Each week of a woman’s 40 week pregnancy is marked by a number of significant changes. The following is a list of a few pregnancy week by week highlights that take place during the first 20 weeks:

Week 1: Week by week pregnancy notes the first trimester. The sex of the fetus is determined during week one.

Week 2: The embryo attaches to the placental wall of the uterus.

Week 3: The expectant mother experiences early pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, breast sensitivity, and nausea. The cardiovascular system and central nervous system begin to develop.

Week 4: The fetus ears and limbs start to form. The limbs are much like little buds.

Week 5: The mother is experiencing more nausea. The embryo is about 2 – 3 inches in length. The embryo’s head is the biggest feature because the brain is developing.

Week 6: The mother’s breasts become bigger and sensitive. The heart of the fetus is beating.

Week 7: Fetus development includes eyelids, fingers, toes, and mouth.

Week 8: The fetus blood vessels are developing. The fetus is starting to look like a baby.

Week 9: The uterus will grow significantly to that of the size of a grapefruit.
The toes and fingers of the fetus are prevalent.

Week 10: The mother’s weight will increase. The will be about 1.5 inches long.

Week 11: The uterus has become more visible. Major organs are developing. The sonogram is usually given.

Week 12: The increase in weight is visible. The fetus can suck its thumb and swallow. It can be seen breathing with chest movements.

Week 13: The mother may develop stretch marks. The fetus is moving. Its organs are working. Teeth and bones are developing.

Week 14: Week by week pregnancy notes the second trimester. Fetus is about a pound in weight.

Week 15: The fetus will respond to sounds such as the heartbeat. It also has a hair covering called “Lanugo.”

Week 16: The fetus is moving more often.

Week 17: The mother weight is increasing. The legs and arms of the fetus are developed. It can differentiate between certain tastes and weighs about 6.5 ounces.

Week 18: The mother may have lower back pain. The fetus will respond to outside noises and will weigh up to 8.6 ounces.

Week 19: A mother may feel faint. The fetus’ baby teeth are developing and it weighs about 10 ounces.

Week 20: Fetus is covered with a greasy substance called Vernix.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a gas that is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. CO is a by-product of burning fuel and it is an extremely poisonous gas. CO poisoning suffocates a person from within by stopping the blood from absorbing oxygen. If someone is exposed to high levels of CO, the result can be brain damage or death. Any home device that produces carbon monoxide should be monitored by a carbon monoxide detector. This includes Natural Gas Water Heaters.

Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms that can include: nausea, headaches, burning eyes, dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness, loss of coordination, and drowsiness or fatigue. Signs of high levels of CO in the home include: natural gas flames that are yellow instead of blue, furnace pilot light or a pilot light of any other natural gas-fired device will not stay lit, accumulation of soot around exhaust vents, when the furnace is turned on there is a natural gas smell or sharp odour, stale air, white chalky powder on a exhaust vent pipe, and the carbon monoxide alarm sounds for no apparent reason or cause, such as the build up of humidity.

When there is carbon monoxide detected in the home, carbon monoxide detectors will sound an alarm. These detectors should be placed in locations where they will be able to detect the CO fumes. Because air is heavier than carbon monoxide, the CO will rise. For this reason, many experts recommend putting the detector five feet above the floor. As well, if you have a natural gas water heater, it will have gas vents. This makes carbon monoxide detectors vital in the event that the vent becomes blocked. Install at least one carbon monoxide detector outside upstairs bedrooms.

When you change your clocks in October and May, change the batteries. You can buy carbon monoxide detectors at department, plumbing supply, and hardware stores. It is important to follow the manufacturers’ instructions when installing and testing the device. If your carbon monoxide detector alarm does go off, open the windows and doors to let the fresh air in and immediately leave the home and call 911.

Natural gas devices that are properly installed and maintained should not release CO. Preventing CO exposure includes: getting your natural gas devices inspected annually, making sure your natural gas water heater’s openings are clear, keeping your furnace fan compartment doors closed and the panels in place, and adding extra ventilation if you have blocked-in your natural gas hot water heater.

Natural gas, wood, gasoline, coal, heating oil, propane, diesel fuel, and kerosene, can all produce CO. If someone has symptoms of CO poisoning, take them out of the home and call 911. When you have well-maintained equipment and plenty of fresh air, CO should not be a problem. Because carbon monoxide is such a toxic gas, it is important to take the appropriate measures to protect your family and pets. The best safety plan is to properly maintain your natural gas water heater which includes yearly inspections by a professional such as a licensed plumber. You will sleep better knowing everyone in your home is safe.

When a woman discovers that she is pregnant, one of the firsts things she wants to know is the pregnancy due date. Because a regular pregnancy period can be anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks, no one can give an exact due date. However, there are methods of calculating an approximate due date so that expectant mothers can make plans and record their pregnancy week by week.

Most experts say that the best way to determine a pregnancy due date is by doing an ultrasound during the first trimester. Ultrasound can be used to examine the development of the fetus, and then one will determine his or hers age based on which systems are entirely developed. The size of the baby is measured to see if it matches up with the last menstrual period. If an ultrasound is given during the first trimester, it can determine the age of the fetus within about 3 to 5 days. An ultrasound performed later in a pregnancy tends to be less accurate. As well, the fetal heartbeat can be used to determine the date of conception. The fetal heartbeat can be heard through Doppler beginning at 9 to 12 weeks.

The most common method of determining the pregnancy due date is by determining the first day of the last menstrual period. By adding 280 days to the last menstrual period, an expectant mother will have her approximate due date. It is important to be aware that this calculation is based on the assumption that a woman has her period every 28 days. Some women will have longer or shorter periods so the due date is considered an approximate date. As well, other factors that influence a pregnancy due date include: prenatal diet, weight, ethnicity, age of the mother, smoking, any prior pregnancies, ethnicity…etc. By the time a woman reaches her 40th week of pregnancy, she will receive weekly tests to make sure the baby is not in distress.

The standard equation for determining a pregnancy due date is: (Last Menstrual Period + 7 days) – 3 months = Expected Date of Delivery

Because determining the pregnancy due date is not an exact science, experts recommend that an expectant mother gets ready for birth two weeks before her due date. In any event, an expectant mother should relax and enjoy her pregnancy week by week.

There are many joys that come with motherhood maternity. When a woman first discovers that she is pregnant, she feels that life has changed forever. Because motherhood maternity becomes a series of ups and downs due to physical and emotional changes, it is important to understand that the reaction to these changes is a normal part of the pregnancy.

Due to hormonal changes, expectant mothers will become a vessel of emotions. The ebb and flow of hormones have many different affects throughout the pregnancy. Hormonal swells can cause emotions to change frequently. An expectant mother will feel joy at the beginning. As the hormones change, moods will change. An expectant mother will become more irritable during the pregnancy. There may be severe stress and anxiety about taking care of such a helpless life, as well as the realization of the fact that a baby is a life commitment. There may also be a feeling of sadness over the loss of one’s independence. Other worries can include: financial worries, worries about the baby’s future such as education, whether the baby will be born healthy…etc.

There are many physical changes that an expectant mother will go through. She will develop swollen ankles and fingers, experience a gain in weight, her abdomen will get bigger, and she will acquire stretch marks. An expectant mother may become depressed because she is feeling unattractive. Most experts suggest that a woman discuss her feelings with loved ones in order to acquire a better perspective of her own thoughts.

Expectant mothers will normally implement a number of measures to reduce unpleasant pregnancy symptoms. They will engage in activities that will help them relax such as meditation. They will also make sure they are eating enough and the right foods. The proper nutrition is essential during the motherhood maternity period. As well, they will focus on positive thoughts instead of negative thoughts. A positive attitude is a key element to reducing negative pregnancy symptoms.

For a woman, motherhood maternity is a joyful and exciting time that is filled with ups and downs. It is important for an expectant mother going through motherhood maternity to understand that there will be unpleasant effects, but in the end, the delivery of a beautiful baby will be well worth any difficulties. Having a baby is the most wonderful experience for a woman.

Watching a baby grow up is a joyous thing for parents, family, friends and all the others around the baby. Even more wondrous is how the fetus starts to form after conception and transforms into a full human embryo. This process is nothing short of miraculous and it happens impeccably without the aid of any technology or heavy duty machinery. A cord blood program tries to preserve this miracle with the aid of technology so as to guard against any mishaps that may happen during the infancy, growth or even during the entire lifetime of the baby.

If and when there is a serious illness that calls for intense treatment in which major body tissues are affected, then the cord blood cells which are preserved in a laboratory (through the cord blood program) can come in great use. And not just that individual whose cells have been saved but also any related family member who is sick can take advantage of the cord blood program.

Essentially, the cord blood program refers to the cells in the umbilical cord that links the baby to the mother. When the baby is born the umbilical cord is surgically separated from the mother and the baby during the placenta operation. This happens a few hours to a day after the actual birth because, until then, the umbilical cord is the source of life blood to the baby. During this procedure, the cord blood cells can be preserved so as to keep their properties intact.

This procedure can be very useful to the individual or any related family member who shares the same DNA in case of life threatening diseases and consequent treatment. This is particularly useful in cases of heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke or muscular dystrophy. The former ones mentioned here, are particularly common these days and the cord blood program can help in their treatment.

It is not surprising that people have got used to doing their shopping online. In addition to buying products and goods online after engaging in price comparison and checking out some online reviews, it is now even possible to make investment plans and do your financial planning online too. Therefore, it is understandable that people are now in the mindset to buy health insurance online as well. Usually, health insurance is only bought after lots of deliberation these days.

There are two main reasons for this. One is that affordable health insurance is available in various categories that have to be chosen according to the applicant’s specific risk category. The risk category is not only in terms of the amount of risk but also in the types of risk involved. The second reason is since there are so many different plans in health insurance, it takes time for the applicant to understand his or her needs and find a plan that is suitable to their requirements.

The main concern is to get affordable health insurance which also covers the applicant’s most critical illnesses. Many hundreds of people in this country are under-insured, or do not have coverage in the area that they require. For example, it is not enough for a person with a family history of risk of cardiac arrest to have a plain health insurance plan. In fact, most insurers would not even include this kind of an applicant in the same category of risk as others. It is imperative that this person should take up an insurance plan that is specifically aimed at the community of individuals who suffer from heart disease. They would get the most efficient form of coverage that way.

The key is to make sure you do your research before deciding which type of affordable health insurance best suits your needs. Be sure to engage in price comparison but also talk with family and friends to find out their experiences with specific health insurance providers as well.

It is a good thing that people have started to give more importance to nutrition and hygiene. They now have a better consciousness of the necessity to have a better quality of life to have a happier life. They understand that these things allow a person to have the type of lifestyle that he or she aspires to have. One of things that can help one gain that distinction in healthy lifestyle is glucosamine. It is highly effective and has a great demand among people as a glucose molecule has great benefits and very few side effects.

Glucosamine helps in formation of bones, bone structure and cartilage. As people age, especially women, the bone density decreases. For women, it is a direct consequence and by-product of menopause. For such individuals, glucosamine tablets are prescribed to contribute to the strengthening of bone structure. In addition to this, they also contribute to the building up of synovial fluid, which is a major component of bone joints, tendons and muscles.

Glucosamine also helps in making the skin glow and keep supple. People who are dissatisfied with the results of face creams and lotions can try out these tablets through clinical prescription and see the immediate difference. Many people suffer from patchy skin, puffy spots and discolored blotches which give a very unseemly look to the skin on the face, shoulders and arms. Use of glucosamine tablets is known to help make improvements in skin and bone conditions. In addition, it is also effective in treating aches like arthritis in the limbs joints.