Pregnancy Support: We've moved! [02/28/10]

New PS Thread.

Going to it. No other choice.	100.0%	[ 77 ]
Total Votes:			[ 77 ]

[Estrogen SUKA]

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⌠There is a NEW Pregnancy Support Thread located HERE ⌡
Welcome to the Pregnancy Support Thread.
This thread was created because I felt compelled to offer my support to those Gaian Ladies who are facing pregnancy. Do not get me wrong, men are allowed in here too if they wish to give support or they themselves need support. This thread is geared mostly towards women who are pregnant, wanting to get pregnant, or have been pregnant.

I expect those who enter this thread to be civil, caring, compassionate, and to follow the ToS. Things may get a bit graphic in here since we are dealing with the female anatomy, please refrain from posting borderline porn pictures directly into the thread. Instead I suggest that you offer a link and forewarn your fellow Gaians to what it is.

I understand that some people may feel strongly about Pro-Life or Pro-Choice, but this is not the place to battle out the differences. You may suggest what you think is right for the person you are helping, but do not go crazy and try to force your view on them.

Conversations are naturally allowed in this thread as long as you keep it civil. I rather you not curse if at all possible.

Estrogen SUKA

If you have a problem with another frequent Pregnancy Supporter please take your disagreement/argument to PMs. A thread full of pregnant women is not the place to have a blowout. Many have said how arguments here stress them out just as badly as arguments in real life. Please do not stress out my preggies or I will be forced to take action. Whether that action be a simple PM warning you or me blacklisting those who are arguing. I simply cannot tolerate that type of behavior.

Please be aware that this thread does not support young teens who are trying to conceive just because they want a baby. If you are below the age of 18 and are trying to conceive just because you want to have a "cutesy" baby, you are not going to find support here. I cannot stress this enough! The Pregnancy Support thread in no way wishes to encourage young teenage girls to become pregnant. Thank you.

I, as the thread creator, hold the right to blacklist whomever whenever I please.

If you're new to this thread then please add a heart on your first post as proof that you at least read the rules.

Rules are subject to change when seen fit.

~*~Thread Moderators~*~
Mods have the power to report your posts and to have you added to the blacklist.
Just because the thread creator is not around doesn't mean you won't get caught.

PetitChat
Veunus Rahl
T W I N K L E inc
AnnaKyoyama358
Ovelia Beoulve

Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life.
(Time to get educated)

Pro-choice describes the political and ethical view that a woman should have complete control over her fertility and pregnancy. This entails the guarantee of reproductive rights, which includes access to sexual education; access to safe and legal abortion, contraception, and fertility treatments; and legal protection from forced abortion. Individuals and organizations who support these positions make up the pro-choice movement.
Some people who are pro-choice see abortion as a last resort and focus on a number of situations where they feel abortion is a necessary option. Among these situations are those where the woman was raped, her health or life (or that of the fetus) is at risk, contraception was used but failed, or she feels unable to raise a child. Some pro-choice moderates, who would otherwise be willing to accept certain restrictions on abortion, feel that political pragmatism compels them to oppose any such restrictions, as they could be used to form a slippery slope against all abortions.

On the issue of abortion, pro-choice campaigners are opposed by pro-life campaigners who argue that the central issue is a completely different set of rights. The pro-life view considers human fetuses and embryos to have the full legal rights of a human being; thus, the right to life of a developing fetus or embryo trumps the woman's right to bodily autonomy, although some pro-lifers believe that abortion should be legal in the case where the woman's life is at serious risk.

For more information on Pro-Choice click here Infomation

Pro-life describes the political and ethical view which maintains that fetuses and embryos are human beings, and therefore have a right to live. It can also be used to indicate opposition to practices such as euthanasia, human cloning, research involving human embryonic stem cells, and the death penalty, but such uses are less common.

On the issue of abortion, attempts by pro-life campaigners to pass laws against abortion are opposed by pro-choice campaigners who argue that the central issue is a completely different set of rights: the human rights of the pregnant woman to choose to terminate her pregnancy or carry it to term. The pro-choice view believes that a woman, and not the government, should have complete control over her fertility and pregnancy, and that this entails the guarantee of reproductive rights.

Stolen from: This website :]


Personhood USA: Need to back off my Preggos.

"What is personhood?

When the term “Person” is granted to a human being, it refers to the presence of a particular set of characteristics that grant that individual certain rights such as the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In other words, to be a person is to be protected by a series of God given and constitutionally protected rights.

This terrifies the pro-abortion foes!!!
They know that if we clearly define the pre-born baby as a person then they will have the same right to life as all Americans do! This Amendment has the promise plugging the “Blackmun Hole,” a startling admission that if personhood could be established for the pre-born, the arguments in Roe would collapse.

Justice Harry Blackmun wrote in the majority opinion for Roe v. Wade in 1973, “The appellee and certain amici [pro-lifers] argue that the fetus is a ‘person’ within the language and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. In support of this, they outline at length and in detail the well-known facts of fetal development. If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant’s case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the Amendment.”

During Blackmun’s time, the “well-known facts of fetal development” were a far cry from what is known today. Ultrasonography and DNA testing were yet to be invented. In 1973, most held that “life” began at “quickening,” or when a woman first feels movement of the baby in the womb at 18 to 24 weeks. Some even held to the “Recapitulation Theory,” the scientifically debunked notion that the human baby underwent his entire evolutionary cycle in the womb, being first a simple one-celled creature, then later a fish, then later a mammal, then finally a human, which of course now seems absurd.

The science of fetology in 1973 was not able to prove, as it can now, that a fully human and unique individual exists at the moment of fertilization and continues to grow through various stages of development in a continuum (barring tragedy) until natural death from old age.

If the Court considers the humanity of the pre-born child, for which there is overwhelming scientific evidence, it could restore the legal protections of person-hood to the pre-born under the 14th Amendment as Blackmun foretold, stopping abortion in a few and then in all fifty states!

There are essentially two issues which must be resolved concerning unborn embryos and fetuses. The first is, "Are they human beings?" The second is, "Should they be recognized as persons under the law?" We've already established that there is no debate on the first question. It is a matter of plain, objective science. Embryos and fetuses are fully and individually human from the moment of fertilization on. If this were not true, if unborn children were not demonstrably human, there would be no need to even talk about rights of personhood. "Removing a fetus" would be the moral equivalent of pulling a tooth. This, however, is not the case, and so the debate must now enter the political arena.

There is a very real sense in which the need to answer this second question is, in itself, an absurdity. If you look up the word "person" in your average dictionary (we'll use Webster's), you'll find something like this:

Person n. A human being.

A person, simply put, is a human being. This fact should be enough. The intrinsic humanity of unborn children, by definition, makes them persons and should, therefore, guarantee their protection under the law. For more than thirty years, however, this has not been the case. The situation we are left with is this. In America today, there is a huge and singular group of living human beings who have no protection under the law and are being killed en masse every day. Is that not astounding?! It is astounding, but not wholly unprecedented.

There have been at least two other instances in American history in which specific groups of human beings were stripped of their rights of personhood as a means of justifying their horrible mistreatment. African-Americans and Native-Americans both felt the brunt of a system which denied their humanity, stripped their personhood and subjected them to horrors beyond measure. While the legal framework that made such injustice possible has now been removed, it remains firmly in place for unborn Americans.

There remains one, and only one, group of human beings in the U.S. today for which being human is not enough. The inconvenience of their existence has resulted in a legal loophole of shameful proportions. What is a person? A person is a human being (unless, of course, you haven't been born yet, in which case we'll define personhood in any way possible so as to exclude you, kill you and forget you)." PersonhoodUSA.com

What PersonhoodUSA really means for you, the expecting mother.

Seems sweet, doesn't it? All for the glory of God. I call bull and you'll see why when you watch this video on PersonhoodUSA and how it will hurt every pregnant woman in the states.

PersonhoodUSA Harms Pregnant Women: YouTube

They have the right to chain down a pregnant woman and force a c-section on her against her will.
They have the right to charge a woman with MURDER if she has a STILLBORN child. How is this even right?
They have the right to charge a woman with MURDER if she has an abortion! This is insanity!
They have the right to let the mother die if the fetus will live, again...against the mother's will.
They have the right to not allow you to have a home birth.
They say we no longer have the rights to medical decisions once we conceive. This is not right!

Go against this! Rise against it! Stand against it! Just be against it! This is not how a pregnant woman should be treated.




Contents:
2nd post: Myths on sex/Circumcision Myths/Tokophobia.
3rd post: Pregnancy Symptoms, 3 Choices/Premature&Miscarriage Info.
4th post: Trying to conceive.
5th post: Testing/Labor Bag Packing
6th post: Help hotlines/Supportive Sisters.
7th post: Related Threads/Our banners.
8th post: Books/Shop Sites.
9th post: Announcements/Birth Announcements.

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[Estrogen SUKA]

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Pregnancy Myths.

If penetration only happens for a few seconds, can a woman get pregnant? Anytime the p***s comes into direct contact with the vaginal area, there is the chance of pregnancy. The chance may not be as high as if intercourse with ejaculation took place, but there is still a risk. The transmission of STDs can also happen through any type of skin to skin contact like this.

Can pregnancy occur if a woman and a guy have faux sex or dry sex? (This is when there is no penetration, but there is skin to skin contact of the genital area.) Again, anytime the p***s and the vaginal area come into contact, there is the slight risk of pregnancy and a risk for STD transmission.

Can a woman get pregnant from pre-ejaculation? Pre-ejaculation is the liquid that seeps out of the p***s before ejaculation occurs. Most guys have no control over it and cannot feel it coming out. This type of fluid does have sperm in it and can result in pregnancy. This is part of the reason why the withdrawal method of birth control is not as effective as other methods.

Can pregnancy occur if the woman does not have an orgasm? Yes, pregnancy can occur even if a woman does not have an orgasm. An orgasm is not related to an egg being available for fertilization.

Can sperm travel through clothing or material? If the clothing was completely saturated with semen and was in direct contact with a woman’s v****a, there is a very slight chance the sperm could enter the v****a, but this is highly unlikely. No conclusive studies have been found to give a definite answer on this possibility.

Can a woman get pregnant from having sex in water? If actual intercourse takes place in any type of water, pregnancy is definitely a possibility. This is because intercourse will allow the sperm to be directly deposited in the girl's vaginal area, and the water on the outside of the body would not interfere with this.

Can pregnancy occur if ejaculation takes place in water? It is not likely that tiny sperm could travel through the vast area of water that would fill a pool, bath tub or hot tub to reach a girls v****a and result in pregnancy. If ejaculation occurred in plain warm water, sperm could survive for a few minutes. If ejaculation occurs in very hot water, or water filled with pool chemicals, bubbles or other substances, sperm would not be able to survive for more than a few seconds. Pregnancy occurring from this is very unlikely and in most cases is not possible at all.

Can pregnancy occur from having a**l sex? Pregnancy cannot occur from the act of a**l sex, but because the vaginal opening and the a**s are very close together, there is the chance that sperm could leak into the v****a and travel to fertilize an egg.

Can ejaculating numerous times lessen the chance of pregnancy occurring? The number of times ejaculation takes place does not affect the chance of pregnancy. Each ejaculation contains about 300 million sperm, and only one is needed to fertilize an egg.

Is sperm dead once it reaches the air? Does oxygen kill sperm? No, this is a myth that many people believe in, but it is not true! Once sperm is DRY it is dead and cannot travel to fertilize an egg. Sperm can live for 3-5 days if it is in a warm, moist environment such as the cervix of a woman. Sperm cannot come back to life once it has dried, even if it is remoistened!

Taken from: American Pregnancy

Can you get pregnant while on your period? It's possible — but highly unlikely. Conception occurs when an egg and sperm meet in a fallopian tube. Sometime during the middle of your menstrual cycle, most likely between the 12th and 16th days, an egg reaches maturity in one of the two ovaries. The ovary releases the egg into the abdomen, where it's quickly sucked up by the tulip-shaped opening of the nearest fallopian tube.

An egg can survive in your fallopian tube for about 24 hours after it's released from the ovary. So the only way you can get pregnant is if sperm are present in your fallopian tube during this window of opportunity. If the egg isn't fertilized, it's shed along with your uterine lining during your period.

Typically, when you have your period, another egg is developing in preparation for release during the current cycle. But not every woman's cycle length is the same. Many women have a cycle that's about 28 days long, but some have cycles as short as 22 days long. If you have a shorter cycle, you could ovulate just a few days after you have your period. And considering that sperm can survive in your reproductive tract for up to three days, it's theoretically possible for the sperm to hang around until you ovulate again.

This taken from BabyCenter
And suggested by Blondie Britt. Thanks for the help!

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Circumcision Myths
When it comes to your baby boy, you should think about what you're doing. Circumcision isn't something to take lightly or to do without knowledge of what it actually is. Do your research before you decide one way or the other. Here are some facts. It's rather interesting.

Myth #1: Circumcision is recommended by doctors and medical organizations

Fact: Circumcision is not recommended by any national medical association in the world. Fifteen national and international medical associations have extensively studied infant circumcision and its effects and found no significant evidence to support this practice. In March 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concluded that infant circumcision is not recommended as a routine procedure.1 The circumcision policy statements of the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians have concurred with this position.2-3 The AMA calls infant circumcision “non-therapeutic.”

Myth #2: It’s just a little piece of skin, he won’t miss it.

Fact: The prepuce (foreskin) makes up as much as half of the skin system of the p***s.4 It is an extension of the shaft skin that folds over onto itself, completely covering and protecting the glans (an internal organ) and provides the mobility of the shaft skin necessary for frictionless intercourse and masturbation. The foreskin has three known functions: protective, immunological, and sexual. It contains about 10,000 highly specialized nerve endings and several feet of blood vessels. An adult male foreskin, if unfolded and spread out, would be about the size of index card (3 x 5 inches), much more than a “little piece of skin.” Many sexually active men circumcised in adulthood report a significant decrease in sexual pleasure and comfort because of the loss of sensitive nerve endings, skin mobility and natural lubrication.

Myth #3: The care of a circumcised p***s is easier than an intact p***s.

Fact: For the care of an intact p***s, the AAP recommends, “Leave it alone.” 5 No special care is required – an intact child should have the external surface of his p***s (and the rest of his body) washed regularly to keep clean. When a male is older and can retract his foreskin (which typically occurs by puberty), a simple rinsing is all that is necessary. 6 Other cultural myths about special cleaning procedures are just that – myth.

Myth #4: Circumcision protects males from urinary tract infections.

Fact: Overall, urinary tract infections (UTI) occur at about the same rate in male and female infants during the first six months of life.7 Regardless of circumcision status, infants who present with their first UTI at 6 months (or less) are likely to have an underlying genitouninary abnormality. In children with a normal underlying anatomy, a study found as many circumcised infants with a UTI as those who retained their foreskin.8 The appropriate treatment for UTI, in males as well as females, is antibiotics, not prophylactic excision of the prepuce. According to the AAP, “Urinary tract infections are usually not life threatening and are easily treated in most cases.” Breastfeeding provides some measure of protection against UTI during the first six months of life.9

Myth #5: Circumcision is effective in the prevention of penile cancer.

Fact: "The American Cancer Society does not consider routine circumcision to be a valid or effective measure to prevent such cancers... Penile cancer is an extremely rare condition, affecting one in 200,000 men... Perpetrating the mistaken belief that circumcision prevents cancer is inappropriate.'' 10

The American Medical Association, in a July 2000 report, states, “… because this disease [penile cancer] is rare and occurs later in life, the use of circumcision as a preventive practice is not justified.” 2

Myth #6: Almost everyone is circumcised…I don’t want my son to be teased in the locker room.

Fact: The circumcision rate for males worldwide is about 15%. Even in the US, the only country that circumcises a majority of its male newborns for non-religious reasons, the circumcision rate is decreasing. According the National Center for Health Statistics, the US circumcision rate is approximately 60% (varies widely by region) and slowly decreasing. According to many intact males, the “teasing” concern is vastly overstated. For many boys, genital status is neither an important issue nor one that is discussed. In the unlikely event of concerns later in life, at least the person can make his own decision about an irreversible body alteration that has no medical justification.

Myth #7: Circumcision is a simple and painless procedure… it only takes a few minutes.

Fact: While circumcision is a relatively quick procedure, it is extremely painful for the infant. The initial part of the process involves a forced separation of the foreskin, which is fused to the glans (head) in much the same way as a fingernail is joined to the finger. The AAP says the following about EMLA cream, one of the most common pain relief methods, “The analgesic effect is limited during the phases associated with extensive tissue trauma…” 1 Although they cannot remember the pain as adults, circumcised male infants have increased pain response in vaccinations 4 to 6 months later.11 Circumcision appears to lower the pain threshold.

Myth #8: Circumcision makes the p***s cleaner and more hygienic.

Fact: Circumcision removes the protective portion of mobile shaft skin, which is intended to cover the glans (head) of the p***s. The glans is the internal portion of genitalia (for both genders). Circumcision artificially exposes and denudes this highly sensitive tissue, resulting in a buildup of keratin and a dry, densensitized part of the p***s. And contrary to popular myth, more sensation does not lead tp control problems. Based on reports from men circumcised as adults, just the opposite is true. With more sensation, a man has better feedback and can better determine his proximity to the “orgasmic threshold.”

Myth #9: Circumcision prevents AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Fact: Some studies show that circumcision has a slight preventive effect for AIDS and some STDs; however, other studies show an insignificant or opposite effect, especially for chlamydia. The bottom line: sexual practices have a much greater effect on the chance of becoming infected than circumcision status. If someone acts on the misconception that circumcision alone will protect them, they are taking unwise chances.

Myth #10: The history of non-religious circumcision is based on disease prevention.

Fact: Non-ritual circumcision evolved from a misunderstanding of bodily function by physicians of the late-19th century.12 Many doctors of that era believed that a normal foreskin could cause disease and lead to increased incidence of “self-abuse.” John Harvey Kellogg, of cereal fame, was a proponent of genital cutting as a cure for this “horrible practice.” He recommended performing circumcision “without administering an anesthetic, as the pain attending the operation will have a salutary [health-giving] effect upon the mind, especially if connected with the idea of punishment.”

Provided by:NOCIRC
Other good links: Penile Sensitivity
National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Center
Circumcision and HIV
Recent Medical Studies

Gaia Circumcision Debate Thread

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Tokophobia: Fear of Childbirth.
Do you suffer from it? You're not alone.

Gaia Tokophobia Discussion
More Info: Wikipedia

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[Estrogen SUKA]

So you think you're pregnant? Well, do you have any symptoms?
Here are a few early symptoms that some women experience.

Some Symptoms of Early Pregnancy:

Implantation Bleeding:
About 6-12 days after conception the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping.
Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.

Delay/Difference in Menstruation:
When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women do bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.
Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.

Swollen/Tender Breasts:
Starting as early as 1-2 weeks after conception, many women will notice changes in their breasts. They will be tender to the touch, sore, or swollen.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills,and impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.

Darkening of areolas:
If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.

Fatigue/Tiredness:
This symptom can start as early as the first week after conception.
Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.

Nausea/Morning Sickness:
This well-known symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all while others will feel nauseous through most of their pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.

Backaches:
Dull backaches can be present throughout an entire pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.

Headaches:
The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, eye strain, impending menstruation or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.

Frequent Urination:
Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom.
Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, or taking excessive diuretics.

Food Cravings:
While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Poor diet, lacking a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation.

Want to take an online pregnancy test? Click here then.
Remember though, the best way to know if you are pregnant is to take a home pregnancy test or to visit your doctor for a blood pregnancy test. Now is not the time to fear needles :]

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If you're pregnant you have three choices to decide from.

Your Choice to Parent:

Being a parent is often described as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of life. It is a miracle to watch this little life grow inside you and develop into a person with a unique personality, interests and talents; as you learn how to guide, encourage and provide for this extension of you. Besides love, the most essential need in parenting is support.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Is marrying the father a possibility? Why or why not?

Would he consider pre-marital counseling?

What type of support could he provide? (ie: financial, role model, childcare)

How would my family help? (ie: financially, childcare, living arrangements)

Could I live with family or another single mom?

How could I share responsibilities with those I live with?

What would it take to live on my own with my baby?

How can I continue to reach my goals to make a better life for me and my child?

Would I consider applying for WIC, Medicaid and other government programs?


Your Choice to Release for Adoption:

There are a wide range of adoption plans to choose from, everything from closed to very open, independent or private to agency adoptions. Obtain as much information on adoption as possible to make an informed decision.
You can choose the adoptive family and many details of your child’s future.
Determine what you would like your relationship to be with your child and the adoptive family.
Adoptive parents explain adoption to the child at each stage of development in order to become well-adjusted, successful individuals. At any point in the process you may decide to parent. Every state is different, though most adoptions are final when the child is 6 months old. Counseling, support groups and other services enable each person involved to work through the grieving process, issues of loss and challenges along the way.

Ask yourself the following questions:

What would be an ideal home for my child?

What do I want to provide for my child?


Your Choice to have an Abortion:

Though no decision will be easy and each comes with different challenges. Gathering as much information on the types of abortion procedures and their risks will help you make an informed decision. Remember that this is your decision, even though other’s opinions matter. See Abortion Procedures for more information.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I informed of all the procedures and risks?

Have I been tested for STD’s?

What are my state’s laws?

Is there anyone pressuring me to have an abortion?

Have I talked with someone who has been through an abortion to discuss their experience?

How have I viewed abortion in the past?

Link (provided by Cutiebirdgal): Abortion Stories

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Premature/Miscarriage Links

Premature Birth - MayoClinic

Miscarriage - MayoClinic

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Phantom Pregnancy

Pseudocyesis Spurious Pregnancy

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In Thread Links

Food Observation by medoricho

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[Estrogen SUKA]

Are you trying to conceive? I wish you luck! Having a baby changes everything, but change can be a very good thing. Best wishes!

Before Pregnancy
If you're thinking about getting pregnant, or are already pregnant, taking care of your health is more important than ever. Follow these tips for a healthy pregnancy:

Get 400 micrograms (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily. Eat foods fortified with folic acid, take a multivitamin, or take a folic acid pill to get your daily dose. Taking folic acid in a pill is the best way to be sure you're getting enough. Including 0.4 mgof folic acid (or folate) in your diet before you get pregnant and in the first three months of pregnancy can help prevent some birth defects. If you don't get enough folic acid, your baby's spine may not form right. This is called spina bifida (spy-nuh bif-uh-duh). Also, your baby needs folic acid to develop a healthy brain. Many doctors will prescribe a vitamin with folic acid. But you also can buy vitamins or folic acid pills at drug and grocery stores. Some foods rich in folate include: leafy green vegetables, kidney beans, orange juice and other citrus fruits, peanuts, broccoli, asparagus, peas, lentils, and whole-grain products. Folic acid is also added to some foods like enriched breads, pastas, rice and cereals.

One half of all pregnancies are not planned!
Many women don't realize they are pregnant for at least a few weeks. So you should always take care of your health. Your baby is counting on you for the best start at life!
Start watching what you eat. Load up on fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains (such as whole-wheat breads or crackers). Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods such as non-fat or low-fat yogurt, milk, and broccoli. Your baby needs calcium for strong bones and teeth. When fruits and vegetables aren't in season, frozen vegetables are a good option. Avoid eating a lot of fatty foods (such as butter and fatty meats). Choose leaner foods when you can (such as skim milk, chicken and turkey without the skin, and fish).

Tell your doctor if you smoke or use alcohol or drugs. Quitting is hard, but you can do it. Ask your doctor for help.

Get enough sleep. Try to get seven to nine hours every night.

Take steps to control the stress in your life. When it comes to work and family, figure out what you can and can not do. Set limits with yourself and others. Don't be afraid to say NO to requests for your time and energy.

Move your body. Once you get pregnant, you can't increase your exercise routine by much. So it's best to start before the baby is on the way.

Get any health problems under control. Talk to your doctor about how your health problems might affect you and your baby. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels. If you have high blood pressure, monitor these levels as well. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about how to reach a healthy weight.

Ask your mother, aunts, grandmother or sisters about their pregnancies. Did they have morning sickness? Problems with labor? How did they cope?

Find out what health problems run in your family. Tell these to your doctor. You can get tested for health problems that run in families before getting pregnant (genetic testing).

Make sure you have had all of your immunizations (shots), especially for Rubella (German measles). If you haven't had chickenpox or rubella, get the shots at least three months before getting pregnant.

Get checked for hepatitis (hep-uh-tie-tus) B and C, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and HIV. These infections can harm you and your baby. Tell your doctor if you or your sex partners have ever had an STD or HIV.

Go over all of the medicines you take (prescription, over-the-counter, and herbals) with your doctor. Make sure they are safe to take while you're trying to get pregnant or are pregnant.

Ask your partner to stay healthy too!

Ask your partner to limit how much alcohol he drinks. If he uses illegal drugs or smokes, encourage him to quit. Studies show that men who drink a lot, smoke, or use drugs can have problems with their sperm. These might cause you to have problems getting pregnant.

Planning Conception

While trying to conceive, you can use natural planning methods such as the ovulation method (have intercourse just before or after ovulation) or the symptothermal method (evaluating fertility based on your daily temperature). Remember: women are more likely to become pregnant if intercourse takes place just before or just after ovulation. This is because the unfertilized egg can live for only 12-24 hours in your body. If you've been trying for a few months with no results, don't get discouraged. Only 20% of women trying to get pregnant are successful on the first attempt. So don't lose hope or assume something is wrong.

Information taken from: WomensHealth

Don't know when you're ovulating? Try this ovulation calculator :]

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[Estrogen SUKA]

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Testing. Here are some helpful tidbits on pregnancy tests.

Home Pregnancy Tests

According to most manufacturers, home pregnancy tests are about 99% effective when used as instructed. That's about the same accuracy rate as most urine pregnancy tests performed in a doctor's office. The tests are available in most pharmacies and do not require a prescription.

One advantage of the tests is that they allow you greater privacy and flexibility in finding out the results. You can take them anywhere there's a bathroom, and they generally take only a few minutes.

home pregnancy tests consist of placing a drop of urine on a prepared chemical strip or placing the strip in the urine stream. The strip is designed to detect a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

hCG is released into the body by the placenta when a woman is pregnant. This hormone is also responsible for causing some of the initial symptoms of pregnancy such as breast tenderness and nausea.

hCG levels usually become detectable in the urine about 10 days after conception. If you take a urine pregnancy test less than 10 days after conception, a home pregnancy test may give a false negative response. This means it will show you are not pregnant when you in fact are.

Experts say women should wait 5-10 days after their period is officially late before taking the tests to ensure accuracy. If the test is negative, wait a few more days. If menstruation still doesn't begin, take the test again and see your doctor if you have more questions. Not all pregnancy tests are identical and some are more sensitive than others, detecting lower levels of hCG. The smaller the amount of hCG the test measures, the earlier it can detect your pregnancy.

Here are some tips to follow when taking a home pregnancy test:

* Use your first morning urine when possible (when hCG levels are most easily detected). If not, make sure your urine had been in your bladder for at least 4 hours.
* Do not drink excessive amounts of fluids before the test to increase the volume of urine. This could dilute the hCG levels.
* Read the directions included in the test thoroughly before starting the test and follow every step precisely.
* Some fertility drugs or other medications may interfere with the test results. Check the package labeling for information.

In addition, if there is a problem with the pregnancy, such as an ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg settles in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus), hCG levels may be low and non-detectable by a home pregnancy test. See your doctor if you are unsure about the test's results.

Blood Tests for Pregnancy

Blood tests to detect pregnancy are rarely done as a routine measure because they are expensive, and the same results can be obtained from a urine test.

A blood test to detect pregnancy may be done in special circumstances, such as for women who are undergoing infertility treatment or when a problem is suspected.

Blood tests are slightly more sensitive than the urine tests and can detect very small levels of hCG. That means they can provide a more accurate answer very early on in the pregnancy, within about 7-12 days after conception.

The test requires sending the blood sample to the lab for analysis and may take anywhere from a few hours to more than a day to get the results.

A doctor may also choose to use a blood test to correlate hCG levels as the pregnancy progresses since hCG levels usually double about every 2 days during the first few weeks of pregnancy. If the levels don't rise, it may indicate a problem with the pregnancy. Extremely high hCG levels may mean a woman is carrying twins.

Reference link: WebMD

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What to pack in Labor Bag
The list was fairly long so I placed it within my journal. Please click here.

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[Estrogen SUKA]

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Need help? Someone to listen to you? Don't know what to do or where to go?
Try out these websites/hotlines. You may get what you need from them.

Birthright International: [phone]
Website: Birthright

American Pregnancy Helpline: [phone]
Website: Helpline

Australian Helplines/Websites [donated by Miss Lilyana]

1-800-422-213 - Australian Pregnancy Support Hotline
1-300-364-100 - Child & Youth Parent Helpline
Child & Youth Health
Australian Breastfeeding Association


For Guys: Guy's Corner

Have a suggestion of a help hotline/website? Send me a PM :]

Supportive Sisters.

~Supportive Sisters are volunteers who come forward to offer their advice in personal messages. If you have a question that you don't feel comfortable asking in the thread or otherwise, feel free to call upon one of the listed Sisters. If you want to be a Supportive Sister, then please message me. :]

Just click their name to instantly send them a PM!

Call Me Stephanie

E c l i p s e l y

T W I N K L E inc

Veunus Rahl

AnnaKyoyama358

Suki Fairy

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[Estrogen SUKA]

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Guilds We Like.

Petitions We Like.

Events We Like!!!

Related Threads:

Tokophobia - Fear of Childbirth

The Official Post-Abortion Support [Gaia] Thread

SuperMoms: A Parenting Support Thread

fizzlesticks fantastic safer sex kit

Gaia Sex Ed - What Health Class Missed.

When Your Uterus Hates You:::Living With PCOS

Military Significant Other Support Thread

Miracle in Waiting: A TTC Support Thread

Gaia Circumcision Debate Thread



Have a thread that relates to pregnancies, abortions, adoptions, or something completely different?
Send me a PM if you would like a link placed here for people to visit.

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BANNERS!

Wish to get the word out about this thread? Add a banner to your Siggy!
Much appreciated darlings ;]

[url=http://tinyurl.com/pregnancysupport]
[img]http://i42.tinypic.com/i29aar.gif[/img][/url]

[url=http://tinyurl.com/pregnancysupport]
[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/j0z9es.gif[/IMG][/url]

[url=http://tinyurl.com/pregnancysupport]
[img]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/mrs_ashley/Pregnancy/pregnany.jpg[/img][/url]

Donated by Shaunarhea

[url=http://tinyurl.com/pregnancysupport]
[IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/mrs_ashley/Pregnancy/sd.jpg[/IMG][/url]

Donated by M!z_B!tch

[url=http://tinyurl.com/pregnancysupport][img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll254/liam_reilly/Pregger Icons/MommyToBe.jpg[/img][/url]

Hey! Want to help me out with banners? Why not make your own & PM me the code?
Make sure to include the link in the code.
I have the tinyurl: http://tinyurl.com/6gdolk
All credit will be given to the creator. :]

[Estrogen SUKA]

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Books!

For women who like to read.
These books are suggested by fellow Pregnancy Support Sisters :]
Click the book for details!
[Have a book you want added to the list? PM me]

PetitChat suggested:

Pregnancy Support suggested:

Sollie suggested:

Miss Lilyana suggested:

GlowInTheDarkCondom suggested:

Attic Cat suggested:

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Shop Sites!

Every woman needs to be able to shop from home :]
Here we have listed some very nice websites that are suggested by some of the sisters in this thread. <3

Shaunarhea suggested:

shinobu_maehara24 suggested:

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[Estrogen SUKA]

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Announcements!!!

June 4th, 2008 - Thread created and open!
First Poster - Cutiebirdgal!!!
First baby bump pic - Shaunarhea!!! (page 61)
June 26th, 2008 - Blacklist created (in journal)
July 1st, 2008 - Page 100 reached!
First Poster on Page 100 - bebe de broadway!!!
July 9th, 2008 - First PS Thread baby born!! Simon was born to Sollie @ 6:06pm. Congrats!!
July 11th, 2008 - Page 200 reached!
First Poster on Page 200 - shinobu_maehara24!!!
July 23rd, 2008 - Page 300 reached!
First Poster on Page 300 - Call Me Stephanie!!!
August 3rd, 2008 - Page 400 reached!
First Poster on Page 400 - Dannys_Girl_4290!!!
August 17th, 2008 - Page 500 reached!
First Poster on Page 500 - Kitten West!!!
September 3rd, 2008 - Page 600 reached!
First Poster on Page 600 - Shaunarhea!!!
September 17th, 2008 - Page 700 reached!
First Poster on Page 700 - Mrs_Black_Bear!!!
September 26th, 2008 - Page 800 reached!
First Poster on Page 800 - The Queen of Midgar!!!
October 6th, 2008 - Page 900 reached!
First Poster on Page 900 - Sollie!!!
Ocotber 20th, 2008 - Page 1000 reached!
First Poster on Page 1000 - Lurking 1.0!!!
November 8th, 2008 - Page 1100 reached!
First Poster on Page 1100 - His Bella!!!
November 24th, 2008 - Page 1200 reached!
First Poster on Page 1200 - Call Me Stephanie!!!
December 1st, 2008 - Cleaned up the front page. w00t.
December 2nd, 2008 - First set of P.S. Thread twins born to oO P U M P K I N Oo
December 10th, 2008 - Page 1300 reached!
First Poster on Page 1300 - Scotch Taped Heart!!!
December 18th, 2008 - Page 1400 reached!
First Poster on Page 1400 - Veunus Rahl!!!
December 23rd, 2008 - Page 1500 reached!
First Poster on Page 1500 - Angelslight!!!
January 4th, 2009 - Page 1600 reached!
First Poster on Page 1600 - In His Arms Forever!!!
January 10th, 2009 - Page 1700 reached!
First Poster on Page 1700 - Call Me Stephanie!!!
January 14th, 2009 - Page 1800 reached!
First Poster on Page 1800 - Veunus Rahl!!!
January 22nd, 2009 - Page 1900 reached!
First Poster on Page 1900 - Sami Marie!!!
January 31st, 2009 - Page 2000 reached!
First Poster on Page 2000 - Shaiix!!!
February 11th, 2009 - Page 2100 reached!
First Poster on Page 2100 - Rainbow Starr Love!!!
February 19th, 2009 - Page 2200 reached!
First Poster on Page 2200 - GlowInTheDarkCondom!!!
March 6th, 2009 - Page 2300 reached!
First Poster on Page 2300 - Distorted Fairytale!!!
March 28th, 2009 - Page 2400 reached!
First Poster on Page 2400 - sassyferu!!!
April 15th, 2009 - Page 2500 reached!
First Poster on Page 2500 - PetitChat!!!
UPDATE: Page Achievements every 500 pages.
June 24th, 2009 - Page 3000 reached!
First Poster on Page 3000 - AnnaKyoyama358!!!

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Birth Announcements!

Congratulations!

Whisper me your birth announcements

~On July 9th, 2008 at 6:06pm Simon was born to Sollie.

~On August 7th, 2008 at 11:15 PM Zoe Mitsuki was born to Suki Fairy.

~On August 8th, 2008 at 10:39pm Adia Ruth Laurie Gietzen was born to Danny_Girl_4290.

~On August 30th, 2008 at 12:40am John Murdock was born to MoogleXMutant.

~On August 30th, 2008...Damien was born to BlackAngel0660.

~On November 11th, 2008 a baby girl was born to LadyDeath01.

~On November 28th, 2008 Annalee was born to Serikurio.

~On December 2nd, 2008 at 9:25pm Matthew Ethan and at 9:26pm Haley Elizabeth
were born to oO P U M P K I N Oo.

~On December 12th, 2008 at 8:41 Michael Lee Damien Moore was born to fashion zombie harlot.

~On December 15th, 2008 at 3:00am a little girl was born to black love1988.

~On December 16th, 2008 at 4:52pm Azura Bell McNutt was born to [.lubrication.].

~On December 18th, 2008 at 8:07am Aiden James Hendrickson was born to Shaunarhea.

~On January 3rd, 2009 at 4:56am Michael Scott Smith and at 5:12am David Benjamin Smith were born to loverwithheart56 and his wife Andy.

~On January 19th, 2009 at 12:06pm Robert and at 12:08pm Jeremiah were born to Kanika Maibe and her husband Olganos.

~On January 28th, 2009 Lukas Donald Theodore Flint was born to shinobu_maehara24.

~On February 6th, 2009 Hunter Wesley Chord was born to His Bella.

~On February 6th, 2009 at 2:11pm Gabriel David Kilroy was born to Xolkiyr and his fiance.

~On March 19, 2009 at 5:47pm Mychael Silvester was born to Voodoo Temptation.

~On March 26th, 2009 at 7:26pm Lilly Marie was born to Artemis Rise.

~On April 12th, 2009 at 7:33pm Wendy Daffodil was born to Tute Sweet.

~On April 17th, 2009 William Tyler Jr. was born to Mr Ransom 2 and his wife.

~On May 23rd, 2009 at 12:54 Blakslee Zachary Thomas was born to Felis terrapina.

~On May 25th, 2009 at 6:07am Isabelle Rose and at 6:11am Jonathan Ian were born to In His Arms Forever [Grace] and her husband Shawn.

~On May 26th, 2009 at 8:57pm Jude was born to GlowInTheDarkCondom.

~On June 20th, 2009 at 2:55am Rhiannon Elaine Shimer was born to Mister Mental and his wife.

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[Estrogen SUKA]

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I myself think I am possibly pregnant. Which is okay I suppose. I'm 20 years old & have been married to my husband for nearly two years. Our marriage has been really rocky though & I'm afraid that adding the stress of a child to the mix isn't going to be very helpful at all.

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[Cutiebirdgal]

Hi!

I have a phobia of pregnancy when I'm directly exposed to it, but I'm kind of fascinated all the same. ...What symptoms are you having?

[Cutiebirdgal]

Oh, under the abortion bit, you can add www.imnotsorry.net, it's an archive of stories from women who have had abortions. Even though it's a site about being not sorry that they did it, not all of the experiences are positive ones so I feel it's fairly objective.

[Sollie]

Hello! I think it's about time someone has a thread like this.

I'm in my 8th month of pregnancy, engaged to the father (engaged before the pregnancy lol) and almost 21. Looking forward to seeing this thread grow. ^^

[Estrogen SUKA]

Cutiebirdgal

Hi!

I have a phobia of pregnancy when I'm directly exposed to it, but I'm kind of fascinated all the same. ...What symptoms are you having?

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I've heard a lot of this pregnancy phobia though I don't understand it.
:]

My symptoms are just lower backaches, mild headaches, and frequent urination. It could be anything. I figured I'll take a home pregnancy test in a week to figure this out. I haven't had my period in a month which is my main cause for alarm and we were doing the "between the sheets tango" while I was ovulating (which I didn't realize).

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