In the third trimester , a healthy foetus grows heavier by grams every week. Generally, by the ninth month, a foetus weighs about 3 kilograms and is inches long.
All these are signs of a healthy foetus in the womb. However, its detection is a lot easier towards the end of the first trimester through electronic foetal monitoring. This test monitors the heart rate of a foetus and provides insight about potential threats, if any.
Alternatively, some doctors may even count the heartbeat by just touching your stomach. A healthy heartbeat ranges between to beats per minute. During the ninth month, the movement of a baby comes to an end or becomes minimal. A healthy baby adopts a head-first position and starts moving towards the birth canal. Weight gain during pregnancy is a surefire sign of a healthy pregnancy. You can ask your doctor to check your weight regularly and give you an update on whether your pregnancy is progressing normally or not.
Your belly should also grow in size as the months go by. Also Read: Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy. During the fifth month, a foetus becomes more reactive towards sound, light, and pain. This is a period when they are also exposed to various threats that may affect growth and development, directly or indirectly.
If problems are visible externally, corrective measures can be taken to deal with them. But how do you recognize an unhealthy foetus inside your womb? The answer is simple, you just need to watch out for these warning signs.
To measure fundal height, you will be asked to lie down and using a tape measure, the length from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone is measured. Usually, after the week mark, fundal height matches the progress of the pregnancy.
If the height of your uterus is not what it should be, it indicates a problem with your pregnancy. The reason may be too much or too less of amniotic fluid or a breech baby.
In the worst-case scenario. It could also mean that the foetus is not developing in a proper manner. A foetal heartbeat can be detected through electronic foetal monitoring or in some cases, by just touching your stomach and counting the number of beats per minute bpm. In such a case, your doctor might ask you to try again during your next visit.
In some cases, lack of heartbeat signals a hindrance in foetal development or in worst cases, a lifeless foetus. Intrauterine growth restriction interferes with the growth of the foetus. Therefore, there is need to closely observe this condition.
This could happen in case of multiples as well, where one of the babies suffers from IUGR, but the other one remains unaffected. This problem happens due to abnormal functioning of the placenta , which in normal conditions ensures the baby gets all the necessary nutrients. Other reasons include kidney issues, anaemia and diabetes. Generally, hCG levels are extremely high during 9 week — 16 week of pregnancy. The normal levels vary from individual to individual, so a low hCG level is not a reason for you to panic.
However, miscarriage, a blighted ovum, or ectopic pregnancy may induce a low level of hCG and raise a red flag for your pregnancy. Read more on WA Health website. Information about pregnancy loss, stillbirth and neonatal death, including grief and getting support. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering. Video call.
This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.
The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.
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How can I avoid pregnancy complications? Because iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells. Red blood cells circulate throughout the body to deliver oxygen to all its cells. Without enough iron, the body can't make enough red blood cells and the body's tissues and organs won't get the oxygen they need to function well.
So it's especially important for pregnant women to get enough iron in their daily diets — for themselves and their growing babies. Although the nutrient can be found in various kinds of foods, iron from meat sources is more easily absorbed by the body than iron found in plant foods. Iron-rich foods include:. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends that all women of childbearing age — and especially those who are planning a pregnancy — get about micrograms 0.
That can be from a multivitamin or folic acid supplement in addition to the folic acid found in food. So, why is folic acid so important? Studies have shown that taking folic acid supplements 1 month prior to and throughout the first 3 months of pregnancy decrease the risk of neural tube defects.
The neural tube — formed during the first several weeks of the pregnancy, possibly before a woman even knows she's pregnant — goes on to become the baby's developing brain and spinal cord. When the neural tube doesn't form properly, the result is a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. Again, your health care provider can prescribe a prenatal vitamin that contains the right amount of folic acid. Some pregnancy health care providers even recommend taking an extra folic acid supplement, especially if a woman has previously had a child with a neural tube defect.
If you're buying an over-the-counter supplement, remember that most multivitamins contain folic acid, but not all of them have enough to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women. So, be sure to check labels carefully before choosing one and check with your health care provider. It's important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, during pregnancy. A woman's blood volume increases dramatically during pregnancy, and drinking enough water each day can help prevent common problems such as dehydration and constipation.
The U. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least minutes that's 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week if you're not already highly active or doing vigorous-intensity activity. If you are very active or did intense aerobic activities before becoming pregnant, you may be able to keep up your workouts, as long as your doctor says it's safe.
Before beginning — or continuing — any exercise routine, talk to your doctor. Exercising during pregnancy has been shown to be very beneficial. Regular exercise can help:. Low-impact, moderate-intensity exercise activities such as walking and swimming are great choices. You also can try yoga or Pilates classes, videos, or exercise apps that are tailored for pregnancy.
These are low-impact and they work on strength, flexibility, and relaxation. But you should limit high-impact aerobics and avoid sports and activities that pose a risk of falling or abdominal injury. These include contact sports, downhill skiing, scuba diving, and horseback riding. It's also important to be aware of how your body changes.
During pregnancy, your body makes a hormone known as relaxin. It's believed to help prepare the pubic area and the cervix for the birth. The relaxin loosens the ligaments in your body, making you less stable and more prone to injury. So, it's easy to overstretch or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees.
Also, your center of gravity shifts as your pregnancy progresses, so you may feel off-balance and at risk of falling. Keep these in mind when you choose an activity and don't overdo it. Whatever type of exercise you choose, make sure to take lots of breaks and drink plenty of fluids. Slow down or stop if you get short of breath or feel uncomfortable. If you have any questions about doing a sport or activity during your pregnancy, talk to your health care provider. It's important to get enough sleep during your pregnancy.
You'll probably feel more tired than usual. And as your baby gets bigger, it will be harder to find a comfortable position when you're trying to sleep. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it keeps the baby's weight from putting pressure on the large blood vessels that carry blood to and from your heart and your feet and legs.
Lying on your side can also help prevent or reduce varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and swelling in your legs. Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side. Because one of those big blood vessels is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off of it. Lying on your left side helps blood flow to the placenta and, therefore, your baby. Ask what your health care provider recommends.
In most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back.
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