A-Z of pregnancy suprises

Just when you become used to the fact that your body is expanding, it may well become aching, bloated, stretch-marked or constipated. Pregnancy and birth are full of surprises, bodily and otherwise, that can take the wind out of your sails if you’re not prepared. So read up, listen to your carers and your body, and remember that the discomfort is a small price to pay for the miracle in your belly.

A is for Afterbirth
When your baby’s finally out in the big wide world, you’d be forgiven for thinking the deed is done. Not quite. That little bag of nutrition that’s been feeding your baby – the placenta, or afterbirth – needs to be expelled. Explains midwife Shea Caplice: “Just when you think it is all over, your midwife will ask you to push again! Don’t worry, it’s much easier than your baby’s head as it’s soft and mushy.”

B is for Birth Plan
While it’s imperative to know your options, having your heart set on an ideal birth also sets you up for disappointment if it doesn’t go to plan. “All the best birth plans can go astray, so do not be imprisoned by your plan. Use it as a guide, but be prepared to go with the flow,” advises Shea.

C is for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Searing wrist pain is a common pregnancy side effect. Dr Ginni Mansberg explains: “Fluid retention in pregnancy can see fluid build up in the carpal tunnel and squish the median nerve in the hand.” She recommends resting your hands, using ice and massage, or seeing a physio.

D is for Depression
The blues can happen during pregnancy for some women, as well as after the bub’s born. And in both instances, getting help early is better than trying to shrug it off. Karitane Nurse Educator Ann Simpson says if you think you are experiencing depression, accept help from family and friends – they’ll notice you’ve changed – and talk to your midwife, obstetrician or GP about how you are feeling.” One in four women is reportedly affected.

E is for Exertion
All that pushing down there in labour can often lead to an accidental poo that the midwives quickly magic away. “It’s not called labour for nothing!” says Shea. “They say it feels like being constipated for a week. Just give it all you’ve got, listen to your body sensations and you will soon have that baby in your arms.”

F is for Flatulence
Being pregnant is the very epitome of womanhood, but letting one slip erodes that goddess image, and can be embarrassing. “There’s no scientific link between pregnancy and flatulence, but anecdotally a lot of women do seem to experience it,” says Ginni. “Avoid foods that aid and abet gas, like cabbage and lentils. And get on top of constipation early.” Drink plenty of fluids, do gentle exercise and get some pregnancy-friendly laxatives (ask your pharmacist).

G is for Gestational Diabetes
According to Ginni, gestational diabetes affects between 3 and 8 per cent of pregnant women. “It puts you
at higher risk of complications like pre-eclampsia and also makes you more likely to have a super-sized bub who might not cope well after birth from having to adapt to his own lower blood glucose levels.” Her tips? “Stick closely to your diet and exercise plan, and any prescribed insulin. Get checked by your GP post-birth, because 30 to 50 per cent of women develop type 2 diabetes in the 15 years after having a baby.”

H is for Haemorrhoids
Ginni explains succinctly that haemorrhoids are varicose veins of the bum. “Anything that increases the pressure on veins, such as constipation, will make them worse. Keep well hydrated, do enough exercise and eat a diet with fibre and less processed foods. For relief, try Proctosedyl ointment or fill a rubber glove with water, tie the end and freeze. Snap off frozen fingers and place them on a pad between your butt cheeks to soothe your aching bottom.”

I is for Induction
If your cervix isn’t dilating (opening up) at the necessary rate (you’re aiming for 10cm) the doctor may apply a prostaglandin gel to ‘ripen’ your cervix, then rupture your membranes, and finally give oxytocin in a drip to speed up your contractions.

J is for Joy
You’ll feel intense elation the second you lay eyes on your new bub, but just how intense that love is may well shock you. The other shock will come when that highest of highs turns into the lowest of lows. Says Ann: “Parenting has its ups and downs. There’ll be days when you’re exhausted and not coping, and there’ll be days when everything is going well and you’ll feel on top of the world. These mood swings are to be expected when you’re a parent.”

K is for Kegel Exercises
Explains Shea: “Kegels are pelvic floor exercises and they’re important before and after giving birth. Before, they’ll relax your pelvic floor, and after, the exercises will put the tone back into your pelvic muscles following the big stretch!”

L is for Labour Support
When choosing your support crew, Shea advises: “Research tells us women do better with female labour support, so get those mothers, sisters, aunties and girlfriends at your beck and call. Extra labour support takes pressure off your partner, too. Some say the more the merrier. Others just want one or two. It is up to you.” Check your hospital’s protocol as a valuable support member being excluded on the day is the sort of surprise you don’t want.

M is for Multiples
Multiple births are on the rise. Twins can be either fraternal (non-identical) or identical. While fraternal twins may be genetic from the mother’s side, identical twins are a random occurrence rather than a hereditary trait.

N is for Nausea
You may have heard that whoever put the “morning” in morning sickness was way off the mark, but it’s hard to comprehend how terrible it can make you feel until you’re in the thick of it. Most cases of morning sickness begin by nine to 10 weeks of gestation, peak at 11 to 13 weeks, and resolve by 12 to 14 weeks. But for up to 10 per cent of pregnant women, symptoms continue beyond 20 weeks. Keep your caregiver informed and see “Quick relief” (over the page) for some simple remedies that may help.

O is for Overdue
At first, 40 weeks seems like an eternity. Then it flies. And then it slows right down. To make the suspense worse, some women will be overdue. According to Ginni, about 4 per cent of women give birth on their due date, and around 5 per cent of babies will be overdue, defined medically as over 42 weeks gestation.

P is for Prenatal Tests
There are quite a few medical hoops to jump through while pregnant. There will be blood tests, a pap smear if you haven’t had one in the last two years, urine tests, ultrasounds and a glucose test. Turn to page 46 for a comprehensive rundown of what happens and when.

Q is for Quick Relief
There are some simple, effective remedies that can help with heartburn and morning sickness. Ginni suggests: “For heartburn, take an antacid liquid or tablet. For nausea, try raspberry leaf tea, ginger or even an anti-nausea wrist band. Always have snacks on hand for moments when you feel hungry or slightly ill. Nuts, dry crackers, bananas and mandarins are good for this.”

R is for Relationships
A woman can, understandably, get pretty involved with her bump and all things baby-related as her pregnancy progresses. And it can get pretty lonely out there on the sidelines for the dad-to-be. Even though he may not seem excessively enthusiastic about buying tiny baby singlets and hearing about your many trips to the loo, keep your partner in the loop and put some effort into your relationship. You’ll need to be a united front when bub arrives.

S is for Sex
“Libido in pregnancy can go up, down or both, depending on the day,” says Ginni. “Everyone reacts differently to both the hormone surges in their body and the psychological implications of being pregnant. There is no risk to you or your baby from having sex during pregnancy, unless your doctor or midwife tells you otherwise.”

T is for Thyroid
Iodine is necessary to make thyroid hormones and this is particularly important during pregnancy. “If mum’s thyroid gland is unable to meet requirements for increased thyroid hormone production early in pregnancy, there is a risk of miscarriage or premature labour,” says endocrinologist Professor Creswell Eastman. Make sure your multivitamin meets the iodine RDI for pregnancy (220µg) and use iodised salt.

U is for Urination
A constant need to pee is common during pregnancy. Explains Ginni: “As your whole blood volume increases during pregnancy, so too does the amount of blood presenting at the kidney’s doorstep for purification. So even from early on, pregnant women pee a lot. As baby grows and presses on your bladder, you’ll need to pee even more.”

V is for Varicose Veins
“Progesterone makes vein walls less stiff, and the pressure of the baby on the major veins that drain the blood from your legs puts extra pressure on the veins in your legs,” says Ginni. “Keep your legs up, use cold compresses and do regular exercise to stimulate the muscles that help pump the blood back to your heart.” Some, if not all, of these veins will return to normal after the birth of your baby.

W is for Work
Your doctor or caregiver will ask what kind of work you do and give you advice on when to stop. Listen up, because if you can do without those few extra weeks of pay you’ll be able to start motherhood feeling energised and prepared.

X is for X-rated Dreams
Extra blood flow to your genitals and raised oestrogen levels mean increased vaginal secretions. Add sensitive breasts to the mix and you may find you have a raging sex drive. This can manifest in strange, erotic dreams – don’t take them too seriously.

Y is for Yuk
It’s one thing to be large and ‘ripe’, but quite another thing to overflow. Some women leak colostrum from their boobs, typically in the third trimester. Some notice an increase in vaginal discharge. Both are normal and nothing to worry about. Ginni says: “If vaginal discharge is painful or blood stained, see your doctor. In the last weeks of pregnancy, you might see some thick mucus and blood. This ‘show’ occurs when the mucous plug that fills the cervix comes away. It’s a sign the body is preparing for birth.”

Z is for ZZZZZs
Pregnancy is hard work on your body, especially if you’re working and preparing for the big event as well. And since you won’t be getting much rest with a newborn on the scene, it can’t be stressed enough that now’s the time to SLEEP LOTS!

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