Factor affecting pregnancy
There are numerous factors that affect your chances of conceiving a pregnancy.
- Gynecological issue
- Consumption of excessive alchol, smoking
- Previous pregnancy
- Timing and frequency of intercourse
- Multiple pregnancies
- Medical conditions
The most crucial factor impacting fertility is a woman’s age. Women are born with all of their eggs, and the amount of eggs available diminishes every day after they are born. The reduction is gradual in young women (just a few eggs are ‘lost’ each day), but it becomes much steeper(many more eggs are ‘lost’ each day) when women approach their mid to late 30s.
Aside from the decrease in the number of eggs accessible, the quality of the eggs also decreases as women age. Because of the decrease in both the quantity and quality of accessible eggs, older women are less likely to become pregnant, and if they do, they are more likely to miscarriage.
Male fertility declines with age as well, though to a lower extent.
Women who are overweight and have irregular periods are less likely to ovulate (release an egg) each month than women who have regular periods. As a result, your chances of becoming pregnant are halved.
Losing weight, even if it’s only 5-10% of total body weight, can help re-establish a regular menstrual cycle, improving the chances of becoming pregnant.
Even if their cycles are regular, women who are overweight take longer to become pregnant than women who are normal. Being overweight is linked to a higher chance of miscarriage as well as complications during pregnancy and delivery.
It has been proven that losing weight improves fertility and increases the chances of becoming pregnant.
Female fertility can be harmed by being underweight, as it may prevent an egg from being released each month.
Being underweight has also been linked to complications during pregnancy. Putting on weight is thought to help with conception.
Genes play a significant role in fertility, as they do in so much of our health, including the age of menopause. In fact, if your mother, sister, or grandmother went through early menopause (before the age of 40), you’re six times more likely to go through it yourself.
Damage to the reproductive organs caused by injury or disease can result in infertility. PID, an infection of the upper reproductive system, can cause scar tissue to block a woman’s Fallopian tube(s), preventing ovulation or pregnancy.
Endometriosis, for example, is a condition in which tissue from the uterus begins to develop on other organs, creating swelling, cysts, or obstructions that can also hinder pregnancy.
Consumption of alchol and smoking
According to some research, consuming more than 5 units of alcohol per week may lower female fertility, while others claim that low to moderate alcohol intake is linked to higher pregnancy rates than non-drinkers. Excessive alcohol use during pregnancy might result in birth abnormalities and developmental delays.
Excessive alcohol use in men can cause problems with erection maintenance, ejaculation, and sperm quality.
Women who smoke are three times more likely than non-smokers to have trouble getting pregnant. Even passive smoking has the potential to be dangerous. Smoking destroys the cilia inside the fallopian tube and lowers a woman’s ovarian reserve (meaning her ovaries will have fewer eggs than a woman of the same age who does not smoke).
When compared to couples who have never been pregnant, couples who have previously accomplished a pregnancy together (regardless of whether or not that pregnancy culminated in the delivery of a baby) are more likely to become pregnant.
If you’ve had difficulties in a previous pregnancy, you’re more likely to have them again. Premature birth, stillbirth, or a history of genetic or chromosomal disorders are all examples.
Timing and frequency of intercourse
The majority of women have a 28-day menstrual cycle, which indicates that there are 28 days between one period and the next. On day 14 of a 28-day cycle, ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) occurs. The day(s) in the cycle when intercourse occurs determines whether or not that egg is fertilised by a sperm.
The chances of becoming pregnant are low at the beginning of the cycle and begin to rise around day 9. If a woman has intercourse two days before she ovulates, she is most likely to become pregnant (i.e. on day 13 of the 28-day cycle).
The chances of being pregnant drop substantially after ovulation: sperm must be present in the female genital tract before ovulation to increase the chances of becoming pregnant. The reason for this is that after ovulation, levels of the hormone progesterone rise, causing the cervical mucus to thicken and cling together, preventing sperm from swimming through it to reach the egg to fertilise it.
Couples who have regular intercourse 2-3 times a week are more likely to conceive because this frequency ensures that a sufficient amount of fresh sperm is present in the female reproductive tract at ovulation. Because there will be less fresh sperm present in the female vaginal tract at the time of ovulation if couples only have intercourse once a week, the chances of getting pregnant are lower.
If you’ve had five or more pregnancies before, you’re more likely to have abnormally rapid labour and subsequent significant blood loss in subsequent labours.
Multiple-birth pregnancies have complications since more than one baby is forming in the womb. These kids are more likely to arrive early due to the restricted amount of room available and the additional strain numerous foetuses place on a woman.
Multiple pregnancies are more likely to have pregnancy issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Some women’s fertility may be reduced by medical issues. When trying to start a family, these factors may or may not be known. Some of these disorders are more general, such as thyroid disease and vitamin D deficiency, while others, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis, are more particular.
Some pre-existing medical issues can make you more vulnerable to pregnancy difficulties.
High Blood Pressure – Pregnant women with chronic high blood pressure have a higher chance of having a low birth weight baby, premature delivery, renal injury, and preeclampsia.
Kidney disease – Miscarriage is more likely in women who have kidney illness. They should also cooperate with their doctor to keep track of their diet and medications during their pregnancy.
Thyroid disease – Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) in the foetus can result in heart failure, poor weight gain, and birth abnormalities.
Diabetes – During pregnancy, both type 1 and type 2 diabetics may have problems. Diabetes that is not well controlled can raise the risk of birth abnormalities in the infant and cause health problems for the mother.
You could be diagnosed with diabetic symptoms during pregnancy if you didn’t have diabetes previously. Diabetes during pregnancy is referred to as gestational diabetes.
If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor about the specific blood sugar control requirements. It will be suggested that you make dietary modifications. You’ll also be told to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of pregnancy
Could you be expecting a child? The pregnancy test is proof of this. You might suspect — or hope — that you’re pregnant even before you miss a period. Learn about the early indications of pregnancy and why they appear.
Most common early symptoms/signs of pregnancy:
Period was skipped. If you’re in your childbearing years and your monthly cycle hasn’t started after a week or more, you could be pregnant. However, if you have an irregular menstrual cycle, this symptom can be misleading.
Nausea that may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. Morning sickness usually starts one month after you become pregnant and can attack at any time of day or night. Some women, on the other hand, suffer nausea earlier, while others never do. While the exact reason for nausea during pregnancy is unknown, pregnancy hormones are most likely to blame.
Fatigue is also one of the most common early pregnancy symptoms. The hormone progesterone rises dramatically throughout early pregnancy, making you tired.
Constipation can be caused by hormonal changes that cause your digestive system to slow down.
Aversions to certain foods. You may become more sensitive to some odours and your sense of taste may change while pregnant. These food choices, like most other pregnant symptoms, can be attributed to hormonal changes.
Cramping and spotting in early stage
On a cellular level, nothing has changed from week one to week four. A blastocyst (a fluid-filled collection of cells formed by a fertilised egg) develops into the baby’s organs and body parts.
The blastocyst will implant in the endometrium, the uterine lining, about 10 to 14 days (week 4) following fertilisation. This can result in implantation bleeding, which might be misinterpreted as a light period.
High body temperature
It’s also possible that a greater basal body temperature is a symptom of pregnancy. During exercise or in hot weather, your body’s core temperature may rise more quickly. You should drink plenty of water and exercise with caution throughout this time.
During pregnancy, your estrogen and progesterone levels will be high. This can alter your mood and cause you to be more emotional or reactive than usual. Depression, anger, anxiety, and euphoria are all frequent mood changes during pregnancy.
Weight gain becomes increasingly frequent as your first trimester progresses. During the first few months, you may gain between 1 and 4 pounds. Early in pregnancy, your calorie needs will be similar to your normal diet, but they will increase as the pregnancy progresses.
Pregnancy glow and acne
Many people may start referring to you as having the “pregnancy glow.” More blood is pushed through your vessels as a result of the increased blood volume and hormone levels. The oil glands in the bodywork overtime as a result of this.
Your skin will appear flushed and glossy as a result of the increased activity of your body’s oil glands. Acne, on the other hand, is a possibility.
when do symptoms of pregnancy start?
Pregnancy takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks afterwards sex. When a fertilised egg attaches to the wall of your uterus, some people feel pregnancy symptoms as early as a week after the pregnancy begins. Others don’t experience symptoms until their pregnancy is a few months old. A missed period is usually the first indicator of pregnancy.
The only way to tell for sure if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. You can test yourself at home (using a pregnancy test purchased from a chemist or supermarket), consult your nurse or doctor, or visit your local Planned Parenthood health centre.
You’ll undoubtedly feel a rush of emotions – and a flood of questions – the instant you find out you’re pregnant. While the first trimester of pregnancy brings a slew of changes for you and your baby, many of them will be hidden from view.
What is first trimester?
A full-term pregnancy lasts approximately 9 months, and most people (including your physicians and midwives) divide it into three ‘trimesters.’ Although you are pregnant from the moment your ovum (egg) is fertilised by male sperm, the first trimester of pregnancy is measured from the first day of your last period to week 12. This is because most women who conceive naturally will have no idea when they were born.
Trimesters are a useful way to think about pregnancy since the changes that occur to you and your baby are divided into three categories: early, middle, and late pregnancy, which are referred to as the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively.
Changes occur in body
For some women, the first trimester is marked by nausea (often referred to as “morning sickness,” but it can strike at any time). However, keep in mind that every pregnancy is unique, and some women feel food cravings, while others experience food aversions, and still, others have no change in appetite at all.
Your kid grows from a fertilised ovum to a foetus of roughly 6cm in length at 12 weeks during the first trimester. Your baby’s heart is starting to beat towards the end of the first trimester, and the brain, stomach, and intestines are developing. Where the arms and legs are beginning to grow, there are small bumps known as ‘buds.’
Your pregnancy’s second trimester lasts from week 13 to week 28, or months 4, 5, and 6. It’s the third trimester, and you’ll likely start to notice your “baby bump” and feel your baby move for the first time.
Morning sickness and fatigue that you may have experienced in the previous three months should lessen as you enter your second trimester.
Your baby grows rapidly throughout the second trimester. You’ll have an ultrasound between the 18th and 22nd week of pregnancy so your doctor can see how your baby is developing. Unless you choose to be shocked, you can also find out your baby’s gender. And you might find out whether you’re having twins during this trimester.
Changes occurs in body
1.Enlargement of the breasts, your breasts are still growing as they prepare to feed your baby, so much of the soreness you felt during the first trimester should be gone. Wearing a strong support bra and going up a bra size (or more) will help you feel more comfortable.
2.One of the most common pregnancy concerns is headaches. Try to get enough rest and use relaxation techniques like deep breathing to help you calm. Although aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided throughout pregnancy, your doctor may allow you to take acetaminophen if you’re in excruciating pain.
3.Urination on a frequent basis. During the second trimester, your uterus will rise away from the pelvic cavity, giving you a reprieve from having to go to the bathroom all the time. But don’t become too comfortable. During the third trimester of your pregnancy, you’ll feel the urge to go again.
4.Early in your pregnancy, you may notice a thin, milky white vaginal discharge (known as leukorrhea). If it makes you feel more comfortable, wear a panty liner, but don’t use a tampon because it can introduce germs into the vaginal area. Call your doctor if the discharge is foul-smelling, green or yellow, bloody, or if there is a lot of clear discharge.
5.Leg cramps are painful, during the second trimester, your leg muscles may spasm and cramp. This happens a lot at night. What causes them is unknown. Stretch your leg muscles before going to bed, exercise regularly, consume magnesium-rich foods like beans or whole grains, drink enough of fluids, get the necessary amount of calcium, and wear comfortable shoes to avoid cramps.
6.Gaining weight. By the conclusion of the first trimester, morning sickness is usually gone. Following that, your hunger should return, and it will most likely increase. Although the meal appears to be more appealing, keep track of how much you’re consuming. During the second trimester, you just need an extra 300 to 500 calories per day, and you should grow about 1/2 to 1 pound each week.
Baby growth in second trimester
Your baby can weigh up to 3 pounds and grow up to 16 inches in length during the second trimester. Their brains and other organs develop and increase rapidly. Each day, their heart pumps 100 quarts of blood. Their lungs are complete, but they are not yet ready to breathe. In addition, your baby can kick, move, turn around, swallow, suck, and hear your voice while in your womb.
The eyes and ears of your newborn will migrate into their proper placements on its head. Their eyelids have the ability to open and close. The baby has a regular sleeping and waking pattern. They develop lashes and brows.
Your child’s fingernails and toenails will grow. Separate the small fingers and toes. Their fingerprints and toe prints become distinct.
By this week, your baby’s placenta has fully grown. The placenta is an organ that provides oxygen and nutrition to your foetus during pregnancy. It also gets rid of the trash. Your foetus begins to accumulate fat in its body during the second trimester.
The third trimester of pregnancy begins in week 28 and lasts until you give birth, which could be around week 40. In other terms, the third trimester of pregnancy lasts from month 7 to month 9. However, labour is likely to begin a few weeks earlier or later – in fact, roughly 30% of all babies are born after the 40-week mark.
Changes occurs in body
1.Crampings or intense discomfort may occur as your round ligaments (which support your lower abdomen) flex to accommodate your expanding bump. There’s not much you can do about it but relax.
2.Stretch marks are microscopic tears in the skin that emerge as it is stretched to its utmost during pregnancy. They are mainly caused by heredity. To decrease their appearance, moisturise.
3.Backache: As the pregnant hormone relaxin loosens your joints and your developing belly drags your centre of gravity forward, you may get a sore back – yet more reason to physically put your feet up. Sciatica, on the other hand, is characterised by sharp, shooting pain from the back down the legs.)
4.As you get closer to your due date, your dreams may become more vivid than ever because to pregnancy hormones. They’re completely natural, so take them with a grain of salt and enjoy sharing experiences with someone you care about.
5.Heartburn: Your uterus will push your stomach and its contents upward in the latter several weeks of pregnancy, generating that constant burn. If it’s really hurting you, ask your doctor about proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 blockers, which are both safe to take while pregnant.
In the third trimester, your baby will grow significantly, from about 2 1/2 pounds and 16 inches long in week 28 to between 6 and 9 pounds and 19 to 22 inches long in week 40. Your kid is developing quickly, so don’t be shocked if his increased size (along with a reduction in living space) causes some serious kicks and pokes in your stomach.
Bones: As your baby’s cartilage turns to bone in months 7 and 8, he’ll be relying on you for calcium, so eat plenty of calcium-rich foods.
Your baby’s brain will expand quicker than ever in the third trimester, putting several neat skills to the test, such as blinking, dreaming, and maintaining his own body temperature.
Digestive system: In the latter weeks of pregnancy, meconium — or the baby’s first excrement, which is largely made up of blood cells, vernix, and lanugo — begins to accumulate in the intestines.
Hair, skin, and nails: By week 32 of pregnancy, the baby’s formerly translucent skin will have turned opaque. As your infant sheds his vernix (the waxy material that covers his skin from the amniotic fluid) and lanugo in week 36, fat continues to increase (the hairy coat that keeps him warm in there).
when is first pregnancy appointment should be?
The first prenatal appointment is normally scheduled between weeks 6 and 8 of pregnancy, in the second month.
If you think you’re pregnant and have taken a pregnancy test, call right away. Some practitioners will be able to see you right away, while others may require several weeks of waiting (or longer). Some OB/GYN practises also offer a “pre-OB” visit to confirm a pregnancy as soon as you suspect you’re pregnant.
Start acting pregnant as soon as you get that positive result at home, regardless of when your first checkup is set (such as by taking a prenatal vitamin, following a healthy diet, switching to mocktails and skipping certain off-limits foods like raw fish and deli meat). You may be comfortable with the essentials, but if you need to brush up, call your practitioner’s office.
If you’re worried about the wait because you think your pregnancy is at risk (due to a chronic disease or a history of losses, for example), call the office to ask if you can come in sooner.
How to prepare yourself for first appointment
Make a list of important health information. Your doctor will want to go over every detail of your medical history with you, so go over your records at home or call your primary care doctor for a refresher. Bring at least a basic understanding of:
- Your personal medical history, including vaccines, severe illnesses or surgeries in the past, and known allergies, including drug allergies.
- Your mental health history: do you have a history of depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses
- Your gynaecological history, including the age of your first period, cycle specifics, whether you have PMS or PMDD, previous gynaecological procedures, and a history of abnormal Pap smears or STDs.
- Previous pregnancies, including pregnancy problems or losses, as well as facts about previous deliveries are all part of your obstetrical history.
Pregnancy complications are health issues that arise during the course of the pregnancy. They can affect the health of the mother, the baby, or both. Some women have health issues that occur during pregnancy, while others have health issues that could lead to concerns before becoming pregnant.
Symptoms and problems of pregnancy can range from minor annoyances to serious, perhaps life-threatening disorders. It’s not always easy for a woman to tell which symptoms are typical and which are not. Physical and mental disorders that impact the mother’s or the baby’s health can occur during pregnancy.
Being pregnant can either create or exacerbate these difficulties. Many issues are minor and do not progress; nevertheless, when they do, they can be harmful to the mother or her child. Keep in mind that there are options for dealing with issues that arise throughout pregnancy. If you have any concerns during your pregnancy, always contact your prenatal care provider.
Diabetes is a disorder in which your body is unable to break down sugar. GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus) is a kind of diabetes that develops while a woman is pregnant. One of the most serious side effects of gestational diabetes is that your baby may develop significantly larger than expected, a condition known as macrosomia. A baby’s shoulders can become trapped during birth. Your doctor will prescribe a caesarean section if the baby is too big for safe vaginal delivery.
There are no visible signs or symptoms of gestational diabetes. Doctors check for it between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, or earlier in high-risk women like those who are overweight or have had gestational diabetes in the past.
The placenta delivers oxygen and nourishment for your baby’s appropriate development while you’re pregnant. The placenta usually connects to the upper section of the uterus, however in the placenta previa, it covers the cervix completely or partially (which is the opening between the uterus and vagina).
Vaginal bleeding that is not accompanied by cramping or other pain is the most common symptom. Some women, on the other hand, have no symptoms. An ultrasound or a physical exam will be used by your doctor to confirm a diagnosis.
Preeclampsia is a severely high blood pressure disorder that occurs during pregnancy. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Preeclampsia usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women who have never had high blood pressure before.
Severe headaches, visual abnormalities, and soreness beneath the ribcage are all symptoms of preeclampsia. Many women, on the other hand, do not immediately have symptoms. When a woman walks in for a typical prenatal checkup with elevated blood pressure, this is frequently the first red flag. In some circumstances, your doctor will run tests to see if you have preeclampsia or just high blood pressure, such as kidney and liver function.
High Blood Pressure
When the arteries that deliver blood from the heart to the organs and the placenta constrict, high blood pressure develops. High blood pressure is linked to an increased risk of a variety of medical problems, including preeclampsia. It increases your chances of having a baby before your due date. This is referred to as premature labour.
A miscarriage occurs when a pregnancy is lost during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), up to 20% of healthy women’s pregnancies result in a miscarriage. This can happen before a woman even realises she’s pregnant. Miscarriage is almost always unavoidable.
Anemia is a condition in which your body has a lower-than-normal quantity of red blood cells. You may feel fatigued and weaker than usual if you have anaemia, and your skin may appear pale. Anemia can be caused by a variety of factors, and your doctor will need to address the underlying cause of your anaemia. Because most occurrences of anaemia are caused by a deficiency, taking iron and folic acid supplements during your pregnancy may be beneficial.
Sleeping problem during pregnancy
Sleep problems are common during pregnancy. Sleep studies tell us that hormonal changes, plus the discomforts of later pregnancy, can break up a pregnant woman’s sleep cycle.
- Insomnia and night waking are common throughout the first trimester. To combat daytime sleepiness and tiredness, most women feel compelled to nap.
- For many women, the second trimester feels more typical. This is frequently a time when you have more energy during the day and don’t need to nap as much.
- In the third trimester, you should expect more sleeplessness and night wakings. Back pain, the need to urinate, leg cramps, indigestion, and foetal movement are common causes of women waking up 3 to 5 times per night. Strange dreams are prevalent in the final weeks of pregnancy as well. As the due date near, the desire to take daily naps reappears.
To achieve the best possible sleep while pregnant, you can take a few simple steps.
- Get some exercise on a regular basis.
- Maintain a consistent sleep routine.
- Attempt to keep your naps as brief as possible.
- Your bed should only be used for sleeping.
- Caffeine should be avoided.
- Relaxation techniques should be practised.
- Reduce your exposure to sounds that could cause you to wake up.
- To cut down on overnight bathroom visits, limit your fluid intake after 6 p.m.
- To relieve aches and pains, prop yourself up with extra pillows.
What is teenage pregnancy?
When a woman under the age of 20 becomes pregnant, it is known as teen pregnancy. It mainly refers to adolescent boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 19. It can, however, include girls as young as ten years old. It’s also known as adolescent pregnancy or teen pregnancy.
Teenage pregnancies cost India $7.7 billion every year, according to a UN assessment. According to a previous estimate by the health ministry, teen pregnancies cost the economy 12% of its GDP (GDP).
In India, teen pregnancy is almost twice as common in rural areas (9.2% vs. 5% in urban areas). Here’s the issue: these pregnancies not only render adolescent girls physically and mentally vulnerable, but they also put them and their kids in danger. Pregnancies of this type are linked to an increased chance of miscarriage, abortion, and other negative consequences.
What is most alarming is that teenage pregnancy affects both mother and unborn baby. In this condition, both mother and baby have to suffer a lot and have some risk of miscarriage and various health issues to mother.
Approximately 40 weeks is the length of a full-term pregnancy. A premature baby, sometimes known as a “preemie,” is one who is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature labour that starts too early in pregnancy can sometimes be stopped with medication. In other instances, the baby must be born early for the mother’s or infant’s health. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the chance of breathing, digestive, visual, and cognitive problems.
Lack of Prenatal Care
Pregnant teenagers are in danger of not receiving adequate prenatal care, especially if their parents do not support them. Prenatal care is essential, especially in the first trimester. Prenatal care checks for medical problems in both the mother and the foetus evaluates the baby’s growth and addresses any complications as soon as they arise.
Prenatal vitamins containing folic acid, which should be taken before becoming pregnant, are critical in preventing birth problems such as neural tube defects.
High Blood Pressure
Pregnant teenagers are more likely than pregnant women in their 20s and 30s to develop high blood pressure, which is known as pregnancy-induced hypertension. They’re also more likely to develop preeclampsia. High blood pressure, extra protein in the urine, swelling of a mother’s hands and face, and organ damage are all symptoms of this serious medical illness.
These medical hazards have an impact on the pregnant teen, who may require medicine to manage symptoms. They can, however, cause problems for the unborn baby’s development. They can also lead to other pregnancy issues, such as premature birth.
Low weight Baby
Teens are more likely to have infants with low birth weight. Premature newborns are more likely to be underweight than their full-term counterparts. This is partly due to the fact that they have less time to mature in the womb. A low-birth-weight infant is between 3.3 and 5.5 pounds at birth. A baby with an extremely low birth weight weighs less than 3.3 pounds.
Symptoms of Teenage Pregnancy
When you miss a period, you’ll most likely know you’re pregnant. However, if you get a very light period around the time you expect it, don’t rule out the possibility of becoming pregnant. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, a very little bleeding is possible.
Pregnancy symptoms include:
- The absence of a menstrual period
- Nausea or vomiting, also known as “morning sickness,” can occur at any time during the day.
- A sudden, strong dislike for some foods, particularly meats and fatty, fried foods
- Breasts or nipples that hurt
- Unusual exhaustion
- Urination on a regular basis
- Mood swings that are out of the ordinary
- I’m feeling dizzy.
- Gaining weight
- Swelling abdomen