Category Archives: Pregnancy Signs
Is North Korea Leader’s Wife Pregnant?
SEOUL, South Korea – Public appearances by Ri Sol-ju, the wife of leader Kim Jong-un, were reported by North Korean state media for the first time in two months on Tuesday amid mounting speculation that she had been chastised for inappropriate conduct or that she may be pregnant.
Her once frequent appearances with her husband in public reported in state media had marked the starkest break by the North’s leadership from the dour image of Kim’s father, Kim Jong-il, who was rarely seen in public with any of his wives.
Ri attended football match and a musical concert with Kim Jong-un on Monday. Their appearance at the concert “drew a thunderous cheer from the audience”, the official KCNA news agency said on Tuesday.
Activities and public appearances in choreographed media reports give rare indications of events inside the reclusive state, which is locked in a stand-off with its neighbours and the West over its nuclear weapons programme.
Kim Jong-il, who died in December, had suffered a stroke in 2008 which was followed by a sudden disappearance from media until re-emerging in early 2009 appearing gaunt and ill.
Monday’s events in Pyongyang and his visit to a military college were also the first public appearance by the young new leader Kim Jong-un himself in about two weeks. He looked healthy and confident in photos accompanying reports over four pages in the Tuesday’s edition of the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper.
South Korea’s intelligence agency had joined the fray of speculation over the sudden disappearance of Ri from state media since early September saying state elders may have raised an issue over her casual and cheerful demeanour portrayed in media.
“The analysis has been that there was concern over breach of discipline [by Ri] among North Korean elders, plus the speculation of pregnancy,” South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper quoted the National Intelligence Service as reporting in a closed-door briefing to parliament.
North Korea broke the mystery surrounding a young woman who had been seen with Kim in July by saying she was the leader’s wife. The announcement itself was part of a trend that Kim has followed to break out of the secretive management style of his father.
North Korea’s state media have not disclosed when the two got married or whether they had any children.
Article taken from http://worldnews.nbcnews.com.
Twin Pregnancy
Life is a gift that’s why to most women; a pregnancy is always a reason for a celebration. A baby is a blessing so when God blesses a woman with two babies, it doubles the excitement and the happiness that a woman feels.
Twin pregnancy
People are often captivated with twin or multiple pregnancies. They get amazed at how twins resemble each other and how they carry the same genetic material. There are two types of twin pregnancies; the first type is called Monozygotic while the second type is called Dizygotic. Monozygotic births occur when a woman’s egg splits in two resulting to identical twins. Dizygotic births happen when a woman releases two eggs, each fertilized by a sperm. Dizygotic births produce fraternal twins.
Symptoms of twin pregnancies
Just like any other normal pregnant woman, a woman who is carrying multiple babies also experiences a lot of physical and emotional changes. She’ll experience drastic changes in her appetite; makes frequent trips to the bathroom, and easily gets nauseated. However, there are certain signs that point towards twin pregnancies. One of the early signs of twin pregnancy is weight gain. Although it is common for pregnant women to gain weight but due to the increased uterus size, women with twin pregnancies gain twice as much weight as women with single pregnancies. Another sign is severe morning sickness. Many women with multiple pregnancy noticed that the nausea they are feeling is worse than with single pregnancy.
Reasons of twin pregnancies
There are various reasons behind twin pregnancies. Multiple pregnancies are most of the time hereditary. If you have relatives who have had multiple pregnancies then there is a possibility that you too could produce twins.
Some say and believe that eating yam or other dairy products is another method to help a woman get pregnant with twins. According to some, yam excretes a chemical which helps women to hyper ovulate; this means that more than one egg cell is released during the woman’s menstrual cycle, increasing the chances of twin pregnancies.
There are also other methods available if you cannot get pregnant with twins naturally. One can seek medical help and go through in vitro fertilization. IVF is the combining of a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm in a laboratory dish. After which, the fertilized egg or embryo is then transferred to the woman’s womb to implant and grow naturally. Normally, IVF is a procedure undergone by couples who have the inability to produce babies but it can also be an option for those wanting to bear twins.
Risks and Complications
Multiple pregnancies are immediately considered high-risk. There are a number of things that you need to watch out for if you are pregnant with twins. While it is true that you would need to increase your calorie intake as you are not just eating for 2 but for 3 human beings, one must need to watch out not to gain too much weight as it might result to complications during labor. A woman with a twin pregnancy might be asked to see her obstetrician/gynecologist more frequently that a woman with single pregnancy. It is also likely that you go through a caesarean section when pregnant with twins. It is still possible, though, to give birth through vaginal delivery but it would all depend on the babies’ weight and your health.
Second Pregnancy Symptoms
Motherhood will bring dramatic and wonderful changes in your life. So whether it is your first time to get pregnant or your second time, each pregnancy brings delight knowing that a human being, a baby, is growing inside your womb. And as a mother, we know that the second pregnancy will display different pregnancy symptoms as compared to the first pregnancy.
Although every pregnancy is different, the second pregnancy may not going to be as difficult as the first for the mother already knows what she would go through in those exciting nine months. She, more or less, already knows what to expect and is already aware of the required preparation during pregnancy and also the symptoms of pregnancy.
Differences of second pregnancy
Some woman will discover that the second pregnancy symptoms will normally different from their first. Since their body has already gone through childbirth, the level of fatigue may be different from what they went through when they carried their first child especially that they are also taking care of their first born while being pregnant.
Some of the biggest challenges of becoming pregnant with your second child is how to handle and manage your time between your work, family, household, and your pregnancy. You may be too preoccupied to properly take care of your health. This could also a reason for anxiety for most women. To eliminate this feeling, you can seek both physical and emotional assistance from your partner.
For second-time moms, below are the three changes that come along with the second pregnancy:
1. The baby moves sooner. Other many differences that a mother will notices is that her baby will start moving a bit sooner as compared to first time. Generally, a first timer mom would feel the baby start kicking on the fifth month but for second-timers, the kicking and moving can be felt in as early as 4 months. This could also be attributed to her knowledge on that her baby is moving inside of her and she can feels it, so she can easily recognize the movements and kicks.
2. You tummy will start to enlarge one month sooner. After giving birth to your first baby, the uterus does not shrink to its original size resulting to your belly expanding immediately.
3. You will now carry the baby in your lower abdomen. This is a result of your first pregnancy. When you first got pregnant, your muscles around your abdominal become weaken. This is nothing to be worried about, though. Carrying your child lower has its upsides and downsides as well. The good thing about this is that it allows you to breathe easily and allows you to also eat comfortably; however, this would make you frequent your visits to the rest room. Most women notice they have to urinate more urgently and frequently over the course of their second pregnancy.
Well now let’s hope that the third pregnancy will yield the same pregnancy symptoms as the first and the second!
Maternity Clothes
Maternity Clothes
There are a lot of women who feel unattractive during pregnancy or when imagining wearing old and baggy maternity clothes. Their self-esteem diminishes as their belly expands which is why maternity clothes play a big part in bringing back the confidence that women lose during pregnancy.
Just because you are having a baby doesn’t mean that you are no longer entitled to be fashionable. Luckily nowadays, finding trendy maternity clothes is no longer a dilemma. There are now a lot of stores specializing in designing maternity clothes. These clothes are stylish yet comfortable and easy to wear.
Comfort should be the focal point when buying maternity clothes. Make sure that you feel great wearing them as your pregnancy develops. Always choose clothes that are not too tight so it won’t obstruct the skin from breathing.
Guide on buying maternity clothes
As soon as a woman learns that she’s pregnant through those pregnancy signs or test, she gets eager to buy herself maternity clothes; however, this is impractical especially that your belly won’t start to show until your second trimester. Restrain yourself from buying maternity clothes until you reach your second trimester. For your first three months of pregnancy, use your regular clothing except, of course, the tight ones.
It is best if you purchase your maternity clothes at a maternity clothing store. These stores offer many options. In addition, their staffs are more knowledgeable and could help in addressing your needs.
You can also play around with different clothing styles. As your body changes, the clothes that look good on you also change. Try buying a few pants and skirts so you can mix and match it with different tops.
Sometimes it would help to try on a prosthetic tummy. This would help you choose what type of clothes to purchase. You can inquire if the store has one so you can check the fit of the clothes. Also, select maternity clothes that are made from a stretchable material, this way it can be used all throughout your pregnancy.
You also need to get yourself new underclothing. When you visit a lingerie store, have yourself measured to get the perfect fit especially that your bra size will increasingly change during your pregnancy.
Shopping for maternity clothes should be a fun activity for pregnant moms. With a baby coming, women should not worry about spending a lot of money on maternity clothes. Today, we have an array of maternity clothes that are inexpensive yet long-lasting. One thing to keep in mind is that a good quality maternity wear is intended to last through the entire nine months of a pregnancy. It is also alright, though, to splurge on one or two very good or pricey maternity clothes to guarantee its durability and quality.
Less Common Pregnancy Signs
There are numerous sort of pregnancy signs that women all over the world experience. Some are common and some are not very occurring. Discussed here are the less common signs of pregnancy out of which one is Acne. Acne is a problem that is further varied to every individual. Some women may experience there acne to become better during pregnancy while some may experience acne for the first time in life and too at a terrible rate.
Acne includes not only red bumps in the skin that seem inflamed also white and blackheads are included in the category. This problem is at its peak in the first three months of pregnancy as hormones are rapidly changing at this time especially the progesterone. This frequent change in hormones can result in pimples on various parts of the upper body besides production of excessive oil in the skin resulting in acne.
A natural way to keep your pores clean is to drink lots of water and wash your skin regularly with lots of water. You can also use a mild cleanser before a non clogging mild moisturizer. One with an effective sunscreen should be preferred whereas any product that contains salicylic acid should be avoided as it is suspected to have adverse effects on pregnant women. Over the counter acne medicines are also a way but make sure to consult your doctor before taking up any medications. A common prescribed solution to acne is the Accutane or isotretinoin which can cause miscarriage if taken in the first trimester so avoid it at all costs.
Another less common pregnancy signs which is rather common as compared to the latter one is heartburn or reflux. Heartburn refers to the burning sensation that is felt in the chest area commonly after eating. In some cases a bitter taste or acid is felt in the mouth and also pain is experienced when you lie or bend down, this pain may be severe to some and on a slighter note to others. It is estimated that almost 25% of pregnant women experience heartburn from the first trimester which gets more intense at the last trimester. Heartburn also gets intense as the weight of the growing baby compresses the digestive tract. In such a situation it is advised to eat small meals at small intervals as a large meal is sure to make your heart burn especially if you lie down straight after eating.
Also there are some changes that can be made to ease reflux of mild nature. Firstly avoid all kinds of spicy and acidic foods; also abstain from late night meals. Smoking and alcohol should be completely restricted as they are not only responsible for reflux but also the overall health of the baby. Lastly use an extra pillow as keeping your head a little higher may help in fighting reflux problem.
Another less common pregnancy signs is the sciatic nerve pain. This refers to the severe pain that is experienced in the buttocks to the back or to the side of the legs. This pain is experienced usually in the later stages of pregnancy. This pain is usually felt from the uterus in the pelvis area to the legs. This pain occurs mainly due to the growing size and weight of the uterus. A suggested way to get relief from this nerve pain is to lie down on the other side to relief pain from that particular nerve.
Another less common symptoms of pregnancy is swelling of feet, fingers and in some cases ankles too. As there is a large amount of fluid in your body sometimes it gets accumulated in your legs and causes them to swell. If a pregnant woman is required to stand for long periods and that too in hot atmosphere her feet and ankles are bound to swell. It was a common believe that use of supplements especially calcium may relieve swelling but studies have proved against it.
And another very strange pregnancy signs is development of spider veins. These refer to the veins in the area of the upper arms and the chest which seem like spider legs. This symptom causes many women to worry though it should not be concerning. This mainly occurs due to the excessive blood flow in the pregnant woman’s body.
An early symptom is production of excessive saliva in the mouth. This is experienced normally in the first three months and may cause drooling mouth while sleeping or even nausea. This is a very discomforting symptom and painful too in cases of nausea. The reason to this is again hormonal change and once the body adjusts to it this symptom is over with so it should not be anything of concern.
Also during pregnancy mucous membrane areas such as gums and nose become sensitive and also in some cases swell. It is common to experience bleeding gums while brushing and bleeding noses too when blowing hard. Some women experience constant runny noses or constantly stuffed noses. Again increase production of progesterone hormones are working behind this symptom. Your gums may react intensively to this hormone through reacting more sensitively to gums bacteria. This situation is also referred to as pregnancy gingivitis. This pregnancy gingivitis is suffered by almost 50% of pregnant women.
Many pregnant woman report having vivid dreams. In some cases they are reported to be related to the baby or the pregnancy whereas in some cases it is unfocused completely. Excessive hormonal production is thought to be behind these dreams as well.
Palmar erythema is the reddishness experienced in soles and palms. These skin changes occur due to the mixed excessive production of hormones. There is nothing to be concerned of as it is reversible but you will have to wait until the baby arrives for it to go. Now you know that each pregnant women will display their pregnancy signs differently, and some will can be those less common pregnancy signs.
Pregnancy Back Pain
Causes of Pregnancy Back Pain :
- This is the weight that you usually do not need to experience. All of a sudden, you are subjected to take some extra load, which you are not used to.
- On a scientific note, the center of gravity of your body changes. It shifts to your lower back. The lower back is overloaded with weight as compared to the torso.
- The back muscles automatically become more active than ever before, as most women start leaning on their back, during the latter stages of their pregnancy.
- Pain is also caused due to weakness in abdominal muscles
- Causes of Pregnancy back pain may also be pertained to hormonal changes that occur during this period. The release of hormones increases up to ten folds during pregnancy. These hormones relax the pelvic joints, so that the baby can pass easily during delivery. This process often causes abnormal movements in other body parts, leading to pain and inflammation. The back is one of them.
- Back pain can also be a pre-labour symptom. If a backache happens during the latter stage of pregnancy, then it is always better to consult the doctor.
- Back pain can also occur due to separation of the diastases with the rectus abdominal muscles, as the uterus expands. So, as you reach the final stages, the back ache may also intensify.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Abdominal Pain
Pregnancy Symptoms: Abdominal Pain
Many pregnant women take pain during pregnancy as frightening and think that something may be wrong. However this is not true in all cases. Abdominal pain is quite common in pregnancy and that too in the early stages as your body adjusts itself to the changing conditions and adjusts itself in preparation to accommodate the baby for the coming months. But the pains should not be underestimated too as some kinds of pain may require medical attention. It is very important that you should understand your body and know exactly when the body is transferring the signals to indicate that something is wrong.
Some women experience pain in the early stages of pregnancy. This may be due to the process when the egg attaches itself to the walls of the uterus. Also some pain may be experienced at the time of your next date. This pain is exactly as you experience at the beginning of your regular menstrual cycle.
In the early months of pregnancy some women may experience sharp pain in the groin and across to one side. This pain occurs due to no understandable reason and occurs sometimes when you start moving or when you stand up. This pain occurs when the ligaments and muscles present in the pelvic area start to loosen up and thicken to accommodate the baby’s increasing weight and also the changes needed to give birth. But if this pain is experienced continuously and keeps growing constantly on one side and if you feel that a dark blood type excretion or heavy bleeding is experienced you should immediately consult a doctor as this may indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Other kinds of pain include digestive pains which may occur due to indigestion, constipation, bloating and when air gets trapped in. This is due to the growing weight of the baby that is stressed on the digestive tract and rectum and it is added on by the hormones released during pregnancy that slow the digestive system. These pains can be really painful sometimes.
During pregnancy the uterus sometimes contracts and begins to tighten, this is known as Braxton Hicks contractions and they occur for a small period often as pregnancy proceeds. Although they last only a few moments and it can be triggered by some act of yours or by the baby’s movement. Though if they occur occasionally it is fine but if frequent pains are experienced you should consult a doctor.
Sometimes serious kinds of pain can occur in the form of cramps or abdomen pain. This can be concerning if it increases by time and if any vaginal bleeding is experienced with it. As explained earlier that one sided pain with dark colored vaginal bleeding may lead to a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy which can leave the mother to suffer from internal bleeding or state of shock.
Also pains can be experienced if the mother adopts infections especially of the urinary tract. This is evident through feelings of fever or chill and pain during urinating, blood in the urine accompanied with backaches are all signs of infection. Pregnant women due to pregnancy hormones are very prone to infections.
Another painful condition is known as pre eclampsia, this includes nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen, real bad headaches and vision problems. This should be treated promptly when identified as women with high blood pressure are at a larger threat and this symptom can be life threatening in some cases both for the mother and the baby.
Most women experience pains in the pelvic area which is common in pregnancy. However some women develop Symphysis Publis Dysfunction (SPD) this happens due to the release of excess relaxin hormones in the body. As pregnancy reaches its last stages normally the joints and bones of the body soften to go through the procedure of delivering. In SPD patients this softening reaches a heightened point and too much stretching and softening becomes painful. In such cases giving birth can become a very painful and difficult process. An obstetric physiotherapist consultancy is advised who will help in preparing you for the birth.
Find out other pregnancy symptoms and information regarding it to truly help you understand it.
Breast Changes in Pregnancy
The early signs of pregnancy include a change in breast tissues in women. This is a natural process where the breast of a woman responds to the pregnancy by getting itself prepared for breast feeding. This change is among the early changes that the body develops when a woman conceives. To further elaborate the changes in a woman’s breast, here discussed are some common changes occurring during pregnancy
SORE BREASTS IN PREGNANCY
At the very beginning of the pregnancy, that is during the first three months, your breast tend to turn soar, but in some cases women with impending period also suffer from this symptom and so this sign is generally not noticed much. Your breasts turn tender or sensitive when they are touched and in many cases a serious kind of pain is experienced when a bra is worn. Though these symptoms are quite normal and experienced by almost everyone, however they are prominent only during the first trimester and lose intensity after that period. It is due to this reason that many women abstain from sex during this period, though having sex during pregnancy is safe but normally to avoid their breasts being touched, many women avoid sex.
NIPPLE CHANGES IN PREGNANCY
The obvious changes evident in the nipples of a pregnant woman are the darkening of the nipples as the pregnancy grows and the increase in their size. Also small goose bump or pimple like white areas start appearing on the aureola which is normal and termed as Montgomery’s Tubercules.
LARGER BREASTS DURING PREGNANCY
Your breasts start to grow and increase size either from the first trimester or in some cases women experience this symptom starting from the second trimester. This is all because of the expanding of tissues in the breast in preparation of getting itself ready for breastfeeding. As the pregnancy proceeds, the size of the bra also increases and you may have to opt for a nursing bra so adjust the increased size of the breast.
LEAKING COLOSTRUM
The first milk that is produced in the mother’s body is the colostrum. This milk contains all the necessary vital nutrients that the baby requires to start his healthy life. This milk also contains components that act as immunity for the baby against many diseases including Jaundice. This milk is a golden color fluid and many mothers normally experience its leaking by the end of pregnancy or even if it does not leak a light filmed cover or caked greasy substance is present on the tips of the nipples which is also due to colostrum. To avoid it from being evident you can use breast pads to feel normal and comfortable.
NO BREAST CHANGES
Also some women experience no breast changes or other pregnancy signs at all or only minor changes are seen during pregnancy. It is however normal and it has nothing to do with your capability to become pregnant, go through it safely or your breast feeding the baby.
Strange Pregnancy Signs
Pregnancy is a big turnover of life and living through it is no ordinary job. Many new moms who are experiencing this change for the first time may rely on the known information and pregnancy signs like Nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite due to some conditions and also backaches in some cases. However there are many uncommon signs of pregnancy that are never heard of. Here are five such seldom experienced pregnancy signs that mothers could experience:
Nose Bleeds and Nasal Stuffiness
Many people are of the opinion that only the uterus and surrounding areas respond to pregnancy, however this is not true. Your whole body responds to this major change and reflecting this theory is this symptom of a bleeding nose or nasal stuffiness. You should try home remedies like snorting with salt water or using a humidifier or if the symptom still persists try talking to your doctor for advice on other solutions.
Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancies. As everyone knows and expect that the menstrual periods stop when you are pregnant but increase in vaginal discharge is not expected. If this bothers you, panty liners can be used as this can continue to the end of the pregnancy period until the child is born. Though if at any point you feel that the color of the discretion is changing or you feel odor you should immediately consult a doctor.
Insomnia
Feeling fatigued and tired are signs of pregnancy too and women in many cases try to sleep it off, however this does not happen in all cases. Many times mothers suffer from insomnia with or without feeling tired at all. This is a symptom that is experienced during pregnancy and is considered to be normal. This is apparent by staying up most of the time or having problems going to sleep at all or after you wake up at night. This can be avoided through relaxing, exercising and decreasing intake of caffeine. These are the main remedies that can be taken other than medical relief.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Burping, belching and gas are also symptoms of pregnancy. These are common symptoms and if a woman suffers from these unwomanly effects she should avoid foods that tend to increase the effects of these symptoms. A very important thing is to let it go as if you try to hold it in it will cause you a lot of pain.
Constipation
This symptom occurs due to the hormones of pregnancy which make the intestines slow and sluggish. Again home remedies include drinking lots of water, exercising and eating food that are rich in fiber. However if it does not help you should consult your doctor about it as it can be painful too.
The above strange and weird pregnancy signs doesn’t normally happen and are very rare and strange.
Pregnancy and Weight Gain
A pregnant woman gains weight during pregnancy and this is due to the placenta which holds the baby and the amniotic fluid that provides a frictionless support layer to the baby during growing phase. Normally your intakes increases which results in increase of fat deposits, these fats provides food and nutrients to the baby and also helps mammary glands in producing milk after pregnancy.
Since pregnant women need extra calories for the growth of their baby therefore during pregnancy gaining weight is a normal phenomenon. But the question is how much extra weight should be put on because excess weight can lead to many problems and result in complications at the time of delivery. The exact amount of weight one should put on during pregnancy depends on the actual weight i.e. before pregnancy.
Your body requirements increase during pregnancy as it is also taking care of your baby therefore if you are underweight before pregnancy then it is advisable to gain some extra weight during pregnancy because you not only fulfill your body requirements but your baby’s as well. If you are underweight during pregnancy, you can suffer from multiple problems like premature delivery and low birth weight baby.
Women who have normal weight before pregnancy should also gain some weight. The major weight gaining is during the first trimester of pregnancy but it might create a problem as maximum weight gain in early pregnancy increases body cells resistance to insulin which result in the development of gestational diabetes. Therefore only increasing weight during pregnancy is not important but a continuous monitoring of your weight at all stages of pregnancy is also very essential. Therefore in order to avoid complications during pregnancy and at the time of delivery you should maintain your weight at a safe level.
If you are already overweight and also put on some weight during pregnancy then the probability of gestational diabetes is very high at the later stages of pregnancy. In gestational diabetes your body cells offer resistance to glucose and thus the glucose content in your diet does not dissolve properly and can cause multiple problems for you and your baby.
No matter whether you are underweight, normal or overweight before pregnancy you should give due care to your weight during pregnancy. However if you are expecting twins or triplets than your weight should increase as per the feed requirements of your babies.
*Do you know that unexpected weight gain is a signs of pregnancy as well..
