The benefits of massage therapy in pregnancy include

During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many changes, some of them stressful and uncomfortable. Massage is a perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being.

• Massage helps mom's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combats fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic.
• By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood pressure in check.
• Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated.
• Massage helps carry away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue.
• Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, edema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet.
• Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and fetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.
• Massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels.
• Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• It relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility. Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself.
• Massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps the mother sleep more easily and more deeply. Incidentally, doctors all agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.
• Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.

Of course, there are many emotional benefits of a massage besides just the physical benefits. When you put your hands on your partner's body, you're also touching her emotions and state of mind. Not only is a massage relaxing, comforting and healing, it is also an expression of love and caring. The intimate nature of touch has the additional advantage of bringing two people closer together.

Pregnancy Week 4

Mother:

Your body is figuring out what is going on! A urine pregnancy test would probably be positive by now. They measures the amounts of the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in your urine. You are probably beginning to feel tired, urinate more frequently, experience mood swings, and possibly have tender or swollen breasts - these are common signs of pregnancy.

Be sure to avoid environmental hazards. The first trimester is the most critical time for formation of your baby. This also includes avoiding alcohol, smoke and second hand smoke, street drugs, including healthy eating habits and a pregnancy exercise program.

Baby:

The chorionic villi are fully formed by the end of this week. In one study, 100% of the transvaginal ultrasounds showed a gestational sac. The yolk sac that helps feed your baby until the placenta is fully functional is appearing as well.

Dad:

Do you have a plan on how you'll find out about the pregnancy? Will the test be a joint effort? Some moms choose to have dad go and read the results. Be sure you've read the instructions and know how to properly read the test results. The words you say will be remembered forever.

Twin Tips:

hCG levels in moms carrying multiples are often more elevated. This can often be the first sign that you have more than one on the way! An average hCG for a singleton at 18 days post-ovulation is about 70 mIU, a twin gestation is about 200 mIU at the same day. Though this is not a foolproof way to detect twins.

The First Sign Of Pregnancy

Every woman is different. It is hard to tell if you aren’t looking for the right signs and even if you are how can be sure? Is it just your imagination because this is what you and your spouse want? Are the feeling the symptoms of early Pregnency, but ignore them for your not ready for what the true answer will be? So, what are these common tail-tale signs of Pregnency? The earliest signs would include and not be limited to the following: Fatigue In the earliest stages of pregancy many women become exhausted. They can’t seem to get enough sleep no matter how many naps they take or how long they sleep in. It’s the body’s way of getting ready for what lay ahead.

Tender Breast Most women will experience this sign in the first week of conception. Breast will become sore to the touch and most notice fuller, heavier breast. The areolas around the nipple will even become enlarge and darken. Nausea Not every woman will experience this sign of pregancy, but it is very likely. Smells will get to most women at this stage. It could be food or perfumes. Beware! They could very well have women running to the bathroom. Bloating Some women feel bloated and uncomfortable.

Almost as if they are about to start their periods, yet it never comes. Frequent Bathroom Breaks There is nothing more telling than the frequent potty breaks women need when they become pregnant, even at this early stage. Many women may have all of these signs, but the most common of them all would be a missed period and most reliable of them all. Some women will have light bleeding during the implantation stage of fertilization this is not uncommon and will more than likely be pink to brown in color. It will be much different than a normal period, and only light spotting occurs during this stage of Pregnency.