Pregnancy
week by week -
Week 12,
Must-ask
Questions during
week 12
I tend to be susceptible
to urinary tract
infections (UTI).
Can these infections
be harmful to my
baby?
You will definitely
want to get your
infections treated;
if left untreated,
it could lead to
premature labor.
Read Full Article
Are colds and flues
harmful to the developing
baby?
Garden variety colds
don't harm your
baby but they do
make you feel miserable.
If you develop high
fever, there is
potential risk to
your baby i.e. your
baby can suffer
from birth defects,
including heart
defects. If you
do get hit by cold
or flu, you will
want to drink lots
of fluids (hydration
during pregnancy
gets worse), take
medications recommended
by your doctor and
get plenty of rest.
If your cold is
severe, you may
want to consult
your doctor on a
suitable decongestant.
Read
Full Article
I had a
really nasty stomach
flu recently. Could
this have brought
harm to my baby?
The main risk caused
by stomach flu is
dehydration. If
you become seriously
dehydrated as a
result of vomiting
or diarrhea, you
may start to experience
premature contractions.
If you get hit with
stomach flu again
and have a tough
time keeping things
down, try sipping
on chicken soup,
ginger ale, tea
or water. It doesn't
matter what kind
of healthy beverage
you consume as long
as you are getting
something into your
system. Don't stress
over the pounds
you lose in the
process; babies
don't suffer unduly
just because their
mums missed a few
meals.
Is it true that
gum disease can
cause premature
labor?
If your gum disease
is severe enough
then yes, you could
face an increased
risk of preterm
labor. According
to research, women
who suffer from
periodontal disease
are 7 times more
likely to deliver
prematurely. Do
not confuse gum
disease with pregnancy
gingivitis (swelling,
bleeding, redness
or tenderness in
the gums that is
triggered by hormones)
which tends to show
up around the second
or third month of
pregnancy and tends
to increase in intensity
until around the
eight month. Note:
you may want to
switch to a softer
toothbrush to minimize
the bleeding.
Read
Full Article
What types
of diagnostic imaging
procedures can be
safely carried out
during pregnancy?
No known amount
of radiation is
safe during pregnancy.
Dangers to your
baby include an
increased risk of
mutations and an
increased risk of
cancer later in
life. Some doctors
feel the only safe
amount of X-rays
during pregnancy
is none. Presently
it is believed the
fetus is at greatest
risk between 8 and
15 weeks gestation(fetal
age between 6 and
13 weeks) X-rays,
CAT scans and MRIs
are some examples
of these procedures.
Some points on them
in brief:
Diagnostic X-rays
to areas other than
the abdomen pose
little threat to
the developing baby,
provided that appropriate
radiation shields
are used.
Abdominal CAT scans
(CT scans) are to
be avoided during
pregnancy, due to
increased risk that
the baby will end
up with developmental
malformations and
/ or childhood cancers.
MRIs are a relatively
new technology,
so doctors tend
to limit their use
during pregnancy
to situations where
critical medical
information needs
to be obtained and
cannot be obtained
in any other manner
or the only other
alternative is for
e.g. surgery, poses
major risk to mother
and baby. Radioactive
dyes containing
iodine should not
be used at all during
diagnostic imaging
procedures because
of the risk of damage
to the fetal thyroid.
Some
basic pointers
during
week 12
Skin changes
Your skin may
change in various
ways during pregnancy.
In many women,
skin down the
middle of the
abdomen becomes
markedly darker
or pigmented with
a black-brown
color. A vertical
line forms called
the linea nigra.
Some women develop
irregular brown
patches of varying
size on their
faces and necks
called chloasma
or mask of pregnancy.
These disappear
or get lighter
after delivery.
Vascular spiders
are small red
elevations on
the skin with
branches extending
outwards. These
too are temporary
and disappear
shortly after
giving birth.
The occurrence
is probably caused
by high levels
of estrogen.
Read
Full Article
Entering
pregnancy with
High Blood Pressure
If you have high
BP before you
begin your pregnancy,
you have an increased
risk of preeclampsia.
If left untreated,
hypertension reduces
blood flow to
the uterus and
increases the
risk of intrauterine
growth restriction
(IUGR). High BP
can cause seizures,
kidney disease,
liver disease,
heart damage and
brain damage to
the mum-to-be.
Most BP medications
are safe to use
during pregnancy.
Still check with
your doctor. If
your BP was high
when you began
your pregnancy,
you may have more
ultrasounds to
monitor baby's
growth. You may
want to keep track
of your BP yourself
at home with a
blood pressure
device periodically.
Read
Full Article
Your
Nutrition (Week
12)
Some women think
they can eat all
they want just
to increase their
calories. Don't
fall into this
trap. It is unhealthy
for you and your
baby if you gain
too much weight
during pregnancy,
especially in
the first trimester.
Carrying and delivering
your baby becomes
tough and shedding
those excess pounds
post pregnancy
becomes an ordeal.
Once the baby
is out, most of
you will want
to return to 'normal'
clothes at the
earliest so don't
let those extra
kilos interfere
with your goal.
Junk food
:
Now that you are
pregnant, break
the habit of junking
if you love junk
food and skipping
your first meal
of the day, breakfast.
Your dietary habits
affect your unborn
child as well.
Proper nutrition
takes some planning
on your part but
it can be done.
It is easy to
reach for something
from the vending
machine or visiting
a fast food joint
but think about
the harm you are
doing to your
baby. Avoid foods
that contain a
lot of fat and
sugar. If you
work, take healthy
foods with you
for your lunches
and snacks. Stay
away from fast
food and junk
food, no matter
how tempting.
Read
Full Article
Late night
snacking:
Late night nutritious
snacks are beneficial
for some women.
However snacking
at night is unnecessary.
If you are used
to ice creams
and other goodies,
you may pay for
it during pregnancy
with those extra
kilos. Food in
your stomach late
at night is no
good if you suffer
from heartburn,
indigestion or
nausea.
Fats and
sweets:
Unless you are
underweight, you
may want to be
cautious with
fats and sweets.
Many of these
foods are high
in calories and
low in value.
Eat them sparingly.
Instead of munching
on potato chips,
reach for an apple,
cheese slice or
peanut butter
and bread. You
will satisfy your
hunger without
compromising on
nutritional value.
Some fats and
sweets you may
choose and their
serving sizes
are outlined below.
| Sugar
or honey
- 1 tablespoon |
| Oil
- 1 tablespoon |
| Jam
or jelly
- 1 tablespoon |
| Salad
dressing
- 1 tablespoon |
| Butter
or margarine
- ½
teaspoon
or less |
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