Healthy Pregnancy Part 2

Swelling

Most women develop mild swelling in the face, hands, or ankles at some point in their pregnancies. As the due date approaches, swelling often becomes more noticeable. If you have rapid, significant weight gain or your hands or feet suddenly get very puffy, call your doctor as soon as possible. It could be a sign of high blood pressure called preeclampsia or toxemia.

To keep swelling to a minimum:

Drink 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluids (water is best) daily.
Avoid caffeine.
Try to avoid very salty foods.
Rest when you can with your feet elevated.
Ask your doctor about using support hose.

Teeth and Gums Problems

A pregnant woman’s teeth and gums need special care. Pregnant women with gum disease are much more likely to have premature babies with low-birth weight. This may result from the transfer of bacteria in the mother’s mouth to the baby during pregnancy. The microbes can reach the baby through the placenta (a temporary organ joining the mother and fetus which supplies the fetus with blood and nutrients), through the amniotic fluid (fluid around the fetus), and through the layer of tissues in the mother’s stomach.

Every expectant mother should have a complete oral exam prior to or very early in pregnancy. All needed dental work should be managed early, because having urgent treatment during pregnancy can present risks. Interventions can be started to control risks for gum inflammation and disease. This also is the best time to change habits that may affect the health of teeth and gums, and the health of the baby.

Remember to tell your dentist that you are pregnant! You can ease bleeding gums by brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing at least twice a day. Get more details on taking care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy.

Digestive Difficulties

Constipation

Many pregnant women complain of constipation. High levels of hormones in your pregnant body slow down digestion and relax muscles in the bowels leaving many women constipated. Plus, the pressure of the expanding uterus on the bowels boosts the chances for constipation.

Try these tips to stay more regular:

Eat fiber-rich foods like fresh or dried fruit, raw vegetables, and whole-grain cereals and breads daily
Drink eight to ten glasses of water everyday.
Avoid caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, colas, and some other sodas), since caffeine makes your body lose fluid needed for regular bowel movements.
Get moving. Mild exercise like walking may also ease constipation.

Hemorrhoids

Up to 50% of pregnant women get hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen and bulging veins in the rectum. They can cause itching, pain and bleeding.

Hemorrhoids are more common during pregnancy for many reasons. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins in the rectum. Plus, constipation can make hemorrhoids worse. Hemorrhoids usually improve after delivery.

Follow these tips to help prevent and relieve hemorrhoids:

Drink lots of fluids
Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods like whole grains, raw or cooked leafy green vegetables, and fruits
Try not to strain for bowel movements
Talk with your doctor before taking any laxative.

*Talk to your doctor before using witch hazel or ice packs to soothe hemorrhoids.

Sleeping Troubles

During your pregnancy, you might feel tired even after you’ve had a lot of sleep. Many women find they’re particularly exhausted in the first trimester. Don’t worry, this is normal! This is your body’s way of telling you that you need more rest.

In the second trimester, tiredness is usually replaced with a feeling of well being and energy. But in the third trimester, exhaustion often sets in again. As you get larger, sleeping may become more difficult. The baby’s movements, bathroom runs, and an increase in the body’s metabolism might interrupt or disturb your sleep. Leg cramping can also interfere with a good night’s sleep.

Try these tips to feel and sleep better:

When you’re tired, get some rest.
Try to get about eight hours of sleep every night, and a short nap during the day.
If you feel stressed, try to find ways to relax.
Sleep on your left side. This will relieve pressure on blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, always lay on your left side when you’re lying down.
Avoid eating large meals three hours before going to bed.
Get some mild exercise like walking.
Avoid long naps during the day.

Weight gain

The amount of weight you need to gain during pregnancy depends upon how much you weighed before you became pregnant. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) women who have a normal weight before getting pregnant should gain 25 to 35 pounds. Women who are underweight before pregnancy should gain 28 to 40 pounds. And women who are overweight should gain 15 to 25 pounds.

Research shows that women who gain more than the recommended amount during pregnancy have a higher chance of being obese 10 years later. Ask your doctor how much weight gain during pregnancy is healthy for you.

When to Call the Doctor

When you are pregnant you should not hesitate to call your doctor or midwife is something is bothering or worrying you. Sometimes physical changes can be signs of a problem.

Call your doctor or midwife immediately if you:

are bleeding or leaking fluid from the vagina
have sudden or severe swelling in the face, hands, or fingers
get severe or long-lasting headaches
have discomfort, pain or cramping in the abdomen
have a fever or chills
are vomiting or have persistent nausea
feel discomfort, pain or burning with urination
have problems seeing or blurred vision
feel dizzy
sense a change in your baby’s movement
suspect your baby is moving less than normally after 28 weeks of pregnancy ( if you count less than 10 movements in 2 hours or less)

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