Female Care » Pregnancy

Mother Massage “A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy”

Article Poster — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:19:19 +0000

Somewhere in my 2nd trimester of pregnancy I realised that my body was not coping too well with the stress and tension that carrying our much-wanted child placed on it. We have complications, and the worry of these, together with the normal pregnancy problems, had me in agony with taut muscles. I looked to the Internet for help and found a message recommending this book. Although I find massage a relaxing way of sharing love with my husband, I didn’t know if it could actually solve the problem – but it was worth a try. A quick e-mail and 5 days later the Amazon.co.uk box arrived. I eagerly opened it, and spent an enjoyable afternoon reading the book.

The book is written by a licensed massage therapist in New York City who specialises in prenatal and postpartum massage. Although the book states that it is not intended to take the place of professional medical supervision, and should not take the place of prenatal care, it does offer an alternative to putting up with those little grievances that make pregnant women so uncomfortable – such as sore breasts and leg cramps. It also gives information on when not to carry out the massage, so the book should be read carefully before you begin, and if you are not sure if it is safe to use in your case, take it to your next prenatal visit and check with them.

Starting off with a chapter explaining the various massage techniques, its chapters then lead you through a variety of different ways to relieve pregnancy’s discomforts, how to give a full body massage – which although using a man in the diagrams, tells of how the body massage should be carried out on a pregnant woman – how to prepare your body for labor, massage that is helpful during labor, after delivery, and whilst nursing. It also shows massage that can be used on your baby. The simple line diagrams are easy to follow and the book is written in a language that is easy for someone not trained in massage can follow. I couldn’t fault the book – but would it work. I waited for my husband to come home from work, and that night, armed with a bottle of massage oil, we experimented with the full body massage.

It was heaven for me. As my husband worked systematically through the various sections of the book, I could feel the muscles respond and relax. The whole routine took about 2 hours to complete, and he was exhausted at the end of it, but it felt as if someone had waved a magic wand over my stressed out body and mind, making it loosen up. For a short version of this, my husband will sometimes carry out the back massage only (taking about 30 minutes), which in this book is done in two halves with the woman lying on her side, and that is enough to unwind me. On one occasion I was so relaxed, I fell asleep as he was doing the second side and as many women in the 2nd half of pregnancy can tell you, sleep is not always easy at this time.

If you’re pregnant, and need to relax more, buy this book, or ask your local library to order it for you, and enjoy.

Is it Dangerous to Exercise During Pregnancy?

Article Poster — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:52:42 +0000

Regular exercise keeps you healthy, gives you energy and builds strong bones and muscles. However, many pregnant women are afraid that exercising will harm the baby. That fear is unfounded according to medical experts, but there are some guidelines to follow for safety.

Dr. Raul Artal, who heads the department of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, believes obstetricians should make exercise recommendations a top priority, But, Dr. Artal says there are some precautions you should take to keep you and your baby healthy during prenatal exercise.

Dr. Artal recommends moderate exercise for pregnant women – such as brisk walking, which allows you to carry on a normal conversation – for about a half hour a day. Aerobic and resistance training are OK, but pregnant women should avoid contact sports or activities that carry a high risk of falling or trauma to the abdomen.

Other recommendations:

- Keep workouts under 45 minutes so your temperature doesn’t increase beyond a safe level.
- Drink enough water to keep the body’s temperature at a safe level.
- Pregnancy is the time for fit women to maintain – not dramatically improve – their physical fitness. It’s not the time to run a marathon or begin training for one.
- Avoid scuba diving, which puts the baby at risk for health problems.
- Pregnant women should check with their doctors regarding the type and intensity of exercise before they launch a workout routine.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also offers some guidelines for prenatal exercise:

- After 20 weeks of pregnancy, avoid doing any exercise on your back.
- Avoid brisk exercise in hot, humid weather or when you are sick with a fever.
- Wear comfortable clothing that will help you to remain cool.
- Wear a bra that fits well and gives a lot of support to help protect your breasts.
- Make sure you consume the extra 300 calories a day you need during pregnancy.

Moderate, regular exercise during pregnancy will help condition your body for the physical exertion of labor and may help ease the pain of delivery. Other benefits of prenatal exercise include improved circulation, more restful sleep, and increased energy.

Dealing With Grief During Your Pregnancy

Article Poster — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:33:23 +0000

In the time that it takes to carry a baby to term, many unforeseen events can unfold, including the death of a close family member or friend. Sadly, there is not much literature on the topic. I know about this first-hand. When I was four months pregnant with my first child, my older brother died as the result of injuries sustained in a tragic fall. I searched for information on grief and pregnancy, but all that I seemed to come across were articles on miscarriage. Because of my difficult struggle for information, I wish to share with you what I learned and experienced in my journey in hopes that you will be able to take comfort in the fact that somebody “gets” it and, hopefully, find a little guidance in my words.

The number one thing that people told me (and, perhaps, have told you) was not to grieve because my grief would harm the baby and may even risk the pregnancy. In my case, nothing could’ve been further from the truth. My OB advised me that grief was natural, normal, and should have no detrimental effect on the baby, while holding my grief in was more stressful on us both. However, while this was my experience, every pregnancy is different and you should see your obstetrician as soon as possible to discuss your recent loss and to find out if there are any precautions that you should take.

My next concern was that the baby was feeling all of my emotions through the placenta and would come into the world depressed and void of any joy whatsoever. To my surprise and delight, he turned out to be one of the happiest babies that I’d ever laid eyes on. While it is true that babies feel their mothers’ emotions through the placenta, they are also incredibly resilient creatures with minds and emotions of their own. Your baby will have a lifetime of ups and downs and in-betweens, just like the rest of us. In comparison, a few months of sadness, though it may not seem like it now, really is a minimal experience to your baby that he or she will, thankfully, not remember.

In addition to feeling concerned about how the baby was feeling, I was worried that when he was born, I wouldn’t feel joyous, as I should, because I would be focused on the fact that my brother wasn’t there. What I did to remember my brother on that day and to include him in the event (and, feel free to adapt this idea to your situation if you like) was to take one of his guitar picks into the operating room with me. Although I couldn’t be the one to hold on to it, I gave it to my husband to keep a hold of throughout the delivery. Doing that allowed me to feel watched over, as though my brother was there to celebrate with me, in spirit. When my son arrived into this world, the joy was unstoppable and I couldn’t believe that I had once worried that it wouldn’t be there. It was. It will be for you, too. Of that, I am positive.

After the arrival of my son, I was worried about developing postpartum depression, as it had been explained to me that I was at a somewhat increased risk, due to my recent loss. Life and death are, by far, the largest events that we can go through as human beings and they are, no doubt, polar opposites. To experience both at the same time is just indescribably bewildering. Even before your baby arrives, I strongly recommend seeking psychological counseling to deal with the weight of these issues. I cannot say, for sure, whether I experienced postpartum depression or not, because I really couldn’t have told the difference from my day-to-day state of mind. All of the symptoms seemed the same. If you are like I was, seek help for the sake of yourself and your child. No therapist can take away your pain or your anger or bring back the loved one that you lost, but they can help you manage your feelings in constructive ways that will make you a more stable and better-equipped mother for your new baby. That is something that you both deserve.

Dealing with the death of a close friend or loved one in the midst of a pregnancy can seem insurmountable, at times. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to let go of expectations and suppositions that you may be placing on yourself. If someone says, “Think of the baby” when you’re clearly upset, and it doesn’t magically make you feel better, don’t beat yourself up about it. If you find yourself so wrapped up in decorating the nursery that you forget to go to the cemetery, cut yourself some slack. Allow yourself the freedom to feel, guilt-free, whatever emotions it is that you are feeling. Be your own best friend.

Finally, try as much as you can to remember that your friend or loved one would never begrudge you an ounce of happiness. Experiencing joy is not letting go, forgetting, or dishonoring someone that has passed, nor are you horrible person for doing so because the person who has passed cannot be here. Joy is a deep appreciation for and a celebration of life. The person that you are grieving lived this life gloriously to be loved as deeply as they were by you, so I encourage you to live with joy and freedom in their memory and to celebrate your new baby’s life without reservation.

The pain never goes away, but it does lessen over time. The joy also never goes away, and the best news is that it continues to grow over time, getting greater with each passing day and, once the baby is born, there is always something to new and exciting to look forward to. The circle of life is certainly bittersweet – painful and joyful all at once. You have tasted of the bitter and now, the time has come to open yourself up to experiencing the sweet. Best of luck to you in your journey and, most importantly, congratulations!

Common Questions About Sex During Pregnancy

Article Poster — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:37:31 +0000

Should I have sex during pregnancy?

Most women can have sex during pregnancy. As long as your pregnancy is low-risk and normal, then it should be completely safe for you to have sex during pregnancy. Situations that may require abstaining from sex while you are pregnant include a history or threat of miscarriage, possibility of pre-term labor, bleeding, leaking of amniotic fluid, and heavy cramping. Medical conditions such as placenta previa or an incompetent cervix may also require abstaining from sex.

It is also not advisable to have sex if there is any risk of you contracting any type of sexually transmitted disease during sexual acts. If you are in a committed relationship and you both have been tested for sexually transmitted diseases, this should not be a problem.

If you aren’t sure if you should be having sex, or if you experience bleeding, pain, or heavy uterine contractions or cramping after sex, then you should call your health care provider to make sure that it’s safe for you to be having sex during your pregnancy.

Does sex harm the baby?

Sex absolutely does not harm the baby in a normal pregnancy. Your baby is well-cushioned by amniotic fluid, and the mucous plug in your cervix prevents anything from entering the uterus during pregnancy. The penis and semen does not come in any contact with your baby during or after sex. Some pregnant women notice the baby moving more or moving less after sex. This is usually because of the rhythmic contractions you may experience after orgasm, and it doesn’t mean that anything is wrong with your baby.

What positions are safe for sex during pregnancy?

Most sexual positions are perfectly safe during a normal pregnancy. The best way to choose positions is to listen to your body and do what feels most comfortable. During the later months of pregnancy, your stomach will be getting fairly large, and you may find that it gets in the way of your normal positions for sex. Experimenting with positions will be most helpful during this time. You should remember that a pregnant woman should not lie flat on her back for extended periods of time.

Under most circumstances, oral and anal sex are safe during pregnancy. Just be sure that if you and your partner engage in oral sex during pregnancy that no air enters the vagina. This can cause serious complications to the mother and baby during pregnancy.

What will happen to my sex drive during pregnancy?

Pregnancy affects the sex drive of every woman differently at different times. Typically, nausea and fatigue during the first trimester may detract from a pregnant woman’s sex drive. Most women begin to feel more sexual again during the second trimester. Many find that this feeling continues through the rest of the pregnancy, but it is normal during the third trimester to notice a decreased sex drive due to your growing size.

Many physical factors can affect your sex drive during pregnancy. Increased circulation during pregnancy can cause heightened sensitivity during sexual acts. For some women, this means sex is more pleasurable and many women experience better orgasms during pregnancy. For others, however, the sensitive tissue makes sex uncomfortable. Tenderness in the breasts can either cause you to enjoy being touched in this area more than ever, or it may cause you to designate your breasts as off-limits during pregnancy.

Mental and emotional factors can also affect your sex drive during pregnancy. Pregnancy can make you feel more feminine and womanly, but you may also feel awkward and huge during this time. Many women feel more sexual when they don’t have to worry about contraception. In other cases, worries about finances, motherhood, and childbirth may detract from your sexual mood.

How will my partner feel?

Men can experience a wide range of feelings during pregnancy, too. Most men will still be very attracted to their wives when they are pregnant. Many men find the shape of a pregnant women to be irresistible, but there are some men who will need to look past the look of pregnancy and find the attraction he has to the woman inside. Your partner may experience mental anxieties just like yours that can detract from his sex drive while you are pregnant.

What if we aren’t having sex?

While most couples will have a normal amount of sex during pregnancy, there are some couples who are simply more comfortable having less sex during pregnancy. This can be normal and healthy if you and your partner find other ways of staying close during pregnancy. Go out together often and find things to do together at home. Keep the lines of communication open and talk daily with your partner about how you both are doing. Even if you aren’t having as much sex, you can still kiss and cuddle with your partner, and enjoy a special closeness while you are pregnant.

Preparing for Motherhood: Things to Do in Your Third Trimester

Adam — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:20:12 +0000

The third trimester is the perfect time to tie up loose ends and really start preparing for motherhood. During these last three months of pregnancy, have fun preparing for your baby and try to enjoy relaxing activities while you can. Below are some fun and useful things to do during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The third trimester is the perfect time to plan a fun baby shower with all of your friends and family. Even a small baby shower is an enjoyable way to celebrate your pregnancy. Celebrate with your favorite foods and a fun theme, and enjoy being the center of attention for a day. Most expectant moms find that registering for gifts is a fun way to pass the time, even if you don’t end up getting everything on your list.

Organizing all the baby clothes and toys you receive while you are pregnant is a good way to use nesting energy, and it will also help you to have things in order ahead of time. Make sure to wash all of the baby clothes in gentle detergent designed especially for babies. Sort the clothes by size so it will be easy to find what you need later on. Go ahead and assemble the baby toys and carriers so they will be ready as soon as your baby arrives. You can also set up a diaper changing area with diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby powder, and a diaper pail.

The last trimester of pregnancy is also an excellent time to pack your hospital bag and also a diaper bag for when you’re out with your new baby. Make sure your diaper bag is roomy enough to fit the necessities, but not so large that it’s cumbersome and in the way.

When you are pregnant, it never hurts to put your feet up and read a good book. The last three months of pregnancy are a good time to put those reading skills to use and find some good books on childbirth and parenting.

During the last month or two of pregnancy, you can also bake some of your favorite meals to store in the freezer. You will thank yourself later when you have plenty of good meals that can be popped right into the microwave or oven and served within minutes. Have fun baking: you might not have time for it for a while after your baby is born.

Of all the preparing you can do in the last trimester of pregnancy, the most important thing to remember is to relax and get the rest you need. While it’s great to be prepared, it’s even better to keep your stress levels low and make sure your body has the energy it needs for your baby. You can have a blast preparing for your baby, but you shouldn’t overexert yourself.

Creating a Great Pregnancy Diet

Adam — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:42:23 +0000

Proper nutrition is always important, but eating right is absolutely vital for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or even just trying to get pregnant. Eating right prior to a planned pregnancy is essential, since most women will not know their pregnancy status until many weeks after conception. Proper levels of certain vitamins like folic acid can prevent many common birth defects, so the best pregnancy diet is one that starts even before conception.
Eating right during pregnancy means eating more, but it is important to make each of those extra calories count. Women who are currently pregnant should plan on consuming approximately 300 extra calories per day, but it is important that those extra calories come with extra nutrition and not just empty calories. It is also important for pregnant women to take the prenatal vitamins prescribed by their doctors – these vitamins will provide important extra nutrients for the growing baby.

Pregnant women should be sure to eat a wide variety of foods in order to ensure proper nutrition. Both mother and child will need to consume a variety of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in order to ensure proper nutrition. And since that growing fetus is dependent on mom for nutrition, it is essential for her to eat plenty of nutritionally dense foods.

A good rule of thumb for pregnant women is to consume from 7 to 11 servings of grains and breads, four to five servings of fruits, another four to five servings of vegetables, three or four servings of dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt and three servings of protein, including meats, fish, eggs and poultry. Fats and sweets should both be consumed sparingly, since they can add many additional calories with little nutritional value.

When selecting foods it is a good idea to choose foods that are high in fiber. Not only will this help to improve overall health but it will also help women deal with the constipation that often accompanies pregnancy.

The healthy diet established at the start of a pregnancy should of course continue throughout the entire nine months. It is important for mom to eat right for the entire pregnancy, as this will help the baby grow and develop properly. Many common birth defects can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, and that is why proper nutrition is so important for all stages of pregnancy. By eating a healthy diet and taking the prescribed prenatal vitamins mothers to be can get their babies off to a great start and avoid many problems down the road.

Pregnancy – Diet and Fitness

Adam — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:32:11 +0000

You vividly recall the moment you found out you were expecting, and how you knew your life was going to change forever. While some changes won’t set in until after your baby arrives, a change in your diet and exercise routine is an immediate must.

As your pregnancy progresses, it is imperative that you realize the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, not just for your well being, but for easier labor and the health of your unborn child.

According to Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, “Good nutrition during pregnancy improves your chances of having a healthy baby. It may even reduce the risk of certain chronic conditions in your child, long after he has grown.”

Even the healthiest eater needs to make some diet changes, as pregnancy requires an increase in nutrients such as iron, folic acid, calcium and certain fats, as well as an additional 300 calories each day. These added calories and nutrients are essential to the healthy development of your child.

One easy way to ensure you are providing your child with essential minerals is by taking prenatal vitamins. In addition to providing the necessary nutrients, multivitamins have also shown to reduce the threat of preeclampsia, which causes an increase of blood pressure and protein in your urine. A study done at the University of Pittsburg found that taking a multivitamin prior to and during the first three months of your pregnancy could reduce your risk of preeclampsia by 45%.

A study conducted by S.A. Bayol found that “mother’s who eat an unhealthy diet during pregnancy may be putting their children at risk of developing long term, irreversible health issues including obesity and raised levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.”

In addition to a healthy diet, it is essential to maintain a regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy, even if you were not exercising prior to your pregnancy. Not only can regular exercise improve your posture and decrease backaches and fatigue, some research suggests it may prevent gestational diabetes and build more stamina for labor and delivery.

30 minutes of moderate exercise each day is recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology; such exercise can include swimming, walking, and using an elliptical machine. You never want to exercise so hard that you feel short of breath or overheated, and it is wise to steer clear of any exercises that require extensive jumping, running or falling.

Pregnancy is an exciting time of life, yet it is a time that many women feel out of control. However, by making simple adjustments to your diet and making the effort to exercise each day, you can directly impact not only your future, but the future of your unborn child.

Relief From the Common Miseries of Pregnancy

Adam — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:59:03 +0000

Pregnancy is a grueling 10 month process. Wait, 10 months? Yep, 10 months or 40 weeks. Throughout the entire gestation of a baby Mom goes through periods of energy, tiredness, and misery. The most miserable moments in pregnancy differ from woman to woman. However, there is relief for the five most common causes of misery during pregnancy.

Cause of Misery #1: An Aching Back

Nothing is more frustrating than a sore back, and pregnancy is full of it. It can begin as early as the first trimester. Little sympathy is given for women in the early stages of pregnancy, yet back aches do occur. In the first few weeks, Mom’s body is moving major organ real estate around in there to make room for baby. Early in pregnancy soaking in a warm, but not hot, bath is one of the best sources of relief. Pregnant Mommas may also find relief from a rice sock; a cloth sack full of rice and microwaved for about one minute. Before taking over the counter pain relief, pregnant women should consult their doctor for safe medications and doses.

Cause of Misery #2: Heartburn

Women with no previous issues of acid reflux suddenly find themselves burping up acrid memories of previous meals once they are expecting. Severe cases of heartburn are addressed with prescribed medication. For the rest of us, a few simple tricks can help keep the mouth vomit at bay. Most antacids, like Tums, are safe for pregnant women to use and taken right after a meal asa preventative measure. Second, smaller meals are far easier for a pregnant woman’s slower digestive system. Additionally, the contents of the meal make a difference. Spicy and acidic foods will exacerbate the problem, while dairy items are less likely to come back up. But don’t eat too much dairy, or you’ll have the next source of misery on your hands.

Cause of Misery #3: Constipation

As baby grows and monopolizes the front of the abdominal cavity, all other organs are crammed to the back. This is why a woman’s digestion slows down– there is just litle room to move food through the process. Every pregnant women experiences some degree of constipation during her pregnancy. At the first OB visit, most practices will alert women to the safe OTC stool softeners she can take to relieve constipation. Additionally, pregnant women can increase fruits and vegetables in their diets and other foods high in fiber. Smaller meals will also reduce constipation, as the “cars” in the intestine train are smaller as they make their journey. Constipation can be a serious issue if ignored, as it will cause back pain and lead to possible impaction.

Cause of Misery #4: Baby Is In The Ribs

In the second trimester, pregnant women begin to detect baby movement. These little flutters and kicks are thrilling, at first. Then, Mom gets her first taste of baby movement misery when little one decides to put pressure on the ribs and lungs. Pressure on the ribs is a big ouch and makes breathing very difficult. If moving around and repositioning doesn’t work, try this: Warm a wash cloth and place it where the pressure is. The baby should move away from the warmth. Another solution is to take a warm shower and let the water hit the area in discomfort. The shower steam also aids in breathing until baby moves to a lower position.

Cause of Misery #5: Lack of Sleep

Mom’s body is changing rapidly through pregnancy, and finding a comfortable sleeping position is tricky. While baby stores now market all kinds of body pillows for Mom’s growing belly, there are other sleep issues a pillow can’t help with. First, increased pressure on the bladder means more wake ups in the middle of the night. Expectant women also fight random bouts of insomnia. Experts hypothesize this isomnia occurs as a natural preparation for feeding the coming baby at night. The easiest solution is to get sleep when possible, even if it’s a 15 minute nap at the desk during lunch. Some women also find success limiting their fluids within a few hours of bedtime.

No one ever disputes the joys of a new baby, but there are many times when pregnancy is just not fun. Each pregnancy is different, so even experienced Moms might encounter new symptoms in subsequent pregnancies. The very act of rapidly gaining on average twenty five pounds and a rotund belly reaching forty centimeters is uncomfortable. But, by reducing as many sources of misery as possible, expectant Moms and their partners can enjoy some of the miracles of pregnancy with smiles.

A Pregnancy Nutrition Guide: Staying Healthy for Your Baby’s Sake

Adam — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:22:22 +0000

Everybody needs good nutrition but the need for healthy food by pregnant women is more critical. This is because food nourishes both the mother and unborn child. If you are expecting and want to stay healthy for the duration of your pregnancy, you will need to be mindful of what you eat and the sufficiency of the nutrients you are taking in. On the other hand, if you are yet on the planning stage of having a baby, this will be the perfect time to learn about pregnancy nutrition. Eating healthy even before you try conceiving is the best way to prepare your body for pregnancy. It is best for you to work together with your partner in aiming for a healthy pregnancy for your sake and that of your baby. This will ensure that your child will receive the appropriate nourishment for proper growth and development.
Things to Consider in Pregnancy Nutrition

Do give due consideration to the following guidelines if you wish to stay healthy during pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby:

1. Your weight is an important factor in pregnancy. If you are underweight, you might have difficulty conceiving. If you are overweight, there are bigger chances of you facing pregnancy complications, particularly during childbirth.

To know your ideal weight, you will need to calculate using the body mass index (BMI). According to experts, a woman with BMI between 18.5 and 25 is considered healthy and is likely to have lower rates of pregnancy-related risks. Therefore, work on gaining pounds if you are underweight, and get into a weight loss program if you are obese.

The father-to-be should also maintain a healthy weight. He needs nutrients like zinc and selenium that will help improve the quality of his sperm. Also, a man who wants to sire a healthy child is advised to avoid imbibing alcohol and to follow a healthy lifestyle.

2. You should not compromise your diet before getting pregnant and while you are pregnant. Eat balanced, healthy meals that include carbohydrates. This means having cereals, bread, rice, and pasta. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. You will also need dairy products like milk (choose low fat), yogurt and pasteurized cheese. Food with high sugar content and alcohol are forbidden under the pregnancy nutrition guide.

However, do not think because you are pregnant, you must eat a lot more since you will also be eating for your baby. Know that your digestive system becomes more efficient in pregnancy while your body increases its absorption of the nutrients, which it will later pass on to the baby growing inside you.

3. Your pre-pregnancy weight will be a big factor in the weight you gain throughout the term. Actually, the weight of your baby plus the amniotic fluid constitute only a small percentage of your total weight. The difference is made up of fat that you store for use when you breastfeed.

The foregoing guidelines are meant to provide general information on nutrition for pregnant women and those planning to be pregnant. It is to your best interest to note the suggestions given as they can help you have a healthy pregnancy. Pregnancy is said to be a most joyous stage in any woman’s life but it is also one of the most crucial. Anything you do, or eat, during the period is likely to affect both your baby and you.

Pregnancy and Your Body

Adam — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:44:51 +0000

The moment you conceive a child your body begins to change. It has to in order to become the safe haven that the baby needs to grow. While the changes can be difficult, they are normal and usually nothing to worry about. You’ll notice different changes for each trimester. Some will be unmistakable, such as the cessation of menstruation, while others are more subtle, coming on slowly over the course of a few days or weeks. The key to taking the new developments in your body in stride, is to understand which changes may occur and when. This makes things much easier. With that in mind, we’ll start with the first trimester.
The first trimester can be the most difficult when it comes to coping with the changes, simply because you’re not used to being pregnant and you may not know you are pregnant. Your body just starts to change and you’re not sure why. The first sure sign of pregnancy is a missed period, although you may experience pregnancy symptoms before this. You can’t be sure of pregnancy until the cessation of the period or until a test confirms it.

Morning sickness develops during the first trimester, usually about the six week mark. It can occur anytime, day, night, evening, even three o’clock in the morning, so don’t be fooled by the name. It is misleading.

Your breasts may begin to change in the first trimester. The areola (the darkened skin around the nipple) often gets darker or increases in size. The breasts may also feel swollen and tender. This is entirely common. They, like the rest of your body, have to prepare for the upcoming arrival.

A few more common changes during the first trimester include fatigue, constipation, frequent urination, food cravings, mood swings, weight gain, and some women even experience allergies, though they don’t when they’re not pregnant. These are all very normal, very understandable changes for women. If you experience any of them, don’t worry. You are a normal woman. The first trimester lasts until the twelfth week. After that, you’re one third of the way through your pregnancy and are in your second trimester.

The second trimester is more fun than the first. This is when the pregnancy begins to feel real and you begin to feel pregnant, rather than just fat. After about the twelfth week your pregnancy will begin to show. You may not need maternity just yet, but don’t be surprised if you have a noticeable bump where your normally flat stomach is. Welcome it. That bump is your baby.

Around the sixteen week mark you should be able to feel ‘quickening’ in your stomach. This is the baby’s movements. If you know what you’re looking for you can feel the movement as early as twelve weeks, but it’s very faint. You can expect to feel your baby at sixteen weeks.

Because the baby is getting so big and growing rapidly every day, your body is going to experience some dramatic physical changes. First, the size of your belly will increase. This may cause the skin on your stomach to become dry and you may notice stretch marks on your stomach, legs, and even your behind. Aches and pains will probably increase during this time. Back aches and leg cramps are common, although if you have the proper nutrients some of these can be avoided. You’ll notice changes inside your body as well. Your organs have to function with less room so chances are you’ll experience gas pains, indigestion, heartburn, and continued constipation.

If your breasts didn’t increase in size during the first trimester, they probably will during the second. You may also be able to secrete colostrum, the substance baby will feed on for the first couple of days, from your breasts. This is normal, they’re simply preparing to nurse baby.

Aside from the physical changes of pregnancy, you’ll be dealing with a lot of hormonal changes as well. This is part of the reason pregnant women experience mood swings. They’re hormones are changing and that can be difficult. Common changes due to hormones include changes in the skin or hair, development of a dark line vertically placed on your stomach stretching from the naval to your pubic area, and of a pregnancy mask, which is a darker area on your face. These are hormonal changes and they will go away sometime after the birth.

The last thing many women begin to experience during the second trimester is a slight swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, and face. This is completely common and often caused by water retention. To relieve it simply put your feet up or sit down and rest for a while.

The third trimester is the hardest simply because this is when many women grow impatient. They’re sick of the changes, sick of the lack of sleep, and really just want their body back. Who can blame them? It can be difficult carrying around an extra thirty pounds. By this time, however, the changes are beginning to slack off. The most common ones that occur are due to the size of the baby. Increased back aches, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, more fetal movement, and a nice round stomach are all part of the process. Groin pain is also common, usually caused from the pressure of the weight of the baby resting on the bones in that area. Sometime during this trimester you may notice Braxton Hicks. These are light contractions that prepare your body for labor and birth. While some women dislike them, they often do some of the work before labor really starts, so the end process goes faster. They can make things easier.

Now, these are the changes that are common and normal during pregnancy. Don’t worry about them. However, some changes occur that shouldn’t. You should consult your doctor if they do. These changes include burning or pain during urination, vaginal spotting or bleeding, extremely reduced fetal movement, no fetal movement for a twenty-four hour period, severe abdominal pain, severe nausea, a hot, red, painful area behind your knee or calf, vision problems, severe swelling of fingers, eyes, face, and toes, fever above 100 degrees, vaginal gushes or leaks, vaginal blisters, severe headaches, dizziness, and uterine contractions. That’s a lot to be aware of, but most women don’t experience any of them. A good rule to follow is that if it seems like it shouldn’t be happening, it probably shouldn’t. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about anything that seems out of place.

The last thing to remember is that, though there seem to be a million side effects to pregnancy, you probably won’t experience all of them. The changes mentioned above are common, yes, but most women only experience some of them. Many, many women never have a day of morning sickness, never experience Braxton Hicks, and never feel an ounce of heartburn. The key is to be aware of the possible changes so if they occur you won’t be caught of guard. Pregnancy is absolutely amazing. It can be difficult and it changes your body, but there’s nothing quite like feeling that little person grow inside you. In the end, it will be worth it.