Pregnancy and impending motherhood are undoubtedly among the most life-changing experiences for women. Coping with the changes that comes with having a baby can be both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time, most especially for first-time moms.

It is important for women to understand the transformation their bodies has to go through during this period as these signs may be symptoms of some other medical condition.

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Couples trying for a baby are overjoyed on discovering the pregnancy. It is one of the happiest times for a woman to feel a part of creation; one cannot thank heaven enough for the blessings. Creating life is a miraculous feeling; one must develop a happy and positive outlook towards life and enjoy every moment of the pregnancy. It not only brings with it an expanding waistline but also many other body changes. To enjoy the fruits of motherhood one must take these changes in the stride and maintain good health and a happy attitude for the well being of both the mother and the baby.

Basics of a healthy pregnancy

Some of the early signs of a pregnancy are nausea and vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, over sensitivity in taste and smell towards common foodstuffs, backaches, headaches and general pains, fatigue and tiredness, swelling and soreness of breasts, change in body and complexion, and sleeping trouble.

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Is this your first pregnancy? Yes! Then, congratulations are in order. For women, who are expecting for the first time, it is both an exciting and a nervous moment.

But, how did you find out that you are pregnant? A missed menstrual period is usually the first sign of pregnancy. Don’t worry, if you do not remember when you last menstruated. There are several other signs of pregnancy that appear during the first few weeks. Some of these early signs of pregnancy are described as follows:

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The early signs of pregnancy usually begin for most women during the first few weeks following conception, and some even before their first missed menstrual cycle. The symptoms will vary in intensity and type, although a missed menstrual period is usually the first sign of pregnancy noticed by most women.

Here are the other most common signs and symptoms of early pregnancy:

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Pregnancy with high blood pressure requires special care for both the mother and the fetus. Some women can control high blood pressure through diet and exercise, by reducing salt intake and oil, and with medication. However, the question really is, Is pregnancy with high blood pressure safe? The answer for most women is, Yes, it is. However, prenatal care is essential and you need to know a few more things.

The effects of high blood pressure during pregnancy can be mild to severe. Although some pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies, high blood pressure in general can harm the mother kidney or other organs or may cause premature delivery. The newborn child can be underweight too.

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Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life. Changes in your body may be matched by changes in your emotions. You don’t know what to expect from day to day. You may feel tired, uncomfortable, or cranky one day and energetic, healthy, and happy the next. The last thing you need is an asthma attack.

Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions in the US and other developed countries. If you have asthma, you know what it means to have an exacerbation (attack). You may wheeze, cough, or have difficulty breathing. Remember that the fetus (developing baby) in your uterus (womb) depends on the air you breathe for its oxygen. When you have an asthma attack, the fetus may not get enough oxygen. This can put the fetus in great danger.

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Laser hair removal in pregnancy can be a perturbing issue for pregnant ladies annoyed by the additional hair growth which sometimes appears. Some women might also be worried about the risks of pregnancy laser hair reduction for women who are trying to start a family.

Is it wise to go for pregnancy laser hair reduction for women who are trying to start a family? These are the customary queries that laser medical practitioners hear from many health conscious ladies.

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Aromatherapy is a natural healing science employing essential oils extracted from aromatic plant sources to treat and balance the body, mind and spirit. During pregnancy, aromatherapy can prove to be extremely beneficial and helpful alternative, while also being very easy to employ and use. In order to use essential oils safely during pregnancy a few extra safety guidelines will need be followed. Though, there are reports of side effects, the user must be cautious enough to report any adverse effects to the physician immediately. Essential oils are extremely concentrated and volatile. They must be diluted before use. A common dilution for aromatherapy blends during pregnancy is 2 %, which would equal approximately 10 drops essential oil to 1 ounce or 2T carrier oil (this is the most preferred oil). For an aromatherapy pregnancy bath, add 6-10 drops of essential oil to the tub and mix well before getting in to the tub. 3-6 drops essential oil in a bowl of warm water wrung out in a washcloth works well for a compress. Use the same dilution in a bowl of steaming hot water for a steam inhalation. An aromatic bath is supposed to provide relaxation to the taut pelvic muscles and aid in avoiding stretch marks. How ever, there are many essential oils that need to be avoided during pregnancy. The following list contains oils that should be avoided during pregnancy and oils that are recommended for use during pregnancy. OILS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY Use of essential oils should be extremely limited or avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy, but has many wonderful uses in the last two trimesters and especially during labor. Oils to avoid during pregnancy include: Basil, Cedar Wood, Cinnamon, Clary sage (during labor), Clove, Cypress (after 5 months), Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine (during labor), Juniper, Lemongrass, Myrrh, Parsley and Pennyroyal OILS RECOMMENDED DURING PREGNANCY The following oils will be comfortable for using during pregnancy. As always, use caution if you have allergies or a family history of allergies. If you feel you may be allergic to oil, do a patch test first. Good oils for pregnancy include: Bergamot, Chamomile, Cypress (after 5 mos.), Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium (avoid in early pregnancy), Grapefruit, Lavender. Lemon, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rosewood, Sandalwood and Tangerine If you are currently pregnant and have been using any of the essential oils that need to be avoided, but are not experiencing any bleeding or cramping, then there most likely is nothing wrong. However, it is strongly encouraged you to consult your doctor or midwife and discontinue use of the “to be avoided” essential oils. Aromatherapy Benefits for Pregnancy Listed below are some of the benefits and therapeutic effects of the essential oils recommended for use during pregnancy:

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Pregnancy is an important stage for every woman bringing joy in the family but on the other hand, pregnancy involves many changes in women’s body and lifestyle. Even though being pregnant is not a disease, there are certain symptoms that indicate a possible pregnancy. Much more, pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman but most of them are the same in every case. In addition to this, signs of a possible pregnancy usually occur within a week of conception or several weeks or even cannot be present at all.

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