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| Pregnancy and Care |
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| It's all about taking care of your body. Prenatal care is very important. To help make sure that you and your baby will be as healthy as possible, follow some simple guidelines and check in regularly with your doctor. |
|
|
|
| You should consult the doctor as soon as you miss your period. The doctor will confirm the pregnancy by a urine pregnancy test (Card test) or Sonography. He will then prescribe you Folic acid preparation.
Additional medicines will be prescribed if you have symptoms of pregnancy like vomiting/ nausea. |
|
| The doctor may plan a sonography at 7 - 8 weeks of pregnancy (approximately 2 months) for confirmation of normal pregnancy parameters - like fetus heart rate and growth according to last menstrual period. The doctor may order blood tests like Hemoglobin, blood group, urine, blood sugar, HIV, Australia antigen, VDRL and thyroid status. |
|
| The next sonography is scheduled between 11-14 weeks to see the length of the cervix (mouth of the uterus) which is normally more than 3 cm, growth of the fetus, Nuchal translusceny (thickness of the skin at the level of the neck), presence of nasal bone and other parameters. The major benefit of this sonography is that it gives an idea of gentic and major structural abnormality. |
|
|
| In the first 7 months of pregnancy if everything is normal then the doctor will call you for follow up visit on a monthly basis. |
|
| 2 doses of tetanus toxoid are given usually in the fourth and fifth month. |
|
| The next sonography is scheduled at 20 weeks of pregnancy to see whether all the organs have formed properly. Also the location of the placenta and the amount of fluid around the baby (liqour) is also noted. |
|
- At 24 weeks another test - doppler Sonography and fetal heart echo may be done in some cases.
- 32 weeks - sonography is planned to see the fetal growth.
- In the 8th. month the follow up visit is after every 15 days .
- In the last month checkups are scheduled every week.
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|
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| Prenatal care is very important. To help make sure that you and your baby will be as healthy as possible, follow some simple guidelines and check in regularly with your doctor. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| According to the UNICEF, almost 10 - 15 million Indian women give birth every year. Nearly one third of them will have some kind of pregnancy-related complication. Those who don't get adequate prenatal care run the risk that such complications will go undetected or won't be dealt with soon enough. That, in turn, can lead to potentially serious consequences for both the mother and her baby. |
|
| These statistics aren't meant to alarm you, but rather to convey the importance of starting prenatal care as early as possible — ideally, before you even become pregnant. Of course, this isn't always possible or practical. But the sooner in your pregnancy you begin, the better your chances of ensuring your own health and that of your baby. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
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| Ideally, prenatal care should start before you get pregnant. If you're planning a pregnancy, see your health care provider for a complete checkup. He or she can do routine testing to make sure you're in good health and that you don't have any illnesses or other conditions that could affect your pregnancy. If you've been experiencing any unusual symptoms, this is a good time to report them. |
|
| If you're already being treated for a chronic condition, such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension (high blood pressure), a heart problem, allergies, lupus (an inflammatory disorder that can affect several body systems), depression, or some other condition, you should talk to your doctor about how it could affect your pregnancy. In some cases, you may need to change |
|
| or eliminate medications — especially during the first trimester (12 weeks) — to reduce risk to the fetus. Or, you may need to be even more vigilant about managing your condition. |
| |
| For example, women with diabetes must be especially careful about keeping their blood glucose levels under control, both before they begin trying to conceive and during their pregnancy. Abnormal levels increase the risk of birth defects and other complications. |
|
| This is also a good time to talk with your health care provider about other habits that can pose a risk to your baby, such as drinking alcohol or smoking. Ask about starting a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, calcium, and iron. |
|
|
 |
|
|
| It's especially important for women who are planning to become pregnant to take vitamins with folic acid beforehand, because neural tube defects (problems with the normal development of the spine and nervous system) happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she's pregnant. |
|
| If you have or your partner has a family history of a significant genetic disorder and you suspect either of you may be a carrier, then genetic testing may be advisable. Talk this over with your health care provider, who can refer you to a genetic counselor if necessary. |
|
| If you find out that you're pregnant before you do any of this, don't worry. It's not too late to get the care that will help to ensure your health and that of your baby. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Many expectant parents also choose to have one or more of the following prenatal tests, which can help predict the likelihood, or even detect the presence, of certain developmental or chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus: |
|
| 1) Multiple marker screening (also called a maternal serum screening, triple screen, triple marker, quadruple screen, quad screen, quadruple marker, or quad marker): Also between 16 and 18 weeks, your health care provider may measure the levels of certain hormones in your blood, along with AFP. For this screening, a sample of blood is drawn from the mother to measure the level of AFP, as well as the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estriol, which are produced by the placenta. The levels of these three substances (which is why the test is often called the triple screen or triple marker) in the blood can help doctors identify a fetus at risk for certain birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities. The test is called a quadruple screen (or marker) when the level of an additional substance, called inhibin-A, is also measured. |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
| 2) Amniocentesis (also called an amnio): In this test, a needle is used to remove a sample of the amniotic fluid from the womb; it's generally performed between 15 and 20 weeks. Testing the fluid can identify certain fetal abnormalities such as Down syndrome or spina bifida. Typically, amniocentesis is recommended only if there is reason to believe that the risk for such conditions is higher than usual, perhaps due to maternal age (35 or older), abnormal AFP or multiple marker screening results, or family history. Although the test poses a small risk for causing preterm labor and inducing miscarriage, the large majority are performed without any problem. |
|
|
|
| 3) Ultrasound (also called a sonogram, sonograph, echogram, or ultrasonogram): You'll likely have at least one ultrasound examination to make sure the pregnancy is progressing normally and to verify the expected date of delivery. Usually, an ultrasound is performed at 18 to 20 weeks to look at the baby's anatomy, but can be done sooner or later and sometimes more than once. An ultrasound poses no risk to you or your baby. |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Some health care providers may have the equipment and trained personnel necessary to provide in-office ultrasounds, whereas others may have you go to a local hospital or radiology center. Wherever the ultrasound is done, a technician will coat your abdomen with a gel and then run a wand-like instrument over it. High-frequency sound waves "echo" off your body and create a picture of the fetus inside on a computer screen. |
|
| Ultrasound scanning is used to : |
|
- Determine whether the fetus is growing at a normal rate
- Record fetal heartbeat or breathing movements
- See whether you might be carrying more than one fetus
- Identify a variety of abnormalities that might affect the remainder of the pregnancy or delivery
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
After you find out you are pregnant, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Your first prenatal visit will likely be when you are 6 to 8 weeks pregnant. Your doctor will probably start by talking to you about your medical history and how you've been feeling. You'll be weighed and have your blood pressure taken. These measurements will most likely be taken during each doctor's visit.
|
|
| On your first visit, you'll also have a pelvic exam to check the size and shape of your uterus (womb) and a Pap smear to check for abnormalities of the cervix (the opening of the uterus). |
|
| Urine and blood tests samples will be taken on the first visit and again at later visits. Other tests are performed, such as urine tests to check for bacteria in your urine, high sugar levels (which can be a sign of diabetes) and high protein levels (which can put you at risk for preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure during pregnancy). Blood tests to check for low iron levels (anemia), blood cell count, infectious diseases (such as syphilis and hepatitis) and blood type are also performed. |
|
| Sometimes, an ultrasound may be done to help figure out when your baby is due or to |
|
| check on your baby's growth and position in your uterus. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of your baby on a video screen. |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Other tests may be needed if you or your baby are at risk for any problems. |
|
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| |
|
|
|
| Talk to your doctor about how much weight you should gain. It's different for everyone, but most women gain about 25 to 30 pounds (12 – 13 kg). If you don't weigh enough when you get pregnant, you may need to gain more. If you're overweight when you get pregnant, you may need to gain less. |
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 |
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| Eating a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your baby. There are a few foods that you should be more careful about eating while you are pregnant. Meat, eggs and fish that are not fully cooked could put you at risk for an infection. Do not eat more than 2 or 3 servings of fish per week (including canned fish). Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish. These fish sometimes have high levels of mercury, which could hurt your baby. If you eat tuna, make sure it is light tuna and eat no more than 6 ounces per week of albacore tuna and tuna steaks. It is safe to have 12 ounces per week of canned light tuna. |
|
Wash all fruit and vegetables. Keep cutting boards and dishes clean. Eat 4 or more servings of dairy foods each day. This will give you enough calcium for you and your baby. Do not drink unpasteurized milk or eat unpasteurized milk products. Soft cheeses such as Brie, feta, Camembert, blue cheese and Mexican-style cheeses such as queso fresco may have bacteria that can cause infections.
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If you drink coffee or other drinks with caffeine, do not have more than 1 or 2 cups each day.
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 |
|
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| It is okay to use artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (some brand names: Equal) and sucralose while you are pregnant, but you should use them in moderation. If you have a genetic disease called phenylketonuria, or PKU, you shouldn't use aspartame at all. |
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| You should take 1,000 mcg (1 mg) of folic acid every day during your pregnancy. Folic acid can help prevent problems with your baby's brain and spinal cord. It is best to start taking folic acid before you get pregnant. |
|
| Your doctor might want you to take a prenatal vitamin. If you do take a prenatal supplement, make sure you're not taking any other vitamin or mineral supplement along with it unless your doctor recommends it. |
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| Check with your doctor before taking any medicine, including pain relievers or other over-the-counter medicines. Even medicine you can buy without a prescription may cause birth defects, especially if it's taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy. |
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 |
|
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| |
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| This depends on whether you have any problems with your pregnancy, what kind of work you do and if you're exposed to anything at work that could harm your baby. For instance, lifting heavy objects or standing for long periods can be hard on your body. Radiation, lead and other heavy metals, such as copper and mercury, could be damaging to the baby. However, working in front of a computer screen is not thought to cause harm to an unborn baby. Talk with your doctor about your work environment. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Unless you have problems in your pregnancy, you can probably do whatever exercise you did before you got pregnant. Exercise can help ease discomfort during pregnancy. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Talk to your doctor about any special conditions that you may have. |
|
| Some women say exercising during pregnancy makes labor and delivery easier. Walking and swimming are great choices. If you didn't exercise before pregnancy, start slowly. Don't overdo exercise. Listen to your body. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, chest pain or abdominal pain while you are exercising. Don't get overheated. Be sure to drink plenty of water so that you don't get dehydrated. It's best to avoid anything that could cause you to fall, such as water skiing or rock climbing. It's also best to avoid contact sports such as basketball or soccer |
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| Yes, unless your doctor believes you're at risk for problems. Don't be surprised if you're less or more interested in sex while you are pregnant. As you get larger, you may find you need to try different positions, such as lying on your side or being on top. If you have oral sex, tell your partner not to blow air into your vagina. This could force air inside you, which could cause an air embolism. Air embolisms can cause permanent brain damage and even death to a pregnant woman and her baby. |
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Here are the most common discomforts of pregnancy and some tips for handling them:
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1) Morning sickness : Nausea or vomiting may strike anytime during the day (or night). Try eating frequent, small meals and avoid greasy foods. Keep crackers by your bed to eat before getting up. Talk to your doctor if morning sickness lasts past the first 3 months of pregnancy or causes you to lose weight.
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| 2) Tiredness : Sometimes tiredness in pregnancy is caused by anemia, so tell your doctor. Get enough rest. Take a daytime nap if possible. |
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3) Leg cramps : Gently stretch the calf of your leg by curling your toes upward, toward your knee.
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4) Constipation : Drink plenty of fluids. Eat foods with lots of fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and bran cereal. Don't take laxatives without talking to your doctor first. Stool softeners may be safer than laxatives.
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5) Hemorrhoids : Don't strain during bowel movements. Try to avoid becoming constipated. Clean yourself well after a bowel movement (wet wipes may be less irritating than toilet paper). Take several warm soaks (sitz baths) a day if necessary.
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6) Urinating more often : You may need to urinate more often as your baby grows because he or she will put pressure on your bladder. This can't be helped.
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| 7) Varicose veins : Avoid clothing that fits tightly around your legs or waist. Rest and put |
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your feet up as much as you can. Move around if you must stand for long periods.Ask your doctor about support or compression hose, which may help ease or prevent varicose veins.
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| 8) Moodiness : Your hormones are on a roller coaster ride during pregnancy. Plus, your life is undergoing a big change. Don't be too hard on yourself. If you feel very sad or think about suicide, talk to your doctor. |
|
| You should consult the doctor as soon as you miss your period. The doctor will confirm the pregnancy by a urine pregnancy test (Card test) or Sonography. He will then prescribe you Folic acid preparation.
Additional medicines will be prescribed if you have symptoms of pregnancy like vomiting/ nausea. |
|
| The doctor may plan a sonography at 7 - 8 weeks of pregnancy (approximately 2 months) for confirmation of normal pregnancy parameters - like fetus heart rate and growth according to last menstrual period. The doctor may order blood tests like Hemoglobin, blood group, urine, blood sugar, HIV, Australia antigen, VDRL and thyroid status. |
|
| The next sonography is scheduled between 11-14 weeks to see the length of the cervix (mouth of the uterus) which is normally more than 3 cm, growth of the fetus, Nuchal translusceny (thickness of the skin at the level of the neck), presence of nasal bone and other parameters. The major benefit of this sonography is that it gives an idea of gentic and major structural abnormality. |
|
|
| In the first 7 months of pregnancy if everything is normal then the doctor will call you for follow up visit on a monthly basis. |
|
| 2 doses of tetanus toxoid are given usually in the fourth and fifth month. |
|
| The next sonography is scheduled at 20 weeks of pregnancy to see whether all the organs have formed properly. Also the location of the placenta and the amount of fluid around the baby (liqour) is also noted. |
|
|
|
|
|
- At 24 weeks another test - doppler Sonography and fetal heart echo may be done in some cases.
- 32 weeks - sonography is planned to see the fetal growth.
- In the 8th. month the follow up visit is after every 15 days .
- In the last month checkups are scheduled every week.
|
|
|
| Prenatal care is very important. To help make sure that you and your baby will be as healthy as possible, follow some simple guidelines and check in regularly with your doctor. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| According to the UNICEF, almost 10 - 15 million Indian women give birth every year. Nearly one third of them will have some kind of pregnancy-related complication. Those who don't get adequate prenatal care run the risk that such complications will go undetected or won't be dealt with soon enough. That, in turn, can lead to potentially serious consequences for both the mother and her baby. |
|
| These statistics aren't meant to alarm you, but rather to convey the importance of starting prenatal care as early as possible — ideally, before you even become pregnant. Of course, this isn't always possible or practical. But the sooner in your pregnancy you begin, the better your chances of ensuring your own health and that of your baby. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| Ideally, prenatal care should start before you get pregnant. If you're planning a pregnancy, see your health care provider for a complete checkup. He or she can do routine testing to make sure you're in good health and that you don't have any illnesses or other conditions that could affect your pregnancy. If you've been experiencing any unusual symptoms, this is a good time to report them. |
|
| If you're already being treated for a chronic condition, such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension (high blood pressure), a heart problem, allergies, lupus (an inflammatory disorder that can affect several body systems), depression, or some other condition, you should talk to your doctor about how it could affect your pregnancy. In some cases, you may need to change or eliminate medications — especially during the first trimester (12 weeks) — to reduce risk to the fetus. Or, you may need to be even more vigilant about managing your condition. |
|
| For example, women with diabetes must be especially careful about keeping their blood glucose levels under control, both before they begin trying to conceive and during their pregnancy. Abnormal levels increase the risk of birth defects and other complications. |
|
This is also a good time to talk with your health care provider about other habits that can pose a risk to your baby, such as drinking alcohol or smoking. Ask about starting a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, calcium, and iron. |
|
|
|
|
|
| It's especially important for women who are planning to become pregnant to take vitamins with folic acid beforehand, because neural tube defects (problems with the normal development of the spine and nervous system) happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she's pregnant. |
|
| If you have or your partner has a family history of a significant genetic disorder and you suspect either of you may be a carrier, then genetic testing may be advisable. Talk this over with your health care provider, who can refer you to a genetic counselor if necessary. |
|
| If you find out that you're pregnant before you do any of this, don't worry. It's not too late to get the care that will help to ensure your health and that of your baby. |
|
|
| |
|
| Many expectant parents also choose to have one or more of the following prenatal tests, which can help predict the likelihood, or even detect the presence, of certain developmental or chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus: |
|
| 1) Multiple marker screening (also called a maternal serum screening, triple screen, triple marker, quadruple screen, quad screen, quadruple marker, or quad marker): Also between 16 and 18 weeks, your health care provider may measure the levels of certain hormones in your blood, along with AFP. For this screening, a sample of blood is drawn from the mother to measure the level of AFP, as well as the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estriol, which are produced by the placenta. The levels of these three substances (which is why the test is often called the triple screen or triple marker) in the blood can help doctors identify a fetus at risk for certain birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities. The test is called a quadruple screen (or marker) when the level of an additional substance, called inhibin-A, is also measured. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2) Amniocentesis (also called an amnio): In this test, a needle is used to remove a sample of the amniotic fluid from the womb; it's generally performed between 15 and 20 weeks. Testing the fluid can identify certain fetal abnormalities such as Down syndrome or spina bifida. Typically, amniocentesis is recommended only if there is reason to believe that the risk for such conditions is higher than usual, perhaps due to maternal age (35 or older), abnormal AFP or multiple marker screening results, or family history. Although the test poses a small risk for causing preterm labor and inducing miscarriage, the large majority are performed without any problem. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 3) Ultrasound (also called a sonogram, sonograph, echogram, or ultrasonogram): You'll likely have at least one ultrasound examination to make sure the pregnancy is progressing normally and to verify the expected date of delivery. Usually, an ultrasound is performed at 18 to 20 weeks to look at the baby's anatomy, but can be done sooner or later and sometimes more than once. An ultrasound poses no risk to you or your baby. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Some health care providers may have the equipment and trained personnel necessary to provide in-office ultrasounds, whereas others may have you go to a local hospital or radiology center. Wherever the ultrasound is done, a technician will coat your abdomen with a gel and then run a wand-like instrument over it. High-frequency sound waves "echo" off your body and create a picture of the fetus inside on a computer screen. |
|
| Ultrasound scanning is used to : |
|
- Determine whether the fetus is growing at a normal rate
- Record fetal heartbeat or breathing movements
- See whether you might be carrying more than one fetus
- Identify a variety of abnormalities that might affect the remainder of the pregnancy or delivery
|
|
|
| |
|
After you find out you are pregnant, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Your first prenatal visit will likely be when you are 6 to 8 weeks pregnant. Your doctor will probably start by talking to you about your medical history and how you've been feeling. You'll be weighed and have your blood pressure taken. These measurements will most likely be taken during each doctor's visit.
|
|
On your first visit, you'll also have a pelvic exam to check the size and shape of your uterus (womb) and a Pap smear to check for abnormalities of the cervix (the opening of the uterus).
|
|
Urine and blood tests samples will be taken on the first visit and again at later visits. Other tests are performed, such as urine tests to check for bacteria in your urine, high sugar levels (which can be a sign of diabetes) and high protein levels (which can put you at risk for preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure during pregnancy). Blood tests to check for low iron levels (anemia), blood cell count, infectious diseases (such as syphilis and hepatitis) and blood type are also performed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sometimes, an ultrasound may be done to help figure out when your baby is due or to check on your baby's growth and position in your uterus. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of your baby on a video screen.
|
|
| Other tests may be needed if you or your baby are at risk for any problems. |
|
|
| |
|
| Talk to your doctor about how much weight you should gain. It's different for everyone, but most women gain about 25 to 30 pounds (12 – 13 kg). If you don't weigh enough when you get pregnant, you may need to gain more. If you're overweight when you get pregnant, you may need to gain less. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| Eating a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your baby. There are a few foods that you should be more careful about eating while you are pregnant. Meat, eggs and fish that are not fully cooked could put you at risk for an infection. Do not eat more than 2 or 3 servings of fish per week (including canned fish). Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish. These fish sometimes have high levels of mercury, which could hurt your baby. If you eat tuna, make sure it is light tuna and eat no more than 6 ounces per week of albacore tuna and tuna steaks. It is safe to have 12 ounces per week of canned light tuna. |
|
Wash all fruit and vegetables. Keep cutting boards and dishes clean. Eat 4 or more servings of dairy foods each day. This will give you enough calcium for you and your baby. Do not drink unpasteurized milk or eat unpasteurized milk products. Soft cheeses such as Brie, feta, Camembert, blue cheese and Mexican-style cheeses such as queso fresco may have bacteria that can cause infections.
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you drink coffee or other drinks with caffeine, do not have more than 1 or 2 cups each day.
|
|
| It is okay to use artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (some brand names: Equal) and sucralose while you are pregnant, but you should use them in moderation. If you have a genetic disease called phenylketonuria, or PKU, you shouldn't use aspartame at all. |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| You should take 1,000 mcg (1 mg) of folic acid every day during your pregnancy. Folic acid can help prevent problems with your baby's brain and spinal cord. It is best to start taking folic acid before you get pregnant. |
|
| Your doctor might want you to take a prenatal vitamin. If you do take a prenatal supplement, make sure you're not taking any other vitamin or mineral supplement along with it unless your doctor recommends it. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| Check with your doctor before taking any medicine, including pain relievers or other over-the-counter medicines. Even medicine you can buy without a prescription may cause birth defects, especially if it's taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| This depends on whether you have any problems with your pregnancy, what kind of work you do and if you're exposed to anything at work that could harm your baby. For instance, lifting heavy objects or standing for long periods can be hard on your body. Radiation, lead and other heavy metals, such as copper and mercury, could be damaging to the baby. However, working in front of a computer screen is not thought to cause harm to an unborn baby. Talk with your doctor about your work environment. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| Unless you have problems in your pregnancy, you can probably do whatever exercise you did before you got pregnant. Exercise can help ease discomfort during pregnancy. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Talk to your doctor about any special conditions that you may have. |
|
| Some women say exercising during pregnancy makes labor and delivery easier. Walking and swimming are great choices. If you didn't exercise before pregnancy, start slowly. Don't overdo exercise. Listen to your body. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, chest pain or abdominal pain while you are exercising. Don't get overheated. Be sure to drink plenty of water so that you don't get dehydrated. It's best to avoid anything that could cause you to fall, such as water skiing or rock climbing. It's also best to avoid contact sports such as basketball or soccer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| Yes, unless your doctor believes you're at risk for problems. Don't be surprised if you're less or more interested in sex while you are pregnant. As you get larger, you may find you need to try different positions, such as lying on your side or being on top. If you have oral sex, tell your partner not to blow air into your vagina. This could force air inside you, which could cause an air embolism. Air embolisms can cause permanent brain damage and even death to a pregnant woman and her baby. |
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| |
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| 9) Heartburn : Eat frequent, small meals. Avoid spicy or greasy foods. Don't lie down right after eating. Ask your doctor about taking antacids. Don’t eat late in night. |
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10) Yeast infections : The amount of discharge from the vagina increases during pregnancy. Yeast infections, which can also cause discharge, are more common during pregnancy. It's a good idea to talk with your doctor about any unusual discharge.
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| 11) Bleeding gums : Brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist for cleanings. Don't put off dental visits because you're pregnant, but be sure to tell your dentist you're pregnant. |
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| 12) Stuffy nose : This is related to changes in the levels of the female hormone estrogen. You may also have nosebleeds. |
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| 14) Edema (retaining fluid) : Rest with your legs up. Lie on your left side while sleeping so blood flows from your legs back to your heart better. Don't use diuretics (water pills). If you're thinking about cutting down on salt to reduce swelling, talk with your doctor first. Your body needs enough salt to maintain the balance of fluid and cutting back on salt may not be the best way to manage your swelling. |
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| Stretch marks appear as red marks on your skin. Lotion with shea butter can help keep your skin moist and may help reduce the itchiness of dry skin. Stretch marks often can't be prevented, but they often fade after pregnancy. |
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| Other skin changes may include darkening of the skin on your face and around your nipples, and a dark line below your belly button. Staying out of the sun or using a sunscreen may help lessen these marks. Most marks will probably fade after pregnancy. |
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- Blood or fluid coming from your vagina
- Sudden or extreme swelling of your face or fingers
- Headaches that are severe or won't go away
- Nausea and vomiting that won't go away
- Dizziness
- Dim or blurry vision
- Pain or cramps in your lower abdomen
- Chills or fever
- A change in your baby's movements
- Less urine or burning when you urinate
- Any illness or infection
- Anything that bothers you
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| "Don't do this, don't do that." You've probably heard every old wives' tale. Here are some warnings worth heeding : |
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- Don't smoke. Smoking raises your risk for miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and many other problems.
- Don't use drugs. Cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs increase your risk of miscarriage, premature birth and birth defects. Your baby could also be born addicted to the drug you've been abusing, which can cause serious health problems.
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- Don't drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the major cause of preventable birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Don't clean your cat's litter box or eat raw or undercooked red meat. You could get toxoplasmosis, a disease that can cause birth defects.
- Don't sit in a sauna or hot tub. The high heat raises your risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
- Don't douche. Douching could force air into the vagina, which can cause an air embolism. The vagina doesn't require cleansing in addition to normal bathing. Douching disrupts the helpful bacteria that keep the vagina clean.
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