Can I have coffee during pregnancy?

First, most gynaecologists agree that one cup or two is okay for most pregnant women.

Coffee in general is not a healthy drink for the pregnant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends limiting your caffeine consumption to fewer than 200 milligrams (mg) per day. Exceeding that amount could pose danger to both expecting mothers and the growing fetus.

Why is it harmful to drink coffee during pregnancy?

All the harmful effect of coffee has to do with the caffeine in the coffee. Other food that is rich in caffeine include tea, chocolate, soft drink.

1. Coffee can cause an increase the blood pressure

2. Coffee can cause more frequent urination. Many pregnant women experience frequent urination due to growing fetus. Coffee makes it worse as coffee is a diuretic.  

3. Caffeine and polyphenols makes it harder to absorb iron. When this happens, the pregnant women may experience anemia - a common problem during pregnancy.

4. In worse situation, coffee may trigger miscarriage and premature birth. A study conducted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found that pregnant women who consumed more than 300mg of caffeine a day were more likely to give birth to babies who were small for their gestational age.

5. Coffee can cause a change in your baby’s sleep pattern

Remember, caffeine is a stimulant and can keep both you and your baby awake.

What can I do? 

Decaffeinated coffee is one in which the caffeine content is significantly less. You can safely opt for this healthier type of coffee when you are pregnant.

If withdrawal of coffee causes headache in you, you can consider having one cup of coffee daily.

  

In conclusion, it is better to avoid coffee and other food or drink that contains caffeine. If you cannot give up coffee completely, you should minimize the consumption to one or two cups a day.

Source: Can I drink coffee during pregnancy?

Period or Pregnancy symptoms

On pregnancy and parenting forums, a very common question is whether a particular symptoms indicating pregnancy or period. Ladies usually start to ask when they miss the period.

There are indeed very confusing. 

Similar symptoms of period and pregnancy include: Tender or swollen breast Headache Bloating Constipation Difficulty in sleeping or insomnia Fatigue or tiredness 

There are other similar symptoms, but is more likely to be symptoms of pregnancy: morning sickness and spotting (which is different from heavy bleeding which means period has comed)

Symptoms of period also include backache which is not a symptom for pregnancy.

Symptoms of pregnancy include missed period, Darkening of Skin and increased urination which should not be shown in period. 

Please refer to period or pregnancy for more details on this. 

Cramp During pregnancy

Cramp During PregnancyMany pregnant women will experience cramping during pregnancy and this is usually a big concern for the pregnant women and her family members. It may happen in early pregnancy stage and it can also occur in the third trimester when the pregnant is preparing for delivery. In many cases, cramping or abdominal pain will need medical attention immediately while some occasional cramping is just normal during pregnancy.

In the following cases, the pregnant women should seek doctor's help as soon as possible.

1. Cramping associated with spotting or light bleed in the vaginal discharge during early pregnancy

2. CONSTANT or SEVERE CRAMP  in early stage of pregnancy. 

3. Cramping associated with discomfort while urinating. 

4. Cramping associated with fever or chill, dizziness or faintness.

5. In third trimester, cramping associated with an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of vaginal discharge like it become bloody. This can be a sign of preterm labor.

6. Cramping with vaginal spotting or bleeding in third trimester. This can be a sign of preterm labor as well.

7. Cramping associated with contractions that come at least four times in an hour. This is also a sign of preterm labor.

You can refer to here for more information on Cramp During Pregnancy

Period or Pregnancy

One of the headache for most ladies is that her period does not come on time. This may cause them to suspect that they are pregnant. 

However, late period does not mean you are pregnant. Many factors can cause your period to be late.

The important factors are high level of stress, long-distance travel, birth-controlling pill or other medicines and exercises. 

High level of stress, whether work related or family related cause the body to malfunctioning and this indirectly affect the arrival of the period. 

When you travel to another country, water, weather and environment are totally different, your body will need time to adapt the new surrounding and this can affect the punctuality of the period.

Some birth-controlling pill may cause the period to disappear.

So how to tell the difference?

Most of the time, the reliable method is to carry out a pregnancy test at home. If the pregnancy test shows negative results, repeat it again three days later until your period arrives. Do not need to do it every day as it just wastes time and money.

You can refer here for further reading:

Period or Pregnancy

Late period test negative

Nosebleed during pregnancy

Source: Nosebleed during pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is more likely for expectant mothers to suffer from nosebleed. This is because during pregnancy, there is an increase in the hormone estrogen in the body. This hormone causes blood vessel dilatation which can result in nosebleeding in the expectant mothers more easily. Also, there is an increase in the blood volume during pregnancy in the body of the expectant mother, this increase in blood volume also puts pressure on the blood vessels and causes them to rupture more easily and therefore nosebleed.

What to do when it occurs to me?

Once it occurs, expectant mothers should sit and raise heads slightly. Using your thumb and the first finger to put pressure on the lower part of the nose. Nosebleed usually lasts for more than 5 minutes, hence you should not let go your hands for 5 for 10 minutes. You should time it using a clock or a watch as most of us will become curious to see whether it has stopped after 2 to 3 minutes.

You can also apply cold or iced towel to your forehead which can help to promote local vasoconstriction which can help to reduce bleeding and accelerate healing.

If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, you should check with doctor. If it occurs to you very often, you should also seek doctor's help.

How to prevent?

• Nosebleed is usually triggered by dryness. You should therefore drink more fluid to keep your nose and whole body well hydrated.
• Put a humidifier in your room if you use air-conditioner very often.
• Do not pick your nose, especially after nosebleed.
• You may apply some ointment or lubricant which can be found in the local pharmacies to reduce dryness in nostrils.

Period or Pregnancy - Am I Pregnant or Period is Coming

One of the most frequent questions in parenting forum is about the differences between signs of pregnancy and period. It is in fact very difficult for many of us, even for experienced mothers, to tell the difference between early signs of pregnancy and signs which indicates that period is coming.

Similar Symptoms of Period and Pregnancy

Before your period is coming, you may have tender or swollen breasts, you may experience headache, fatigue, constipation, acne. All these signs happen to be same or similar to those early pregnancy symptoms.

Table below shows the similar symptoms of the period and pregnancy.

Similar Signs

Tender or swollen breast

Headache

Bloating

Constipation

Difficulty in sleeping or insomnia

Fatigue or tiredness

Others Signs that may be similar for period and pregnancy

Morning Sickness

Almost every pregnant women will experience morning sickness during pregnancy. Therefore morning sickness is quite a reliable sign that a women is pregnant. However, this is not 100% sure as a small percentage of women will also experience vomiting or nausea during their periods.

Cramp

Signs that indicate the arrival of the period include abdominal or pelvic pain or cramp. Some pregnant women will also experience cramping in early pregnancy which may then need medical attention.

Difference in Signs of Period and Pregnancy

Table below shows the differences in signs of period and pregnancy

Sign of Period	Signs of Pregnancy
Backache	---
---	Missed Period
---	Darkening of Skin
---	Increased Urination

Backache - Sign of Period

Many will experience backache before or during period. Backache is not an EARLY sign of pregnancy. Pregnant women will only experience backache in the second and third trimester due to the growing uterus.

Missed Period or Spotting - Sign of Pregnancy

If you have regular menstrual cycles in the past and do not experience any major change in the regular life routine such as sudden increase in your stress level, long-distance travel or consumption of large unhealthy food, then a missed period is very likely to be an unmistakable sign that you are pregnant.

Spotting or very light bleeding is also an important sign of pregnancy. Women are advised to confirm whether they are pregnant immediately if they see spotting. Once pregnancy is confirmed, pregnant women should seek doctors' help immediately as spotting or very light bleeding may be a sign of miscarriage and it is therefore important to seek professional help immediately.

Increased Urination - Sign of Pregnancy

During pregnancy, there is a considerable increase in blood volume so a lot of fluid is processed through kidney which is eventually sent to the bladder. This may cause pregnant women to urinate more than often. In the early pregnancy, this symptom may not be obvious to many pregnant women.

In summary, a missed period is probably the only reliable pregnancy sign, provided that the women had regular period in the past do not experience any sudden weight gain or loss, long-distance travel. To confirm pregnancy, it is recommended that readers use pregnancy test kits or papers. Pregnancy test should also be carried out in the morning after waking up. Do not take any fluid before the test in order to avoid diluting the level of HCG in the urine.

If pregnant women see spotting and is confirmed pregnant through home pregnant test, they should call the doctors immediately for help.

Period or Pregnancy - Common Questions

Question 1: My last period was January 21st, based on ovulation kit, I ovulated on February 4th. I also had unprotected sex that day (more than once) I was suppose to start my period again February 18th, my period is now 25 days late. I have taken 3 pregnancy test but all comes out negative. But I have been very sleepy all day and feel nauseous. My stomach has been hurting I have had milky white discharge. I think that is all about the symptoms. I really do think I am pregnant, but this morning at 7 I woke up cramping (lasted about 10 minutes) like I was on my period, so I went to the bathroom. When I wiped there was light pink blood. I have not bled or cramped since then. Anyone can suggest me what to do next?

Answer: Your period has been delayed by so many days, this can be a symptom that you are pregnant. Your cramp that lasted about 10 minutes and spotting are all reliable symptoms that you may be pregnant. For others symptoms you mean like fatigue, they can be symptoms of both pregnancy and period.

I suggest you to visit a doctor to do a ultrasound scan first, this may be followed by a blood test. These two should be able to tell you whether you are pregnant or your period has just been irregular.

Source: Period or Pregnancy

Symptoms of Pregnancy

Body condition of every woman is unique; this makes the early symptoms or signs of pregnancy for each woman different. Even for the same person, the symptoms or sign of pregnancy will be different for different births.

Read further for a full list of pregnancy symptoms as well as common questions about pregnancy symptoms

http://www.babyment.com/pregnancy/symptom_of_pregnancy.php

Cramp During Pregnancy

Many pregnant women will experience cramping during pregnancy and this is usually a big concern for the pregnant women and her family members. In many cases, cramping or abdominal pain will need medical attention immediately while some occasional cramping is just normal during pregnancy.

Read further about causes of cramp during pregnancy, what to do when cramping occurs during pregnancy here

http://www.babyment.com/pregnancy/cramp_pregnancy.php

Dizziness or Faint During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, more blood will flow towards the uterus but the return of blood to the upper part of your body is slowed down. This reduces the blood flow to the brain and therefore may cause dizziness or faint. Another cause of dizziness during second trimester is that your growing uterus put pressure the on blood vessel which then slow down the flow of blood to the brain.

Read further on how to prevent dizziness or faint during pregnancy and what to do when dizziness or faint occurs during pregnancy

http://www.babyment.com/pregnancy/dizziness.php

Pregnancy Week By Week

Pregnancy Week By Week: Detailed Description of Weekly Change to Pregnant women and baby:

http://www.babyment.com/pregnancy_week_by_week.php

Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, you will still have, actually even more vaginal discharge. But in some situation, the vaginal discharge is abnormal and you should consult doctors right away.

This article vaginal discharge during pregnancy tells you the difference between normal vaginal discharge and abnormal vaginal discharge and when you should call the doctor.

Am I pregnant or period is coming

One of the most frequent questions in parenting forum is about the differences between signs of pregnany and period. It is in fact very difficult for many of us, even for experienced mothers, to tell the diffiernce between early signs of pregnancy and signs which indicates that period is coming.

Before your period is coming, you may have tender or swollen breasts, you may experience headache, fatigue, constipation, acne. All these signs happen to be same or similar to those early pregnancy symptoms.

You can read further by looking at this article further for the difference and other details:
http://www.babyment.com/conceive/periodorpregnancy.php