Your baby is well
protected in the
event of all but
the most serious
of car accidents.
Generally there
is only cause for
concern if the steering
wheel or airbag
hits our belly;
if the impact is
serious then the
there is a risk
of placental abruption
or if you yourself
are badly injured.
While mothers and
babies survive minor
accidents with no
incident, it is
safer to get your
doctor's assurance
that everything
is OK with you and
your baby.
Your pelvic bones
provide some protection,
the muscles that
line the wall of
your uterus help
to keep your baby
safe and the amniotic
sac and water acts
as cushion. There
is reason to worry
only if you face
severe abdominal
pain, contractions,
bleeding, or a leakage
of the amniotic
fluid or if you
notice a decrease
in fetal movements
after a fall. In
such a situation
you would want to
see your doctor
to get a thorough
assessment.
There is considerable
debate as to whether
cravings are biological
or psychological
in nature, but regardless
as to what causes
them, it is important
to know how to manage
them. If you treat
yourself to brownies
everyday, you will
have to deal with
excess weight for
some time to come.
An occasional treat
here and there is
fine but overindulgence
is not advisable.
Here are some tips
on how to manage
your cravings:
• Ask yourself
if it is food what
you are really craving
for. Sometimes we
may crave for something
else like sleep
of fluids but reach
out for the most
accessible item,
in this case food
to replace the actual
thing. Food is often
used as a substitute
for sleep and thirst
is confused for
hunger. Dehydration
sends confusing
signals to our system
causing us to think
of food when all
we need is water
• Ask yourself
if something healthier
will do the trick.
If glucose biscuits
and a glass of milk
will do it for you,
then have that instead.
But if brownie is
all that you can
think of, then treat
yourself to it and
then think calories,
and swear off it
for the next couple
of days (as long
as you can)
• Ask yourself
why are your cabinets,
refrigerators laden
with goodies like
ice cream, chocolates
and brownies. Temptation
is not easy to fight
off. Imagine if
you didn't keep
such stuffs at home,
imagine having to
drive to the supermarket
to fulfill the urge.
Half the time you
will not want to
make that effort
or trip to get your
fix
Some
Basic Pointers
(Week 22)
Just the Facts
• Try not
to worry too much
if you are told
by your doctor
that you are measuring
too big or too
small for your
dates. Not every
baby's growth
falls on the fetal
growth curve to
the dot
• Untreated
vaginosis and
untreated UTI
may cause you
to go into labor
prematurely
• Look for
childbirth classes
that are high
on content and
material
• Check
with your doctor
before making
any travel arrangements;
not all women
are fortunate
enough to be able
to travel while
pregnant
• Don't
panic if you fall;
your baby is well
protected against
minor mishaps
Anemia
Anemia in pregnancy
is common. Treatment
is important for
you and your baby.
Being anemic makes
you feel tired
easily and even
may experience
dizziness as well.
There is a fine
balance between
the production
of blood cells
and the destruction
of these cells.
Blood cells carry
oxygen to the
various parts
of the body; anemia
is a situation
where there is
a low count of
blood cells. During
pregnancy both
the blood cells
and plasma (the
liquid part of
the blood) increases
but the latter
increases more.
Your doctor keeps
a tab on such
readings with
a hematocrit reading
which measures
the percentage
of blood. With
that your hemoglobin
level is tested
as well; hemoglobin
is the protein
component of red
blood cells. If
you are anemic
your hematocrit
is lower than
37 and hemoglobin
lower than 12.
Blood loss is
inevitable during
delivery; being
anemic means you
are at higher
risk of needing
a blood transfusion
after birth of
baby. Your doctor
will advise you
on diet and supplements
if you found anemic.
Iron-deficiency
anemia is the
most common type
in pregnancy.
Your baby depends
on your iron store
for iron supply.
If you have this
condition, your
red blood cells
will deplete faster
as baby will require
the cells for
its own build
up and your body
does not enough
iron to produce
red blood cells.
Most prenatal
vitamins have
iron in them but
there are supplements
too. If for some
reason you are
not able to digest
vitamins, the
alternative will
be to rely on
ferrous sulphate.
Iron is very vital
in all pregnancies.
Unfortunately
despite supplements
and vitamins some
women still face
iron deficiency.
The reasons include:
• Bleeding
during pregnancy
• Multiple
fetuses
• Poor diet
• Overuse
of antacid which
causes a fall
in iron absorption
• Previous
surgery in the
stomach or part
of the small bowel
(making sufficient
iron absorption
difficult before
pregnancy)
The goal is to
increase iron
consumption so
it must be taken
on a daily basis.
Side effects of
iron supplements
include nausea
and vomiting with
upset stomach.
If this occurs
you may to switch
to a lower dose.
These supplements
are also constipating.
If you cannot
take the supplements
orally, your diet
has to change
to include iron-rich
foods such as
liver or spinach;
check with your
doctor on dietary
issues. Sickle-cell
anemia is common
in dark skinned
and women of Mediterranean
or African descent.
This version of
anemia happens
because the bone
marrow is not
able to replenish
blood cells fast
enough when they
are destroyed;
furthermore the
cells produced
are abnormal,
causing severe
pain as they get
blocked in the
blood vessels
and cannot flow.
You may possess
the trait without
having the disease
itself and you
could pass the
trait or the disease
to your child.
Inform your doctor
of any family
history of the
disease. Sickle-cell
anemia is detectable
through a blood
test; it can be
diagnosed in the
fetus through
amniocentesis
or CVS. Women
with this type
of anemia are
more likely to
have pyelonephritis
and bacteria in
their urine.
A woman with this
disorder may suffer
bouts of pain
(sickle crisis)
throughout her
life; pain in
the abdomen or
limbs caused by
the blockage of
cells happens
repeatedly. These
episodes can be
severe enough
to require hospitalization.
Risks a pregnant
woman with this
disease are painful
sickle crisis,
infections and
congestive heart
failure; risks
to the fetus include
a high incidence
of miscarriage
and stillbirth.
On a more positive
note, even though
the risks are
high, many sickle-cell
anemia patients
have successful
pregnancies. Thalassemia
is again not a
very common version
of anemia. It
afflicts people
of Mediterranean
origin. It is
characterized
by underproduction
of protein that
makes up the red
blood cells. If
you have a family
history or you
yourself have
thalassemia, discuss
it with your doctor.
Feeling
under the weather?
Viral infections,
diarrhea and cold
will knock on
your door during
your pregnancy.
Not only will
you feel more
inadequate, these
problems may raise
concerns for you.
How to feel better,
what medications
are safe, should
you continue with
your vitamins,
how to deal with
loss of appetite
are but some queries
that will cross
your mind. If
you are sick and
not sure how to
handle it, call
your doctor. Your
doctor will advise
you on medications.
There are things
you can do to
bring relief to
yourself. If you
have diarrhea
or viral attack,
drink lots of
fluids like water,
juice and chicken
broth. Going off
the regular diet
with no solids
is not going to
harm you or your
baby, but liquids
is a MUST. Solids
and milk only
serves to upset
your situation
further. If diarrhea
is a stubborn
one (still there
after 24 hours)
contact your doctor
for advice on
medications safe
during pregnancy.
Prenatal vitamins
can be skipped
when you are ill;
once you are able
to keep your food
down, resume vitamins.
Usually viral
and diarrhea don't
stay for long
and you should
be feeling well
in no time. Remember
to consult your
doctor on medicines,
take ample rest
and pay heed to
your fluid intake.
Stress
and Pregnancy
Stress during
this time is common;
new body image,
feeling unwell,
hormonal changes,
the prospect of
becoming a parent
are all new feelings.
To compound matters,
job stress or
family issues
may weigh you
down too. But
you have to remind
yourself to relax
as stress isn't
good, especially
not good for your
pregnancy. There
are things you
can do to remove
stress:
• Get enough
sleep / rest everyday.
Lack of sleep
makes you restless
and more prone
to feeling stress
• Relax
during the day
by listening to
music, reading
or going for walks.
Have some quiet
time by yourself
• Exercise
is a good stress
reliever - walking
or going to the
gym helps
• Eat healthy.
Sufficient calories
prevents you from
feeling low
• Do stuffs
that you enjoy,
just for you
• Stay positive
and wear a smile.
Changing the way
you think about
something can
have an effect.
Thinking positively
about an unpleasant
situation eases
the stress about.
It is all about
attitude!
• If smells
soothes you, burn
scented candles,
buy flowers, burn
aromatherapy oils
or add some to
your tub
• Share
your thoughts
with your partner
or close friends
or family instead
of bottling up
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