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Ask A Doula
Questions and Answer

Q. My Question is fairly simple I took a pregnancy test about 1 month ago and it was negative but lately my stomach has been getting bigger especially after I eat which it then gets hard also I have not missed a period but I did have one that was 15 days late and when I finally started it lasted 8 days I read in a book that is a sign of pregnancy could this possibly be in my head or is there a possibility that I am pregnant. if I am I would likely be 3 months could you give me a little insight.

A. I would suggest taking another pregnancy test and seeing a caregiver. Usually the pregnant belly does not 'show' or feel hard in the first two months of pregnancy. Yes, you could be pregnant. A qualified caregiver can do a pregnancy blood test and look at your cervix, which changes in pregnancy. Some women do experience periods during pregnancy.

Hope this helps.

Childbirth Education

How do you become an educator?

Ilana Stein has been working professionally with pregnant women since 1983 as a childbirth educator, labor assistant and breastfeeding consultant. She was originally certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method), The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), and Doulas of North America (DONA). She teachs the ALACE Labor Assistant training workshop nationwide. She has spoken at conferences and at the New York University Graduate Program in Midwifery about labor support. She is a Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness (PPPF) instructor and La Leche League Leader. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at the local YMCA. She volunteers as the coordinator of the annual New York Area YM-YWCA Women’s Wellness Weekend.