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The object of this page is to answer you some questions about pregnancy symptoms and signs, prenatal care, nutrition and pregnancy associated discomforts.
Pregnancy Care
 Symptoms and signs of pregnancy
Prenatal care: Objective and visits to the doctor
Pregnancy associated discomforts
Pregnancy danger signs
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy
Signs of pregnancy
Once fecundation occurs, many changes are produced in the body of the pregnant woman.
Development of the baby in the womb produces big biochemical changes.
There are many signs associated with pregnancy. Most common is a missed menstrual period,
but since not all women have regular periods it is important to watch for other pregnancy signs as:
breast tenderness, nausea, heartburn, extreme tiredness, and frequent urination.
Even if a woman has some or all symptoms it is important to reconfirm the diagnosis with a pregnancy test.
This test will detect the presence of a hormone called chorionic gonadotropin,
which is produced by the placenta and it is present in the blood and urine of the expecting woman.
Prenatal Care: Objective
The objective of prenatal care is to monitor the health of the pregnant mother and fetus.
It is important to visit the doctor as soon as you suspect you are pregnant. At each visit the doctor will examine you.
This examination includes: weight, limbs, blood pressure, abdomen measure, position of the fetus and fetal heartbeat.
Such variables are going to be closely followed during the course of your pregnancy.
Other tests your doctor may recommend are: Ultrasound and Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring.
- Frequency of Visits to the Doctor
Your doctor may schedule your visits monthly during the first two trimesters (from week one to week 28 of pregnancy),
every two weeks from 28 to week 36 of pregnancy and weekly after week 36 (until the day of delivery that could be between week 38 and 40).
Pregnancy associated discomforts
As the fetus grows, the uterus increases its size affecting other parts of your body.
Some changes are triggered by the hormones your body secretes for nurturing the fetus,
and prepare both -you and your child- for childbirth.
During your pregnancy you can experiment some discomforts like:
- Constipation and hemorrhoids:
One of the reason for constipation may be changes produced in the digestive tract due to of hormones
that slow the movement of food through it. Added to this, during the last trimester of pregnancy
there is more pressure on your rectum from your uterus.
To avoid these try to drink plenty of liquids and eat fruit and vegetables
with high fiber content. Some pregnant women experience relief drinking a glass of tepid water before breakfast.- Nausea:
As well as constipation, it is due to metabolic changes. In the morning -before getting up-
eat some crackers and stand up very slowly. Try to eat in small quantities every three hours (fractionated diet).
During your pregnancy it is good to eat proteins (meat, eggs, cheese) before going to bed at night.- Heartburn:
It occurs when digested food from your stomach is pushed into your esophagus.
As stated before, during pregnancy all digestive process is slowed down and in additionally,
the engrossed uterus presses up on your stomach. To avoid heartburn, eat in small quantities,
several times a day. Avoid spicy and greasy foods and wait at least one hour before going bed.
Some pregnant women experience relief resting at night with two or three pillows under their head.- Fatigue:
Your body is doing a big effort while you are pregnant so try to sleep 8 hours daily and
if you can get a nap too. Avoid hard work and eat a balanced diet throughout your pregnancy.- Headaches:
You may have headaches during your pregnancy.
Maybe because you are tense or maybe because there is more blood in your body now that you are pregnant.
Lay down and try to relax. Rest. Some women experience relief walking outside. Do not take medicines while you are pregnant
unless directed by your doctor.- Frequent urination:
During your pregnancy, your uterus is pressing down your bladder and even if your bladder is almost empty this pressure produces
the same sensation as if it were full. Do not avoid the urge of urinate.- Cramps:
They are due to circulatory problems associated with the weight gain as you progress in your pregnancy.
Ask your doctor to recommend you some exercises to alleviate these discomforts- Chloasma:
These are obscure marks in the skin caused by the hormones secreted during pregnancy
and tend to dissappear after delivery. Avoiding sunlight can prevent them.- Stretch marks:
Skin tissue that has to support extra weight causes this. They appear on the abdomen and breasts and slowly disappear after delivery- Varicose veins:
They are produced by the pressure of the uterus to the lower part of the abdomen that makes circulation difficult during the 9 months of pregnancy.
They usually appear in legs specially if you must stand or sit for long periods of time.
Some suggestions include trying not to stand or sit for long periods of time. Move frequently to improve your circulation.
Elevate your legs when possible or you can even lie in bed with a pillow under your hips.
While you are siting try to keep your feet high.
Do not use tight clothes. Your doctor may recommends support stockings for you.- Breathing difficulties:
This happens during the third trimester of pregnancy because the fetus is occupying more space in your abdomen.
Breath deeply several times a day (you can ask your childbirth instructor to teach you the correct way) but avoid hyperventilation.
Sleeps propped up and avoid crowded places and smoggy environments.- Backaches:
This is a consequence of the growing of your abdomen and your weight increase. If you have backache wear low-heeled shoes,
try to keep your back straight and avoid lifting heavy weights. It is good to practice some relaxation exercises that will help to lower the tension in your muscles. Remember to stay as calm and serene as possible during your pregnancy.- Swelling:
It is due to the retention of water in your tissues, specially in your feet. Try to elevate your legs whenever you can and avoid tight clothes that binds your legs.
It is important to notify the doctor if you notice that your swelling is not only in your legs and if you register a sudden rise of your weight.
Danger signs during pregnancy
You need to contact your physician immediately if you have any of these signs throughout your pregnancy:
- Bleeding from your vagina.
- Pain when you urinate.
- Sores or blisters in your body.
- Swelling in your hands and face. (sudden rise of weight)
- Fever.
- Sharp stomach pain.
- Severe headaches.
- Sudden eyesight problems.
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy
Your baby is intimately connected to you emotionally as well as physically.
Not only are the substances you intake transmitted to your baby, but your emotions and feelings are transmitted to her as well.
Since your baby shares your endorphins, which are chemical substances that produce an enormous sense of well-being, your child can also sense and share your emotional sensations.
It is therefore very important to be happy, peaceful and serene. Your happiness and positive feelings can induce equally pleasant feelings in your child.
Take part in activities you really enjoy so that you can both take advantage of the relaxation and pleasure you derive from doing them.
Take time to love yourself and your baby and don't forget that it is very important to have a healthy life style and getting early and regular prenatal care.
Pregnancy and nutritionRemember that during pregnancy, you are more vulnerable to toxic poisoning.
Some food additives and artificial ingredients can also be harmful to your baby and even cause birth defects.
Read nutrition labels carefully for potentially harmful ingredients and minimize your intake of processed or canned foods.
Remember Try to eat freshly prepared food as much as possible.
Also, drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water per day. Above all, do not resist the urge to urinate.
Flushing the toxins from your body will help avoid the urinary tract infections that are frequently experienced by pregnant women.
Please remember that a calcium-rich diet is essential for expectant mothers and their babies.
Throughout your pregnancy take dairy products or calcium supplements daily, preferably in the evening. It has been shown that an adequate supply of calcium
can make you less irritable and prone to cramps and pains in the uterus. Eating yogurt or drinking a glass of milk before bedtime will help you get a better night's rest.
By the same token, during your pregnancy avoid taking too much salt,
which can make you retain water and may cause bloating.
Pregnancy and toxic substances
Smoking can cause your baby to be born too early, or maybe to be born small and with respiratory deficiencies. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy could cause birth defects.
Remember drugs are safe neither for you nor your baby.
Used in combination these substances are even more dangerous. Being pregnant is the best reason for leaving these habits.
Take care of your child by taking care of yourself.
Try to drink less coffee, tea and sodas with caffeine
Never take medicines without consulting your doctor. Some medicines can harm the baby.
Pregnancy and rest
Sometimes extreme tiredness makes women feel irritable -even depressed- so try to rest and sleep all you can throughout your pregnancy.
If going to sleep is difficult, do it on your side (left side preferably) and put a pillow between your legs.
It is important that you relax your body and your mind as often as it is possible for you. Regular periods of relax will help you emotionally and physically.
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