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A typical gestation for a pregnancy is somewhere between 37 and 42 weeks. Once a woman carries her baby to 37 weeks doctors consider her full-term. Just because a woman is full-term however, doesn’t mean her baby is ready to make his or her appearance in the world. Most first time moms quickly learn that often pregnancies extend to 41 weeks or more.

One reason the due date may be hard to predict is because one never knows how quickly a baby will grow in the womb. Some babies are ready to deliver early, and others need a little extra time in the oven to “bake.” Besides, it is so warm and cozy in there, why not spend a couple of extra days if given the chance? What are some other reasons a woman’s due date may be a bit off?

No one can perfectly time the date of conception. This has a lot to do with when a woman delivers her baby. Often, a woman’s estimate of conception or ovulation is one or two weeks off. This can sometimes impact a woman’s due date. So what is a woman to do?

Predicting Your Baby’s Birth Date
In times of old, most doctors would not give a woman a definitive due date, but instead provide a woman with an estimated time frame within which her baby may arrive in this new world. If this practice continued today, fewer women would be likely to experience excessive anticipation, worry and fatigue on or around her due date.

Thanks to modern technology however, women expecting babies in modern times do have some hope. New ultrasound technology, including transvaginal ultrasounds conducted in the earliest weeks of pregnancy; often provide a more precise estimate of when a woman is likely to deliver her baby.

Ultrasounds conducted later in pregnancy however, provide a less accurate prediction of when your baby’s due date may be. In fact, ultrasounds performed during the 20th week of pregnancy on can be as much as one or two weeks off the original due date. In rare circumstances, if the due date is off by too much, your doctor may reevaluate your due date and your baby’s growth in the womb.

To lessen your anxiety about your due date, you may find it easier to simply tell people your baby is due “around the end of April” or “near the beginning of March.” Many mothers with children report when they do not focus on an exact due date and do not provide others with such information, they experience much less anxiety about their due date and expectant labor and delivery.

Signs And Symptoms You May Be Close
Perhaps the best news for women is your baby WILL provide you with signs and symptoms once you do finally approach labor. First time mothers for example, often find their babies “drop” or settle lower into their pelvis in the weeks leading up to delivery. For a first time mother this can happen any time between two to four weeks before delivery.

Many second or third time moms realize their babies don’t drop until just before delivery. Delivery for second, third and fourth children is often much faster than for first deliveries. Remember, the body often remembers what to do after the first time.

Some women will lose their mucous plug, a small bloody looking blob of mucous, when they approach labor. This still isn’t a definite sign of labor. You can lose your mucous plug as early as two weeks before you have your baby.

You will notice increasing Braxton Hicks contractions as your body prepares for labor. If these become increasingly painful and rhythmic, watch out, you may be very near your true due date. Regardless of when your due date arrives you will find you are pleasantly surprised and find the wait well worth it once you hold your newborn infant in your arms for the very first time.

Most women experience many unpleasant side effects during their first trimester of pregnancy, which lasts roughly 13 weeks. These side effects may include morning sickness, which can put a damper on one’s amorous spirit. If you are not feeling well during this time, let your partner know and spend some quality time cuddling together to stay intimate and let your partner know you still care deeply about them.

How To Ignite Passionate Flames During Pregnancy
Many women find they are very much interested in sex and lovemaking during their second trimester. During this time their hormones are surging, their bodies are becoming ripe and round and most of their morning sickness has left them.

This is the perfect time to take advantage of your womanly body and tempt your partner with your wiles. While some men fear intercourse or intimacy during pregnancy, this fear is often easily soothed with a few simple tricks (which we will mention below). The most important step you can take toward setting up a close and intimate relationship with your partner is keeping your lines of communication open during pregnancy.

If you don’t talk with your partner during your first trimester for example, when you feel sick, your partner may not understand why you do not have an interest in sex. If however, you explain what is happening, the chances are strong your partner will come to your side and help you through this difficult time.

You can then have fun explaining to your husband the hormonal surge that typically occurs during the second trimester, when most pregnant women and their partners enjoy sex and intimacy the most during pregnancy.

Sizzling Ways To Overcome Common Barriers To Intimacy During Pregnancy
Don’t be surprised to find your partner expresses an interest in your growing breasts, which may no longer be tender now that you have entered your second trimester. Still, some couples experience difficulty becoming intimate during pregnancy. Here are some common reasons couples have trouble facing intimacy during their pregnancies:

1) A woman sometimes feels uncomfortable or fat as her body grows and expands during pregnancy. Keep in mind however, that many men find the voluptuous changes occurring in their partners enticing during pregnancy. I must admit pregnancy was one of the first times in my life I could claim to have big breasts, and I took great pleasure in showing them off (much to my partner’s pleasure). You too should have a little fun with your growing body. If you have a little “junk in the trunk” then accentuate it with some flattering lingerie. Many lingerie pieces look elegant on pregnant women, especially during their second trimester, when they are not yet too big to wear full on maternity clothes much of the time.

2) Other times the male partner feels he will hurt the baby by having sex. You may find it is your partner, not you, that has a problem with sex during pregnancy. During our first pregnancy, my partner expressed some concerns that he might hurt the baby. He was also afraid sex would be different during pregnancy. There are many ways you can approach this problem. The most sensible way is of course, to take your partner with you to the doctor and let your doctor assure your husband that sex during pregnancy is very safe. (As long as you have a normal pregnancy that is not high risk) You partner will not damage the baby. When it comes to your partner’s fears about how the baby may change your relationship, change your attitude and show him just how sexy being pregnant can be. Get a little wild, do something a little naughty. Your partner will quickly get over any reservations they had about sex.

3) Some couples find sex during pregnancy, especially during their third trimester, difficult. It can be challenging finding a position that is comfortable for all parties involved once you reach or come close to your full pregnancy size. You can easily ease this problem however by trying many positions, including side lying, or lying on your back slightly propped up while your partner comes at you and holds your legs up. Experiment. Play around with some positions and see what works.

For some women, sex during pregnancy doesn’t seem like any fun. This is ok too. Your partner may feel neglected however, so make sure you take some time to cuddle up to them and find other ways to shower the love of your life with affection.

And know this. Some men never do become comfortable with the idea of pregnancy and sex. While you can’t always change your partner’s mind, you can still cuddle together and enjoy many fun and intimate moments throughout your pregnancy. You should look back at your pregnancy as a time of joy, laughter and intrigue.

Cramping In Early Pregnancy
During each of my three pregnancies, I experienced cramping during early pregnancy. During my first pregnancy this cramping concerned me to no end. I experienced cramping from pregnancy weeks 2 through about week 12. Sometimes my cramps were so severe I was confident I was going to have a miscarriage or get my period.

When I had my third child, I knew I was pregnant because I had cramping that was really bad right before I was supposed to get my period, but I had no period. Why does the body cramp so badly? There are many reasons. First, many different changes are occurring in your body during early pregnancy. As your body prepares for ovulation, you may feel cramping on one or both sides of your abdomen.

Then, if implantation occurs and you successfully conceive, your uterus starts to stretch and grow. This can cause cramping ranging from very mild to moderate depending on the woman. I always thought the pain was quite bad.

Sometimes cramping in early pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage. If you are having other unusual symptoms, including spotting or bleeding or abdominal pain, you should always, always contact your doctor. You should even contact your doctor if you are not sure your cramping is normal. Why? Your doctor can check you out and put your mind to ease. That is after all, what your doctor is there for, to help you through your pregnancy.

You may find resting or light exercise may lessen early pregnancy cramping. Many women report having the most cramping between weeks five and six of their pregnancy. Many other symptoms also start to appear around this time, including breast tenderness, nausea and fatigue.

Cramping In Late Pregnancy
Some women will experience pregnancy cramping throughout their pregnancy. You may notice cramping increases when you engage in vigorous activity. If you are exercising and notice cramping, you should back off your exercise and rest for a while. You don’t want to stress your uterus too much.

Your uterus also continues to grow throughout your pregnancy, and this can be a source of cramping later in pregnancy. Some women find after about their 28th week of pregnancy they start feeling short, rhythmic type cramps that come and go with no distinct pattern. If you have had more than one baby, you might notice these cramps earlier in your pregnancy.

These cramps, cramps that don’t follow any pattern but feel like a tightening across your lower abdomen and then release, are often Braxton Hicks contractions. These are not real contractions, like the type you will have for labor, but practice contractions that help your body prepare for the rigors of labor.

You should always be on the lookout however, for signs of preterm labor. These may include contractions that are regular and last for more than an hour, cramping accompanied by bleeding or abdominal pain or leaking from the vagina. If you experience any of these symptoms get to your doctor right away.

Most of the time Braxton Hicks contractions are harmless. You might notice they are more intense toward the later part of your pregnancy. I know I always thought Braxton Hicks were the real thing UNITL I started labor, and then I realized what cramping was all about!

When to See Your Doctor
You should never hesitate to call your doctors office if you have any questions during your pregnancy, whether related to cramping or other problems. Here are some reasons however, you should talk or go see your doctor:

• You have rhythmic contractions that last one minute or more for an hour that don’t stop and are less than 37 weeks.

• You experience regular contractions that seem to get worse or uncomfortable and you are less than 37 weeks pregnant.

• You experience cramping with bleeding at any time during your pregnancy.

• You experience cramping with sharp, intense abdominal pain, nausea or other symptoms.

• You experience cramping and fever.

• You aren’t sure if your cramps are normal or not.

Remember, your doctor is always available to help you during your pregnancy. You will not appear foolish or silly for asking your doctor whether your cramps are normal. Chances are high your doctor has heard the question before. Take heart, and take it easy, and enjoy your pregnancy!

Gaining Weight May Put Your Baby At Risk

The study, conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, suggests a relationship exists between pregnancy complications and inter-pregnancy weight gain.

Evidence is mounting supporting the notion that women should do everything they can to maintain a normal weight prior to pregnancies and to gain weight within the recommended weight ranges during their pregnancy. The study also suggests that women should follow a sensible diet and exercise program to lose pregnancy weight prior to conceiving another baby.

According to additional researcher provided by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, women who are normal weight and lose their pregnancy weight before conceiving again are less likely to experience problems throughout pregnancy and delivery.

Studies On Weight Gain Prove Conflicting
Interestingly, despite these new studies, other studies suggest women who exercise an average of four or more hours a week were less likely to experience a successful in-vitro fertilization compared with women who did not exercise.

This study also showed women who exercised regularly were more likely to experience pregnancy loss or other complications following in-vitro fertilization. Of greatest risk according to researchers were women who routinely engaged in cardiovascular exercise. This study, conducted by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, clearly calls into question evidence suggesting exercise is good for everyone.

This study does not contradict the evidence supporting women maintaining a normal and healthy weight, but does suggest exercise may or may not be an option for some women trying to conceive.

Overweight, Exercise and Women’s Health
How does exercise or lack thereof really affect a woman’s health? That question remains a mystery for some. From the evidence available, one may conclude that women who maintain a normal weight before and after pregnancy are least likely to experience complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Despite this news, obesity and overweight seem to be rising within the United States. Multiple studies confirm more and more women are obese, with 28% of women in the United States between the ages of 20 and 39 now obese according to some studies.

For many years researchers have linked overweight and obesity with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. This recent study conducted by researchers from Harvard calculated women’s body mass index during their prenatal visits during each pregnancy. Women were closely followed and pregnancy complications noted. Among the complications more often noted among women with obesity or overweight problems included gestational diabetes, hypertension and stillbirths.

While some women believe there is nothing to fear at a modest weight gain, this latest research suggest even a small amount of weight gain may result in slightly higher than average risk of pregnancy complications. A weight gain as small as 6.6 pounds according to researchers between pregnancies may increase the average risk for pregnancy complications by 30 percent or more.

However, what about the IVF study? It may be that weight and exercise play different roles in the method of conception. One thing is clear. Women should take great care to heed the advice of their physician, exercise when appropriate and do their best to maintain a healthy body weight.

While losing weight gained during pregnancy seems relevant according to this new study, it is important that weight loss occur at a modest pace, by eating well and exercising as appropriate. Be sure to consult with your healthcare provider about a safe and sensible exercise and nutritional program between pregnancies to reduce your overall risk of complications and improve your overall health and well-being.

How BMI Is Calculated
Health providers calculate BMI by dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) by height squared. Typically those with a BMI less than 25 are considered healthy, and those with a BMI over 25 are considered at risk for adverse health outcomes, obesity and more.

A new analysis conducted of more than 250,000 patients showed many with BMI’s under 20 were more at risk for heart disease than those with BMI’s of 30 to 35 (categorized as obese). Ordinarily patients with a BMI of 20 would be considered quite healthy. Not so according to the new study.

Why the conflicting results? For one, researchers believe BMI is a poor assessment of health in elderly citizens. The researchers who plan to publish the results of this study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that many times BMI did not correlate wit the amount of fat a person had, which is a greater predictor of cardiovascular risk. Second, the study shows that someone can have a BMI that is low, but still have a higher overall rate of body fat than someone who is athletic or muscular.

BMI Not Appropriate For Assessing Fat in Elderly
The study, conducted by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine included 15,000 patients age 75 and older. The study results showed BMI is not an accurate predictor of cardiovascular risk among this health population.

The researchers also noted that waist-hip ratio to some extent is a better measure of abdominal fat, a risk factor for heart disease in most patients.

Is BMI Relevant At All?
The results of the study do not suggest BMI is not a relevant tool for assessing one’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Rather, BMI should be used in conjunction with other measurements including body fat measurements to assess someone’s overall risk for cardiovascular disease and other weight related problems.

The results of the study do show it is possible for someone to have a BMI higher than 25 and actually have more muscle than fat. It is however, also possible for individuals to misinterpreted their BMI results leading to a false sense of security. Someone may for example have a BMI of 24 yet be fatter, and more at risk, than someone with a BMI of 25 or higher in some cases.

Other signs and symptoms may also reveal one’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Examples include high blood pressure, total body fat, cholesterol and more.

How can you use the results of this study to your benefit? Be sure you visit your healthcare provider for an annual fitness examination. Have your doctor assess not only your blood cholesterol and blood pressure, but also your BMI, waist-to-hip ratio and total body fat. These measurements combined may help your doctor determine your risk for adverse outcomes or conditions including heart disease.

Now that I have three children under three, I am finding my schedule more hectic than ever. I am juggling the three kids, working part-time and pursuing my MBA online through Andrew Jackson University.  I will be the first to tell you that takes much energy.

No small feat! Amid being so busy, it is sometimes easy to not pay attention to your own physical body and needs. Who has time to rest when the kids need dinner, the house needs cleaning and work needs to be finished? Of late, I noticed some sneaky symptoms of depression I decided to seek care for.

Signs of Depression
Depression sometimes sneaks up on people unexpectedly. Many times depression creeps up on unsuspecting moms even months after they give birth to their children. This is why they often do not recognize the symptoms as possibly related to their pregnancy.

What are some common signs you may suffer from PPD or a related condition? Here are a few examples:

• Crying that lasts days on end for no reason.
• Persistent feelings of sadness or the blues that do not resolve.
• Suicidal thoughts.
• Negative or harmful thoughts toward yourself or your baby.
• Depression that interferes with your ability to carry out normal tasks, including work tasks or your ability to care for your children.
• Inability to concentrate that may detract from work or your studies.
• Feeling hopeless or helpless.
• Poor motivation and poor concentration.

Fortunately, there is much help if you or someone you know suffers from this problem. There are natural remedies some people use to help treat forms of depression, including stress relief. Many moms find starting their own home business a terrific way to help reduce their stress and relieve some of the burden associated with working and taking care of young children.

In severe cases some mothers may need prescription medication intervention.  Sometimes prescription medication works well when used as adjunct therapy for patients interested in using holistic healthcare practices. 

The good news is most people can learn to distress their lives, balance their career and still enjoy all that parenting, pregnancy and life has to offer.

The reaction from women is mixed. Some feel the ruling is a benefit to women who are at risk for unwanted pregnancy and who may be too embarrassed to get contraception from a clinic. However, it also presents the opportunity for people to acquire (more easily) and potentially abuse the morning after pill.

The morning after pill is not a replacement for appropriate contraception and birth control. Some fear young women will get the idea that the morning after pill is the only pill women need to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, proponents of the new legislation point to the need to promote women’s reproductive rights, and this is certainly a step in that direction.

The Decision on Plan B
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration still requires girls younger than 18 to get a prescription for the morning after pill. Still, providing the pill over the counter will make it easier for young women to acquire the morning after pill illegally if necessary.

However, many women’s rights activists feel providing the morning after pill is a great step for women in the right direction. Many women are encouraging the government to reevaluate their guidelines and offer the pill OTC to even younger women. Advocates including those from Planned Parenthood believe allowing greater access is a positive step in the right direction toward women’s reproductive rights.

Still other health advocates including private gynecologists agree. The morning after pill, Called Plan “B” doesn’t interrupt a pregnancy. Instead, it prevents pregnancy from occurring by preventing implantation.

Members of Right To Life groups however, fear that younger women will ask older siblings or peers to acquire the pill for them without a proper doctors consultation. In addition, some pharmacies may decide to forgo stocking the Plan B pill.

The Answer Lies in Education
The answer may lie in education. Many agree it is far better to teach young women about the dangers of not only unwanted pregnancy, but also sexually transmitted disease. The message that should be delivered is one promoting safe and consensual sex, according to many.

Plan B should be promoted as an emergency alternative only, to women who don’t want to get pregnant but are at risk. As long as educators work to inform and educate women, many, including the US FDA, believe Plan B will not be abused, and will be used correctly and safely. It will provide many women with a safe and helpful alternative in the event they need emergency contraception.

Still, it is likely controversy about Plan B, and contraceptives in general, will likely continue. As long as there are “right to life” advocates poised against “freedom of choice” there will always be controversy surrounding pregnancy, contraception and women’s reproductive choices.

What is important? You make informed decisions, and learn as much as you can about your reproductive rights, health and ability to choose the best method of protection for you, your life and lifestyle.

The new vaccine provided by Merck & Company, Gardasil, may be useful for protecting men and women alike against human papilloma virus. In June the U.S. FDA licensed a new vaccine targeting women between the ages of 9 and 26 at risk for human papillomavirus or HPV. The reasons for this include the increased risk of cervical cancer associated with exposure to HPV virus in women.

The vaccine, Gardasil, helps protect against the four types of HPV most likely to cause cervical cancer in women. An advisory committee recently approved recommendation of Gardasil for women aged 11-12 as well as women who have abnormal pap smears or other sexual transmitted conditions.

New Information Prompts Recommendation for Male Vaccine
An associate professor at University of California at Irvine recently suggested the vaccine may be beneficial for both sexes, no matter the person’s risk factors for contracting HPV or cancer. This makes sense, considering young sexually active boys are just as likely to contract HPV as young women.

Representatives suggest doctors and researchers should adopt a new model of thinking that includes promotion of the HPV vaccine as a universal vaccine, helpful for preventing HPV and cancer without regard to one’s risk factors or gender.

Clearly this news is making an impact, as some groups are opposing requirements that girls or young women get shots to attend school. The vaccine controversy however, is one that has long been hotly debated, and not limited to STD vaccination.

Ultimately, many believe parents should have the right and final say to decide whether their children should or should not be immunized, whether for an STD or any other disease. Bradley Monk, a representative from the University at Irvine, suggests men are just as at risk as women as they can pass the HPV virus to their partner, even without active symptoms. The vaccine is also just as likely to prevent HPV warts in young boys vaccinated as young women, even if young boys aren’t at risk for cervical cancer.

Controversy Surrounds HPV Vaccines for Children
Some argue that greater promiscuity among young teens may result from a vaccine that promotes protection against a common STD threat. However this again is an old argument, one akin to the argument against providing condoms to teens. Just because you provide young adults with protection does not suggest they will act recklessly.

What is important is parents, teachers, health care providers and community members come together to warn children of the dangers of STDs and reckless behavior and provide them the tools they need to act safely and be protected. If a child is sexually active, it’s far better they are protected from STDs and aware of the risks than if they are ill informed or educated.

Many believe education is actually the best way to prevent children from engaging in promiscuous events. The less mystery surrounding an issue, the less intrigue and the less likely children are to act out or explore forbidden territory.

Still, the idea of vaccinating children against STDs is one that is controversial and likely to remain so for some time. It is important that parents educate themselves about the risks of HPV and the benefits of vaccination against HPV and other critical viruses or diseases. Ultimately the decision lies in the hands of parents. The more well informed you are, the better capable you are of making the decision that is best for you and your family.