- Q. Why do they say that you shouldn't lie on your back later in pregnancy?
- A. After about 20 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is quite a bit heavier and it actually lays on the blood vessels that run up your back, the inferior vena cava and the aorta. The vena cava is the big vessel that carries the blood to the heart, and the aorta's the big vessel that carries blood away from the heart. They both become compressed, and some people will lose consciousness when pressure is applied to these vessels. Numbness and tingling can occur in the upper and lower extremities. Pregnant women are encouraged to sleep on their sides instead.
- Q. When pregnant, what body changes will happen first?
- A. Even before you know you are pregnant, you will notice your breasts have become very tender. Your breasts will begin to enlarge and continue throughout the entire pregnancy. Many women also have increased gas resulting in stomach bloating and constipation.
- Q. How does a woman know she's in labor? What are the early signs?
- A. Having regular contractions (four to six times each hour lasting 30 to 60 seconds) is usually the first sign. They usually start with mild cramping and gain in intensity.If you notice that one hour goes by and you have six contractions, and then the next hour goes by and you have 10 contractions, and you're noticing that there is actually a pattern — every 10 minutes or every five minutes — you should call your doctor to let them know what's going on.Another sign that labor is near could be the loss of the mucus plug. The mucus plug is a large amount of mucus (contains blood) that passes some time between two weeks and a few days before labor begins.A woman’s water may break before contractions begin, either as a small trickle of fluid or a large gush. Usually when that happens, women are aware and call their doctor right away.
- Q. What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
- A. Braxton Hicks contractions (also known as false labor)are irregular, very low-pressure contractions of the uterus that can happen any time during your pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions are not typically detected until the six month. Women typically notice a tightening that quickly passes and is not painful.The cause is not well known. We know that they're there and no cervical change occurs with them, so it's not preterm labor. Braxton Hicks contractions actually increase in frequency during late pregnancy. So at around 36 to 40 weeks, most women will notice they're much more frequent, but without any specific pattern and without pain.
- Q. How do I know I have Gestational Diabetes?
- A. Women are tested between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy for gestational diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes you will need to make certain changes in the way you eat and how often you exercise to help keep your blood sugar level within a safe range. As you get farther along in your pregnancy, your body will continue to make more and more hormones. This can make it harder and harder to control your blood sugar. If it is not possible to control your blood sugar with food and exercise, you may also need to give yourself shots of insulin.
- Q. If I have gestational diabetes will my baby be diabetic?
- A. Just because you have diabetes does not mean that your baby will have diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes give birth to healthy babies. If you are able to keep your blood sugar level within a safe range, your chances of having problems during pregnancy or birth are the same as if you didn't have gestational diabetes.
- Q. How do your heart and lungs change during pregnancy?
- A. During pregnancy, the blood volume increases dramatically, probably by about 40 to 50 percent. That's a large blood volume for a woman’s heart, but amazingly, the body compensates very, very well.
- Q. Why do some suffer from morning sickness?
- A. Morning sickness is a common side effect of being pregnant. It can be mild or debilitating, depending on your individual case. Usually, morning sickness subsides by the end of the first trimester. The causes of morning sickness are not always clear. There is some thought that hormone changes — increases in progesterone and estrogen — cause morning sickness. Usually about 70 to 80 percent of women suffer from morning sickness during early pregnancy; some even begin noticing nausea as early as four to eight weeks.Morning sickness occurs not just in the morning but actually all through the day. It usually ends at about 14 to 16 weeks. One thing that triggers morning sickness is an empty stomach. One way to battle that would be to actually keep food in the belly every two to three hours. There have also been reports showing that vitamin B-6 and calcium can help as well.
- Q. How can I deal with morning sickness?
- A. The rapid flickering of the computer screen has been linked with morning sickness so limit your time or take breaks often.Proper rest is important because morning sickness is magnified with your body is tired or stressed.Eating small portions frequently can help by keeping something in your stomach at all times.Avoid foods that are spicy, greasy or those that contain heavy sauces or cream.ExerciseAvoid strong odors.Get out of bed slowly in the morning.Consider eating something bland such as crackers before getting out of bed.Try Jell-o, popsicles, chicken broth, ginger ale, decaffeinated or herbal teas, pretzels, applesauce and Asian pears to soothe the stomach.Wear comfortable and non-restrictive maternity clothing.
- Q. Is pregnancy after age 35 safe?
- A. Women over the age of 35 typically have more complications than those of younger women. However, there have been advances in prenatal care that can help women over 35 have safer pregnancies than in the past. Having good health prior to becoming pregnant will help lower your chance of complications.
If you are over 35 and are thinking about becoming pregnant or are pregnant...quit smoking...exercise often,...don't drink alcohol...take folic acid (.4mg or more in addition to eating roods rich in folic acid, such as dried beans, liver, green leafy vegetables and some citrus fruits)...limit caffeine to no moer than 300mg per day...eat healthy. In addition, see your doctor for prenatal care as directed, especially early in your pregnancy. The first eight weeks are especially critical in your baby's development. Early, regular prenatal care can increase your chances of having a healthy baby at any age.
- Q. How can I protect my baby from sudden infant death syndrome (SID?)
- A. The best way to protect your baby from SIDS is to always put her down to sleep on her back. The rate of SIDS deaths has fallen significantly since the American Academy of Pediatrics launched its "Back to Sleep" campaign.Keep the crib free of blankets, stuffed animals, and other objects that could interfere with breathing.
- Q. What skin changes occur during pregnancy?
- A. Many hormones are responsible for the change of your skin while pregnant. Some of the most noticeable skin changes during pregnancy involve pigmentation. The "mask of pregnancy" is one that is often written about. It's a darkening of the skin usually around the sides of the face and the forehead. The pigment changes are probably due to the increase in the melanocyte-stimulating hormone during early pregnancy, as early as the first month, which then usually drops off after delivery. We don't know what levels are associated with women who get a lot of pigmentation.Some women develop a dark line, called the linea nigra, which runs down the middle of the abdomen. Spider veins are also common changes that happen on the legs and sometimes on the arms and the abdomen.Another common skin change during pregnancy is acne. You'll notice outbreaks mostly on the face, but sometimes the shoulders and the backs of the arms. Again, there aren't any specific hormones that cause these, but increases in both estrogen and progesterone are known to cause acne throughout life.
- Q. What happens if my water breaks?
- A. The water that the baby is surrounded (amniotic fluid) is actually fetal urine that's swallowed and then passed through the fetus's renal system and excreted again during pregnancy. It's sterile urine. The amniotic fluid also bathes the baby's lungs when the baby "inhales" it, which helps the lungs to mature properly.
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