Anything Related To Stages Of Cat Pregnancy

Now that you know your cat is pregnant, it is necessary to take adequate and proper care to help her deliver smoothly. You will have to take special care of your cat during her pregnancy by feeding her with rich and nutritious diet and providing her with a comfortable environment. Besides this you will also have to protect her from insects, mites, allergies and food poisoning. This can be done by keeping her away from dirt and filth and providing her with proper medical care. The information below will help you understand the various stages of cat pregnancy so that you can take proper care of your pet during this crucial period.

Stages Of Pregnancy In Cats

A cat is capable of bearing more than one offspring during pregnancy. Its pregnancy period usually lasts between 9 to 10 weeks or 62 to 67 days. It can be roughly divided into three trimesters as given below.

The First Trimester

The first week of pregnancy includes the process of fertilization and movement of the fertilized eggs to the uterus. Fertilization is the process of joining together of sperm and ovum. This union results in the formation of a ball-shaped mass of cells known as cell mass. As this cell mass passes 16 cells it is called morula. The morula implants itself in the uterine wall with the help of an enzyme. In case of cats, the egg reaches the uterus in approximately five days and implantation occurs about two weeks after fertilization.

The development of the embryo continues with the cells of the cranium and the thoracic regions developing in the early stages. The embryo floats within a fluid filled cradle formed by the amnion and the allantois. The embryo is supplied with water, proteins and salts by the amniotic fluid. The placenta, which develops later, is the source of attachment between the maternal and fetal bloodstream. After the formation of the other organic structures the embryo becomes the fetus leading to the completion of the first trimester. The swelling and rosiness of the nipples occurs in the third week of pregnancy.

Second Trimester

By the fourth week, cats may experience some vomiting. It would be good idea to seek proper medical care during this phase. The cat’s babies are walnut size by the fifth week. The mother needs more food now to help the tiny kittens grow healthy.

Final Trimester

The kittens can be felt inside the mother by the eighth week and by the ninth week the breasts are filled with milk for the babies to-be-born. She is ready for labour anytime now.

Taking Care Of Your Pregnant Cat

It is very important to get your pregnant cat examined by a veterinarian to overrule any chances of serious contagious diseases. It is advisable to continue feeding her the same quality of nutritious canned cat food that she is accustomed to, for some time. But it is important to switch to nutritious canned kitten food especially during the last three to four weeks of pregnancy. You can even give her a supplement of kitten milk replacement in the final week of pregnancy. As pregnancy results in a depletion of calcium in the blood, your cat may experience a serious condition called eclampsia, especially during the final stages of pregnancy. This can be avoided by giving regular calcium supplements. Give your expecting mother good quality food and fresh clean water for a healthy pregnancy.

More Stages Of Pregnancy Articles

Endometriosis Part I – Definition, Stages, Symptoms, Causes and Affects of Endometriosis

I. Definition
During the last stage of the menstrual cycle, normally a layer of endometriosis lining on the inside of the uterus is expelled, known as menstruation blood which instead some of the endometriosis tissues grows somewhere in the body causing endometriosis. They also react to hormone signals of the monthly menstrual cycle, builds up tissue, breaks it and eliminates it through menstrual period.

II. Stages
Endometriosis is estimated to affect:
a) About 20% of reproductive age women with endometriosis present but without symptoms.
b) About 55% of women who have developed the new onset of severe menstrual cramps
c) About 25% of women with sub-fertility (less fertile than a normal couple)
Since they grow in somewhere other than in the uterus, when they break there is no way for the period blood to exit causing blood attaching to the organs or lining of the abdomen resulting in scars or adhesion as well as weakening the normal function of organs.
Most of the time, the endometriosis tissues do not travel far. It is commonly found within the pelvic region, on the lining of peritoneum, in the ovaries, and on the surface of the uterus’s outside wall, but they can be anywhere in the body such as well as fallopian tubes, the cervix, the vagina, and even the vulva.
Endometriosis can vary in appearance. It may be clear or white, reddish, brown or blue black, and cysts. They can be classified according to stage of severity:
a) Minimal stage:
Top surface, few in number. Commonly they are found in the inside wall of uterus, ligaments and ovary.
b) Mild stage:
Deeper implants, greater numbers are presented. Commonly found in the same area as minimal stage.
c) Moderate stage:
Many implants, endometrial cysts present, affecting ovary function, causing scar tissues and adhesion is also present.
d) Severe stage:
Intensive peritoneal implants, large endometromas present and dense adhesion.
Each women experiences differently to endometriosis. Some women may have extensive endometrial tissues in their body but feel little or no pain at all, while other women may only be in the early stage of endometriosis but have excessive pain.

III. Symptoms
1. Severe period pain
It normally happens with over-production of prostaglandins and leukotrient causing the cervix to contract resulting in no escape for the menstrual period.

2. Difficult to get pregnant
If the cyst is presented in the ovary, it will respond to hormone changes in the menstrual cycle causing the cysts to get large every month blocking the normal function of ovaries resulting in infertility

3. Pain during sex
If endometrosis occurs at the region that is stimulated during sex it may cause excessive pain such as uterosacral ligament and cervic region.

4. Pain elevate to ward the end of period.
Endometriosis located somewhere other than in the uterus rupturing during menstruation. Since the blood cannot escape, it retents in our body causing damage to the organs or any part of the body hosting the endometriosis resulting in severe pain toward the end of the period.

5. Constipation
Constipation is caused by endometrial implants or adhesion attaching to the organ of excretion. It makes it extremely painful to urinate and defecate.

6. Premenstrual symptoms
Premenstrual symptom is defined to have menstrual cramps before and during menstrual cycle. If the pain is more severe than before than it may be caused by endometrial implants or adhesion to more sensitive areas.

7. Heavy period
Heavy period is either caused by menorrhagia or endometriosis. Any women who has never experience heavy period before, the sudden change of heavy period may be caused by the rupturing of the endometrial lining embedded on the inner wall of the uterus.

8. Irritable bowel syndrome
Women with endometriosis in the bowel region frequently have abdominal and bowel symptoms, specially during the menstrual cycle. Bowel symptoms may be attributed to irritable bowel symptoms or caused by intestinal involvement from endometriosis.

9. Pain in one side of pelvic
Pain on one side of the pelvic during menstrual cycle may be caused by endometrial implants or adhesion to that side of the pelvic.

IV. Causes

1. Retrograde menstruation
The retrograde menstruation theory suggests that during menstruation the blood flows backward instead of outward causing menstrual blood to go through the fallopian tubes to the pelvic and abdominal cavity, resulting in blood embedding on the outside of the uterus into other tissues and organs causing endometriosis.

2. Weakening of immune system
Normally, the immune will destroy endometrial cells which are located outside the uterus. If the immune system is weakened and no longer functions normally, it will allow the endometrial cells that shed to attach and grow elsewhere in the body.

3. Stress and emotion
During stress and emotion, the adrenal glands produce cortisol which affects the function of the body to cleanse toxins resulting in stimulating the growth of endometriosis.

4. Embryonic theory
This theory suggests during the embryonic stage, some endometrial cells which normally grow in the womb instead develops in the abdomen.

5. Hormone imbalance
Endometriosis happens during reproductive years of women when estrogen and progesterone are most active. In each stage of the menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone must be balanced for women to conceive. Any imbalance of hormones during the menstrual cycle causes conversion of estrogen into bad estrogen and over-production of prostaglandin causing the cervix to contract resulting in no escaping of the menstrual period, causing menstrual cramps and endometriosis. Nutritional deficiency is also one of the causes of hormone imbalance.

6. Hereditary
Endometriosis may be genetics passing through from generation to generation or it may result from genetic errors, causing some women to become more likely than others to develop the condition. Study shows that women are 5 times more likely to develop endometriosis if her sister has it. It is wise for these women to have children in their early reproductive years.

7. Toxic environment
Study shows that exposing our body to toxins found in pesticides and some harmful waste products may have some hormonal and chemical influence causing activation of endometriosis at the time of menstrual cycle resulting in proliferating of endo-tissues to the abnormal area in our body.

8. Xenoestrogen
Interaction of our body with certain chemicals causes a disruption of the body’s hormones as resulting of over-production of estrogen converting to xenoestrogen to stimulate the growth of endometriosis.

9. Sex during menstruation.
Sexual intercourse during menstruation causes the endometriosis tissue to travel into the fallopian tubes then into the ovary resulting in developing ovarian endometriosis.

IV. Affects
A. Women’s life

1. Difficulties at work
Women with endometriosis in certain regions of the body suffer from pain at least several days in a month just before and during menstruation causing the loss of productive activity as well as reducing the chance of advancement. Co-workers who have to cover her work without understanding the symptoms of endometriosis will likely feel resentment resulting in emotional depression. Study shows that endometriosis causes 41% of women to give up or lose their jobs due to illness.

2. Difficulties in personal relationship
Women suffering from endometriosis may feel extensive pain during sexual intercourse. If the disease is not diagnosed, she may be accused of being frigid or neurotic causing difficulty in personal relationship leading to destruction of marriage as well as increasing the risk of depression and other diseases.

3. Infertility
In general, women with endometriosis find it harder to become pregnant than other women. Women with moderate to severe stage of endometriosis tend to have more difficulty conceiving than women with minimal to mild stage of endometriosis. If the woman is living in a culture where she is defined by her ability to produce children, it can lead to social stigma.

4. Interference in social life
Women with severe pain as a result of endometriosis may interference with social life, such as family events, social events, and traveling just before and during menstruation.

5. Emotional depression
Woman with endometriosis who cannot control her symptoms may cause misunderstanding in the family and work place leading to depression. With no support from family and friends she may experience feelings of isolation as well.

6. Frustration
Not understanding endometriosis may cause feelings of confusion and embarrassment about the condition leading to irritation.

B. Reproductive System
1. Infertility
Infertility is always difficult for women with endometriosis. In fact depending on the stage of endometroisis and where endometriosis implants in the body, some women may not even get pregnant at all if they are on the last stage of endometroisis and the cysts is located in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus because of the enlarged endometrosis cysts not only causing inflammation but also interfering with each stage of the menstrual cycle. In general, women with endometriosis find it harder to become pregnant than other women.

2. Miscarriage
Some physicians in the infertility field do feel there is an increase in the risk of miscarriage with endometriosis. Some feel there is no increase in the miscarriage rate. One of the studies looked at the miscarriage rates in patients prior to treatment of endometriosis and compared to the miscarriage rates in the same patients after treatment of endometriosis. In these studies patients had lower miscarriage rates after treatment. Women pregnant with endometriosis should be wise to seek help from specialists for treatment that not only nourishes the fetus but also controls the progression of endometriosis.

3. Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum is implanted in any tissue other than the uterine wall, caused by blockage of endometroisis of the fallopian tubes leading to an ectopic pregnancy. In fact, the fetus produces enzymes that allow it to implant in varied types of tissues, and thus an embryo implanted elsewhere than the uterus can cause great tissue damage in its efforts to reach a sufficient supply of blood, sometime it is life threatening to the mother.

4. Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse. When pain occurs, the woman experiencing it may be distracted from feeling pleasure and excitement. Women with endometriosis suffer from dyspareunia if endometriosis is located in the major ligaments of the uterus. Endometriosis-related dyspareunia is usually positional and most intense upon deep penetration. It is most intense prior to menstruation.

C. Abdominal and Pelvic Pain
1. Chronic pelvic pain
Normal chronic pelvic pain refers to any pain in your pelvic region (the area below your bellybutton and between your hips) lasting more than six months. In case of endometriosis at the final stage of the menstrual cycle period, endometrial tissue swells and bleeds, just like the lining of your uterus causing pain and scar tissue, and adhesion forming in your pelvic area resulting in the tissue and organ near the endometrosis being covered. Any movement of these constricted organs can cause severe pain.

2. Locally pelvic pain
Some women experience locally pelvic pain beginning or/and during menstrual cycle caused by pre-menstrual syndrome as a result of over-production of prostaglandins increasing the contraction within the uterus lining. In case of endometriosis, the pain continues throughout menstruation, caused by inflammation of rupturing of endometrial cysts that attach to some pelvic regions as a result of over-production of certain hormones elevating the pain in that area.

3. Lower pelvic pain
Normally lower pelvic pain is caused by infection of the bladder or inflammation of the collecting system of one or both kidneys, or dysmenorrhea. In case of endometrosis, the pain continues and becomes severe just before and during menstruation caused by scars and adhesion attached to the organs in the lower pelvic regions, such as the kidneys, bladder, and/or ovary.

4. Severe abdominal cramps
Severe abdominal cramps before or during the menstrual cycle is likely caused by dysmenorrhea or premenstrual syndrome, if the pain is prolonged or just before, or during menstruation, then it may be caused by endometrial cells and rupturing of endometrial cysts resulting in over-production of prostaglandins in one area of the back, or travelling down the legs. If you experience back pain with continual dull abdominal pain just before and during menstruation it may caused by scar tissue or adhesion attached to the vertebra area.

Remember any severe pain JUST BEFORE AND DURING menstruation in any region may be a good indication of endometriosis.

D. Irregular menstruation
1. Variable amounts of bleeding either heavy or scanty
Variable amounts of bleeding either heavy or scanty is normal for menarche and perimenopause as the menstrual cycle is initiated and during a woman ‘s forties until menopause accordingly because of imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. In endometriosis, heavy and scanty bleeding are caused by over-production of certain hormones in the prostaglandins hormonal family that controls the aggregation or disaggregation of platelets.

2. Menstrual spotting
Menstrual spotting in the middle of the menstrual cycle may be caused by polyp growth in the uterus. Polyps within the uterus may prevent pregnancy or interfere with implantation of embryo as well as miscarriage. Polyps also cause heavy bleeding as a resulting of rupture of polyps in the uterus during menstruation. Luckily most polyps exit in uterus tend to be benign growth.

3. Prolong bleeding
Prolong bleeding may be caused by endometriosis cysts or fibroid located in the uterus wall as a result of imbalanced hormones of the prostaglandins family caused by excessive estrogen in the body if one type of prostaglandins hormone that helps to stop platelets from clumping together.

4. Long menstrual cycle
An irregular menstrual pattern of long menstrual cycles may be an indication of ovulation problems and can be a major factor in infertility caused by endometriosis ovulation problems resulting in ovulation delay or immature eggs in the follicular phase. Sometimes, the follicle develops but the egg is not expelled from the ovary, caused by low levels of progesterone.

5. Blood clots
Because of irregular menstruation causing imbalance hormone, blood clots usually happen during menstruation if one of the hormones of the prostaglandins family that helps to regulate blood clots is over-produced. In this case over-production of such hormones cause more platelets clumping together and fails to dilate blood vessels resulting in blood clots.

E. Digestive System
1. Constipation or difficult defecation
Defecation is the final act of digestion by which organisms eliminate waste material from the digestive tract via the anus. Constipation is caused by endometriosis implants or adhesion thst are attached to organs of excretion resulting in painful urination, as well as defecation.

2. Bloating
Bloating may have several causes, the most common being accumulation of liquids and intestinal gas. In endometriosis, bloating is caused by ovarian cysts, endometrial implants, or adhesion in the intestines that promote collection of fluid within an ovary causing swelling in the abdominal region and swelling in the digestive system as resulting of lack of regular ovulation and excessive amounts of androgenic hormones.

3. Rectal bleeding
Constipation normally is the main cause of rectal bleeding. In endometriosis, endometrial implants or adhesion in large intestine resulting in rectal bleeding as waste passing through. It also causes rectal bleeding just before and during menstruation as endometrial bleeding.

4. Diarrhea
Sudden bouts of diarrhea may be caused by bacterial infection. In woman with endometriosis, deficiency of vitamin A and B are common, causing low level of enzymes that allow food to pass through the intestine undigested.

5. Fluid retention
Fluid retention may be caused by endometrial cysts located other than in the reproductive system. Endometrial lining bleeding during menstruation causes blood to have nowhere to escape causing fluid retention in some parts of the body.

6. Sugar craving
Sugar craving is the symptom of premenstrual syndrome. Women with endometriosis also have premenstrual syndrome. Unlike other woman, they also have a high level of abnormal tolerance curves because of low levels of progesterone resulting in an over-production of adrenaline causing sugar craving.

7. Loss of appetite
Woman with intestinal endometriosis may have loss of appetite present only at the time of the menstrual period or they may be present all month long and worsen at the time of the period.

F. Urination

1. Irregular urination
Normally irregular urination in adults is caused by pressure of a fetus on the bladder of a pregnant woman or losing muscle of the badder causing the feeling to use the bathroom. In woman with endometriosis, it is caused by endometrial implants or adhesion in the badder region, which increases the pressure to the urinary system resulting in irregular urination.

2. Lower abdominal pain on urination
Lower abdominal pain may be caused by endometrial implants, adhesion or cysts in the pelvic region or by over-production of prostaglandins which increases the tension of muscle spam in the bowel and the uterus. Lower abdominal pain on urination is caused by over-production of prostaglandins which stimulate the contraction of the ovaries and uterus muscles or endometrial implants and adhesion in the lower abdominal area causing pressure and pain on urination.

3. Blood in urine
Blood in urine is a common cause of women with endometrial implants or cysts attached to the bladder area as resulting of bleeding of the endometriosis. It worsens just before and during menstruation.

4. Kidney tenderness
Kidney tenderness may be caused by the weakened immune system of woman with endometrial adhesion attached to the kidney causing abnormal function of the kidney and kidney fluid retention. It may be caused by cysts in the pelvic region which increases pressure of the bladder and urinary tract resulting in mounting pressure to the kidney, causing kidney tenderness. It worsens at the beginning and during period.

G. Emotional state
1. Depression
Depression is a illness that not only affects woman with endometriosis but also their family, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. It is caused by lower levels of good estrogen and high levels of progesterone, and the symptom get worse before and during menstruation. Being misunderstood by co-workers, family, and friends may trigger the feeling of worthlessness and loss of interest in daily activity such as hobbies and sex.

2. Apathy and fatigue
Apathy and fatigue may be caused by thyroid problem or hormone imbalance. Apathy and fatigue in endometriosis is caused by the pressure of coping with any sort of pain that returns relentlessly every month, affecting her physical and emotional state.

3. Loss of concentration and memory
Many women with endometrosis also suffer from anemia caused by heavy blood flow leading to deficiency of iron, folate aid, and vitamin B12 which are necessary for reproduction of red blood cells and to increase transportation of oxygen to brain cells, causing loss of concentration and memory.

4. Irritability
Irritation besides being caused by hormonal imbalance in the women with endometriosis during the menstrual cycle. Stress and confusion for woman with endometriosis is understandable. It is best to cope with the stress and try understand the disease and how to treat it. Denial of any of this not only causes more emotional pressure but also irritates any suggestion and help.

5. Loss of self confidence
It is hard for woman to perform daily activities with menstrual cramps on her back. It not only affects her work but also causes absence due to sickness every month in the work place. Without understanding by her boss and family, women with endometriosis may lose self confidence in her job as well as at home.

6. Insomnia
Insomnia is common among women with endometriosis because it is caused by the pain keeping them awake during the night.

H. Hormonal symptoms
1. Hot flashes
Hot flashes also known as hot flushes, is a feeling of intense heat with sweating and rapid heartbeat, and may typically last from two to thirty minutes for each occurrence, normally happening only to women in the menopause stage. Woman with endometriosis may also experience some sources of hot flashes caused by hormone imbalance and tends to occur only during times of menstruation as resulting of more progesterone produced by the purity gland and low levels of good estrogen in the body. Intake of soy rich foods will help to reduce symptoms of hot flashes.

2. Tender breast
Tender breast normally happens to women during the 7th to 14th days prior to their period such as discomfort, tenderness and swelling of the breasts. It also happens to women 1-2 weeks after conception. In case of endometriosis, it causes interfere of endometriosis implants or adhesion against normal ovarian functions of the menstrual cycle as resulting of over-production of estrogen or progesterone. These symptoms may worsen due to a decline in your normal ovarian function. It is said that intake of vitamin B6 and primrose oil will help. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or over-the-counter medication.

3. Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome is a condition that happens between ovulation and the start of the period. Women who have endometriosis also have PMS mostly caused by hormone imbalance such as imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, serotonin or excessive androgen. In case of endometriosis pre-menstrual symptom is caused by imbalance of prostaglandins and leucotrienes produced by endometrium that interferes with normal muscle contraction and the local blood flow resulting in abdominal pain.

4. Prolong and heavy bleeding
Normally abnormal uterine bleeding happens to women in menarche or perimenopause stages. It may also happen to women with hypothyroidism or polycystic ovarian syndrome. If the bleeding is heavy and over six months, then it is caused by endometrial implants or adhesion that interferes with the ability of the blood vessels to contract to stop bleeding after the normal menstrual sloughing.

I. Cardiovascular Symptoms
1. Breathlessness
Women with endometriosis may experience breathlessness caused by heavy blood flow that depletes the storage of iron and other necessary substances, resulting in less oxygen and nutrition needed to re-nourish the body’s cells as the heart has to work harder to pump blood. Intake of food with rich sources of iron such as spinach and broccoli during menstrual cycle is said to help, reduce, or get rid of this symptom.

2. Palpitation
Endometrial implants or adhesion on the liver caused by malfunction of the liver as it no longer secretes enough bile to the intestine as a result of high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood stream. As this problem progresses, cholesterol builds up on the arterial wall causing the heart to over-work, resulting in heart palpitations. Intake of flax seed oil is said to restore balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and reduce cholesterol as well as helping restore the normal function of the liver.

3. Giddiness and confusion
Giddiness is defined to have a reeling, lightheaded sensation, or dizziness. Women with endometriosis may experience dizziness due to insufficiency of oxygen levels in the blood stream that are vital for brain cells. Without enough oxygen to nourish its cells, the brain cannot function causing confusion as well as giddiness. It also caused by endometriosis that attach to the lung which interferes with lung function to absorb oxygen.

4. Hypertension
High blood pressure is always associated with heart disease. In case of women with endometriosis, it is caused by abnormal function of the liver which has been damaged by endometrial implants or adhesion. The damaged liver now cannot produce enough bile to help the digestive system to get rid of bad cholesterol from our body resulting in cholesterol building up as well as high blood pressure.

For How To Choose The Best Endometriosis Self Help Program, Visit
http://theendometroisisguide.blogspot.com/
For series of Infertility Articles, please visit
http://fertility-infertility.blogspot.com/

Expect Different Changes in Each of the Pregnancy Stages

There are three pregnancy stages called trimesters. Each one lasts for about three months of the pregnancy and involves bringing new changes to your body, the development of the baby and your relationships with your partner and those around you. It is important to have an understanding of what to expect in each of these stages so that you will not become unnecessarily stressed when they occur. The changes involve your emotions as well as the shape of your body and your level of comfort.

The sexual relationship between partners undergoes a change during these stages as well. The first trimester is often a traumatic experience for both partners with the morning sickness, extreme tiredness and general emotional changes, which often results in a decrease in lovemaking. This usually returns to normal in the second trimester. During the third trimester, with your body expanding quite quickly, you may have to find more comfortable positions in order to show your love for one another and sate your sexual desires.

The first trimester lasts for about twelve weeks. The increase in your hormones will cause you some discomfort with feelings of nausea. You may become ill when you see or smell some of your favourite foods and morning sickness is one of the early signs. When you wake in the morning and get out of bed, you may have to run to the washroom to throw up. Some women experience this later in the day and in some cases it is quite extreme. Usually it does abate by the end of the first three months.

In addition to not having any menstrual periods, you will notice that your breasts are tender and seem to enlarge. You will not notice any major increase in the size of your belly, but by the end of the first trimester, the waistbands may feel a little tighter than normal. You will feel tired most of the time and have to take naps during the day or early evening. Another consequence of this early stage of pregnancy is an increase in the frequency of urinating, which means more trips to the bathroom.

Your pregnancy will start to show during the second trimester. The riskiest period for a miscarriage is over and you can start to relax. You will experience more energy during this time and be able to do most of your normal activities. Due to the increased blood flow to the breasts and genitals, you will have an increased interest in sexual activity. You will start to feel the baby moving inside and have your first ultrasound during this time. This will make the pregnancy seem more real to you.

This is the stage of pregnancy when your uterus will start to enlarge as the baby starts to grow and develop more fully. This also puts more pressure on the blood vessels, often causing your blood pressure to rise. There is also more pressure on the ligaments and muscles of your lower body, resulting in back and leg pain.

The final stage of pregnancy, the third trimester, is the time for you to start planning for the baby if you haven’t already done so. All of the baby organs are developed and this is a time for waiting for the baby to grow. Towards the end of this stage, you will experience a nesting attitude in which you want to make sure you have everything ready for the new arrival. You also need to get more rest at this time to prepare your body for the upcoming event.

Learning About Pregnancy Stages

Each pregnancy is unique. So is the reaction of each woman to different pregnancy stages. The truth is: the more informed you will be regarding pregnancy trimesters, the less fearful your journey towards motherhood will be.

Pregnancy stages are divided into a group of three months each known as trimesters. Thus, there are three trimesters in the entire nine-month span. Each trimester has its unique characteristics with regards to the changes occurring in the body and in the development process of the fetus.

The First Trimester

This marks the commencement of pregnancy. Your body undergoes tremendous changes due to the upheaval of hormones. Thus, you experience nausea, fatigue, altered bowel movements, frequent urination, and hypersensitivity. So, don’t blame yourself if you get irritated by petty matters; blame it on your hormones. Most of the women get horrified by such symptoms; however, they are just a passing phase. You will soon learn to cope with them.

The Second Trimester

This is the pregnancy stage when your belly starts showing. Symptoms like nausea and fatigue become mild and your face shows the glow of good news. Continue taking a nutritious diet and follow the exercise regime as recommended by your doctor. Be particular about your calcium intake for the development of your baby’s bones. Personal hygiene should be your topmost priority.

The Third Trimester

This is the baby stage of pregnancy. Your baby is fully developed and ready to come out and start its own life. Your belly will enlarge further. You might experience discomfort while sleeping on your back. This is the time to take adequate rest and refrain from doing any strenuous physical activity such as lifting heavy objects. As you approach the end of third trimester, you will start getting labor pains.

There are two types of labor – false and true. The former is also known as Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions go away as soon as you do some physical activity or take deep breathes.

Labor is further divided into three stages. In the first stage, the cervix dilates. In the second stage, your baby is born. And finally the placenta is expelled.

How To Know You Are About To Deliver…

The most common signs of labor are cramps that are similar to one you get during your periods, contractions of the uterus, pain in the back, diarrhea, water breaks, and cervix dilation. As the contractions get intense, the dilation to cervix extends to 10 cm. You feel a strong urge to push. As the baby’s head comes out from the vaginal canal, you experience a burning sensation and intense pain. Finally, your bundle of joy slides out, after which comes the placenta. During this time, you might also get bowel movement, which is a common phenomenon during delivery.

So, now that you are aware of what actually happens in the entire pregnancy period, there is no need to harbor worries. Simply take each day with positively. You have to learn and face all the pregnancy stages with high spirit. Remember, a happy mother delivers a happy baby!

Pregnancy Stages in Dogs

Just like human females, your dog has a pregnancy schedule, and a uterine calendar that can pinpoint which pregnancy stage she is in according to her body’s symptoms.

In a dog’s first pregnancy stage, for example, when she is in the first two weeks of since copulation, the dog’s nipples start to enlarge. When you notice this phenomenon your dog should see a veterinarian, to determine if there is a pregnancy and if so what pregnancy stage she is in.

The veterinarian will be able to tell if puppies have been conceived just by feeling the dog’s stomach. Just as with human pregnancy tests, the dog’s pregnancy or lack of it can be verified through a blood test. Of course, the pregnancy stage for a canine is shorter than that of humans because dogs give birth only sixty three to sixty five days after conception.

Each pregnancy stage for a dog, therefore, is only about 21 days long as compared with a woman’s pregnancy trimester of three months. In the dogs sixth week of pregnancy her need for nutrition will increase as will her appetite. At this point she is truly eating for several little ones including herself, and should be fed more food accordingly. Her food consumption will increase approximately 50 percent over what she normally consumes. It is very important that her diet be balanced. For this you should take the advice of your veterinarian.

A dog that is going to have a litter of many puppies will have a visibly enlarged tummy, although there are some dogs – especially those giving birth to just a few – whose abdomen won’t enlarge noticeably. For these dogs, the pregnancy stage where they are showing is about one week long. Dogs who deliver a great number of puppies tend to deliver them prematurely.

In general, your dog can deliver her own puppies without the intervention of a veterinarian. There are exceptions to this, of course, and it’s important to be able to know what these exceptions are and when they are occurring.

You should call the vet if your dog has been carrying the puppies for more than 65 days, or has been having contractions for more than two hours without delivering any puppies. If your dog has given birth to a puppy or puppies but not all, and now three hours have elapsed since the last birth, call the vet. This is especially crucial if you see your dog pushing and putting in a lot of effort. If your dog is very tired and her contractions are so slight that they don’t bring on delivery you should call the vet.

Once your dog has advanced to the stage of pregnancy where she has given birth you’ll need to step in to give some care to the newborns. It’s important that the babies have heat. A puppy crib is ideal, somewhere away from any circulating air. As puppies are still being delivered those that have been born can be pushed towards their mom for warmth and comfort.

Related Stages Of Pregnancy Articles

Pregnancy Stages Trimester Guide for Pregnant Women – You & Your Unborn Baby Development Stages

Pregnancy stages: Are you pregnant but not sure what to expect in the next nine months up to delivery. Or, are you here to find the best way on how to tell if you’re pregnant, whatever the reason for you coming here, its good news that you’re looking for help and seeking advice. Being in the know is a sure way to help guarantee a healthy pregnancy and a safe birth.

There is a lot of essential information a pregnant girl needs to be aware of, to make sure she and her unborn baby suffer no complications if possible throughout her pregnancy period.

Pregnancy stages

The pregnancy stages are the time from conception up to when you give birth.

Pregnancy usually lasts for 40 weeks from the first day of your last period, that is provided there are no complications such as when a premature birth is unavoidable, or sadly miscarriage happens or other.

The 40 weeks are divided into stages called trimesters.

Pregnant woman in her first trimester - week 1 to week 12

Your first trimester is when all your hormones start to affect your whole body. This is when pregnancy symptoms start to kick in, and the first most likely, or most common should I say pregnancy symptom is, the missed period. Then there’s the matter of lack of energy. Tiredness is usual at this stage as well as tender breasts, but in some unique cases women say the word more fitting, “painful.”

Morning sickness is another pregnancy symptom that affects most, but then you have the fortunate pregnant woman that flies through this without even ever halving a balking episode. Morning sickness is not restricted to this particular time of the day vomiting can happen morning, noon , or night. In the first trimester there maybe the frequent need to wee also. Then there’s the classic early pregnancy symptom “cravings.” Pregnancy brings change like weight gain which is something you can’t prevent, and this goes for the cravings too. The desire to eat something you may have turned your nose up to in the past, you might find yourself eating in great amounts. Depending on the craving, you will have to watch your weight. Avoid piling on the pounds from something not connected to the pregnancy, such as the fat belly issue. It’s not healthy for you and you’re unborn baby to be overweight in pregnancy.

These are just some of the changes that may happen in your first trimester; the changes may feel uncomfortable for a short time but will soon ease off. You will get to a point when you know what to expect as in the way of change and symptoms, and then you somehow naturally just cope with them, of course depending on the particular pregnancy.

Baby in the first trimester

Baby will develop rapidly and will already have many of the organs that is vital in the need to survive, including the heart and nervous system which will be there from around nine weeks pregnant, your baby is no longer an embryo, but, a fetus. From about ten weeks the nutrients are passed to your baby through the placenta.

You in the second trimester – week 13 to week 28

Most women say they find this time easiest to cope with. This specific stage is when the body is settling in nicely with the hormones and getting used to the changes. Sickness and fatigue if any begin to ease off slowly but surely. Towards the end of this period you may suffer back ache, or as some pregnant girls describe it as being more of back pain. Other pregnancy signs at this time are darkening of the nipples, as well as stretch marks. Once again, not all women will see stretch marks, whereas in contrast, some suffer severe scarring. Common location for stretch marks is the belly, bum, legs and breasts.

Various changes will happen to your body at this point because your abdomen is growing bigger, and if you are lucky you might evade the pregnancy mask. The mask is browning of the cheeks and other areas of the body.

Swollen ankles are also common in the second trimester. If your ankles swell it’s something you need to tell the doctor or midwife about, sooner than later, as it can be a disturbing sign of something serious.

Women tend to get excited around about now because it’s a typical time for the unborn baby to kick.

Baby in the second trimester

The developing baby is now able to swallow amniotic fluid which he/she gets rid of through their gut. At this stage the baby’s organs continue to mature with each day. Their sex organs will develop also, their kidneys start to work and baby can now pass a small amount of urine. They can also hear noises made on the outside, while still in the womb.

You in the third trimester – week 29 to week 40

The final trimester is a stage anticipated by a lot of pregnant women because they know they haven’t long to go before they give birth to a son or daughter, or maybe both, or heaven forbid even more. Something that always gets highlighted at this time by first time moms is, do labour pains hurt, or should they fear the actual pain that comes with giving birth. If it’s any consolation, having a baby isn’t that bad because if the pain were unbearable no woman would have more than one in family.

Third trimester: Baby is growing bigger, and your body is adjusting and preparing for the birth. It’s natural at this late stage of your pregnancy to get out of breath. Heartburn is another pregnancy discomfort, and not to mention you could suffer from piles or feel constipated. The breasts will be getting ready for breast feeding the baby, still growing and likely to feel sore and possibly leak watery milk.

Due to size you could find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Your baby will be trying to position themselves into place so they will be head down and ready to enter the world. Have you ever heard of Braxton hicks? Braxton hicks, is simply a condition (false contractions.)

Baby in the third trimester

Baby will now have grown fine hair and developed finger nails. They also can open and close their eyes. The unborn infant will conduct breathing motions even though not taking its first breath until on the outside.

Baby’s teeth normally begin growing under the gum. Although not common, it’s been known for some mothers to have given birth to a baby with teeth.

End of your pregnancy

As your due date gets nearer your cervix prepares for the birth and starts to thin and soften. This is normal and shouldn’t alarm you. Time in the labour ward is an anxious time for both parents. The soon to be daddy needs to hold the soon to be mommy’s hand and comfort her while she grits her teeth while waiting arrival. It’s a waiting game and baby will come out when ready.

Related Stages Of Pregnancy Articles

Pregnancy Stages: The most exciting experiences for women

Well, such curiosity and expectations are very common in every woman, as they are about to give birth to a new infant. You might have heard several times about the pregnancy trimesters. Well, in this, you will get to know what exactly happens throughout your pregnancy period.

One of the best options during this time is of keeping a pregnancy journal. Through this, you can track the developments of pregnancy weekly. After this, you will definitely admire to read about how exactly you managed with various pregnancy stages. No doubt, keeping such records will be proved valuable. Ohh! Another great thing you could do is by keeping a picture aside each entry of the stage of pregnancy. Through this, you can also keep the track of your body along with what exactly you feel during the time, about your baby. You can go on referring the pregnancy calendar, which will help you to known the things in detail and to experience the precious life that is surviving inside you.

The weekly pregnancy calendar explains you everything about the development of your baby throughout the period. In general, it helps you to know the growth your baby is experiencing at every pregnancy week. When you become pregnant, the first pregnancy stage brings many changes inside you and your health. At the first trimester pregnancy symptoms, you will experience certain changes that include difference in the breasts, nausea, exhaustion, and you may even rush again and again to bathroom. The first trimester of pregnancy will also let you experience the heartbeat of your child inside you, with the movement of its limbs.

During the pregnancy 7 weeks that is at the second month, your baby will get a face and its vital organs will start developing. Just to ensure that everything is on track and is going well, you need to make sure that you are maintaining a healthy pregnancy diet as well as exercises. When the second trimester arrives, the baby inside starts growing further and until the end of pregnancy week 16, the child gets a strong heartbeat and grows fine body hair. The moment you enters the third trimester pregnancy stage, you will have to understand the lessons of childbirth as well as breastfeeding. Until pregnancy week 35, you and your baby will be completely ready for the pregnancy due date. For this, you need to be familiar as well as ready with the pregnancy calculator.

Following the pregnancy stages week by week is an exciting job. All you need is to manage everything properly and consciously. It is very important to keep yourself fit and healthy, as whatever you do and eat is directly linked to your baby at this stage. Pregnancy stages goes on developing the child inside you and at last giving you a complete set of gift that comes to your life with bulk of happiness and joy. So just chill out and enjoy the time!

The Stages Of Pregnancy Unfold In Forty Fascinating Weeks

The miracle of pregnancy fascinates every woman that conceives. Within the first trimester, weeks 1 to 12, many changes take place to both mom and embryo. The first real developments take place in week 3 and this is where the individual life really starts to take shape.

Both sperm and egg meet to begin the development of the zygote. The DNA structures that will decide boy or girl, eye color, height, facial features, and much more. Those 23 chromosomes from each parent that you hear about, are being turned into the beginnings of a unique individual. At only the size of a raspberry, a storm of cells are dividing and turning into something truly spectacular, as the zygote makes its way down the fallopian tube.

In weeks 4, 5 and 6, the zygote becomes known as a blastocyst and burrows itself in the uterine wall. It forms a placenta to protect and nourish it throughout the rest of the pregnancy and becomes an embryo. In these three weeks, all the basic humanoid things are beginning to develop. The central nervous system, peripheral system, outer skin, eyes, heart, brain and major organs begin to form.

During the 7th week of pregnancy, features of the face such as tiny nostrils, lenses of the eye and ear canals take shape. Small buds resembling paddles will form arms and legs, and by week 8 the embryo is now beginning to look more like a baby. Arms and legs get longer, the spine straightens, and gender identity is showing the first signs of development. In males the testicles will form and in females the ovaries begin to grow.

The magic gets even more fascinating in weeks 9 to 12 as toes and fingers become more evident and the fetus gains control of muscle movements. It can close its eyelids and external genatalia are present but still not yet identifiable. It can yawn and begin sucking movements. The fetus can also produce urine during this stage.

The second trimester, weeks 13-27, marks another exciting stage of development. At the beginning of week 13 from crown to rump, the fetus is about 3 ½ inches in length. The intestines and kidneys are developed. By week 14, the fetus can bring its hand to its mouth to suck its thumb.

More motor skills such as frowning, smiling and blinking are mastered by week 18. Fingernails and toenails have formed and the sex of the baby is now visible via ultrasound. One can also see tiny fingerprints during this time, cartilage is replaced by bone. The fetus has developed regular sleeping patterns and is capable of feeling pain.

In week 19, the baby can clearly distinguish mom’s voice and respond to it. The uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes have almost fully developed in girls. At week 20, mom is able to feel the first tiny flutters of movements. Vernix caseosa, which is a greasy substance, is covering your baby’s skin to protect it.

Facial hair starts to grow in weeks 21 to 24, including eyebrows, hair on the head, and sometimes down the back. For boys, the testes should be almost fully formed. In the next three weeks, 25 to 27, your baby will begin to entertain itself exploring the realms of the uterus. You will begin to feel flips, turns, and sometimes pushing as it floats around in the amniotic sac.

The baby now measures about 11 to 15 inches from crown of head to bottom of foot in length. Lungs, liver, and immune system continue to reach maturity and footprints also develop completely. The third trimester marks weeks 28 to 40. Your baby will now have fully developed lungs and could breathe air.

The brain has reached peak development to support neurological responses like body temperature regulation and breathing. This stage is also when mom develops more than the baby. Backaches, heartburn, swelling, shortness of breath, spiderveins, breasts leaking milk, pain or tenderness in the breasts are all common in the third trimester. Within the last two to three weeks, the baby, weighing an average of 7 or 8 pounds, positions itself for birth. And then the miracle of birth happens and a brand new person enters the world.

The Stages Of Pregnancy – An Amazing Journey

The nine months of pregnancy are a miraculous event. During this relatively short time, your baby goes from a fertilized egg to a fully formed newborn. The changes that take place over these nine months are astounding. By the end of the first month, the tiny heart has formed and is beating. The major organs and systems of the body have developed by the end of the first trimester.

This is a critical time in your baby’s development. It’s important that you take good care of yourself during this time. Eat nutritious foods and drink plenty of fluids. Take any vitamins or extra iron recommended by your health care provider. Avoid any substances which can harm the baby. These include smoke, alcohol and drugs. Don’t take any medication without your doctor’s approval.

The [tag-tec]baby[/tag-tec] continues to change rapidly during the second trimester. You will get to hear his heartbeat and see him on the [tag-ice]ultrasound[/tag-ice]. By this time, the gender can be seen clearly in many cases. Your baby is a fully formed little one at the end of this trimester. The lungs are the last organ to develop enough to sustain life outside the womb. During the third trimester, the lungs finish developing. Your baby puts on weight and body fat steadily through this trimester.

Your body will go through many changes over the course of your [tag-cat]pregnancy[/tag-cat] as well. In the early months, you may experience discomfort from morning sickness. This is a common symptom and is usually not serious. Learn some methods of dealing with this, such as getting up slowly in the morning, eating crackers before you get up or wearing wrist bands made for sea sickness. Preggie pops are lollipops that are sold to ease the symptoms of morning sickness.

The first trimester is a time of rapidly changing hormones in your body. This change causes fatigue in most women. Be sure to get enough rest. You will find you need more sleep than before you got pregnant. The best way to deal with fatigue is to get more sleep. Go to bed earlier at night. If possible, take a nap during the day.

Most women feel their best during the second trimester. Morning sickness has gotten better for the majority of pregnant mothers. The fatigue you felt in the first trimester has improved as well. Pregnant women report feeling more energy and you will begin to feel pregnant. Some couples take a final vacation as a couple during this trimester. By the third trimester, you will be uncomfortable and won’t want to travel. As you get farther into the third trimester, travel will be restricted.

The third trimester brings more discomfort. The baby is putting on weight at a rapid rate. Toward the end of this trimester, the baby is gaining a half a pound in body weight every week. This increased weight leads to several discomforts. The baby is pushing up on your stomach and lungs. This makes breathing difficult and you may be short of breath. The pressure of the baby on the stomach causes heartburn and indigestion.

The uterus is getting very crowded now and your baby is also pushing down. This can cause a variety of problems such as hemorrhoids, constipation and the need to urinate frequently. You may feel pressure low in the abdomen as the baby moves down into position for birth. When this happens, you will find that the shortness of breath improves. This is called lightening, but don’t count on going into labor right away. This can happen weeks before the baby arrives.

At the end of the third trimester, it’s time for the big day. You will finally get to meet your new baby. As the day approaches, you will feel excited. It’s normal to feel anxious and nervous as well. Continue to read, practice breathing exercises and prepare for the delivery. Soon you will be holding your precious bundle and the discomforts of the past nine months will be a memory.

Copyright 2007 More4kids Inc.

Stages During Pregnancy

During pregnancy a woman’s body suffers many changes. From the conception to birth her body undertakes the processes of fertilization, implantation and growth of the baby or sometimes even babies. The child is growing in her body getting to develop in there for the next nine months after the conception. These 40 weeks of pregnancy may lead to new physical sensations for each woman. It is known that each woman body reacts different to each individual pregnancy whether it is the first, the second, third or more pregnancy.

The first trimester of pregnancy that it is considered to be the first 12 weeks leads to a woman’s body changes. These changes consist of providing a nurturing and protective environment for the baby to grow and develop. Depending on each case these changes can be subtle or can be pretty obvious. Many women do not realize they are pregnant until their menstrual period gets a few weeks overdue. Some of the women just know they are pregnant before missing a period because they feel strange and suspect something is different or in change.

Sometimes the first signs of pregnancy make a woman feel confused. This thing is realized because of the first symptoms in pregnancy that are similar to the pre-menstrual symptoms such as swollen breasts, feeling tired or possible cramping or pelvic discomfort.

There are known cases of women that will not have periods until their baby is partially or fully weaned of the breast, perhaps 6 to 12 months and sometimes even more. Even so it is possible for a woman to be fertile in about 8 weeks after giving birth. So breastfeeding, as a form of contraception tends to be reliable for about 30 % of the women, especially after the child is 3 to 4 months old. A subsequent baby could mean for a mother a very exhausting period and more then that a greater sensitivity for the nipples, especially when the child lathes and suckles at the breasts. These women are also prone to feel nauseated or sick especially in the mornings. Their milk begins to taste more salted then before which may cause a refusal of breastfeeding from the child.

It is a normal fact for women to ask questions about pregnancy. They usually feel unsecure and wonder what is normal during pregnancy. They concern about their health even if they experience the typical pregnancy problems or not. In some cases women do not realize that they are pregnant before a pregnancy test because the changes night not be always so obvious.

For more inforamtion about ectopic pregnancy please visit teenage pregnancy or http://www.pregnancy-1st-guide.com/

Related Stages Of Pregnancy Articles