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Week 3 Welcome to Week 3 of the KidandParent Pregnancy
show. In this show, we will talk about the changes to mother and baby during Week 3 of
your pregnancy. We will discuss how to choose a good doctor and pregnancy in women over
35 years. Let us start with the changes taking place in mother . . .
Changes Taking Place in Mother This is the week your baby is conceived. You
may not realize this but your baby is coming into existence! Conception is likely to happen
at the beginning of this week. The released egg or ovum moves into the fallopian
tube and starts making its way down towards the uterus. The *** makes its way up into
the fallopian tube and fertilizes the egg. This fertilized egg will grow into your baby
in 9 months time. Just before ovulation, some women feel cramps
in the lower abdomen. You may also notice a very small rise in body temperature and
tender ***. This happens due to hormonal changes in the body.
How is Baby Doing ? Well, the baby is only about the size of a
pin at this stage. Upon fertilization, the egg continues moving
down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. In three days time, the fertilized egg enters
the uterus. At the end of 5 days, the fertilized egg turns into a mass of cells called blastocyst.
The outer layer of cells will go on to form the placenta, which nourishes and protects
the growing baby. The inner layer of cells will form the human embryo. .
Consult your doctor and follow her advice before stopping any long term medicines. You
might have to wean them gradually rather than stopping abruptly.
Choosing a Doctor Selecting a doctor to handle your pregnancy
is an important task. Some of you maybe lucky enough to already know the ideal doctor. You
may have gone to her earlier or your friend or relative may have been treated by her.
For those of you who are still looking for the right doctor, here are some tips to keep
in mind when choosing a doctor. 1. You can use your pre-conception visit as
a chance to interact with the doctor. 2. It is essential that you are quite comfortable
with your doctor and are able to talk to her very easily.
3. To make an educated choice you should be well-informed. Try to read as much as you
can on what you can expect during pregnancy. 4. Do not feel pressurized to choose the first
OB/GYN you meet. This is as much a personal choice as a logical one. Go through your check
list and finalize the one your heart tells you to.
Checklist for the Right Doctor for You. 1. Does the doctor practice near my home?
2. Is the doctor qualified to handle special conditions like hypertension and diabetes
during pregnancy? 3. Does the doctor accept your medical insurance
plan for delivery ? 4. How can I reach the doctor in case of an
emergency? 5. If I have a doubt during pregnancy about
anything from eating, walking or sleeping, can I discuss them with the doctor over the
phone ? While not all pregnant women crave pickles
and ice cream specifically, pregnancy cravings are common and believed to be rooted in the
body’s need for extra minerals.
Pregnancy in Women over 35 With the increase in the number of working
women in today's world, more women are opting to have a baby in their mid to late 30s. Although
a woman's biological clock clicks best in her 20s and early 30s, the advances in prenatal
care make pregnancy safer today than it has ever been. Your physical readiness for pregnancy
can be assessed by your doctor based on your and your family's medical history.
Pregancy after 35 – Things to Cheer About 1. With age you have matured emotionallly.
Be happy that you will be able to establish a strong bond with your child.
2. You are likely to be more stable financially than you were in your 20s. This gives you
an advantage of getting good health care during pregnancy and better care to the child later
on. 3. You and your spouse might be well settled
in your careers and will have more time and resources for the baby.
It is important to have a pre-conception consultation with your doctor for women over 35 years.
Inform her about your personal and family medical history, previous gynecological history,
medications you are taking and medicinal or non-medicinal allergies you might have.
Q. When should I start taking prenatal vitamins ?
Ans: Many doctors prescribe folic acid as a supplement for women as soon as they plan
to get pregnant. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the foetus. Since
the neural tube is formed in the initial weeks of pregnancy, it is not advisable to wait
till you find out that you are pregnant before starting folic acid supplementation. Your
doctor may recommend other supplements like Calcium, vitamin B12 etc. if needed.
Words of Wisdom Have a nice week with this lovely thought
by Mary Mason ! A baby is something you carry inside you for
nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.
Mary Mason