Preventing pregnancy

There are many ways to prevent pregnancy. Some are like using a condom when having sex and/or using birth control methods such as different types of barriers (condoms, diaphragms, spermicidal etc.), hormonal methods (the pill, the patch, etc.), implantable devices (rods and etc.) and surgical methods (sterilization). But, if you decide not to use any of this or forgot to take your pill, for an example, and had a little “accident” there is always Plan B “The Morning After” pill. Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that can prevent a pregnancy up to 5days/120 hours after unprotected sex. It just contains two pills with a larger dose of levonorgestrel, a hormone found in many birth control pills and works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. But Plan B isn’t the abortion pill and can’t terminate an existing pregnancy. If you’re 18 or older, Plan B is located at your pharmacy without a prescription. If you’re 17 or younger, you would need a prescription from your doctor. There are only two pills to take. The first one should be taken within 5 days after unprotected sex and the second pill, 12 hours later. The sooner you take it after unprotected sex, the better it will work. Be aware, after Plan B, take a deep breath and relax. The side effects of Plan B are mild. Some women might get nausea, abdominal pain or other non-serious side effects similar to those in many birth control pills.

Becoming Pregnant

Trying to have a baby? Here are some tips for conception and a healthy pregnancy. When trying to get pregnant, the first step that you need to do is say goodbye to ALL of your contraceptive methods. After doing so, you can try to get pregnant right after you stop using the contraceptive(s). The next thing that you would do is start taking folic acid supplements. Taking a folic acid supplement helps prevent neural tube defects in your baby. The USDA recommends that women who are planning to get pregnant, or women who are pregnant, take a folic acid supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, ideally 3 months before your start trying to conceive, and throughout the 1st trimester of your pregnancy. If you eat a healthy diet, you already get some folic acid from fortified breakfast cereals, beans, leafy green vegetables and orange juice. You should also make sure that you and your partner stay fit because that can improve your chances of getting pregnant. Then, the next thing that you do is get to know your cycle because this may help you in identifying your most fertile days and will maximize your chances of getting pregnant when having sex.

Symptoms of pregnancy

Some classic symptoms of pregnancy are:

•  Missed period. This is the earliest and most reliable sign if you have a regular monthly cycle. Though it is possible to have a little light bleeding or spotting around the time you expected your period, even if you’re pregnant.

If you don’t have a regular cycle, you may notice some of the other pregnancy symptoms before you notice a missed period.

•  Feeling tired. You may feel unusually tired in the first few weeks of pregnancy. This is probably due to rising levels of the hormone progesterone.

•  Feeling sick. You may start feeling sick, and even vomit, between about the 2nd and 8th week of pregnancy. Although this is often called ‘morning sickness’ it can happen to you at any time of the day or night.

•  Changes in your breasts. You may notice your breasts getting larger, feeling tender, or tingling (the way some women’s breasts do just before they get their period) in the early weeks of pregnancy. In addition, the veins on your breasts may show up more and your nipples may get darker.

•  Going to the bathroom more often. About 6-8 weeks after conception you may find that you have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom. Some pregnant women also find that they ‘leak’ a bit when they cough, laugh or sneeze.

•  Mood swings and stress. You may feel rapid changes in mood in the early stages of pregnancy, and even start to cry sometimes, without knowing why. This is probably because of the changes in hormone levels taking place in your body.

•  Changing tastes in food. You may find you go off certain things like tea, coffee or fatty food. Some women also feel cravings for types of food they don’t usually like.

If you suspect you might be pregnant and are experiencing these symptoms, you should probably take a pregnancy test.

Options or Alternatives

Here are some options that women can choose from if wanting or not wanting the baby.

Adoption: If you were to become pregnant and is unable to keep the baby for any reason but still want to carry out the pregnancy, you can always give it up for adoption. Many women chose adoption because many just can’t afford a baby at that point, some want the baby to have a better life, others don’t want the baby to go to foster care, don’t want/can’t afford an abortion and etc. Also, if you do decide to adopt, you would be making a huge difference in someone’s life.

Abortion: If you decided to have an abortion, there are many clinics or hospitals around you that can help you in any way possible. There are two ways to abort a child in your 1st trimester and they both cost the same. The first one is the surgical abortion. It takes a couple of minutes and can be done at an abortion clinic. All the doctor does is scrap the endometrum with a long tube while sucking the fetus out at the same time. The second one is a medical abortion and it seems easier but it’s longer. All you have to do is take a pill called progesterone then take a 2nd pill two days later.

Keeping the baby: Having and keeping a baby is a very difficult thing to do but it is also a blessing. Pregnancy and birth is also a wonderful thing because knowing that you have just brought another human being into this world just makes everything better for you. Getting to raise and support a baby that is just a ball of joy is exciting and can change everything for you. Yeah it’s going to be difficult but you will get the hang of it and once you do, it will make you very happy!

Good luck on everything and thanks for visiting my page. I hope it was helpful to you.