Are you pregnant? Or are you just trying for a baby? Our short guide will take you through all stages of pregnancy - from conception to birth.
Table of contents:
Fertilisation
Fertilisation occurs when the sperm reaches the egg cell, pierces its envelope and combines with its genetic material. Congratulations - from that moment on we are talking about pregnancy! From now on, a new life will develop over the next forty weeks. The fertilised egg cell, nestles into the mucous membrane, which allows it to develop.
Symptoms of pregnancy
Sometimes, implantation spotting is cited as one of the symptoms of pregnancy. It is manifested by the appearance of a small amount of blood, resembling a scanty menstrual period. Implantation spotting accompanies the moment of implantation, i.e. the implantation of the fertilised ovum.
The most common symptoms of pregnancy include soreness and enlargement of the breasts just before the planned menstruation, severe nausea (in about 80% of women), food aversions, cravings and, of course, absence of menstruation.
The best way to confirm pregnancy is to take a pregnancy test or to have the hormone hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) measured in the blood. Hormones are responsible for all the changes in the body - an increase in the concentration of the hormones that are responsible for maintaining the pregnancy often causes a number of "strange" symptoms for women, such as a sudden deterioration in hair density or a severely oily scalp. Other symptoms include a frequent need to urinate, constipation, headaches, back pain and sometimes the appearance of thrush.
Proper nutrition is the key to a healthy pregnancy
Remember, during pregnancy you should not eat for two. You should eat wisely and rationally in order to provide the necessary nutrients for your developing baby. So what do the experts advise? First of all, eat only what is fresh.
photo: pantherstock
Avoid products whose expiry date has passed. Don't eat raw or undercooked meat! Avoid tartare or beefsteak. Do you like kogel mogel? Beware of raw eggs, you could catch Salmonella. Avoid express foods - cup soups and other "inventions". Remember: these products are chemical bombs! Remember that prudence is important during pregnancy. Try to keep your diet rich in fish, cooked meat, vegetables and fruit.
Consume folic acid - it is important for the proper development of the baby, as it influences the development of the nervous system. Where is the most folic acid? Look for it in sunflower seeds, broad beans and nuts.
