A pregnancy is considered full term if the baby is born between 37 and 42 weeks after the estimated date of the last menstrual period because some women are unsure of the date of their last menstrual period (perhaps due to period irregularities).
A baby born before week 37 is considered premature, while an overdue baby is one that has not yet arrived by week 42. In the event of an overdue baby, labor will often be induced.
Using pregnancy tests or the woman herself noticing a number of symptoms, such as a missed period, elevated basal body temperature, fatigue, nausea, and an increase in the number of times she urinates, pregnancy can be detected.
Clinical blood or urine tests can detect pregnancy from six to eight days after fertilization and involve the detection of hormones that serve as biomarkers for pregnancy. While home pregnancy urine tests are less expensive and take longer to evaluate, clinical blood tests are more accurate and can detect exact amounts of the hormone hCG, which is only present during pregnancy, earlier and in smaller quantities. It is likewise conceivable to get a clinical pee test, yet these are not really more precise than a home pregnancy test, and might possibly be more expensive.
Pregnancy Management There are a number of things to think about during pregnancy, many of which are highly individual, like taking medications, exercising, eating well, and gaining weight.
Medication:
Pregnancy medications can have long-term effects on the unborn child. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) divides drugs in the United States into categories A, B, C, D, and X based on their potential benefits and risks for fetuses. Category A drugs are those that are beneficial to the mother and pose a low risk to the fetus; category X drugs are those that have been shown to have significant fetal risks that outweigh any potential benefits to the mother. Pregnant women should discuss any medications they intend to take with their doctor.
Gaining weight:
Weight gain is a common and necessary part of pregnancy that varies from person to person. It has an impact on many aspects of fetal development, including the baby's weight, the placenta, extra fluid in the blood, and the baby's fat and protein stores. The need for a cesarean section (C-section) and gestational hypertension are two examples of the negative effects of insufficient or excessive weight gain on the mother and the fetus. Weight management should be taken into consideration. The Institute of Medicine recommends an overall pregnancy weight gain of 25-35 pounds for women who are considered to be "normal" weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), 28-40 pounds for women who are considered to be underweight (BMI 18.5), 15-25 pounds for women who are considered to be overweight (BMI 25-29.9), and 11-20 pounds for women who are considered to be obese (BMI >30
Exercise:
Aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of C-sections and improve physical fitness during pregnancy, according to studies. Women who exercise regularly before pregnancy and who have uncomplicated pregnancies should be able to continue high-intensity exercise programs, although this recommendation varies from woman to woman.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that given an uncomplicated pregnancy, fetal injuries are unlikely to occur as a result of exercise. However, pregnant women should exercise caution and seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms are present: calf pain or swelling, amniotic fluid leakage, decreased fetal movement, preterm labor, muscle weakness, or chest pain are all signs of vaginal bleeding.
Nutrition:
Nutrition is especially important for the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy. Due to increased energy and specific micronutrient requirements, pregnant women require different nutritional considerations than non-pregnant women.
While certain vitamins, like vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, can help reduce the risk of certain birth defects, other nutrients, like DHA omega-3, which is necessary for proper brain and retinal development and cannot be produced by infants, can only be obtained through the placenta during pregnancy or in breast milk after birth. There are numerous other micronutrients that support fetal development, and pregnant women can learn a lot about what they should and shouldn't eat or do. It can be challenging to sort through all of the information, which varies from person to person. Women who are expecting should talk to their doctors and/or a dietitian to find out what will work best for their individual requirements.
