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Pregnancy

This is the state of carrying one or more developing babies within the body. A full term pregnancy lasts between 38-40 weeks.

Pregnancy can trigger a mix of emotions from joy to fear and everything in-between.  Such feelings are common for all expectant parents, mothers and fathers.  

Love

Understanding what is happening and the therapies available to support you will help you to prepare.

Background

Pregnancy may occur as a result of sexual intercourse between individuals, or by using technology to assist the process. In both cases, the sperm fuses with the ova (egg) either occurring naturally with sex, or artificially with the various forms of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

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The bearer is usually a female although intersex individuals may also have the capability to do so. Most pregnancies will progress well and result in healthy babies. Definitions vary across regions but some generally agreed ones are shown below:

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  • Term Baby :   Live Infant born after 37 weeks of pregnancy

  • Premature Baby (Pre-Term) :   Live infant born between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy

  • Miscarriage :   Delivery before 24 weeks of pregnancy whereby the baby is not alive

  • Still-Births :   Delivery after 24 weeks of pregnancy whereby the baby is not alive

Impact on General Wellbeing

Being pregnant is usually a positive experience. It can be health boosting when the appropriate care is taken.

Physical

Draining

Stressful

Healthy

Boosting

Mental

Draining

Stressful

Healthy

Boosting

Lifestyle

Draining

Stressful

Healthy

Boosting

Caution

  1. You may experience amongst others:

    • Morning sickness for the first 20 weeks 

    • Heartburn 

    • Fatigue 

    • Stretch Marks 

  2. Register for Ante-Natal care if you can 

  3. Alcohol and Smoking can damage the growing baby's internal organs 

  4. Many drugs can damage the baby and cause health problems 

  5. Discuss your intended medications with your healthcare team 

  6. Avoid street drugs like cocaine, heroin and others 

  7. Aggressive contact sport and activities with a high risk of falls can be damaging to the baby and the mother

  8. Reduce your caffeine intake 

  9. Do not eat too much or too little 

  10. Sleep on your side in the last 3 months of pregnancy

Benefits

  1. You get an offspring! 

  2. Elation and Positive feeling to life 

  3. Feeling of intense joy and happiness 

  4. Blood flow increases to the pelvic area may result in greater sex and greater sensitivity, greater libido and you feel sexier 

  5. Better or multiple orgasms 

  6. Bigger Breasts 

  7. Hair is more plush, nails are longer and stronger 

  8. Gives you the opportunity to drop a 'bad' habit 

  9. Absent menstrual periods 

  10. Less painful periods 

  11. Protection against some cancers 

  12. You could get a paid maternity leave!

Further Reading

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