Pregnancy occurs after the fertilization of an egg by the sperm. During ovulation, the ovary releases an egg. The fertilized egg travels down to the uterus, where the implantation process takes place. Pregnancy is a result of successful implantation. Normally, full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. At times the pregnancy can be affected by different factors. Receiving prenatal care and pregnancy diagnosis at an early stage allows one to have a healthy pregnancy. For the health of the baby and the mother, monitoring is important. Birth control forms are effective if one is not ready to get pregnant.
The pregnancy symptoms include; missed periods, headache, weight gain, spotting, constipation, heartburn, cramps, back pain, anemia, insomnia, vomiting, and breast changes. Getting pregnant has both advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Pregnancy
1. Easier periods– pregnancy is good news for women who experience severe cramps during their periods. Many women find menstrual cramps less painful after they have their first baby. Having babies bring relief.
2. Less MS– Multiple sclerosis affects nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain. The condition is on the rise as women opt to get pregnant when they’re older. The risk of developing the autoimmune disorder is reduced by half after having a baby. The immune system of a woman adjusts during pregnancy to prevent the attack of the baby. After birth, some of the baby’s cells remain in the body keeping the MS risk down.
3. Boosts mood– Pregnancy might be a roller-coaster powered by emotions. After birth, however, the moods stabilize. The hormone oxytocin helps during bonding, and there are feelings of love.
4. Protection against breast cancer– pregnancy has the health benefit whereby it lowers the risk of getting breast cancer. Pregnancies mean reduced periods, which limit the exposure to progesterone and estrogen hormones. The hormones can increase the risk of breast cancer as they stimulate cell growth.
5. Reduced risk of other cancers– apart from lowering the risk of having breast cancer, pregnancy reduces the risk of other types of cancers. The hormonal shift during pregnancy protects against endometrial and ovarian cancer.
6.Healthier heart– studies depict that breastfeeding women are less likely to suffer from heart diseases. The hormones released during breastfeeding have beneficial properties for the heart. The risk of high blood pressure and diabetes is also lower.
7. Better conjugal life– pregnancy hormones are usually responsible for some miserable symptoms like heartburn, bloating, and skin rashes. Sex hormones that the baby produces during pregnancy might boost sex drive. The estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone hormones are responsible.
8. Not choosing abortion– Pregnancy gives the woman not to choose to risk having an abortion. For those who are strongly against abortion, getting pregnant is a good way to go.
9. Better health habits– pregnancy helps many women in making positive health changes. Most of them stop their bad habits like taking alcohol for the baby’s healthy growth and to avoid pregnancy complications. Many pregnant women have a healthier lifestyle.
10. Gorgeous hair– pregnancy has a major effect on hair growth, making it more beautiful. The hormones like estrogen and progesterone released during pregnancy can have amazing effects on the hair. The hair is stronger, shinier, and has a better texture.
Cons of Pregnancy
1. Dilemma in making the best decision– when one becomes unexpectedly pregnant, they have a big decision to make. The choices range from parenting, adoption to abortion. The choice is stressful for women.
2. Anemia– pregnancy might cause anemia where the number of healthy red blood cells is lower than the normal count. Women may feel tired and weak. Taking folic acid supplements and iron can help with the condition. Iron levels should be tracked throughout the pregnancy.
3. Mental health conditions– some women tend to experience unstable mental health during pregnancy. The symptoms include guilt, shame, worthlessness, interest loss in fin activities, insomnia, and low mood. Depression is risky as taking care of the unborn child becomes hard.
4. Weight gain– the risk of pregnancy complications is greater for people with obesity issues. Some of the risks include cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, and stillbirth. Obese women that shed off some weight before getting pregnant are more likely to experience healthier pregnancies.
5. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) – this is a bacterial infection affecting the urinary tract. During pregnancy, the risk of getting UTIs is usually higher. The urge to use the bathroom regularly increases this risk. Some symptoms include fever, back pain or nausea, and bad-smelling reddish urine.
6. High blood pressure– if hypertension is poorly controlled during the pregnancy, the unborn baby, together with the mother, is at risk. The women face the risk of preterm delivery and other poor birth outcomes. In the worst scenarios, there is infant death.
7. Morning sickness– during the first three or four months of the pregnancy, many women experience vomiting or just nausea. This is caused by rapid changes in the HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone. The placenta releases the HCG. Hyperemesis is more extreme than normal morning sickness can lead to dehydration.
8. Physical exhaustion– pregnancies are sometimes physically exhausting. Fatigue is a common condition to many women, and some of them spend more time resting even after doing a simple task. Morning sickness and mental health conditions are draining.
9. Mixed emotions– pregnancy is an emotional journey. Women experience an array of different emotions. If the pregnancy is unplanned, many women experience anger, depression, fear, and shock after discovering it.
10. Insomnia- lack of sleep is common during the early stages of the pregnancy. Insomnia could be caused by physical discomfort, hormonal changes, and stress. Yoga stretches and exercises along with a balanced diet and regular sleeping habits will go a long way in dealing with insomnia.
Conclusion
Becoming pregnant is an amazing experience for most women. It is an opportunity to pay attention to oneself well-being as the focus is remaining healthy even for the unborn baby. The change in emotions during pregnancy is normal and should be well managed. A healthy lifestyle and regular checkups are important throughout the pregnancy to guarantee the safe delivery of a healthy baby. Physical exercises are also crucial. The benefits that come with having kids are exemplary. As much as there are cons of pregnancies, I still believe that the health benefits are more.
