The First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Time of Caution

The first trimester is the most critical moment of pregnancy since the mother should take all necessary precautions to be able to ensure safe growth of the baby. During this time, developments of essential body parts happen that pregnant mothers should know what food to eat and what activities to take. Whatever changes that will take place during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy will be permanent. Whatever the beginning is will be carried throughout the end.

It may be said however that the early pregnancy stages should be treated with care, it does not mean that the next few weeks of being pregnant should not be considered essential too. The point of saying this is that the essentials of your baby’s growth like the placenta and the fingers and the vital organs happen to initiate during this term. There are a lot of good things that you could expect from the first trimester of your pregnancy. Knowing these expectations can give you track of what is going to happen and what will you to adapt to the event or change.

Here is an account of the week by week changes of your baby during the first few weeks of your pregnancy. For the week 1 of your pregnancy, the health care provider will count forty weeks from the first date of your last menstruation. This means that your pregnancy period kicked off even when you aren’t pregnant yet. The second week is the week of fertilization. This time the sperm and egg unite to create a zygote. The zygote then travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus.

Pregnancy stages include the third week as important part of the whole pregnancy when the zygote turns into a blastocyst and nourishes itself in the placenta. Moreover, the embryonic period begins at week 4. the baby’s heart and the circulatory system forms. At week five, your baby reaches the size of the tip of the pen. His can be very exciting since the mother can now hear the baby’s heart beating her. Week six marks the forming of the passageways like the mouth and the inner ear and the formation of the digestive and respiratory tracts. The pregnancy’s first trimester still continues with the appearance of the umbilical chord in the seventh week. The arms will look like a tiny paddle that indicates the baby’s movement. On week eight, The baby’s fingers and toes form. The baby is an inch long in the ninth week. Your baby’s head will be tucked down unto the chest as it looks half the size of the body.

Neurons multiply in week ten and it could be possible that baby’s sex can be apparent. Determining the gender of the baby is one of the highlights of pregnancy. Other mothers, however, will still have to wait for the next pregnancy stages because babies might not have positioned themselves to be easily seen by the practitioner. On the last part of the initial trimester, baby’s finger nails and toe nails appear.

Taking care of your baby all through out the pregnancy is a must for mothers who want to ensure the baby’s physical, mental and emotional stability.

The first trimester is the most critical moment of pregnancy since the mother should take all necessary precautions to ensure the safe growth and development of the baby. During this time your baby starts to develop critical body systems. To ensure their proper growth, pregnant mothers should know what foods to eat and what activities to avoid.

Information about the Author:

Know what happens to your baby during the first trimester of your pregnancy at Aha! Baby. You can also find articles explaining your baby’s developments for all pregnancy stages at Aha! Baby.

How is Gender Determined? The Answer You've Been Looking For.

The gender of an organism is determined before the moment of fertilization, when female and male gametes join and the zygote is formed. Gametes are haploid cells that contain half of a genetic set. Male gametes are called spermatozoan, while female gametes are called ovum, or eggs. Eggs can only contain an X chromosome, while sperm can contain either an X or Y. Whether an X or Y chromosome is carried by the sperm is a crucial part of determining the gender of the child.

How is Gender Determined? - Biology

It's impossible to tell the sex of a human child for the first ten weeks. Up to this point, the baby has the potential to become a male or female. Fetuses have basic female genitalia for several weeks after fertilization. At 12 weeks, the chemical differentiation occurs. If the Y chromosome isn't present, and the child has an XX chromosome pair, the mullerian ducts change into more pronounced female genitalia, triggered by a boost of estrogen.

If the infant has an XY chromosome pair, increased testosterone levels trigger the formation of wulffian ducts. These ducts become the male genitals. The clitoris changes into a penis, and the labia turns into a scrotum. This occurs between 16 and 20 weeks into the pregnancy.

In most cases, the presence of the Y chromosome decides the gender of the child. Occasionally, a female with an XY combination or a male with an XX combination occurs. This is due to increased levels of estrogen or testosterone respectively. Sexual development occurs normally, yet some fertility issues can occur in adulthood.

How is Gender Determined? - Cultural

Gender is determined by a myriad of factors, and boils down to how gender is actually defined. Biologically, gender is defined by the presence of certain reproductive organs. More correctly, gender is defined by attitudes, behaviors and roles, defined by the society of the individual. Gender is mostly a cultural product, resulting form interaction between the person and their society. Following this line of thought, gender is and can be entirely determined by the individual.

Gender reassignment surgery is becoming increasingly accessible. This breakthrough can successfully change the genitalia to that of the opposite sex. Petitioning a court and requesting a gender change is a way to legally recognize a gender change. Transgender and transsexual people are increasingly accepted in today's culture.

How is Gender Determined? - Other Methods

Some species of birds, insects, and fish have a different way to determine sex. For these animals, the female gamete can contain either a Z or W chromosome. Male gametes only carry the Z chromosome, making ZW pairs female and ZZ pairs male.

Other insects like wasps and bees don't have sex chromosomes. The gender of these species is determined by fertilization. Fertilized eggs become females, while unfertilized eggs become males. This process of unfertilized reproduction is called parthenogenesis.

How is Gender Determined? - The Future

How gender is determined may be determined by parents in the future. New research indicates that the sex of the child may be highly influenced by the diet of the mother. It is thought that the foods eaten by the mother can affect the environment of the womb and fertilization. Calcium, potassium, and vitamins C, E, and B12 are all linked to producing male offspring.

Information about the Author:

Visit as at bright-horizon.org to find more interesting articles there!

More information about pregnancy may be of paramount importance

The woman’s body may have different reactions and the pregnancy sighs may differ as well. Therefore, am I pregnant or not? This seems to be one of the most common questions because the women tend to experience a wide range of pregnancy signs. But the early pregnancy signs may not occur at all and this is when the pregnancy test can be extremely helpful in order to find out whether you are pregnant or not. Such tests can be found online but you will have to browse the internet in order to find a reliable site that can provide you with quality tests. The early signs are likely to differ from woman to woman and you have to be aware that knowing the signs is of paramount importance especially if you are already experiencing their effects.

The signs may also be related to other causes besides pregnancy and you have to be aware of this fact too when wondering if you are pregnant or not. You must provide yourself with more information about pregnancy in order to know how to deal with this wonderful situation. For instance, if you miss your period, you should know that this sign may show you that you are already pregnant. Still, this sign may be related to a disease too and you will have to pay a visit to the doctor in order to find the real diagnostic.

You will have to take the pregnancy test in order to make sure that you are pregnant or not. Missing your period is among the most common signs that can show you that you are pregnant. Still, you will have to undergo the test too in order to be sure. Frequent urination is among the most common signs too and you will have to provide yourself with more information about pregnancy in order to understand the way your hormones change their natural level because of the implantation of your embryo.

Still, if you are already experiencing one of these signs, you must confirm this situation. In case that the result is positive, you should provide yourself with the useful pregnancy calendar in order to monitor the entire pregnancy period. This calendar is to be used in order to learn more about the way your body and your baby are progressing together during the pregnancy. This piece of information is valuable because this calendar can show you whether the things are going in the right way or not.

The constant monitoring of your pregnancy is extremely helpful and you should make use of this tool in order to avoid certain common fears that are related to this period. So, if you have already found out the answer to the question “am I pregnant or not?”, you should browse the internet in order to find a reliable site that can provide you with the pregnancy calendar. This calendar is likely to be available for free and the only thing that you will have to do is to register with a particular site by entering the e-mail address in order to receive all the updates. By doing this simple movement, you will provide yourself with more valuable information about pregnancy.

For instance, you will learn more about the way your body and your child develop. You may learn more about the changes that are going to take place in your body when expecting a child and you will be bale to relax because you will avoid the constant worries. Suggestions and tips are also likely to be included in these e-mails in order for you to become more prepared for your baby and his/her arrival. The benefits that can be brought along by these e-mails are enormous and you should become aware that gaining knowledge about your pregnancy is of paramount importance when you are expecting a child. You will be able to organize the necessary baby care in advance. You will be able to plan everything in order to make sure that your baby will be healthy and happy. The only thing that you need is to find out more information about pregnancy because ignorance is not bliss in this particular case.

Information about the Author:

More information about pregnancy is of paramount importance when expecting a child. And if the answer to the question am I pregnant or not? is positive, you will have to prepare yourself and try to learn more about your pregnancy

Looking Into the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

During the first trimester of your pregnancy, nothing but fear, doubts and excitement fill your emotions as you let the thought of “being pregnant” sink into your senses. Your questions on what to do next, what is happening to you and your baby and what are you supposed to act are just a few that bothered you. The fear and excitement during the first trimester will be more intense for the pregnant mother during the second trimester. Although the sensitivity of the baby’s formation lay in the first ten weeks, reaching the second trimester is filled with more developments that each mother is looking forward to. These next few weeks of pregnancy bring into the mother a feeling of deep satisfaction knowing that her baby was able to make it during the first crucial semester.

The second trimester is everything about movement and development that are basically happening within the body of the baby. As the first trimester ends on the twelfth week, you will begin to feel how your pregnancy is becoming real every time your baby’s heart beat become more distinct and audible for your heart and ears. The thought of being pregnant slowly sinks into your nerves which is physically evident on the enlargement of your stomach. The latter is just one of the many physical changes you have to undergo being pregnant. However, the excitement continues knowing that two months ago, your baby is nothing but a cluster of cells yet this soon, he is nor beginning to take form with organs, nerves and muscles.

The growth of your baby and the development of his or her organs are explained by your health care provider in all pregnancy information she gets from your prenatal check up. You need to be updated of any changes, big or small about your baby inside. It pays to know how the baby is able to flex and kick on week thirteen and hormones gear up for both male and female babies during week fourteen. Marking the fifteenth week is the formation of the baby’s skin – the largest organ of the body. Highlighting this moment of your pregnancy is the fact that by reaching the sixteenth week of the second trimester, your baby is capable of making facial expressions that show his feelings about everything around him inside. Moreover, at week eighteen, your baby can hear sounds and would be very sensitive to your voice. Week twenty is your pregnancy’s half-way point where your baby grows to an overwhelming six inches log and weighs more or less 9 ounces.

Knowing what happens to the life inside you in all pregnancy information available will aid you in working out for nothing more than your baby’s good. Ask your healthcare providers about the food you can and cannot take together with an exercise program that will not harm the baby inside. The second trimester of your pregnancy is your way to the finale of the journey to having a baby. Take all the best possible actions that will secure healthy growth for your child.

The fear and excitement experienced during the first trimester will be even more intense for the pregnant mother during the second trimester. Although the most critical time in the baby’s growth occurred in the first ten weeks, reaching the second trimester is filled with more developments that each mother is looking forward to.

Information about the Author:

You can learn more about what happens to your baby during the second trimester of your pregnancy at Aha! Baby. You can also find additional pregnancy information to help you understand the changes you and your baby undergo form Aha! Baby.

Eating Dairy Can Make You Infertile

There is something fundamentally odd about humans consuming dairy. Just think about it. We are the only species on the Planet that drink another mammals breast milk!

Breast milk, be it human or cows is designed for the young one of that species for a limited period of time, before they can eat sold food, period.

In this article we will examine why this beloved, popular food can be so detrimental to your fertility.

We stop producing the enzyme lactase as small children (between ages 2-5). This enzyme helps break down lactose, the major sugar found in dairy products.

Lets look at some stats on lactose intolerance:

- 75% of adults world wide are lactose intolerant
- 30-50 million Americans are lactose intolerant
- 80% of African-Americans are lactose intolerant
- 75% of Native Americans are lactose intolerant
- 90% of Asian-Americans are lactose intolerant

When you eat dairy and you are lactose intolerant your gut becomes inflamed. This increases mucus production in the digestive system. The mucus prevents other nutrients from being absorbed. Excessive mucus production can also occur in the nose, lungs and reproductive system. That is why sniffly nose and asthma like reactions are common in people who are intolerant to dairy. The mucus in the reproductive system can be excessive and can make the sperms journey through the uterus and the fallopian tubes to the egg difficult.

One study found that a major source of animal derived estrogens in the human diet are milk and dairy products, which account for 60-70% of the estrogens consumed. Humans consume milk from the cows in the second half of pregnancy when the estrogen levels are high. Due to genetic modification of the dairy cows (such as Holstein), it is quite possible that the milk consumed today is not the same as it was 100 years ago. These cows are fed a combination of grass and concentrates (grain/protein mixes and various by-products) allowing them to lactate during the second half of pregnancy.

We usually associate dairy and drinking milk with calcium, and never think about what else we may be consuming along with the calcium (and dairy, by the way is not the best source of calcium). Here is a list of hormones which have been found in cows milk:

Prolactin, somatostatin, melatonin, oxytocin, growth hormone, lutenizing releasing hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, estrogens, progesterone, insulin, corticosteroids and many more. Do you think an excess consumption of all these hormones could disrupt your own hormonal balance? You bet!

Consumption of milk has been linked to some cases of male infertility. Studies have found more concentrated pesticides in cheese than in non organically grow fruit and vegetables. Excess estrogen and pesticide exposure have been linked to PCOS and Endometriosis. The first line of naturopathic treatment for PCOS and Endometriosis is to minimize intake of animal products. Animal products have a high content of hormones, pesticides and herbicides which are known endocrine disruptors. They play havoc with your hormones and this can lead to anovulation.

If you think you are addicted to cheese and milk. Guess what? You are! Milk contains natural morphine, codeine and other opiates. The feel good chemicals are in the milk so that the calf gets addicted to milk and bonds with the mother in order to survive. Morphine = Pleasure, so the calf associates pleasure with drinking milk and comes back for more.

The same chemicals make it into your cheese, which is why so many people love eating cheese. In Switzerland, it was reported that people in this cheese loving country consume an average of 20kg of cheese per year!

Like all addictions it will take some time to overcome it. It takes 21 days for the brain to break or acquire a habit. Go without cheese for 21 days and you will stop craving it. But beware, like all opiates it only takes one bite to become hooked again.

Look, I am not saying never eat dairy again (although, if you are intolerant to it, you would be doing yourself a world of good). It is hard to avoid it, as it is in everything from pizza and creamy pasta sauces to cheese cakes, yoghurts and ice creams. All I am saying is give it a miss while you are trying to get pregnant.

In this article we looked at the negative effects of dairy on your fertility. It can cause inflammation in the gut and lead to poor nutrient absorption. It can adversely affect your cervical mucus production and contribute to hormonal imbalances and anovulation. Therefore as a general rule avoid dairy unless it is organic and you are not intolerant to it. And avoid it altogether if you suffer from PCOS and endometriosis. The best way of finding out if you are intolerant to dairy is to have an IgG immunoglobulin test. Minimize your intake of animal products and increase the intake of organic vegetables and fibre from fruit, grains, nuts and seeds. You can get all the calcium you need from sesame seeds (Tahini), spinach, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, sea weed Kelp and Dandelion leaves.

Sources:

Bernard, N. Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings and 7 Steps to End Them Naturally. NY: St. Martins, 2003.

Ganmaa D, et al. Is milk responsible for male reproductive disorders? Med Hypotheses. 2001 Oct;57(4):510-4.

Keene, I. Natural Fertility Prescription, Switzerland, 2008.

Information about the Author:

Leading Fertility Naturopath Iva Keene publishes the Ultimate Fertility ezine with tips to get you pregnant ASAP. Get your free Fertility advice at www.natural-fertility-prescription.com

How Trojan And Durex Condoms Helped Sexual Health

There are a variety of contraceptives on the market that can be obtained through a medical professional or over the counter. The most easily available contraceptive is the condom. We take a look at the history of major brands such as Trojan and Durex condoms to find out how the product became so popular and identify what changes have occurred over the years.

Durex condoms are probably the best known brand in the UK and were the first to offer non latex varieties made from polyurethane. This was to address the fact that some people suffer from an allergy to latex. Founded in London in 1915, Durex has now cornered around a quarter of the global market in condom sales. This equates to the production of one billion units per annum.

As well as offering an alternative to latex condoms, Durex has also launched products that are said to improve blood flow, creating a firmer erection. In addition to this they released a vibrating ring that is worn around the base of the penis for greater stimulation. Among their many varieties, Durex have introduced flavoured and ribbed condoms, all available in varying thicknesses for increased or decreased sensation, depending on the needs of the wearer.

In the US, the Trojan brand was declared the most successfully selling condom. Established in 1927, Trojan initially used a material derived from rubber before turning to latex in the 1930s. This was to produce a more comfortable experience through a more natural feeling. Part of their popularity was based on a spoof website called Trojan Games which parodied the Olympics but with adult content.

As a brand, Trojan has been successful in promoting safe sex campaigns and in launching merchandised products such as a clothing range. This has helped promote the safe sex message to protect people from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Trojan also have a varied range of condoms to suit each individual, but the marketing campaign that really promoted the brand was the introduction of the extra large condom, which is fifteen per cent larger than regular varieties.

Conversely, the female condom has not received any recognisable or specific branding strategies. As such, this type of condom has remained a less popular option for protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases even though it provides an even safer form of contraception by providing extra protection through increased genital coverage.
Female condoms were originally made from polyurethane and then nitrile rubber. This led to a reputation of having a distinctive crinkling sound during intercourse, which some people felt was off putting.

Despite this, manufacturers have continued to improve the design, recently turning to latex varieties. Without high profile branding however, the female condom is mostly promoted in communities where it is difficult to persuade men to wear protection rather than in communities where safe sex is achieved through mutual agreement.

There is no doubt that creating a marketing image has helped the success of major brands and helped tackle the often sensitive issue of safe sex. Branding helps get a product noticed, and done correctly it can encourage often image conscious young people to practice a healthier sexual lifestyle. Combined with ever more refined manufacturing techniques to improve the quality and sensation, condoms look set to stay as one of the preferred contraceptives for sexually active people of all ages.

Information about the Author:

Dom Donaldson is a family planning advisor. Find out more about Durex Condoms at www.condomcare.co.uk/22-c-durex-condoms.html

The Third Trimester: Getting Closer to Your Journey’s End

The end is near and you begin counting the days to your due date. Again, fear does not go away since giving birth is another event to overcome on your way to motherhood. Like any other endings, the third trimester is a harbinger to a more exciting event in your life. With the remarkable developments in the last few weeks as pregnant mother, the last trimester is both an ending and a beginning – the end of the baby’s life inside your womb and the beginning of his journey outside as an individual. Anticipating for the birth of your child is also knowing what to expect during the last weeks of his stay inside you.

As you prepare for all baby materials for the coming of your child, your baby also gears up for getting out of the womb. Your baby needs to be equipped with a healthy and fully developed body that will help him survive the world outside. The baby continues to grow and gain weight with body systems achieving maturity. This can be the most uncomfortable moment for the mother since she begins to feel heavy and tired to move or walk longer distances. Fetal development continues while you care to complete your pregnancy planner before birth. The approaching of your due date is indicator enough that you have to practice movements or exercises that will ease up the act of giving birth especially those who are first-time mothers. For those who are planning to breastfeed, breastfeeding courses can be undergone by you to teach you of proper breast feeding techniques.

What to expect during the third trimester is that everything seems to achieve full growth potential. On week 28th, the fifteen-inch long baby is now capable to open and close the eyes and is able to sleep within 20-30 minutes. On week 29, the baby’s movement is more forceful than ever. This is because the bones are now fully developed which contribute to vigorous and frequent movements. On week 33 following the maturity of the eyes, the baby can now detect the presence of light. The 36th week is a moment to look forward to as baby learn to suck his thumb. The whole duration of the third trimester is your baby’s chance to make movements to prepare for the head down position. On the last week before your much-awaited due date, the placenta will provide your baby with antibodies to act as protection for the elements outside the womb.

The counting is nearly coming to end and you have already completed your pregnancy planner to guide you before, during and after giving birth. The end of the third trimester is now within your reach. Your baby is now a few a few moments away from your arms. Let a loving heart and a nurturing hand welcome him in his travel with you through life. What to expect with his birth can be more than the words you have at hand. Seeing him, touching him and loving him is all you can do to express your joy as the mother.

Like any other ending, the third trimester is the final stage to a more exciting event in your life. With the remarkable developments in the last few weeks as pregnant mother, the third trimester is both an ending and a beginning – the end of the baby’s life inside your womb and the beginning of his journey outside as an individual.

Information about the Author:

You can prepare for the end of your pregnancy and learn what to expect during the last trimester of pregnancy at Aha! Baby. You can also find a pregnancy planner at Aha! Baby that matches your needs to serve as your guide in welcoming your baby.