Ultrasound Baby Scan Clinic

5 Ways You Can Have A False Negative Pregnancy Test

Mistakes can happen in every kind of situations. Though, when it comes to pregnancy every woman takes a lot of precautions, mistakes can happen there too. When you are testing whether you are pregnant, your home test might fail you sometimes. Once it comes negative, often enough, one does not take the test again. But that shouldn’t be the case. If you think you are pregnant, there is no harm in availing ultrasound baby scanning services. You should also be aware of the ways how a pregnancy test can fail.

Taking A Test Too Early

You need to wait for the right time to take the test. If you are trying to become pregnant, you need to be patient. Often, women try to take tests before their missed period or on the first day of the missed period. You must remember to wait until after the first day of your missed period only then it will produce the most accurate results. Once an egg attaches itself to the uterine lining HCG, a hormone produced by the placenta after implantation begins to be produced and enters urine and the bloodstream. This process takes some time, so you need to be patient.

Checking Your Test Too Early Or Too Late

Always read the instructions very carefully. Check for how many minutes they have told you to wait. Time it perfectly and then look. If you check too soon or too late, you will get a false negative result. Both situations can cause an error in itself.

Miscalculating Your Period

A lot can happen if you miscalculate your period date. If you often have irregular periods, it can lead to a lot of miscalculations like the date of your first missed period. The best is to take medicines to regulate your period. If you are not comfortable with that take another test a few days after missing your period. You can also avail ultrasound baby scanning services to get more definite results.

You Drank Too Much Water Before The Test

Don’t drink too much water before the test as it can also be a reason for false negative results. Your urine will be too diluted because you drank large amounts of fluids right before the test.

It Could Be The Test Itself

One reason for false negative results may simply be the type of pregnancy test you are taking. To become certain you can buy a couple of different kinds of tests and take a test more than once. To become absolutely sure, you can avail a good ultrasound baby scanning services in your locality.

So, keep these points in mind and soon you will get the happy news you have been waiting for.

4 Things To Look For That Says It’s The Right Time To Have A Child

Nowadays, we often plan everything in our life. Even when going out for dinner, we tend to plan a lot. Granted, a lot of these plans tend to go down the drain by getting cancelled for numerous varying reasons. But a baby is something that will change your life permanently. Apart from those happy accidents that happen rarely as reported by an ultrasound baby scan clinic in Leicester, a baby should be planned and brought into the world only when it feels like the right time. but how to do decide that it is the right time? Here are 4 signs that will tell you that it’s the right time to have a baby.

Age Matters

Even though the medical field has advanced a lot, even then age matters a lot. If you are in your late 20s or early 30s, it is the best time to have a baby. It is the time when your eggs are not in danger of becoming ineffective. It is biologically the perfect time to have a child, especially until you turn 35. Of course, nowadays women of the age of 40 are being able to become a mother, due to the medically advanced treatments. But one downside of getting pregnant after 35 or 40 is that you are more at risk of miscarriages and other kinds of pregnancy complications and birth defects.

When You Are Mentally Prepared

Your mental preparation is another crucial factor in this. If you are not mentally prepared to have a baby, then don’t have one yet. Especially, if you have a partner involved in this. You need to consider both of your mental preparation. Having a baby when one of you is not ready will not only make you both unhappy but also will affect the kid in numerous ways.

If You Are Resourcefully Capably

Having a child can be very joyful, but can soon become a reason for nervous breakdown for you if you are not resourcefully capable. Both pregnancy and taking care of your baby can involve a lot of money. So, make sure you do have a stable career.

Make Sure You Have Help

No one has told you to do it alone. From pregnancy to childbirth and then taking care of your child, you can do it all with some help. Especially take help from an ultrasound baby scan clinic. So, if you are in a position to have all that help it will ease your process of having your child.

If you have these four things in your life, then it is the perfect time for you to have a child.

5 Common Problems A Woman Might Face If She Is Having Twins

Are you excited because you just heard two heartbeats during your ultrasound scan in the Ultrasound baby scan clinic? It is a very good news! But it’s also a huge responsibility. There are certain common problems in multiple births. Common problems like getting morning sickness all day long, excessive weight gain, insomnia, intensified aches, and joint pains, etc can occur. But there are also some more dangerous complications during multiple pregnancies that can prove to be fatal. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Polyhydramnios

It is a condition where amniotic fluid becomes excess in the amniotic sac.
This condition leads to other severe conditions like cardiac problems, kidney problems, fetal malposition, umbilical prolapse, and sometimes even leads to TTTS. The only way of treatment is the removal of excess fluid through a needle or sometimes medication is also needed.

TTTS

Also known as the twin-twin transfusion syndrome is a very rare and disastrous condition. It is developed when identical twins share a placenta. During this, the blood vessels let one baby have a lot of blood and the other to have too little. This results in one baby becoming too small and the other becoming too large. It can be diagnosed within 15-20 weeks with the help of an ultrasound baby scan clinic. A proper treatment which involves draining out the excessive fluids is very common in these cases.

Placental Abruption

As the name suggests this occurs when placenta gets separated from the uterus. Placental abruption is more likely to occur in multiple births. It can happen during the 25th week of pregnancy. Your visit to the ultrasound baby scan clinic can reveal such an occurrence. There is no proper treatment for this and the baby would need to be delivered through c-section. Most of the time they are pre-matured with low birth weight.

Gestational Diabetes

This develops during multiple pregnancies due to high blood sugar. It results in premature births, pre-eclampsia, and cesarean. Blood sugar level can be lowered by making changes in diet and exercises. Sometimes the doctor or even the sonographer in the ultrasound baby scan clinic might recommend anti-diabetic medication and insulin.

Intrahepatic Cholestasis Of Pregnancy

It is more common during the last trimester of pregnancy. The multiple pregnancies along with excessive amounts of hormones cause this condition. It affects the normal flow of bile thereby impairing liver functions. It causes itchiness starting with the palms of hands and soles of feet and spreading to other parts of the body. So if you start to have itchiness you might want to visit an ultrasound baby scan clinic to see if there is any problem. In severe conditions, it increases the risk of premature birth or stillbirth. It is better to get prescribed medication from your doctor as soon as possible.

Though not every one of them can be resolved medically, knowing about it beforehand can help prepare yourself. So, take extra caution and visit an ultrasound baby scan clinic on a regular basis in case you are expecting multiple babies.

Herbal Teas You Should Strictly Avoid During Pregnancy

In the previous blog, we told you about the herbal teas that you can drink in order to have a healthy pregnancy. But not all herbal teas are good during pregnancy especially the ones that have a lot of caffeine. Here, we are going to mention the herbal teas that should be avoided during pregnancy. So, when you pick some herbal teas on your way back from the ultrasound baby scan clinic keep these names on your not-to-buy list in your mind.

Chamomile Tea

This tea can relieve the stress in your body and help you sleep. It is not a problem if you drink this tea once in a while when you are feeling too overwhelmed with stress or you have been having trouble sleeping for a long time. But one must not drink this tea every day. Most doctors advise avoiding chamomile tea completely during pregnancy. So make sure to ask your doctor before you take it. This herb tends to trigger uterine contractions, leading to preterm labor or miscarriage. So, strictly avoid it especially in the first trimester. You should also avoid chamomile if you’re allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family, such as Ragweed, Marigolds, Daisies, Chrysanthemums.

Nettle Leaf Tea

Nettle leaf can be found in a lot of other pregnancy teas apart from nettle leaf tea. But it isn’t much safe. Just like chamomile tea nettle tea can also induce uterine contractions. But the use of this tea can be a bit controversial as some doctors do recommend dried nettle tea during the second and third trimesters. But, play it safe and avoid nettle tea during pregnancy.

Dandelion Leaf Tea

This herb is not exactly harmful to you but rather has a side effect. Dandelion is high in calcium and vitamin A. It also has some benefits as it helps with swelling during pregnancy. But dandelion leaf increases your urine volume as it is also a diuretic which means it should be used with extreme caution.

Laxative Herbal Tea

Laxative teas shouldn’t be used during pregnancy. These teas are used to treat constipation, a common problem in pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and constipated, try increasing your fiber and fluid intakes, and moving more rather than consuming this tea. They cause dehydration, cause uterine contractions, and disrupt your electrolyte balance.

Slippery Elm Bark Tea

Although the inner bark of slippery elm is safe if used in food amounts but the outer bark can cause miscarriage. Slippery elm bark help relieve heartburn and nausea by coating the stomach, but it’s hard to determine what type of bark has been used in the herbal teas. So it is best to avoid it altogether while pregnant.

These are some of the teas that you should avoid during pregnancy.

What To Expect When You Are Expecting – Second Trimester

Some say the second trimester is the most enjoyable time of your pregnancy. Your early morning sicknesses should have stopped by now. You also, just have started showing but you are not big enough to make you uncomfortable. During this time you can also see your baby a lot more clearly, if you visit the gender scan clinic, where you can even know the gender of your baby in advance. Having said that, it also does not mean that it will be all walk in the park. There are a lot more things that you can expect to happen. Just like in the previous blog, we told you about what to expect in your first trimester, in this blog, we are going to tell you what to expect in the second trimester.

Your second trimester starts from week 13 of your pregnancy and goes until week 27. You will be experiencing a lot of physical changes and the effects of those changes.

Growing belly and breasts

As your child keeps getting bigger, your belly grows. The extra weight also leads to backache. It gets harder to stay upright for a long period. It is also important to sleep on your side by now. Your breast also grows in size along with your belly. During this time wearing maternity bras will make you feel more comfortable.

Skin changes

When there is an increase in the level of pigment cells, also known as Melanin, brown patches appear on your skin, or the vertical line on your abdomen known as Linea Nigra is also very common. Usually, these changes go away after delivery and don’t have any side effects, but it would be better not to go out in the sun without sunscreen.

Dental problems

Hormonal changes send more blood to the gum, makes them more sensitive, and bleeds easily. But they go back to normal after delivery. In the meantime use a soft toothbrush, rinse your mouth with salt water, and floss your teeth very gently.

Dizziness

Pregnancy changes the blood circulation that might leave you dizzy. If you’re having a problem with dizziness, drink plenty of fluids, try and avoid standing for long periods, and move slowly when you stand up or change position after a long time. When you feel dizzy, lie down on your side.

Braxton hicks contractions

You might feel these mild contractions as a slight tightness in your abdomen. They’re more likely to occur with activity, including after physical activity. Contact your health care provider if the contractions become painful or regular.

Leg cramps

Leg cramps are common during pregnancy especially, at a later stage, often striking at night. To prevent them, stretch your calf muscles before you go to bed, stay physically active, and drink plenty of fluids. If a leg cramp occurs, stretch the calf muscles. A hot shower or a warm bath, ice massage or massaging your muscles also might help.

These are the most common changes that can occur in the second trimester. We will be back with third trimester in the next month.

Herbal Teas That You Can Drink During Pregnancy

There are so many do’s and dont’s, during pregnancy that it can become confusing. For example, going to an ultrasound baby scan clinic for well being scan is a must-to-do, but drinking coffee comes under must-not-do. Similarly, you might be wondering whether herbal tea is a good option during pregnancy or not.

Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm tea gives a soothing and calming effect on the body during pregnancy. It helps in lowering anxiety levels and stress and indigestion. Drinking lemon balm tea will also make you sleep better well as you will be more relaxed.

Rooibos Tea

Also known as red tea, this tea is highly recommended during pregnancy. It has proven to be a blessing for women who have digestion problems or acid reflux. Its taste is almost similar to black tea. It is caffeine-free and contains magnesium, calcium, and a lot of antioxidants. It is not high in tannins, which reduce nutrient absorption, unlike black tea.

Spearmint and Peppermint Leaf Tea

Both spearmint and peppermint herb is good for the stomach. They provide relief to the stomach muscles and settle an upset stomach. It also helps ease nausea and morning sickness which are very common during the first trimester. However, peppermint should be consumed in moderation as it may worsen the problem of acid reflux in some women, unlike spearmint which does not increase reflux.

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is very common even normally. But drinking ginger tea helps pregnant women too by alleviating morning sickness and anxiety levels. This tea also provides relief from heartburn, digestion problems, and strengthens the immune system by relieving stomach issues. It is also a great source of zinc and drinking one to two cups of ginger tea can be beneficial for pregnant women. However, this tea should also be taken in moderate amount.

Raspberry Leaf Tea

Doctors advise that this tea should generally be consumed when a woman is into her six months of pregnancy or even later. This tea is high in calcium, magnesium, and iron. This herbal tea also strengthens the uterus, preparing it for labour. It also helps to prepare for birth and breastfeeding as it supports breast milk production. It can also prevent post- partum haemorrhage.

Dandelion Leaf Tea

When fluid retention becomes an issue this tea can be a wonderful support in late pregnancy. Dandelion leaf tea is high in potassium which has an effective diuretic effect. It’s also considered to be a kidney tonic and helps the digestive system. As it has a slightly bitter, grassy taste, you can add this tea to another tea such as spearmint or chamomile.

If you are craving caffeine and need something to drink, you can try any of these teas. But all herbal teas are not good during pregnancy. In the next blog, we will tell you about the teas that you must avoid during pregnancy.

Best Herbal Teas To Drink When You Are Pregnant from Window To The Womb, Leicester

What To Expect When You Are Expecting – First Trimester

First-time pregnancy can be very overwhelming. The first time you miss your cycle, the first time you feel nauseous, or the first time you visit an ultrasound baby scan clinic, all these moments can be both nerve-racking and exciting. During this time, if you get to know beforehand about the common things that are going to happen in your first trimester, it can lessen your anxiety.

The first trimester starts on the first day of your last period and goes on until week 12. This means that when you get to know you’re pregnant, you may be five or six weeks pregnant already. There aren’t many changes, physically, during the first trimester. But there are some things, that you should be prepared for so that you don’t worry unnecessarily.

Morning Sickness

It happens to almost 85% of pregnant women. It’s the aftereffect of hormone changes in the body, and it can last through the whole first trimester. Nausea is generally terrible toward the beginning of the day. But it doesn’t necessarily happens only in the beginning of the day and it begins by 6th week of pregnancy. Eat high-protein snacks in small amounts and juice or soda. Ginger tea or drops may also help. You will also feel very tired during this time.

Mood Swings

Increased exhaustion and changing hormones can make you feel elated and hopeless, grumpy and startled. It’s fine to cry, but in case you’re feeling too emotional find someone to share your feelings preferably your partner or your closest friend.

Bleeding

Some women experience slight bleeding during their first trimester. Light spotting might be an indication that the treated fetus has been embedded in the uterus. However, if heavy bleeding occurs then it might be signs of miscarriages. It would be best to contact your doctor in such cases.

Breast Tenderness

Not long after confirming your pregnancy, hormonal changes may make your breasts tender or sore. The uneasiness will probably lessen after half a month as your body gets used to these changes. Going up a bra size (or more) can make you feel comfortable.

Food Cravings

Your taste will change a lot during this time. When you’re pregnant, you may turn out to be more reactive to specific smells. Like most different side effects of pregnancy, food cravings or aversions can be due to hormonal changes. The most extreme case of food craving is pica.

Heartburn

Pregnancy hormones loosen up the muscle between your stomach and throat can lead to acid leak into your throat, causing heartburn. To anticipate acid reflux, eat little and frequently. Avoid fried foods and citrus fruits or anything that can cause acidity.

These are the main conditions that occur during pregnancy. In the next blog, we will tell you what to expect in the second trimester.