What is a Pregnancy Tracker App?

1 Nov, 2011  Health Plans App Pregnancy Tracker Pregnancy Tracker App Tracker App

If you are a woman expecting for the first time, a seasoned pro, or even a father-to-be who wants to know what wild things happen throughout a pregnancy, you may want to use a pregnancy tracker app or application. There are a number of free and paid pregnancy tracker applications to choose from. While the main function of a pregnancy tracker app is to track your pregnancy by day, week, and month, there are many other features for you to enjoy.

How do I use a pregnancy tracker app?

To use the pregnancy tracker app, you enter the start date of the last menstrual period you had before getting pregnant. Or, you can enter the estimated due date if you know it already. From there, the app calculates out to the 40th week. Keep in mind that this date is an estimate and don’t be surprised if your baby comes much earlier or a little later. A baby is considered full term at 37 weeks and most doctors will make sure the baby comes out by 42 weeks.

It is both informative and fun to track your pregnancy. The pregnancy tracker app tells you which week you are in along with the actual day (e.g., Week 3, Day 2). The app also provides information about what you should eat, foods you should avoid, how to de-stress while you are pregnant, what a father can expect and what he can help out with, what a contraction feels like, and when to call the doctor. Even if you have purchased a book about pregnancy, it is helpful to have these smaller tidbits of information that apply throughout different times in the pregnancy. The only drawback is that you can’t search for a particular tip within the list. So, if you want to remember which types of teas are safe to drink, you can’t just search for information about teas. You’ll have to literally swipe back through each of the tidbits from the past days and weeks until you happen upon it.

Pregnancy tracker app features

Pregnancy tracker apps provide additional exciting features. You can research baby names so you will have the perfect moniker ready to go. You can search the list of top 100 names for boys and girls by year, search by ethnicity, or just search by typing in a name and seeing what the app comes up with. If a name is found, the meaning will be displayed, which is helpful if you want to choose a spiritual name or avoid a name with a negative meaning. Did you know the meaning of Simon is ‘snub nosed’? Or that the meaning of Claudia is ‘lame’? Kind of makes you realize the significance of those name choices, doesn’t it?!

Another pregnancy tracker app feature is a contraction counter. It’s a lot handier to just tap a button and have the app track the interval and duration of the contraction rather than having to sit with pencil and paper and do it yourself. However, don’t put too much stock in the ‘labor stage’, it tells you you’re in. You may have Braxton Hicks contractions that are 30 minutes apart one day and not track them again for a week. But the app may tell you you’re in stage two labor when you’re clearly not!

A similar feature is the kick counter. As your pregnancy progresses, your doctor or midwife will tell you to start counting the number of kicks, punches, even hiccups from your little one. There are different expectations for how long to track the kicks, but a general rule of thumb is to expect 10 movements within 1-2 hours. With the pregnancy tracker app, you can tap a button every time you feel a movement and the app will keep track of the number for you. If you haven’t felt 10 movements by the time the two-hour tracking session is up, you can try drinking something cold, going for a walk, or even changing positions if you are lying down. These tactics are used to help get your baby moving and give you the peace of mind to know he or she is doing just fine in there.

Sometimes, it’s just nice to see what other pregnant women or expectant fathers are thinking about. For that, use your pregnancy tracker app to check the forums. It’s up to you whether or not you want to join the discussions. You may want to go to the forum to complain about some lady at the grocery store reaching out to touch your baby bump without asking for your permission. Or you may want to see if others are having strange food cravings. You may want to read about other people’s labor experiences or post some of the baby name choices you are considering. There are specific forum threads for general topics, such as baby names, C-sections, and miscarriages. There are also forum threads for specific types of people, such as women over 40, teen moms, and people living in particular geographic regions. A word of caution about the forums: They are not always a nice place to vent because the people that stalk them tend to be very opinionated. If you’re not prepared to be criticized, berated, or argued with for your opinion on even the least controversial subject, don’t post anything yourself. Instead, just read what the other people write and move on.

Examples of pregnancy tracker apps for your mobile phone are BabyBump Pregnancy Pro, What to Expect, and Pampers Hello Baby. Some of these applications are free, while others cost up to $5. For free online, you can visit the ‘What to Expect’ website or ‘The Nest’ to track your pregnancy. Even Facebook has apps that allow you to post directly to your profile page so friends, family, and co-workers can keep track your little bundle along with you.

A pregnancy tracker app is definitely worth your time when you are expecting. When your hormones are uncontrollable and you want nothing more than to keep your baby safe and healthy, it is essential to be informed about what’s happening to your body, what you should be eating, and what a contraction feels like. Beware of the haters on the forums, but don’t be afraid to check out what others are talking about. It’s nice to know you’re not crazy when you think your contact lenses don’t fit the same way or you start wondering why a black line runs down your stomach while you’re pregnant. Your body goes through so many changes. With a pregnancy tracker app, you’ll feel more confident, prepared, and happy before and after your baby arrives.

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