Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Pregnancy Testing - When to Do It?

Pregnancy Testing - When to Do It?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christoph_Puetz]Christoph Puetz

When trying to conceive and to have a baby it all starts with a pregnancy test. Well, not really, but we leave the romantic part out of this discussion as this is not really something for the public. The timing of when to take a pregnancy test partially depends on how soon you are trying to find out if you are pregnant or not. Different pregnancy tests require different timing.

In general there are two basic types of pregnancy tests available nowadays. The two different kinds of pregnancy tests do either test your urine or your blood. Both tests look for the pregnancy hormone in your body that is only present if you are pregnant. The “pregnancy” hormone is referred to as 'human chorionic gonadotropin', or “hCG”. Modern blood tests can detect hCG already 6 to 8 days after having made love and have ovulated. Urine based pregnancy tests can detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone in your body about 14 days after ovulation.

Pregnancy tests using your blood to determine if you are pregnant need to be done under medical control – usually at your OB. Pregnancy tests that test for the pregnancy hormone in your urine are home-based tests. Home pregnancy tests are convenient, inexpensive and are discreet. A urine based pregnancy test should be done using in the early morning. The morning urine shows the strongest concentration of the pregnancy hormone. A pregnancy test using your blood is not tight to a certain time of the day to deliver better results.

Urine based pregnancy tests are often used too early and the test results are not clear enough. Follow-up testing is required to be certain. As pregnancy tests are not cheap this is unfortunate for the woman doing the test, but very fortunate for the manufacturers of these tests. Waiting an additional before taking the first test is difficult – especially if you are trying to conceive for quite a while.

If you feel you are pregnant but the home pregnancy test shows a negative test result, it is recommended to wait at least 24-48 hours before repeating such a test. Sometimes it is also just the brand that is being used. Different tests used at the same time sometimes show more clear results.

Being pregnant is a wonderful experience. Getting confirmation about being pregnant can be frustrating or exciting. Having enough patience and faith will help a woman to get through the “endless” waiting period before it makes sense taking a pregnancy test.

About the Author

Christoph Puetz is a successful entrepreneur and international book author. Christoph operates a successful [http://www.firsttimepregnancy.com]Pregnancy and Parenting Website. One of the other websites he maintains can be found at [http://www.pregnancy-announcements.com]Pregnancy Announcements ecards.

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

How to Lose Pregnancy Weight the Safe and Healthy Way

How to Lose Pregnancy Weight the Safe and Healthy Way
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=M.C._Makr]M.C. Makr

If you are like most new Mom's, you have discovered that pregnancy leaves a lasting impression on your body. Fortunately, it is possible to loose pregnancy weight and regain your pre-baby figure. Imagine finally slipping in to your old jeans after so long! Simple things like cutting calories while burning more can go a long way to removing the extra weight, as can breastfeeding. Read on to discover a healthy way to send those after baby pounds packing and slip in to a slimmer you!

It's common sense that consuming less calories will lead to weight loss, but theres a right way and a wrong way to do it. Crash dieting is not recommended as a way to loose pregnancy weight. For postpartum weight loss, a slow and steady approach is the healthiest. Your body is still recovering from having a baby up to six months later and you need to ensure that you are providing all of the nutrition it needs.

Ease in to a weight loss diet by replacing high calorie snacks with low calorie snacks and avoiding junk food, fried foods and sweets. Simple calorie cutting techniques and a bit of patience is all it takes, so forget drastic diets if you have just had a baby.

Moderation is the key to cutting calories, and the same goes for burning them as well. Exercise is very important for many health reasons, not just for loosing pregnancy weight. Beat stress and increase your energy by taking short, non vigorous walks after baby is born. If possible, have Dad watch the baby and use it as 15 minutes of "me time" for yourself. Not only will you burn more calories, but you can use it to relax and reflect as well.

You may have heard that breastfeeding mothers have an easier time with losing pregnancy weight than bottle feeding mom's. For the most part, this is true. The reason is that your body burns an average of 500 extra calories extra each day to feed your baby. Do remember that when breastfeeding, it is more important than ever to eat healthy. Never skimp on nutrition, but rather replace bad eating habits with good ones and enjoy the extra boost that breastfeeding can give to your weight loss.

Losing those post baby pounds doesn't have to be a painful, horrible experience. Take it easy and remember that it took months to get there and it will take months to get back. All it often takes is eating healthy and exercising, as well as a good measure of patience.

Learn more secrets of how to [http://www.howiq.com/how-to-loose-pregnancy-weight.html]lose pregnancy weight. [http://www.howiq.com/how-to-loose-pregnancy-weight.html]Click Here Now to discover more secrets of postpartum weight loss and read about one inspiring Mom who found a foolproof way to banish those after pregnancy pounds!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M.C._Makr http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Lose-Pregnancy-Weight-the-Safe-and-Healthy-Way&id=1485394

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