little toddler hugging pregnant mommyThe baby’s body continues to develop and prepare for birth. The bones are getting stronger. The brain and nerves continue to develop. This development will continue after the baby is born. The bone marrow is producing red blood cells this month. Your baby is nearly ready to be born. If he were born this month, he has a good chance for survival. Here are a few things you can expect and plan for during the eight month of your pregnancy.

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by Patricia Hughes

pediatrician with babyChoosing your baby’s doctor is a big decision. You may want to start thinking about it and checking around before your baby is born. This person will care for your baby for well visits and through illness. You need to find a doctor that has a similar philosophy about infant care and that you are able to communicate with comfortably.

Finding a Pediatrician

There are several sources of information about pediatricians. One good place to get a recommendation is from friends or family members. Ask your friends with babies and young children about their pediatricians. Also ask your obstetrician (OB) for suggestions.

If you are new to the area or don’t have friends with young children, you can ask your health care provider for a recommendation. If you are pregnant, you will be asked for the name of your pediatrician in the hospital. If this is your first pregnancy, the time to shop for a doctor is before the baby arrives.

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by Patricia Hughes

 

Welcoming a new baby into the family can be stressful for young children. This is a major life change for your child, who has been the center of your attention since his own birth. Your child needs time to prepare for this change. You can help your child adjust to the role of big brother or sister by reading and talking about newborn babies often.

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by Patricia Hughes
 
fetal imageIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is defined as a fetus that is smaller in size than would be expected for the conception age. The threshold generally used for classifying a baby as having intrauterine growth restriction is being smaller than the tenth percentile. This means that over ninety percent of fetuses at the same stage of development are larger than babies classified as having IUGR.
 
Possbile Causes of IUGR
 
The exact cause of intrauterine growth restriction is not known, but there are several factors thought to contribute to growth restriction in the fetus. Some of these factors are related to the baby or the pregnancy and others are maternal factors. Pregnancy related factors include multiple pregnancies, problems with the placenta and birth defects. Maternal factors include health factors such as heart or kidney disease, substance abuse, malnutrition and smoking cigarettes.

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pregnant woman writing her thoughts in her diary

by Jennifer Shakeel

One of the most exciting times in a woman’s life is becoming a mom. You might be inclined to document your pregnancy, especially if this is your first. This can lead many women to question what is the best way to do this. The answer really is going to depend on you. If you are the artsy type you might enjoy putting together a scrapbook. If you don’t have the time or desire to create something that elaborate, then journaling and writing your thoughts in a diary may be more your style.  Or you may decide to do both!

Keep in mind that your pregnancy journal/scrapbook is different then the baby book. This is going to be all about you. Depending on when in your pregnancy you are starting this project will really depend on how detailed your book will be. For example if you are starting this as soon as you found out you were pregnant you can include a picture of yourself before the belly started, maybe even a copy of the pregnancy test or test results. Myself, I prefer to journal, but I am going to give you six quick tips on how to create your perfect pregnancy memento. More on Tips for Creating a Pregnancy Scrapbook/Journal

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Newborn baby - capturing the momentOpinions about video taping or photographing child birth vary widely. Some women want to capture the miracle of birth on film. Others are completely turned off by the idea and would never even consider a camera in the room for the birth. There is no right answer. It is a matter of personal preference and your own comfort level with the idea of being filmed during birth.
 
What if you aren’t sure what you want? This isn’t an issue that you can revisit after the birth. If you don’t take pictures or film and regret it later, there is nothing you can do. Women that are undecided may choose to film the birth and then discard the photographs if they are upsetting or something they wish they had not done.

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pregnant woman consulting with nurse midwifeFirst of all, what is a midwife? For centuries giving birth was strictly an affair between the pregnant woman and a midwife. Though not always present, a mid-wife would frequently aid in the birthing process. The role was often performed by an older woman who had previously experienced birth herself. She gave comfort, medical knowledge based on real experience and a second pair of hands at a critical time.

With the rise of obstetrics in the 19th century, midwifery became much less common, almost disappearing from birthing practice in the U.S., except in circumstances of deep poverty or geographic isolation. In recent decades, it has risen again in a new form in which midwives are often licensed nurses with considerable traditional medical experience.

More on Pregnancy - Midwife or Not?

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 by Patricia Hughes

a pregnant women holding her tummy and feeling her baby kickingOne of the biggest worries during pregnancy is the fear that something is wrong with the baby. Women who experience this fear breathe a sigh of relief during prenatal visits when the baby’s heart beat is heard. Hearing the baby’s heart beat and movements is reassuring for these mothers. There is a way for you to monitor fetal movement at home, with fetal kick counts.
 
Many doctors are recommending their patients begin doing fetal kick counts daily at some point in the second trimester. This can vary from doctor to doctor. Always make sure you consult with your health care professional. When you count the baby’s movements, you are more likely to notice decreased movements. This is helpful in the event something was wrong and medical intervention was needed.

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by Patricia Hughes

the stages of pregnancy

Your baby is just about ready to be born. The lungs finish developing this month. When they are developed, they release a substance called surfactant. This helps the baby breathe at birth. Recent research suggests this substance may have another purpose. It is believed it may signal the mother’s body to begin the labor process.

The baby is settling down into a fetal position. As the baby moves lower in the pelvis, breathing may become easier. This is called lightening. The baby rolls and moves, but kicks are lighter. You may notice more regular pattern of sleeping and waking. Some mothers say their newborns continue these patterns after birth. More on Ninth Month of Pregnancy

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new dad in loving embrace of his newborn

by Patricia Hughes

Congratulations! After all the months of waiting, your baby has finally arrived. Your days of pregnancy has finally ended, and a new exciting adventure is about to begin. These first days are an amazing time that passes so quickly. These early days and weeks should be spent getting to know and bonding with your baby, both you and daddy. Naturally, family and close friends will want to stop by to see the new little one. However you may want to limit visits during the first week or so.

Take care of yourself. Remember that you have just gone through child birth. you will be tired and you need to rest. Don’t try to be supermom and do crazy things like cleaning the house and cooking a big dinner. Believe me; you have the rest of your life for all that. Right now, you need to concentrate on resting and getting to know the new little member of your family.

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by Patricia Hughes

very pregnant woman suffering lower back painThe sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down to the feet. This nerve can become inflamed due to pressure of the growing baby during pregnancy. When this happens, severe pain results. Sciatica is one of the more painful complications of pregnancy.

If you have sciatic nerve pain, you will know it. Sciatic pain is unlike other lower back and leg pains you may get during your pregnancy. It is also very different from the leg cramps that may wake you in the night. Sciatic nerve pain is a sharp, shooting pain that goes from your lower back, down the back of the leg.

There are some things that contribute to sciatic nerve pain. If your job involves a lot of lifting or requires you to spend long periods of time sitting or standing, you may be at greater risk of developing sciatica in pregnancy. Also, if you have experienced sciatic nerve pain in a past pregnancy, you are more likely to have it again this time. For some women, excessive weight gain my also contribute to the problem. The extra weight results in more pressure on the nerve. More on Sciatic Pain During Pregnancy

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