Your Pregnancy

Alice Campbell asked:

Some women are surprised when they hear about being pregnant while others are looking forward to it. Those who weren’t planning a pregnancy are frequently scared, not knowing what to expect and how to behave during pregnancy while those who were looking forward to it do their best to find out everything they need to know. However, pregnancy preparing will help you ensure that your baby will be as healthy as possible.

Although pregnancies usually last nine months, pregnancy support will offer your baby a healthy start in life and it will prepare you for what will come. Thus, pregnancy care is necessary in order to prepare your body and specialists will offer you the necessary advice in order to eat nutritiously, to cut out alcohol and to begin an exercise program. All these things are essential in order maintain your pregnancy health and what is more important, a healthy baby.

All pregnancy support programs will tell you that you need to exercise regularly, cut out medications during pregnancy, get your weight under control, decide who will deliver your baby and verify your insurance coverage for pregnancy. Furthermore, eating healthy during your pregnancy is essential, not only for your baby but also for yourself. Don’t forget that your body will need more vitamins than before and your doctor might prescribe you vitamin supplements.

Luckily for mothers all over the world, nowadays there are many pregnancy care centers that make available specialists who can guide you every step of the way. Furthermore, online sites will provide you with useful information related to pregnancy health issues, in the comfort of your home. Thus, you can learn about the importance of being hydrated all the time so that your baby develops in a healthy way. All pregnant ladies are advised to learn as much as they can about child care and pregnancy, in order to meet the necessary requirements.

Most pregnancy care sites advise you to stay healthy and listen to your doctor during the pregnancy, since the life of your baby is at stake. Women must understand that in order to give birth to healthy babies they must be physically and mentally healthy. Other pregnancy tips mention the regular check-ups one must have so that the pregnancy is monitored all the time. Furthermore, your doctor will check your blood pressure and your weight, to avoid any possible problems.

You must be aware of the fact that you need all the help you can get if you want to have a beautiful, healthy baby. Help throughout the pregnancy is vital because it will provide you all the information you need regarding pregnancy health. Pregnancy information will help you understand that pregnancy is not only about physical changes but also about emotional ones. Although most women enjoy their pregnancy, there are moments when they will be stressed because they don’t know if their relationship is strong enough for a baby, that they will get fat, that they don’t have any maternal abilities and so on.

The important thing for all of you is to have someone by your side who will offer you the support you need, be it husband, friend, parents or a pregnancy care center. Although it would be ideal to be surrounded by all the people you love during your pregnancy, receiving comfort and support from the baby’s father, the cruel reality is that nowadays there are many single pregnant women and they deserve all the help they can get.

Kelly Nault-Matzen asked:

On the eve of my baby’s due date, I am unable to sleep. With baby moving in my belly, Braxton Hicks contractions spontaneously occurring (that often render me helpless, like a beetle on it’s back waving its legs), and the enormous pressure in my pelvis that whisks me off to the toilet only to expel an unimpressive thimble full of pee every 15 minutes…I reflect upon the following 10 best parenting advice and pregnancy resources I received.

Pregnancy Tip 1:

Learn to love your belly: Strangers on the street exclaimed, “Wow! Are you big! Must be any day now,” when I was a mere four months pregnant. After months of experiencing a pang of panic each time I caught a glimpse of my reflection, I finally came to love my belly in a pregnancy photo shoot my girlfriend gave to me. The photographer was so supportive that I finally began to see myself how others did—a beautiful pregnant woman.

Pregnancy Tip 2:

Beg and borrow maternity clothes: No matter how ugly and how huge some of the maternity pieces seem, accept them all. You truly don’t know how big you may get and how comfortable those hideous panels might be later on. Put away your pre-pregnancy clothes once you grow out of them so you aren’t constantly grieving the loss of your old wardrobe.

Pregnancy Tip 3:

Let go of your due date: Did you know only 4% of babies are born on their actual due date? Who knew! Once I found out that it is perfectly normal for a baby to arrive anytime between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, I let go of my due date altogether and followed the scout motto of “be prepared” (at any time during that five week window).

Pregnancy Tip 4:

Learn to enjoy your admiring public: Yes, strangers will sometimes see your belly as public property and dish out a host of comments and advice. My husband helped me to start having fun with this new celebrity status. For instance after being annoyed by comments such as, “Looks like your due any time now!” my husband suggested I say things like, “Yup, any minute now!” or even joke, “Can you believe I’m not due for another 8 months?!” The fact of the matter is most people actually mean well—this milestone in your life brings up fond memories for them.

Pregnancy Tip 5:

Find a health care practitioner you love: The ups and downs of your pregnancy require special support and pregnancy resources. Find someone who welcomes your questions, puts your fears to rest and supports you in having the best pregnancy and delivery you can. For me I found this support in my midwives who gave me one hour session and even made house calls. Plus, once I found out my midwives’ statistics on c-sections, forceps use and episiotomies I was hooked! Other friends hired a doula (birth coach), or had a doctor they loved, and were thrilled with the care they received.

Pregnancy Tip 6:

Listen and learn to trust your body: Surrendering to my cravings (turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and chocolate ice cream), the need of extra sleep (sometimes I would simply sit down to rest and suddenly wake up two hours later!) and being gentle with myself was what got me through.

Also, reading parenting books like The Girlfriends Guide… (for the humor and practicality), to fabulous hardcore midwifery books like Ina May’s Guide To Pregnancy (my favorite) helped me to learn to trust my body more than ever before. These books (another good one was Birthing From Within) helped to dissolve many of my fears, as I learned things like no matter how big your baby is, babies heads are mostly around the same size, and are designed by nature to make the journey through the birth canal.

Pregnancy Tip 7:

Find other pregnant women and hang out with them: My pre-natal exercise class is a real pregnancy resource blessing. Not only am I getting fit but I found a sense of belonging, where I could really let my belly hang out with the best of them. Whenever I began to pity myself (like on an especially nauseous day) I would find another pregnant woman who was going through a tougher situation (like kidney stones or painful hemorrhoids!), or a real trouper in class would say something that lifted my spirits. Plus, by finding other pregnant women I saved my non-pregnant friends the hassle of listening to me share every play-by-play experience of my pregnancy—which likely saved a few of my friendships.

Pregnancy Tip 8:

Spend money only on the baby things that will make a real difference to you and borrow or buy the rest second-hand: Babies don’t care about paint chips and décor, only about being close to the milk source—you! The fact they will rapidly grow out of any and all clothes helped put my priorities in order. So we splurged on the things that mattered to me: the stroller (as I am a huge walker), a safe car seat (for obvious reasons) and a rocker/glider (once I realized that I could be feeding up to twelve hours a day for the first six weeks).

The rest we either borrowed or bought second–hand, and we saved a mint! By getting so many great deals from places like eBay, and going to local ‘mothers of multiples’ sales I saved enough to put away for extra cleaning hours, and a special service to bring meals in during the first three months of our child’s life.

Pregnancy Tip 9:

‘Morning sickness’ can happen at anytime!: Morning sickness can happen at any hour of the day, all day or not at all. Fortunately not often, it can even creep into the second or third trimester like it did with me.

Pregnancy Tip 10:

Everyone’s experience of pregnancy is different, so take what is useful and ignore the rest: So many experiences and so many people dishing out advice. What I have observed is that pregnancy for the most part is the great equalizer—if you don’t get something on one end you’ll likely get something on the other. Fortunately, whatever our pregnancy experience may be, the majority of us end up with a little bundle of joy that makes the journey worth all the effort.

I am off to bed now to join my sleeping husband and my five pillows that prop up my bountiful belly, my buxom boobs and weary head. As I go off to sleep, I go with gratitude in my heart, knowing that soon we will be welcoming a beautiful new addition into our little family. This truly is the greatest parenting miracle of all.

Bhawani Amit asked:

It may be a horrifying experience to endure during pregnancy because it may pose a serious risk to the mother and child. There is a huge variety of causes that may cause bleeding during pregnancy and all of them may not pose a serious risk to the mother or baby. It’s imperative to consult the doctor in any case of bleeding during pregnancy of any amount.

Vaginal bleeding is rather common during the initial 12 weeks (first trimester) of pregnancy. While vaginal bleeding during this period does not necessarily mean a miscarriage but any sort of bleeding should be reported to the doctor as maximum miscarriages occur in the first trimester of pregnancy. About 50 percent pregnant women experiencing vaginal bleeding in this phase will not have a miscarriage.

If anything resembling foetal tissue is passed, it should be ensured that a doctor is consulted immediately.

Miscarriage maybe considered a natural process which deals with abnormalities even though a miscarriage is not avoidable. It has never been proved if exercise and sex can cause miscarriage. As a matter of fact regular exercise ensures that when a woman finally goes into labour, the woman is at ease if the exercise is carried out continuously during the pregnancy. It should always be checked with your doctor before one takes on any exercise program.

Ectopic pregnancy is another major cause of bleeding. This happens when the fertilized egg gets implanted in one of the fallopian tubes. This is referred to as a “tubal pregnancy.” Ectopic pregnancy takes place in about 1 in 60 pregnancies and is therefore much less common than a miscarriage.

Molar pregnancy is another extremely rare cause leading to vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy. This occurs when abnormal tissue instead of the embryo grows. While this may be referred to as a mole but is commonly known as gestational trophoblastic disease or GTD.

Cervical growth or an inflamed cervix often results in vaginal bleeding during late pregnancy. This is a serious risk to the mother or the baby and should follow immediate hospitalization. A problem with the placenta is often the cause of heavy vaginal bleeding during later phase of pregnancy. Placenta previa and placental abruption are two most common problems indicated by this.

If the placenta is lying low, it may cover all or some of the cervix and this affects approximately one in two hundred pregnancies. A lot of women experience placenta previa during early pregnancy, it moves before labour occurs in most cases. A cesarean section is scheduled if a women still has placenta previa even in the last weeks of pregnancy. If before labour occurs, placenta previa is present and not diagnosed then there is a serious risk for both the mother and the babyputting both at a risk of death in this situation. During late pregnancy, vaginal bleeding during the initaial sign of placenta previa.

The detachment of the placenta from the wall of the uterus during labour or even before is referred to as placental abruption. Mostly placental abruption happens during the pregnancy’s last trimester. Weather vaginal bleeding occurs or not, mostly women will at least experience pain in the stomach. This complication occurs in one percent of pregnancies.

Paul Banas asked:

The process of becoming a mother involves a certain amount of psychological strain for a pregnant woman. In fact, for some women, childbirth can be as traumatic as life-threatening events such as a natural disaster or a war. During pregnancy, it is important for the to-be mother’s family members and close ones to support her as required.

During childbirth, women are likely to experience a range of emotions, which may include:

• Guilt

• Anxiety and fear that can manifest as intense flashbacks and nightmares

• Helplessness or a feeling of loss of control or feeling incomplete

• Severe depression

• Anger, irritability

• Obsessive talking about their traumatic experiences

• Ambivalent feelings toward the baby

• Hyper-vigilance and hyper-sensitivity to any perceived injustice

• Other symptoms such as drug and alcohol abuse, phobias, fainting spells, eating disorders, suicidal tendencies

• It should be noted that such responses are natural reactions to a scary event, and are not signs of weakness. However, husbands can provide the necessary support to enable their spouses to cope with birth trauma.

During and before childbirth

• Medical care – Ensure that your spouse gets all the medical care she requires. Inform her about the available choices. Involve her in the decision-making process.

• Pain relief – Women experience intense physical and mental pain during childbirth. Use tried and tested techniques that aim to reduce this pain. For example, massages, baths, relaxation techniques may help.

• Emotional support – Often, women complain that people around them dismiss their problems. Sometimes, simply listening to your spouse may act as a solution. Remember that your spouse requires all the emotional support you can give her.

• Additional support – Counseling, antenatal classes, support organizations for birth trauma, etc. can really help.

After childbirth

• Providing care – After childbirth, adequate nutrition, exercise are necessary to ensure that your spouse is healthy.

• Sharing responsibility – Taking care of the newborn can be a difficult and tiring task. For some women, the child can be a reminder of their traumatic experiences. Your spouse needs some time away from her baby. Ensure that you or responsible family members are available to take care of the baby for at least some time.

• Counseling – Contact a health professional immediately if your spouse develops symptoms of a traumatic birth.

Pregnancy can be a challenging phase for your spouse. Maintaining a healthy posture will help her keep many problems away. Sometimes being a dad takes a little wise perspective…… You can exchange advice, tricks, tips, and solutions to common dad problems here.

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:

There are many types of pregnancy symptoms in women. Urine pregnancy symptoms tests can be inexpensively purchased over the counter for home use, with a variety of brands to choose from. Blood serum tests can be obtained at clinics and outpatient facilities for a much higher fee, and are usually not required unless for pregnancy confirmation or other diagnostic indication. There are many factors involved in determining the accuracy of the test, such as urine versus blood, sensitivity of the individual test, amount of time since last ovulation, and level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) present in the urine or blood at the time of test.

After conception the fertilized egg, or embryo, travels down through the Fallopian tube into the uterus where it implants into the lush uterine lining. This process takes approximately a week, and it is not until this time that HCG is detectable. The earliest a urine pregnancy symptoms test can detect hCG is ten days after embryo implantation, and often times it may take longer, because every woman and every pregnancy is unique. Human chorionic gonadotropin is not always produced at the same levels, and as discussed earlier, the sensitivity of pregnancy tests varies. A blood serum pregnancy symptoms test can detect even small amounts of hCG that are not yet present in the urine. A woman may not ovulate on the average fourteenth day, so she may not ovulate until possibly a week later, which would delay the time that hCG would appear in the urine.

Urine pregnancy symptoms tests are accurate and reliable, as well as affordable. However, if it is too early, the pregnancy will not be detected, requiring a repeat pregnancy symptoms test. Some manufacturers sell multiple unit packages, in the event no hCG is present in the urine, a second test can be performed a few days later for confirmation. Urine pregnancy symptoms tests are widely available, inexpensive, and give immediate results. They can be purchased in grocery stores, discount retail outlets, pharmacies, and of course on the internet. Prices range from approximately $ .50 – $ 7.00, depending on where the test is purchased. Internet prices offer an even greater discount, especially when larger quantities are purchased.

A positive result on a urine pregnancy symptoms test should be confirmed with a serum blood level if there is any question. Urine pregnancy symptoms tests are not fool-proof and there is always a slight margin of error present. A positive result does also not guarantee that the pregnancy is progressing normally either. If an ectopic pregnancy (outside of the uterus) is present, hCG levels will still be present, but will decline as the fetus fails to grow. If this is the case, surgery would be required to remove the pregnancy before complications arise. This is why it is so imperative that soon after a positive result, a pregnant woman should consult an obstetrician or family health care provider to confirm conception and delivery dates, and to begin regular prenatal care. A positive pregnancy symptoms test is only the beginning, whether wanted or unwanted, it will set off a significant chain of life events.

Paul Banas asked:

Almost everyone expects pregnancy to bring an expanding waistline. Many women, however, are surprised by the other body changes that pop-up. Get the low-down on stretch marks, weight gain, heartburn and other “joys” of pregnancy. Find out what you can do to make your spouse feel better.

Aches, pains, and backaches

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs often appear as your spouse’s uterus expands. Many women also known for backaches & aching near the pelvic bone due the pressure of the baby’s head, increased weight and loosening joints.

To ease some of these aches and pains try:

• Getting her to lie down

• Getting her to Rest

• Applying heat

If your partner is worried or the pains do not get better, call the doctor.

Breast Changes

A woman’s breasts increase in size and fullness during pregnancy. As the due date approaches, hormone changes will cause your partner’s breasts to get even bigger in preparation for breastfeeding. Her breasts may feel full and heavy, and they might be tender or uncomfortable. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, in the third trimester, some pregnant women begin to leak colostrums from their breasts. Colostrums are the first milk that your breasts produce for the baby. It is a thick, yellowish fluid containing antibodies that protect newborns from infection. If leaking becomes embarrassing, suggest putting nursing pads inside her bra.

Try to these tips to stay comfortable:

• Make sure she wears a soft, comfortable maternity or nursing bra with extra support.

• Get her to wash her nipples with water instead of soap. Soap can dry and irritate nipples. If she has cracked nipples, use a heavy moisturizing cream that contains lanolin.

Dizziness

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, many pregnant women complain of dizziness and lightheadedness throughout their pregnancies. Fainting is rare but does happen even in some healthy pregnant women. There are many reasons for these symptoms. The growth of more blood vessels in early pregnancy, the pressure of the expanding uterus on blood vessels and the body’s increased need for food all can make a pregnant woman feel lightheaded and dizzy.

To make your spouse feel better follow these tips:

• Help her stand up slowly

• When she is feeling lightheaded, lay her down on her left side

• Make sure she avoids sitting or standing in one position for a long time

• Take care she eats healthy snacks or small meals frequently.

• Protect her from getting overheated.

Call your doctor as soon as possible if she faints. Dizziness or lightheadedness can be discussed at regular prenatal visits.

Hemorrhoids

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, up to 50% of pregnant women get hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen and bulging veins in the rectum. They can cause itching, pain and bleeding. Hemorrhoids are more common during pregnancy for many reasons. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins in the rectum. Plus, constipation can make hemorrhoids worse. Hemorrhoids usually improve after delivery.

Follow these tips to help your partner prevent and relieve hemorrhoids:

• Make sure she drinks lots of fluids

• Make sure she eats plenty of fiber-rich foods like whole grains, raw or cooked leafy green vegetables, and fruits

• Tell her to try not to strain for bowel movements

• Talk with your doctor before she starts taking any laxative

• Talk to your doctor about using witch hazel or ice packs to soothe her hemorrhoids.

Leg Cramps

At different times during your pregnancy, your spouse might have cramps in your legs or feet. They usually happen at night. This is due to a change in the way her body processes, or metabolizes, calcium.

Try these tips to help her prevent and ease leg cramps:

• Make sure she eats lots of low-fat calcium-rich foods

• Make sure she gets regular mild exercise, like walking

• Ask your doctor if she should be taking a prenatal vitamin containing calcium

• Gently stretch her muscle to relieve leg and foot cramps. If she has a sudden leg cramp, flex her foot towards her body

• Make sure she uses heating pads or warm, moist towels to help relax the muscles and ease leg and foot cramp.

Shortness of Breath

As the baby grows, your spouse’s expanding uterus will put pressure on all of her organs, including her lungs. You may notice that she is short of breath or might not be able to catch her breath.

Tips to ease breathing include:

• Tell her to take deep, long breaths

• Take care that she maintains good posture so her lungs have room to expand

• Get her to use an extra pillow and try to get her to sleep on her side to breathe easier at night.

Swelling

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, most women develop mild swelling in the face, hands, or ankles at some point in their pregnancies. As the due date approaches, swelling often becomes more noticeable. If she has rapid, significant weight gain or her hands or feet suddenly get very puffy, call your doctor as soon as possible. It could be a sign of high blood pressure called preeclampsia or toxemia.

To keep swelling to a minimum:

• Make sure she drinks 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluids (water is best) daily

• Get her to avoid caffeine

• Try to avoid very salty foods in her diet

• Make sure she rests when she can with her feet elevated

• Ask your doctor about using support hose.

Teeth and Gums Problems

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, a pregnant woman’s teeth and gums need special care. Pregnant women with gum disease are much more likely to have premature babies with low-birth weight. This may result from the transfer of bacteria in the mother’s mouth to the baby during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be a challenging phase for your spouse. Maintaining a healthy posture will help her keep many problems away. Sometimes being a dad takes a little wise perspective…… You can exchange advice, tricks, tips, and solutions to common dad problems here.

andrew.regan.2006@googlemail.com asked:

If you’re a new mum-to-be, you’d be forgiven for feeling bewildered at how your body is changing. And if you don’t know anyone who has been through the experience, you can feel quite isolated.

Fortunately the advent of the internet has meant that there are now a great number of resources available for pregnant women to make use of. Some women keep pregnancy blogs during the whole of their pregnancy, detailing every aspect of their experience – both good and bad. The easiest way to stay up to date with any blogs you like is to subscribe to them via RSS feeds. You may even like to start up your own blog.

Pregnancy discussion forums are another great way to get in touch with other women in your situation. The best feature of these is that you can post any questions you have, and you can usually request to receive an email whenever you receive a reply. Some women form online friendships through these types of forum, which can be found with the help of any good search engine.

These aren’t the only sources of pregnancy information online; there are other options you can choose from if you don’t want to wait to get answers to all those questions that have been on your mind.

Pregnancy chat rooms are a fantastic resource for many pregnant women, especially for stay at home mums-to-be who don’t come into contact with as many people on a daily basis as working mums. One big advantage of these is that they are open to use twenty four hours a day, so even if you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep because you don’t feel comfortable, you’ll no doubt find another mum somewhere in the world that is having the same problem.

Make sure you read the rules and adhere to the safety advice when using chat rooms however. Use a nickname and never divulge any personal contact details. So long as you are sensible you will be able to benefit from the opportunity to chat to other pregnant women, whatever time of day or night it is, and whatever stage of your pregnancy you are at.

Another source of information that can be accessed even when you’re not sitting at your computer can be found in the many pregnancy podcasts that are available. All you need to do is download them onto your MP3 player, and you can enjoy the latest news and advice whenever you need it.

The internet has played a large part in making sure no pregnant woman feels isolated. All you need to do is reach out and use what’s there.

Eva Moffat asked:

You are pregnant. There are going to be a lot of changes to your body and in your day-to-day life over the next nine months.

But now is the time when every woman that has ever been pregnant will be more than willing to give you advice. Some of this advice will be good – a lot more will be a little doubtful. Can you believe those old wives tales that are being bandied about?

Can You Really Predict Your Baby’s Sex?

There are several opinions about where and how the baby is lying. If you have a bulge that goes all the way round, you are definitely having a boy. And if the bulge is all at the front – it’s going to be a girl.

If you are carrying the baby high in the womb it’s obviously going to be a boy. The opposite means it’s a girl

How about using a pendulum over your tummy; if it goes round clockwise it’s a boy and anti clockwise it’s a girl.

Whatever you believe you’re going to be at the worst fifty percent right.

Do You Really Need To Eat for Two?

You will put on weight while you are pregnant; an average of thirty five pounds in all. Some old wives tales encourage you to eat more because you are eating for two, this is not necessary. Instead of worrying about how much you are eating, better to take note of what you are eating. And if you should be left with a few extra pounds once the baby is born – you will lose it again.

Is It Okay To Drink Alcohol While You Are Pregnant?

Some people believe that a little bit of wine can do no harm while you are pregnant, but you should bear in mind that when you drink alcohol it reaches the baby through your bloodstream. and as it is not known if your drinking alcohol affects the unborn child it may be better not to drink while carrying it.

If You Have Heartburn Are You Having A Monkey?

Some people do actually believe that if you have heartburn during pregnancy the baby will be born with a lot of hair. The majority of women have some heartburn during their pregnancy. But if the baby is born with a lot of hair it’s not because mum had heartburn.

Can Walking Make You Go Into Labour?

No walking cannot make you go into labour, but walking about during labour may make you feel more comfortable.

Should You Exercise While Pregnant?

If you are already in the habit of exercising, as long as it’s nothing too strenuous, check with your doctor if you can safely carry on while pregnant.

Drinking Lots of Milk While Being Pregnant Means You Will Produce Lots of Milk

Drinking lots of milk while pregnant is good for you and the unborn baby. It’s the Calcium in the milk that is great for the baby’s bones and teeth. But drinking lots of milk has nothing to do with how much milk you will produce once the baby has been born.

If You Crave Ice Cream Does It Mean You Need More Calcium?

Cravings for certain foods during pregnancy is normal but it’s not the body saying it needs something. Some women start eating coal, what does that mean? She’s hot stuff maybe.

Can Doing a Handstand After Lovemaking Help You To Conceive?

If you are having problems becoming pregnant, some people believe that doing a handstand after lovemaking will help you become pregnant, there is no truth in this. If you smoke – stop and also improve your diet – this may improve your chances of becoming pregnant.

No Need to Stop All Medication While Pregnant

As long as you know if the medication you are taking is safe for the baby, (your doctor can advise you) there is no need to stop taking them. Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements are good for you and the unborn baby.

In other words most Old Wives Tales can be quite safely ignored. If in doubt – find out.

Amber Lowery asked:

Is your period late and are you curious how early it is possible to get accurate results from a home pregnancy test? When you go to the drugstore, you will see many products that claim that you can get accurate results as early as the day your period becomes overdue. Learn exactly how true that is and what could happen if you take the test too soon.

When you go to the drugstore to get your home pregnancy test, you may notice a variety of kits that promise you accurate pregnancy test results when you are only a day late. The truth is that while your pregnancy can be detected by the test this early, it won’t be all the time.

You may take one of these otc pregnancy tests as soon as your period is late, however it may be too early and the test may give you a false negative result. It is considered best to wait at least a week after you miss your period to take an over the counter home pregnancy test.

Another way to increase the odds that you recieve the most accurate reading is to take the test when you wake up in the morning when your urine has been in your bladder for a longer time. The first urine of the morning has the highest concentration of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which is what most of todays home pregnancy tests look for.

Make sure to thoroughly read and follow the specific directions that accompany the pregnancy test. Each test is unique and some tests have specific things you must do.

Typically, taking a home pregnancy test is a piece of cake. Simply hold the device under your urine flow for several seconds. Next, you just wait a bit for the results. Take a look at the example that came with the test to know exactly what to look for and how to determine the results.

If you get a negative result and you still have not had your period after another couple of days, you can always try another test or call your OBgyn. Doctors offices use urine testing but may also do blood testing that is 100% accurate at determining that you are pregnant.