Am I Pregnant? Sure Signs That a Baby is on the Way!

Think you might be pregnant? If it is too early to take a pregnancy test and you think you might be pregnant, look for some of these signs.

1. Sore Breasts: This is a tell-tale sign and will usually appear within the first few weeks of pregnancy. Your breasts may feel sore or heavier than usual.

2. Cramping: It may feel as though Aunt Flow is knocking on your hormonal door, but it is just your uterus stretching and therefore causing some period-like cramping.

3. Spotting: Many women mistake early pregnancy spotting for a period. If your period seems lighter and shorter than usual, take a pregnancy to see if your “period” actually means pregnancy.

4. Extreme Fatigue: Okay, we all know tired, BUT if all you can think about is a nap, and isn’t even 9am, you might be pregnant. Tiredness is a big symptom of the first trimester.

5. Nausea: Certain smells turning your stomache? Can’t eat your favotite snack? Nausea is a sure sign that you are pregnant. Morning sickeness plagues about 85%of pregnant women.

6. Bloating and Constipation: Can’t zip your favorite pair of jeans? Bloating may be the cause. While this sympton is also a characteristic of PMS, it can be a major side effect of pregnancy.

7. Peeing more often: Getting up at all hours of the night to tee tee can also be a sign that you are pregnant. Your kindneys kick into high gear when you conceive and this can also be a problem near the end of pregnancy as well.

8. Headaches: Increased blood volume and hormone changes can trigger lots of headaches during the first trimester.

9. Mood Swings: Hormomes are raging and added fatigue can cause a lot of moodiness. If you notice that some things are bothering more than before, take a pregnancy test.

10. Increased Basal Body Temperature: Charting your BBT can usual help you tell when you ovulate. However, if your BBT stays elevated this is a good sign that there is a bun in the oven.

While many of these symptons mimic PMS, it can be hard to tell if you are acutally pregnant. If you think you are pregnant and have not had a period in 40 days, take a home pregnancy test. You know your body best and will be the best doctor when it comes to knowing if some things are not adding up.

New Mom Challenges

If you are a new mom, you are probably thinking your newborn is as perfect as they come. All new moms want to do the best for their baby, but you should always go into knowing that their will be struggles and mistakes made along the way. Here are some of the things you may be coping with if you are a new mom. No worries-it will all come together as you get into the swing of things!

• You Struggle with Breastfeeding: If breastfeeding isn’t going as well as you thought it would, do not suffer alone. Use your resources. Many labor and delivery wards offer lacatation consultants.These are trained professionals who will be happy to evaluate the things you are struggling with. Often times they will even do home visits so they can see firsthand the things you are struggling with. Give yourself a goal of sticking it out for a least a month, but if at the end of four weeks you are still struggling consider switching to formula. Formula fed babies do just as well in the real world!
• Your Husband Becomes Your Worst Enemy: Okay, so you thought having a baby would bring you closer together, but instead you are ready to hit him with a bat and divorce has crossed your mind more than once. The first thing to do is realize that your spouse is doing the best they can. Most men feel an immediate need to become the absolute best provider financially for their family when baby comes. To relieve some of the stress, get hubby involved with the little one. Let him take a night feeding duty so you can catch up on sleep or ask him to do the laundry once a week. Taking over small tasks around the house can make all the difference.
• You Feel Fat: You may not be shedding the left over baby weight quickly and that’s okay. Most of the extra padding and fat is needed to give you some energy for breastfeeding, so that is a good thing. Hitting your old workout routine is not recommended until after 6 weeks post partum, 8 weeks if you had a c-section. So until you can return to your old workout schedule, enjoy the first few weeks with your newborn.
• You Feel the Need to be Perfect: All moms feel pressure to do their very best, but especially new moms, but the idea that your house should be spotless, your kids should always be happy and you should be showered and ready for an outing at any moment is just not realistic. Don’t feel guilty about popping the baby in his bouncy seat for an hour or two so you eat lunch, take a shower, or check your email.

Are you pregnant?

Are you wondering if you could be expecting? There are many signs and symptoms of pregnancy. If you are hoping to be pregnant, unfortunately many signs can mimic PMS. It is very important that you know your body and it’s quirks. This can be key during the “two week wait” (the time between conception and your next expected period). Of course, we all know a home pregnancy test is the best way to find out. But, in the mean time, let your mind wonder with these symptoms and see if any of them match up to how you are feeling:

1. Breast Tenderness: This is a tell-tale sign of pregnancy, however it can also be a PMS symptom for most women. Usually, most expectant mother’s don’t recognize this symptom until about 6-8 weeks into their pregnancy. So it may not be an early sign for everyone.
2. Cramps: You may feel cramps that are very similar to your premenstrual cramping, however, this cramping is a a sign of implantation and uterine stretching.
3. Spotting: This is not a symptom for all women, but some women will experience light spotting as if they were going to start a period. This is also a sign of implantation and can be as tiny as a needle point or larger. If you experience heavy bleeding is probably a sign that your period is going to start or a sign of something for serious if the bleeding occurs for longer than expected.
4. Tiredness: Sure, every woman, working or not, experiences some fatigue during her cycle. But, if you can only think about the next time you get to take a nap while a work or can’t keep up with your daily activities, it could be a sign that there is a baby on board.
5. Nausea: Most pregnant women do not feel morning sickness until 6 weeks of pregnancy or later. However, some women do get to feel the joys of this symptom early on.
6. Bloating: Your increased hormones can cause a little extra pooch in your tummy. This can also happen with your period, but once your period begins, your notice your bloating decreases. Not the case with a bun in the oven!
7. Frequent Urination: Getting up during the night to tinkle? This is your body’s way of kicking your kidneys into gear and is a sign that you might be pregnant.
8. Headaches: These occur early on due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow. As you progress in your progress this symptom should disappear.
9. Constipation: This potty problem can rear it’s ugly head even before you test positive. Your digestive track is slowing down, so you will have a decrease in your bowel movements. Try fiber supplements and a high fiber diet.
10. Mood Swings: While a visit from Aunt Flo can trigger this symptom too, don’t be surprised if it is also a sign you are pregnant. Increased hormones, fatigue, bloating, cramping…You will have good reason to wake up on the wrong side of the bed some days!

Of course, these are not the only signs you could be expecting nor will all women have these symptoms. Signs and symptoms will vary. SharpMoms suggests testing with a home pregnancy test on or after Day 40 of your cycle if your period is not present by then. Still no period or positive test after Day 40? Check with your OBGYN for a blood pregnancy test and other testing to see why your period may be a no-show.

Registry Checklist

Going through pregnancy can be a very exciting, yet overwhelming experience.  Every new mother has worries and one thing that shouldn’t be a stress is registering for baby items. Whether you choose a large store such as Target or Babies R Us or a local boutique, registering for your baby should be a fun, carefree experience. SharpMoms suggests taking a good friend (maybe one with a little expertise) or your own Mother to help you on your registering journey. To help you out, we’ve created a no-nonsense list of baby essentials. Be sure to print it out before you hit the stores!

Baby Care/Diapering

• Lotions and Baby Wash
• Diapers (newborns and Size 1)
• Wipes
• Safety Swabs
• Alcohol Swabs
• Cotton Swabs
• First Aid Kit to-go
• Pacifiers

Baby Gear

• Most new parents choose an infant travel system. This works well because you recieve a stroller, carseat, and base all in one package. However, some carseats and strollers are sold seperately. In that case you will need to register for a base, carseat (they come with one base already), and stroller.
• Umbrella stroller-for quick outings and vacations
• Car Seat Savers/Grabbers-These are like mats that fit under the carseat to protect your actual car seat.
• Play Yard or Pack N Play
• Playmat or Playgym
• Bumbo seat and playtray
• Exersaucer or entertainer
• High Chair

Bath and Potty

• Hooded towel
• Washcloths
• Infant bathtub or seat/sling
• Bath thermometer
• Spout cover
• Bath toys
• Burp Cloths-SharpMoms suggests using Gerber Pre-folded cloth diapers

Clothing

• Kiddopatamus SwaddleMe (small and large)
• Halo SleepSack (small, medium, and large)
• Pack of long-sleeved onsies with turn-cuff sleeve
• 1-2 Sleepers
• Pack of newborn socks

Nursery Gear

• Crib (you may also need teething rails if the crib you select does not come with them)
• Rocker or Glider
• Changing Table
• Bookshelf
• Toy Box
• Dresser
• Nightstand
• Curtains
• Diaper Stacker
• Diaper Pail or Diaper Genie
• Changing Pad
• Changing Pad Covers
• Mattress
• 1-2 Fitted Sheets
• Crib Bedding Sets (don’t forget accessories such as a wastebasket or picture frames)
• Mobile
• Ultimate sheet saver
• Recieving blankets
• Plush blanket
• Baby monitor

Feeding

• Many expectant mother’s opt to breastfeed as long as possible. You may want to register for a breast pump, nursing bra pads, breastmilk storage containers as well as drop in bags for bottles. If you choose to bottlefeed there are many brands to choose from. SharpMoms sugggests Avent or Dr. Brown’s. Don’t forget to register for a starter kit as well as extra nipples in various sizes.
• Infant and toddler spoons
• Sippy Cups
• Plates
• Bowls

This is SharpMoms essential list to get you started on your registering adventure. Don’t forget to add on things that you like and a few toys for baby as well! Many stores have a lot of choose from, so don’t let this list restrict you!