Maternity Services

Common concerns during pregnancy

How much weight gain is normal?
Now that morning sickness has eased and you can eat again, you want to make sure you gain the right amount of weight. But what's the right amount?

It's recommended women gain between 25 and 30 pounds during pregnancy. The basic rule is to gain one pound per month during the first trimester, and then slightly less than one pound per week for the rest of the pregnancy. Overweight women may want to gain less than 25, while if you are underweight, you may want to gain the full 30 pounds.

Ectopic pregnancy
Most of the time, your ovary releases an egg, which, if fertilized, will travel down the fallopian tube and into the uterus, where it implants itself into the lining of the uterus. There it is nourished by blood and grows into a baby.

However, on rare occasions, the fertilized egg may stay in the fallopian tube or may fail to enter the tube and implant on the ovary or in the abdomen This is called an ectopic pregnancy, which is usually diagnosed early in pregnancy.

What are the symptoms?
In addition to the usual signs of pregnancy (missed periods, tender breasts, etc), there is increasing pain, usually on one side of the abdomen or the other. But because this pain can be confused with normal ligament pain, do not panic. Call your health care provider to make sure. A quick ultrasound can usually detect an ectopic pregnancy.

Continue: Your body changes

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Last revised: December 8, 2004 (jj)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.