Nursery to Toddler

Intentional Mistakes $3.94 - Fatherhood – Pregnancy – Rekindled love

The Pregnancy Test $3.95 Ordinarily, I’m a fan of pink–lovely color, does smashing things for the complexion. But not when it’s the bright, glaring stripe staring back at me on the pregnancy test. Then, pink is the color of major oops, of morning sickness, of boyfriends who seemed decent but now are part of some Jerk Witness Protection Program. Still, I’ve got a few things going for me–bitter humor, a divine right to eat till I’m the size of Marlon Brando, and good friends who’ve managed to get me a job interview with one Damien Sharpton: in need of a personal assistant, and some say, a good, swift kick in the arse. If you want to make a lasting impression, by all means, toss your cookies in your future boss’s wastebasket, which is located directly between his excruciatingly sexy legs. Apparently, Mr. Gorgeous-But-Unbearably-Anti-Social must like personal assistants who violate his trash can, because I got the job. And if I can avoid him via text messaging for the next seven months of health insurance, everything will be just fine. Except that he’s just asked–no, insisted–that I go with him on a business trip to the Caribbean. Gulp, Ordinarily, this would be cause for celebration. Ordinarily, I’d shave my legs, pack my bikini, revel in day-glo drinks and my seething lust for Mr. Swarthy-And-Secretive. But there’s nothing ordinary about this situation…which means it could be absolutely extraordinary.

Pregnancy $10.46 Pregnancy

Clearblue Easy Pregnancy Test – Twin Pack $9.99 Pregnancy test with +/- results. Results 5 days sooner. Clearblue Easy can be used as early as 4 days before you expect your period. That’s 5 days sooner than waiting until you miss your period to test. The amount of pregnancy hormone increases rapidly in early pregnancy. In clinical testing with early pregnancy samples, Clearblue Easy gave the following results: 1 Day before the expected period 87% women giving a pregnant result. 2 Days before the expected period 84% women giving a pregnant result. 3 Days before the expected period 74% women giving a pregnant result. 4 Days before the expected period 53% women giving a pregnant result). + = pregnant. – = not pregnant. No test is more accurate. Over 99% accurate (99% accurate at detecting typical pregnancy hormone levels. Note that hormone levels vary. See insert) from the day of your expected period. Changes color to let you know it’s working. Made in China.

Canine Pregnancy Test Kit (5 tests) $125.95 Rapid immunomigration test for detection of the hormone relaxin in canine blood. Can be used at 22 days gestation or after. A small blood sample must be obtained from the dog. 5 tests in each kit. * Early detection of planned or unplanned pregnancy. * Detection of pregnancy before or after abortion treatment. * Early detection of false pregnancy. * Diagnose fetal resorption or spontaneous abortion. * No refrigeration required. About the product: The Witness Relaxin kit is intended to determine pregnancy in the bitch, as well as to distinguish between pseudopregancy and gestation. The kit measures relaxin levels in plasma and serum samples. The presence of significant amounts of this hormone is a reliable indicator of pregancy. Relaxin can be detected in biological samples soon after implantation of the fertilized egg, which occurs about 22-27 days after mating (26-31 days post-LH surge).

Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test – 2 Count $9.69 The Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test is over 99% accurate at detecting typical pregnancy hormone levels (note that hormone levels vary – see insert) from the day of your expected period. Clearblue Easy can be used as early as 4 days before you expect your period. That’s 5 days sooner than waiting until you miss your period to test.This package includes 2 test sticks and 1 English/Spanish Insert.1. Take the test: simply hold the stick pointing downwards in your urine stream for 5 seconds only.2. Wait: an hour glass symbol will flash to show you the test is working.3. Read your result: within 3 minutes your result will be displayed in words.Read instructions before use. English and Spanish instructions inside.Store at 36&def;F-86°F. Do not freeze. For in-vitro diagnostic use only (not for internal use).

WITNESS RELAXIN [Canine / Feline Pregnancy Test] $132.22 Relaxin can be detected in biological samples soon after implantation of the fertilized egg, which occurs 20-31 days post-LH surge, or approximately 16-33 days post-mating. ? Early detection of planned or unplanned pregnancy ? Detection of pregnancy befor

pregnancy test mistakes

The 7 Worst Things Parents Do $2.00 Psychologists John and Linda Friel have written an enormously readable and infinitely practical book that digs into some of the worst mistakes that parents make, with suggestions on how parents can change immediately. The Friels examine the seven most ineffective and self-defeating behaviors that parents display again and again. Working from the ideas that even small changes can have big results, …

The Mistake

Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms: Week 4 of Pregnancy

Week 4 of Pregnancy – Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

Welcome to your Guide to Pregnancy – Week 4.

This is implantation week!  The fertilized egg will settle into the nutrient-rich uterine lining and stay firmly connected there throughout the pregnancy.  Once the egg has successfully implanted, the egg will divide into 2.  One half will be the embryo and the other half will eventually become the placenta.

You may be noticing symptoms soon.  Some may even be apparent…biggest one?  Assuming you are on a 28-day menstrual cycle, the biggest symptom you will notice is your period did not make its scheduled visit this week!  You can confirm the pregnancy with a home pregnancy test or a visit to your doctor’s office.

Every pregnancy is different; however the majority of women experience some of the same symptoms:

• Morning sickness or nausea.  This may sail right past your or you may experience it 24-hours a day.
• Fatigue – this could be extreme or you may experience a little more sleepiness.
• Staining or spotting – in most cases this is the egg implanting in the uterine lining.  Some women may mistake this for their period.
• Tender breasts – feels like that tingling sensation when your arm falls asleep
• Aversion to smells and foods
• PMS-like symptoms.  Mood swings, irritability, and crying

Depending on your menstrual cycle, you may have to wait until next week to get that positive pregnancy test.  In the meantime, act as though you are pregnant by eating a well-balanced diet, exercising and continue to avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs.  Even prescribed medication should be avoided.  Talk with your doctor and let him or her know that you are either trying to conceive or already pregnant and let them know what prescribed medication OR herbal supplements/vitamins you are taking and make sure it is on the “ok” list.

In all the excitement of finding out if you are pregnant, it is important to note that your doctor may not schedule your first prenatal visit for several more weeks.  If you are experiencing any of the following – do not hesitate to contact your doctor:

• Painful or burning urination
• Fever over 101.5 F
• Sudden swelling of hands, feet, face or eyes or a sudden weight gain not related to overeating
• Sudden increase in thirst, especially if you are not urinating more
• Lower abdominal pain on either side and does not subside
• Bleeding with cramps or heavy bleeding with or without cramping
• Blurred vision that continues for more than a few minutes.
• Bloody diarrhea
• Severe headaches

The joy that comes with a pregnancy undoubtedly will also bring out the worry-wart in you too!  Particularly in the first trimester.   You can’t see or feel your baby yet and for some, if it wasn’t for the positive pregnancy test, they wouldn’t even know that they were pregnant.  It is not just physical symptoms that worry moms-to-be, it could very well be the LACK of symptoms.  Just remember, every pregnancy is different.  Take good care of yourself and not that a lack of symptoms is not a sign that something is wrong.

The first trimester is a tough one, you are pregnant, no one can tell you are pregnant, there is nothing to feel or see….but, relax, before you know it you will be feeling and seeing your little one squirm around and you’ll start sporting a little round belly-bump and your pregnancy will seem more real.

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About the Author

Michaeline is a mother of 6 and a licensed family therapist.  Professional and personal interests include parenting, pregnancy, step-parenting, home and garden and health.  Please visit us to receive your Week-By-Week Guide to Pregnancy and for additional resources, tips, advice and family zone shopping.