To minimize the risk of food poisoning avoid foods that are hygienically prepared, have not been properly cooked, or which have gone mouldy. All foods should be eaten immediately after cooking or should be reheated until very hot. Also, avoid eating raw foods such as fish and eggs. Raw vegetables should be washed thoroughly before eating.
ALCOHOL
Alchohol intake should be avoided as it affects your baby's mental, nervous system and other vital parts of his body's development. Once the alchohol enters the blood stream of the unborn child when the mother drinks, this may result to mental retardation, nervous system problem and facial abnormalities.
SMOKING
Smoking is definitely not recommended during pregnancy. If you smoke or inhale smoke while you are pregnant, you are at a higher risk of having a premature or underweight baby. Mothers who smoke may result to miscarriage and fetal malformation. Sudden infant death syndrome has also been linked to having a smoker in the family.
MEDICATION
It is always been safer to consult your doctor during pregnancy, NEVER SELF-MEDICATE! Certain drugs may have harmful effects on your fetus.
CAFFEINE
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and cocoa-based beverages, chocolates and caffeine- containing softdrinks. Though its effects on the developing human fetus is unclear, but animal studies have shown that it can cause fetal abnormalities or low birth weight babies. Try to avoid excessive amounts of caffeine intake in your diet.
HAZARDOUS FOOD PREPARATION
To minimize the risk of food poisoning avoid foods that are hygienically prepared, have not been properly cooked, or which have gone mouldy. All foods should be eaten immediately after cooking or should be reheated until very hot. Also, avoid eating raw foods such as fish and eggs. Raw vegetables should be washed thoroughly before eating.
Why do pregnant women Gain Weight?
Many women are concious about gaining weight while they are pregnant. They can't help viewing their expanding abdomen with alarm.
Pregnancy is not the time to try and lose weight or prevent weight gain, unless medical supervision, as your baby requires energy as well as nutrients to grow. Women who are really concious about their body figure will have to exert a lot more effort to understand that dieting during pregnancy will surely affect your baby as it will affect you.
Weight gain during pregnancy
First Trimester
There is a very little (1-2 kg) or no weight gain during this period. You may experience lose weight during this period due to morning sickness.
Second Trimester
There will be an average weight gain of 0.5 kg per week. This is equal to 7-9kg.
Third Trimester
There is a slow down rate of weight gain to about 1 kg per month during this period.
Gain
3kg Maternal stores(fat, protein and other minerals)
2kg Increased fluid
3kg Baby
1 kg Amniotic fluid
1 kg Uterus
1 kg Breast growth
0.5 kg. Placenta
Pregnancy is not the time to try and lose weight or prevent weight gain, unless medical supervision, as your baby requires energy as well as nutrients to grow. Women who are really concious about their body figure will have to exert a lot more effort to understand that dieting during pregnancy will surely affect your baby as it will affect you.
Weight gain during pregnancy
First Trimester
There is a very little (1-2 kg) or no weight gain during this period. You may experience lose weight during this period due to morning sickness.
Second Trimester
There will be an average weight gain of 0.5 kg per week. This is equal to 7-9kg.
Third Trimester
There is a slow down rate of weight gain to about 1 kg per month during this period.
Gain
3kg Maternal stores(fat, protein and other minerals)
2kg Increased fluid
3kg Baby
1 kg Amniotic fluid
1 kg Uterus
1 kg Breast growth
0.5 kg. Placenta
Friday, March 26, 2010
Energy and Special Nutrient of a Pregnant
Energy
Sometimes expectant mom's thinking is she needs to eat for two people. One for herself and another for her baby. This is misleading because your energy requirement does not double when you are pregnant. Instead, the amount of food you eat is dictated by your appetite with careful attention to eating the right kind of foods which are rich in the following nutrients.
Vitamins and Minerals
You need more of most vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, apart from vitamin A. Eating a well-balanced diet will ideally supply all the vitamins and minerals that you need but there are some key nutrients that needs careful attention such as calcium, folate and iron. Your doctor will prescribe supplements if your dietary intake of these nutrients does not meet your requirements.
Sometimes expectant mom's thinking is she needs to eat for two people. One for herself and another for her baby. This is misleading because your energy requirement does not double when you are pregnant. Instead, the amount of food you eat is dictated by your appetite with careful attention to eating the right kind of foods which are rich in the following nutrients.
Vitamins and Minerals
You need more of most vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, apart from vitamin A. Eating a well-balanced diet will ideally supply all the vitamins and minerals that you need but there are some key nutrients that needs careful attention such as calcium, folate and iron. Your doctor will prescribe supplements if your dietary intake of these nutrients does not meet your requirements.
Nutrition during Pregnancy
It is important that you consider essential foods to eat, it is the best way of expressing your love and how you appreciate the new life inside of you. Eating the right kind of food can ultimately affect the health of your baby. But, how can you be so sure that you're eating the right foods? Choosing from the foods listed under each of the following food groups will ensure your diet remains well-balanced for the whole period of pregnancy.
Rice and rice alternatives
Foods from this group are energy-giving foods, it includes rice; pasta; noodles; bread and other starchy foods. A large proportion of your diet should be considered from this group. As well as energy they provide you with vitamins and minerals, fiber and a little protein. Try to include whole-grain bread or brown rice products in your diet for added fiber.
Milk and milk products
Foods from this group are rich in calcium and provide other essential nutrients like protein, vitamins A and D and some B vitamins. It includes milk, cheese and yogurt. I suggest you choose low-fat or non-fat milk products if you are conscious about gaining more weight.
Meat and meat alternatives
Foods from this group are from animal sources like lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and seafoods. They are more sources of B vitamins, and minerals like iodine, iron and zinc.Avoid fatty foods. Meat alternatives like plant food such as legume, nuts and beancurd they also provide the same vitamins and minerals that you can get from meat products.
Fruits and vegetables
This food group provides the most essential vitamins and minerals that you and your baby needs. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide fiber to help fight constipation. To get the most essential vitamins and minerals, eat leafy and wide variety of these food group.
Other foods
Foods like margarine, oils, salt, sugar and butter are less essential to your diet but do not totally avoid them as they provide some fat-soluble vitamins like A,D,E and K are also essential fatty acids.
Rice and rice alternatives
Foods from this group are energy-giving foods, it includes rice; pasta; noodles; bread and other starchy foods. A large proportion of your diet should be considered from this group. As well as energy they provide you with vitamins and minerals, fiber and a little protein. Try to include whole-grain bread or brown rice products in your diet for added fiber.
Milk and milk products
Foods from this group are rich in calcium and provide other essential nutrients like protein, vitamins A and D and some B vitamins. It includes milk, cheese and yogurt. I suggest you choose low-fat or non-fat milk products if you are conscious about gaining more weight.
Meat and meat alternatives
Foods from this group are from animal sources like lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and seafoods. They are more sources of B vitamins, and minerals like iodine, iron and zinc.Avoid fatty foods. Meat alternatives like plant food such as legume, nuts and beancurd they also provide the same vitamins and minerals that you can get from meat products.
Fruits and vegetables
This food group provides the most essential vitamins and minerals that you and your baby needs. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide fiber to help fight constipation. To get the most essential vitamins and minerals, eat leafy and wide variety of these food group.
Other foods
Foods like margarine, oils, salt, sugar and butter are less essential to your diet but do not totally avoid them as they provide some fat-soluble vitamins like A,D,E and K are also essential fatty acids.
Planning for Pregnancy
One of the miraculous events that any women could ever wish for is having a baby. It is the greatest fulfillment of most women in the world. However, such wonderful feeling could sometimes be replaced by anxiety. To appreciate the joy of pregnancy, it needs careful planning and preparation. Here are some suggestions that you may want to consider to make sure you are ready to conceive and nurture a new life inside you.
Be financially stable
Have enough saving as early as before you get pregnant.
Set your emotions and priorities
Bearing a child for nine months changes a lot of things such as moods and there are things you used to do are not allowed during this period.
Eat a well-balanced diet
Start a healthy diet of your baby even at the very start of his life.
Quit smoking, drinking and taking drugs
Many studies have shown that drinking alcohol, smoking and taking drugs resulted to childbirth deficiences.
Stop using contraceptives several months before you get pregnant
Give your body enough time for hormones and your cycle to get normal.
Knowing these things to get ready for a baby, you have to start creating happy thoughts that you are going to be a mother soon!
Symptoms of Pregnancy
It's an unspeakable of joy that you are seeing the posibility that you are now pregnant. How can you be so sure that you are conceiving a child? You must understand that every pregnancy experience is a unique one. Some expectant mothers experience the symptoms of pregnancy at the early stage; others may feel the symptoms once they've known that they're conceiving. Once the baby has been conceived, the mother's body begins to experience dramatic changes that are the results of hormonal changes during pregnancy. Below is a list of symptoms of pregnancy. You may experience all or some of these.
Morning sickness
You may feel nauseated after reacting to some odor, food or drinks. This may range from slight stomach upset to vomiting.
Food cravings
You may suddenly have a strong likes and dislikes for certain food.
Mood swings
You may feel too much of joy to depression.
Fatigue
Due to the increasing level of your hormone-progesterone, you may feel tired and sleepy during pregnancy.
Missed period
You may suspect that you are pregnant if you have a regular period then you miss one.
These are but symptoms, it is always safe to consult your doctor once you experience some of these. He will perform a pregnancy test or he may do ultrasound for you to make certain of your pregnancy.
Morning sickness
You may feel nauseated after reacting to some odor, food or drinks. This may range from slight stomach upset to vomiting.
Food cravings
You may suddenly have a strong likes and dislikes for certain food.
Mood swings
You may feel too much of joy to depression.
Fatigue
Due to the increasing level of your hormone-progesterone, you may feel tired and sleepy during pregnancy.
Missed period
You may suspect that you are pregnant if you have a regular period then you miss one.
These are but symptoms, it is always safe to consult your doctor once you experience some of these. He will perform a pregnancy test or he may do ultrasound for you to make certain of your pregnancy.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Fallacies of Pregnancy
Most expectant mothers are so careful and watchful of what they do and what they eat during pregnancy. Below is a list of fallacies in pregnancy that I had researched and some were personally experienced.
Don't stay at the doorway
Don't stay at the doorway
Avoid staying at the doorway, you'll have difficulty in giving birth.
Truth: Staying at the doorway has nothing to do with easy and painful delivery.
Don't take a bath everyday.
Don't take a bath everyday.
Taking a bath everyday will cause your baby to catch colds.
Truth: Take a bath everyday especially in the morning so you'll feel fresh the whole day.Expectant mom normally experience a hot feeling because of hormonal body changes.
Don't eat eggplant during pregnancy.
Don't eat eggplant during pregnancy.
Eating eggplant during pregnancy period will cause your baby to become pale when he is born.
Truth: Eat a well-balanced diet, to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
Don't eat twin banana
You'll have a twin baby by eating twin banana.
Truth: Fruits such as bananas are good for the health and help reduce constipation problem during pregnancy.
Don't take a photo
You'll have difficulty in giving birth.
Truth: You can take a picture as many as you want to start collecting memories of your unborn baby.
Use kid's toothbrush
Truth: Eat a well-balanced diet, to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
Don't eat twin banana
You'll have a twin baby by eating twin banana.
Truth: Fruits such as bananas are good for the health and help reduce constipation problem during pregnancy.
Don't take a photo
You'll have difficulty in giving birth.
Truth: You can take a picture as many as you want to start collecting memories of your unborn baby.
Use kid's toothbrush
If you use kid's toothbrush during pregnancy your baby's teeth are healthier.
Truth: Brush your teeth regularly even when you are pregnant whether you use an adult's or kid's toothbrush.
If you are blooming during pregnancy, expect a baby girl
Your outward appearance determines the gender of your baby.
Truth: Stay beautiful especially when your body is changing dramatically.
Truth: Stay beautiful especially when your body is changing dramatically.
If your underarms are getting darker during pregnancy, expect a baby boy
Your skin tone determines the gender of your baby.
Truth: Your underarms begin to darkened due to the level of hormonal changes.
Follow your cravings, else you'll get miscarriage
If you don't pamper yourself when you crave for a specific food to eat, you'll get miscarriage.
Truth: Eat a well-balanced diet. Food craving is sometimes only in your mind.
Put on an old baby clothes as a first clothing of your baby
Your baby will not be luxurious when he gets old.
Truth: It doesn't matter if you use old or new baby clothing for as long as it is clean and fits for him.
These fallacies depend upon the culture that we had. I know that some women easily believe on sayings or superstitious beliefs just to have a healthy and safe pregnancy but nothing can give you certain do's and don'ts of pregnancy if you visit your doctor regularly!
Truth: It doesn't matter if you use old or new baby clothing for as long as it is clean and fits for him.
These fallacies depend upon the culture that we had. I know that some women easily believe on sayings or superstitious beliefs just to have a healthy and safe pregnancy but nothing can give you certain do's and don'ts of pregnancy if you visit your doctor regularly!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)