About Pregnancy Danger Signs

A miscarriage is something no expectant mother wants to think about but it does happen. Bleeding is always a cause for concern. Blood loss can signal a miscarriage, especially if it's in the early stages of your pregnancy. Should you be experiencing spotting or have a sudden, heavy blood loss during your pregnancy, immediately call your doctor. While you may not be having a miscarriage, bleeding also signals problems with the placenta. Abdominal, pelvic or back pains are three other signs of a miscarriage, so don't dismiss the aches as being normal to your pregnancy without checking with your medical practitioner.

Preterm labor is often signalled by back pain as well, a common sign of contractions. Contractions themselves, especially if they are persistent or increasing in intensity, can mean your baby is arriving before its time. Before 37 weeks, you should call your doctor and then head for a hospital quickly. After 38 weeks, you're within the normal range and can take your time to prepare for the upcoming birth. Other signs of a preterm labor include a gush of fluid, which could be your waters breaking.

Facial swelling and weight gain can be caused by pregnancy-induced hypertension called pre-eclampsia or toxemia, a dangerous issue that's cause for concern. Should your doctor determine you do have pre-eclampsia, you and your baby will be frequently monitored during the rest of your pregnancy. If this is your second child, your risk of contracting pre-eclampsia is lower, but no less cause for visiting your doctor if you suspect the complication.

While these symptoms of complications may have you feeling worried and afraid, you can relax knowing that most of the time, pregnancies pass without a hitch. The point of this information is that complications do and can occur, so knowing what to watch for and informing yourself is a very big part of being able to calmly handle the situation should something unusual raise questions. Oftentimes, even these red-flag symptoms can be attributed to some common pregnancy complaint but confirming with your doctor is always the best course of action.

100 Promises to My Baby

A lyrical ode to maternal love -- and a universal expression of every mother's hopes and dreams for her child

I promise to love you with no conditions. I promise to try to teach you through example, not words. I promise to help you develop a love for your culture and heritage. I promise to show you that there are infinite possibilities in every moment. I promise to help you see and develop your unique talents. As she eagerly awaited the birth of her first child, Mallika Chopra began to craft a unique gift that would express her profound loving commitment to the baby growing inside of her.

100 Promises to My Baby is that gift -- a covenant with her child that reflected her own deepening awareness of the sacred responsibilities of parenthood. Here the author shares the vows she made to help her child grow up feeling cherished and secure, look at the world with wonder and curiosity, and learn spiritual values that would enrich her own life and contribute to making the world a better place. This audio will inspire listeners to think about their own lives, values, and beliefs, and what they would like to pass on to their children.