Maintaining the weekly pregnancy calendar

Maintaining the weekly pregnancy calendar is a wise thing to do. It tracks the growth of the baby. It also helps to treat both the mother and the child, in the case of any complication. This calendar helps you understand the fetal development in each week, so that both physical and emotional factors can be taken care of in the best possible manner.

Keeping track of pregnancy week by week will help you to be prepared for all situations. For any expecting mother, life takes an interesting, yet an unusual turn, and therefore all sensible mothers like to know about the changes that will happen in their bodies and the babies growing within them.

Idea about when the delivery of the baby

A weekly pregnancy calendar also gives an idea about when the delivery of the baby will take place. There are three stages of pregnancy – each of it is known as a trimester. The first trimester begins with the onset of pregnancy. The entire gestation period lasts for 40 weeks. The first trimester lasts till the 14th week, the second till the 26th week, and the last trimester lasts till the baby is delivered.

The baby develops gradually, from the ovulated egg meeting the sperm, to form the zygote. Developments start at a rapid pace after this. The zygote develops into an embryo and leads to the formation of a ‘primitive streak’. After further expansion, this streak develops three definite layers. The layer at the top produces the cells that form the teeth, mouth, skin, anus, eye lens, and parts of the nervous system of the baby. The layer in the bottom forms the tonsils, tongue, lungs, and gland structure. The reproduction and excretory system, lining of the heart, blood cells, are formed by the layer in the middle.

* The first 13 weeks- the fetus develops from a mere conglomeration of cells to a softball sized structure. The organs also start developing. The major organ systems start growing during these weeks.

* 14th week to 26th week- the baby weighs just about 28 grams and is about 10 centimeters long.

* 27th week to 40th week- the baby weighs about 700 grams and is about 9 centimeters in length. Ultrasounds are done on a regular basis to estimate the health, weight, and condition of the baby.

The weekly pregnancy calendar is a must for every expecting mother. It not only gives the growth story of the child, but also the ways and means by which the mother can keep fit and healthy. It is good to maintain a healthy diet as the health of the baby depends a lot on the mother’s intake.

Pregnancy back pain can get worse if not treated in time. Typically, it occurs due to the pressure on the lower back because of an expanded tummy. The weight of the child can affect the new mother. The ache may be negligible in the first trimester, but it grows with each quarter of pregnancy. In fact, this pain gets worse during the later stages of child bearing.

In order to overcome this pain, it is essential to take precautions from the beginning. It is recommended that you consult a doctor. There are many methods of treating and preventing pregnancy back pain. In this article, we shall discuss some of the common treatment methods.

Treatment Methods

Exercise: Many doctors suggest light exercise during childbearing stage. It is a tried and tested method of reducing and relieving pain. However, the exercise should be done under the guidance of a trained physiotherapist or medical professional. Moderate exercises that help in building strength and stability can make a lot of difference. If daily exercise is difficult then you can follow a weekly pregnancy calendar for an exercise regime.

Massage: Light massage by a trained masseur can be very helpful during this stage of childbearing. A massage followed by hot water bath is an ideal way to reduce the pain.

Correct Posture:Pregnancy back pain may get aggravated due to wrong posture. Slouching or bending can be risky. Check your posture and walk upright. While sitting, avoid slouching.

Balanced Diet: A proper diet is beneficial for you and your baby as it prevents excess weight gain. Excessive weight gain can also cause backache. It is important to keep a check on your weight and go for routine checkups to keep a tab on weight.

Although, these methods of treatment help to prevent pregnancy back pain, overall fitness also plays an important role. It is important to be fit before you get pregnant. Your physical fitness and immunity should be good. If your body is in a good shape before you conceive you are less likely to suffer from complications. The process of childbirth is easier if the mother-to-be is fit and healthy.

Pregnancy is a state wherein doctors do not recommend too much medication. Especially, they do not encourage the use of painkillers since it can have side effects on the child. One golden rule that you must remember is: “prevention is better than cure.”