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If you think you might be pregnant, there are actually many signs of pregnancy that occur even before you miss your period. Some of these may be completely normal and may not mean you are pregnant, however if you experience several of them at once, then the odds are you may be pregnant.

Perhaps one of the most common signs of pregnancy is tender, swollen breasts. If your breasts feel a little more tender than usual, and are even a little painful, you might be pregnant. Fatigue that is more severe than normal is another sign. If you get home and find that you simply want to lie down and sleep and you feel tired even after a good night’s rest, you might be pregnant. If you begin to feel cramps similar to menstrual cramps but your period never comes, this is another one of the signs of pregnancy. The cramps are usually mild but noticeable, and can sometimes be coupled with just a little spotty bleeding as well. If you are pregnant and experience more than a day or two of even very light bleeding, contact your doctor immediately as you could be at risk for a miscarriage.

Morning sickness usually happens in the first trimester, but sometimes the early signs of pregnancy also include some vomiting or nausea. In most cases, this early sign does not include the vomiting. Some other signs of pregnancy include headaches and dizziness, mood swings, constipation, and even strange food cravings. Of course it is important to keep in mind that not all of these things are indicative of pregnancy. These could simply mean that your period is about to start, or that you are becoming sick. Listen to your body and pay close attention to the small changes that you notice. If your period is late and these symptoms are not subsiding, it may be best to talk to your doctor and have him or her run a clinical pregnancy test so that you can be absolutely positive.

There are very few women who go through most or an entire pregnancy without realizing they are pregnant. Some telling signs of being pregnant are usually hard to miss, especially with those women who are in tune with their bodies.

If you become pregnant right after a period, chances are you won’t suspect a thing for several weeks or even longer as some women still have spotting, even after becoming newly pregnant. Therefore, some recognizable signs of being pregnant might help swing he possibility your way so that you can get confirmation from a doctor.

Perhaps one of the first signs of being pregnant are tender, sensitive breasts. Many women who sleep on their sides or bellies all of the sudden could not do so because of the pain in their breasts. Even wearing a bra could be painful. In addition, the nipple area becomes darker as your hormones change.

Sensitivity to food and smells are both telling signs of being pregnant. Some women’s appetite dramatically increases while others may start craving things that they normally would not eat. In addition, some ladies experience nausea or dizziness at certain smells that normally would be pleasing to them like frying bacon or brewing coffee, just to name a few.

Cramping and urination are additional signs of being pregnant. When the embryo is implanting, this can cause cramping, which can be worrisome, especially if it is an off-menstruation time. Going to the bathroom a lot is perhaps one of the most known signs of being pregnant.

Two more signs of being pregnant include fatigue and mood swings. Let’s face it – having a baby tends to make your hormones get thrown out of whack which affects moods. In addition, you have a new life form that will be sapping all your extra energy so that it can grow leaving you tired and in need of a nap.

Each woman is different and will probably exhibit signs of being pregnant that are totally unique to her. However, the signs listed above are some of the most predictably commons ones that many women experience.

The shaken baby syndrome or the shaken impact syndrome refers to a drastic kind of abuse that is inflicted on a child. When an angry parent shakes a baby vehemently, the baby unfortunately may develop this kind of syndrome.

Know About The Shaken Baby Syndrome
When you become a parent, you should know how to handle your baby. Babies have a delicate structure; they need to be handled very tenderly and lovingly. Some unfortunate babies have parents shaking them vigorously for a minor reason like crying continuously.

Babies have weak and fragile neck muscles that are unable to provide support to the head. The violent shaking of the baby makes the head move back and forth severely. This usually results in serious and even fatal brain injury. During shaking, if the baby’s head hits a surface the problem is aggravated.

The Trauma
If the head of the baby hits a hard surface, the baby can develop subdural hematoma in which blood is accumulated between the dura (the fibrous outer membrane around the brain) and the surface of the brain. This is a direct outcome of the veins (connecting the brain to the dura) being stretched beyond its elasticity.

When the brain strikes the inner surface of the skull, the harm is inflicted on the brain substance itself. God forbid, if a child stops breathing during shaking, due to the lack of oxygen, irreversible damage can be caused to the brain.

The shaken baby syndrome can also lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage, which suggests bleeding between the brain and the aracnoid (web-like membrane filled with spinal fluid surrounding the brain).

Breakage of nerve cell branches (in the cortex and even in the deeper structures of the brain) can be caused by the vigorous shaking of the brain. When the injured nerve cells start releasing chemicals, it bars the brain from receiving oxygen resulting in further damage to the brain cells.

Apart from the brain-related injuries, the baby with the shaken baby syndrome may also suffer bone fractures, including limbs, collarbone and ribs. The baby has fair chances of suffering bruises all over the body too.

Shaken Baby Syndrome Symptoms
The babies within the age of 2 years stand chances of acquiring the shaken baby syndrome. The symptoms are essentially case-specific and keep changing for different babies. The symptoms usually appear soon after the shaking of the baby. The baby with the shaken baby syndrome may experience drowsiness with irritability, altered level of consciousness, decreased appetite, state of coma, seizures or convulsions; they develop dilated pupils that do not respond to light, breathing problems, vomiting, a posture with head bent backwards and back being arched, abnormally slow respiration, cardiac arrest and even death.

Word Of Advice For The Angry Parent…
If you are a parent and lose your temper very often, then you must vow to avoid the shaken baby syndrome under any circumstances. Firstly, learn to have a control over your rage and get it into your head that the baby must be dealt with affectionately and softness every time. If you find the crying of your baby unbearable, then leave the baby alone or call a trusted caregiver who can handle the baby well, but for God’s sake do not abuse the baby.

For women who are pregnant and are anticipating the birth of their first babies, the last trimester can be a difficult and challenging time. The whole idea giving birth may seem vague to the women as her physical symptoms become all the more tangible and feeling “in the dark” about such an important event may create worries and nerves. Few women, even mothers, actually witness a birth, and many women who give birth do not see what is going on through a mirror. There are many birthing videos nowadays that make it possible to see a women giving birth, or a woman can simply attend the labor of a close friend if she wants to see what is happening with a labor.

While the number of people allowed into the birthing room is usually confined to a strict minimum, if you have a friend who is home birthing, she is not subject to hospital restrictions and might be willing to have you observe, especially since you are about to give birth yourself. To see a women giving birth can be a miraculous experience, but at the same time, there may be moments of worry or concern. It is best not to plan to attend a high risk birth so you don’t have to witness certain procedures you would rather not see which would weaken your morale. Try to find a woman who has had experience giving birth and has nor reason to suspect that this birth might pose problems.

If it is difficult to arrange to see a women giving birth live, you can choose from a large selection of birth videos. Perhaps a friend who has a birth video will be willing to watch hers with you and discuss the experience with the benefit of hindsight. It is a good idea to see a women giving birth who is a friend and can explain what is going on.

If you are pregnant and plan on having a baby, most likely you will have a traditional, vaginal birth which is also often referred to as pushing birth. This method of childbirth involves the mother “pushing” the baby out. Many mothers take educational classes that help them learn breathing techniques and methods to help make the big day a little bit easier. There are many different positions that can be used during a pushing birth, and which one you choose is really up to you. Many women round their bodies into a “C” position and tuck their chins into their chests to help them get more leverage. Some women actually prefer to squat or kneel, at least during the first stages of labor. It’s a good idea to practice some different positions before the big day so that you can decide which method will be the most comfortable and effective for you.

Aside from the various positions involved in pushing birth, breathing methods are also very important. Deep, slow, cleansing breaths are preferred, although it’s often difficult to focus on this when you are actually in labor. A lot of intense practice is really the best way to develop your own individualized breathing methods that you can actually put into action on the day your baby is born. Taking a class with other new moms is a wonderful way to get support. A lot of emotions are involved in pushing birth, and you may feel almost all of them, from happiness to sadness, but this is completely normal. Usually women feel this way during their months of pregnancy, and all of the emotions have built up until the big day. When you experience the miracle of pushing birth, you will understand that it’s all worth it once you see your newborn being brought into this world.

If you have ever been pregnant, you know that it can be a very busy time and sometimes a very stressful time as well. If a woman in your life is going to have a baby, there are some excellent gift ideas out there that are just perfect for pregnant women. Perhaps some of these ideas may be overlooked and not thought about for when who are with child. A gift certificate to the spa is a great choice for pregnant women. They need a relaxing day with a massage every once in a while to melt away the tension, and it gives them a break from the hectic preparation of motherhood. Another less expensive but equally thoughtful gift you can give pregnant women is making them dinner. Maybe the new mother to be already has children, and cooking can become a pain for a whole family when you’re pregnant. Making a nice dish for the family and bringing it over is a great gift.

Another great idea for gifts for pregnant women is a pregnancy scrapbook. Supply your friend or family member with some cute scrap-booking supplies so she can make her own personalized scrapbook and get ready for the big day by making pages to commemorate each major milestone. This is a fun way for her to remember the days going by, and a great way to keep a nice treasure chest of memories before the baby is born. Another great gift idea is to make a little basket of things that she would love or need like bath items, a good book, or other little things to make her feel special and loved. Pregnant women are dealing with a lot, and giving them a gift to show that you are excited for them about the birth of their new baby will really mean a great deal.

In today’s busy world, everyone is finding it more difficult to eat properly. This can be a crisis for a pregnant woman, since she is still equally busy in most cases but also has to watch what she is eating. Luckily, there are some ideas that are fast and simple, not to mention healthy. Raisins are a great snack for the pregnant woman on the go. They contain loads of protein and iron, and are very easy to carry around and eat whenever you feel hungry. Another great healthy snack idea is ready to eat fruit bowls. You can buy these already made or you can make your own by packing small re-sealable containers full of fresh fruit and eat them throughout the day as you get hungry. Trail mix is another wonderful filling food for the pregnant woman on the go. You can make your own by combining various nuts, shredded wheat cereals, sunflower seeds, and other good for you items. Just be sure to try and avoid adding any sugary snacks to your trail mix.

Calcium is definitely essential for any pregnant woman not only while she is carrying her baby, but throughout here life. String cheese is an excellent, compact way to carry calcium rich foods with you. Small, single serve cottage cheese bowls are another great idea. Fiber is another important part of the diet as a pregnant woman. Try bringing small, single serve boxes of whole wheat and grain cereals, or low or no sugar oatmeal. These contain many essential minerals and vitamins that both you and your baby need. With so much to do and so little time these days, it’s important for pregnant women to be able to have access to healthy food that they can eat in a hurry without compromising nutrition.

Many couples find it fun and exciting to find out they are pregnant. However, if you find out that you are pregnant with twins you may find yourself overwhelmed and wondering how you will ever deal with handling two babies at one time. Although some couples are anxious and other couples are overjoyed about twins, the fact is that there are going to be some trying times, both in the pregnancy and after the babies are born. Instead of worrying, you’ll be better off to learn all you can about carrying and raising twins, once you find out that you are pregnant with twins.

While you may not notice any differences in your pregnancy right away, there are a variety of signs that are there and that will become more prominent as the weeks go by. If you are pregnant with twins, you may find yourself dealing with morning sickness that is worse than when being pregnant with only one baby. Also, many women find that they start gaining weight faster as well, which tends to clue them in that they may be pregnant with more than one baby. Blood tests may also provide some telltale signs of a twin pregnancy as well.

If you are pregnant with twins, there are going to be a few risks that you’ll need to be aware of. One of the most common risks is that of early delivery. Many women who are having twins actually go into labor earlier. Also, preeclampsia, which is basically high blood pressure, can be a pretty big health risk when you are pregnant with twins as well. The most important thing that you can do is to make sure you take care of yourself. You should also be sure that you have regular visits with your doctor to make sure that everything is going okay as well.

It can be earth shattering when you find out that your teenager is pregnant. But you’re not alone (for one thing, think what your teen may be experiencing!) Many other families have gone through this as well; however, when you are facing it, it can seem like there is no end. Parenting pregnant teenagers can be a challenge; however, if you keep perspective and show your child love, you can help your daughter and preserve your relationship. The following are a few great tips for parenting pregnant teenagers.

Tip #1 – Provide Emotional Support – One very important tip to remember when dealing with pregnant teenagers is to provide them with emotional support. This is not the time to berate your daughter or give her a hard time over her pregnancy. She is already pregnant, so now it is time to move on and help her out. Being pregnant as a teenager is emotionally difficult, so give your daughter some emotional support.

Tip #2 – Make Sure She Eats Well – Your daughter is going to need to stay healthy while she is pregnant. Make sure that she eats well on a regular basis so that she stays strong and healthy during the pregnancy.

Tip #3 – Consider Going to Counseling – Dealing with pregnant teenagers isn’t going to be easy; in fact, you may need some outside help. Many families going through this situation have found that it is helpful to go to counseling as a family. This will help provide all of you with support and it will also help to keep the lines of communication open within the family too.

Tip #4 – Love Your Daughter – The most important tip you need to remember when dealing with pregnant teenagers is that they need love. Right now your daughter needs to know that you love her unconditionally. So, even though you are hurt and disappointed, be sure to show her the love that she needs to get her through this time. Remember, you are setting an example for her as a parent that soon she may follow.