10 DANGER SIGNS OF PREGNANCY Pregnancy is a happy time for most women.

While most expectant mothers experience an average pregnancy, there are certain dangers associated with this condition which can result in health complications for both you and your baby. Knowing what these complications are can help reduce your risk of experiencing them. 1. Heavy Bleeding in the First Two Months Heavy bleeding and severe pain in the pelvis, typically within the first two months of pregnancy, can indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies occur when the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes rather than making its way to the uterus where it has space to grow and develop. If not detected and treated promptly, it can result in death, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Pinagpadara ti Umuna a Duwa a Bulan ket Ti pinagpadara ken nakaru a sakit iti pelvis nangnangruna iti umuna a duwa a bulan 2. Abdominal Cramping with Spotting Abdominal cramping accompanied by spotting or bleeding is an indication of a miscarriage. Miscarriages occur in 20 percent of all pregnancies and generally take place before a woman even realizes she is pregnant. It can happen, however, as late as the 20th week of pregnancy. In most cases, a miscarriage cannot be prevented. 3. Intense Feelings of Sadness Intense feelings of sadness that do not go away are indicative of depression, a condition that can occur during and/or after pregnancy. Additional symptoms include changes in appetite, feeling hopeless, becoming irritable or having thoughts of harming ones self or the baby. Treatment usually includes therapy, medication and support groups. 4. Excessive Thirst, Frequent Urination Gestational diabetes typically occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy and is due to the mother's inability to produce enough insulin. If any symptoms occur, they usually include extreme thirst or hunger, frequent urination and fatigue. Pills are rarely an option while pregnant, therefore many doctors choose to treat with diet or insulin. 5. Vaginal Bleeding Accompanied by Cramping When a woman experiences vaginal bleeding along with abdominal pain, cramping and tenderness in the uterus, she may be experiencing placental abruption. This is a condition in which the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus, depriving the fetus of oxygen. If the case is mild, bed rest may be all that is needed. If it is a more severe situation, however, and more than half the placenta has separated, early delivery of the baby may be needed to save its life. 6. Contractions and Vaginal Discharge

Women who give birth any time prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered to be in preterm labor. Signs of this include abdominal cramping that radiates around to the back, contractions, pressure in your pelvis and an increase in vaginal discharge. Women's Health states that while some medications can help slow or stop preterm labor from progressing, bed rest is often prescribed. 7. High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is a sign of toxemia, also know as preeclampsia. It is a condition occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy and its most common symptoms include high blood pressure, blurred vision, headaches and stomach pain. In most cases, the only treatment is delivery of the baby. This is not a problem if the mother is closer to 37 weeks; however, if she is still too early in her pregnancy, the doctor may choose to treat with bed rest and medication to lower her blood pressure. 8. Constant Fatigue Anemia is a condition that occurs when the red blood cell count is lower than what it should be. Its symptoms include constant fatigue or feeling faint, becoming short of breath and looking pale. The doctor may prescribe folic acid and iron supplements to help treat the problem. If it becomes severe, a blood transfusion may be necessary. 9. Constant Nausea and Vomiting Constant nausea and vomiting are signs of hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that mirrors morning sickness. It is, however, more severe and does not end after the first few weeks. Because of the constant nausea and vomiting, dehydration and weight loss may result. The doctor might first recommend switching to a bland diet (e.g dry toast, rice), but if this is unsuccessful, the mother could require hospitalization in order to receive fluids via an intravenous line. 10. Late-Term Vaginal Bleeding Late-term vaginal bleeding is an indication of a condition known as placenta previa, which causes the placenta to cover part or all of the cervical opening inside the uterus. Some women experience no symptoms, while others experience vaginal bleeding without pain during the second or third trimester. If not controlled through bed rest, this can lead to hospitalization or preterm labor.

NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY Recommended weight gain during pregnancy: 11.2 to 15.9 kg (25 to 35 lb) 0.4 kg (1 lb) per month during the first trimester 0.4 kg (1 lb) per week during the last two trimesters (a trimester pattern of 3-12-12)

When you're pregnant, a healthy diet that includes foods from each of the food groups will help you meet all your nutrient needs to support your health and your baby's health. Women need to eat an additional 300 calories a day while pregnant. If you follow a 1,800 calorie diet when not pregnant, then you should increase your daily intake to 2,200 calories per day. Calorie needs, however, should be individualized. Ask your obstetrician how much you should eat each day. SAMPLE MEAL PLAN FOR PREGNANCY Breakfast Include food sources of folate in your diet to help prevent birth defects. Foods high in folate include fruits, vegetables, and fortified breads, cereals and pastas. A sample breakfast meal to eat during pregnancy includes: 1. Two slices of whole wheat toast with margarine, a scrambled egg, 1 cup of nonfat milk and an orange 2. Whole grain ready-to-eat cereal with 1 cup of nonfat milk, a banana and a boiled egg Lunch You need 1,000 to 1,300 mg of calcium and 200 IU of vitamin D a day while pregnant to help your baby's growing bones develop. Include four to six servings of dairy foods to meet your calcium and vitamin D needs. A sample lunch meal during pregnancy includes: 1. Tuna sandwich made with two slices of whole wheat bread, 3 oz. of canned tuna and 1 tsp. of mayonnaise with one slice of cheese, served with 1 cup of nonfat milk, carrot and celery sticks, and a small apple 2. 2 cups of chicken noodle soup, five whole grain crackers with 1 oz. of low-fat cheese, 1 cup of nonfat yogurt and 1/2 cup of fruit Afternoon Snack Snacking while pregnant helps you meet your nutrient needs. Crowding from your growing belly can make eating large meals difficult. A sample mid-afternoon snack includes:

1. 1 cup of nonfat yogurt 2. 1 slice of whole wheat toast with 1 tbsp. of peanut butter Dinner Your blood volume doubles during pregnancy, increasing your need for iron. Meat, beans and spinach are good sources of iron to include in your diet while pregnant. A sample dinner meal for pregnancy includes: 1. a 3 oz. serving of pork tenderloin with 1/2 cup of applesauce, a small baked potato and 1 cup of broccoli 2. bean burrito for dinner, made with one 8-inch whole wheat tortilla and 1/2 cup of pureed beans served with salsa, 1/2 cup of beans and rice The tomatoes in the salsa are high in vitamin C and will enhance the absorption of vitamin C from the beans. Evening Snack Sample evening snacks include: 1. 1/2 cup of whole grain ready-to-eat cereal with 1 cup of nonfat milk 2. five whole grain crackers with 1 oz. of low-fat cheese 3. 1 cup of nonfat yogurt with three graham cracker squares