Yamini Oswal

Please be very careful and strictly avoid unripe papaya, pineapple, and raw sprouts as they carry bacteria. I always double-washed all my veggies and ate only freshly cooked warm meals to be completely safe.

A beta HCG of 31 is on the lower side, but what matters most is if the number is doubling every 48 hours. It could just mean you conceived late and are in the very early days. You need to repeat the blood test in two days to know for sure.

Personally, I stopped going to cafes where people smoked because even passive smoke made me feel very uneasy. My doctor had strictly told me that smoking during pregnancy causes serious growth issues. I just chose to stay safe and completely smoke-free.

I had some mild lower pelvic aches which my doctor said was normal uterus expansion. Make sure you are eating fiber-rich food to avoid constipation, which also causes stomach pain. Always check with your doctor if the pain is severe.

Dilation is basically the opening of your cervix so the baby can pass through. It goes from 0 to 10 centimeters during labor. Your doctor or nurse will check this manually to see how your labor is progressing.