Category: Pregnancy Care

   

  The last few weeks of pregnancy may be very intense on so many levels. You may receive a lot of pampering from your husband and other family members who can’t wait to see the new child in your household. At the same time, however, you can experience Braxton Hicks contractions, indigestion, and various sources of distress that can make even sleeping – the best relaxation possible – difficult. If it gives you any relief, realize that most, if not all, pregnant women bear with these situations. They come with the territory, without a doubt. But that doesn’t mean that there’s no way for you to avoid or lessen the issues. “Researching and understanding what to expect during the third trimester can help reduce any anxiety you may have during the final stages of your pregnancy.” Debra Rose Wilson, PhD says. Seek ways to survive the waiting game in the third trimester below. 

 

  Go To A Chiropractor One of the biggest dilemmas that expectant mothers face is back pain. Rather than ebbing away, it only intensifies the closer you get to your due date. What may help you is receiving treatments from a chiropractor. This health professional can perhaps adjust your spinal column so that it doesn’t get pulled in by your growing belly. According to a study conducted by Dr. Irvin Henderson MD, “Women who received chiropractic adjustments in their third trimester were able to carry and deliver their child with much more comfort.”

 

  Elevate Your Upper Body When Lying Down Considering the belly stays very round, not low-looking, it entails that the fetus can still be pressing on your ribs and organs. That can cause heartburn often and make sleeping a challenge. Thus, you have to lie down with plenty of pillows supporting your upper back and head to prevent that issue.

 

  Stay Active Exercising is highly essential at this point in your pregnancy because it’s almost time for the baby to pop out. That isn’t easy for everyone, especially if you didn’t move a lot for months and your muscles and joints are stiff. Walking around the neighborhood can get you started; afterward, you may try swimming, aerobics, and yoga. Just ensure, though, that your OB-GYN approves your exercise of choice. “Prenatal exercise may reduce the amount of glucose and fats mothers make available to their babies, helping them grow more optimally,” explains Dana Dabelea, MD, PhD.

 

  Talk To Your Family Members About The Baby’s Arrival The most important person to speak with about it in your brood is your husband. You need to both be on the same page, so feel free to tell him what you want him to do as you’re pushing the child out. Then, if you have other kiddos, assure them that the new baby won’t lessen your love for them. It may be the best time too to talk to your parents, siblings, or whoever will look after your children as you stay inside the hospital for a few days.  

 

  Plan Your Ideal Birthing Process In case you already watched women delivering their child in preparation for your own, you know that you don’t need to merely check in the hospital and leave once the doctor gives you and your infant an all-clear signal. You can, in fact, ask someone to decorate the room like what you do at birthday parties while you’re in there. It’s possible as well to opt for no epidural and choose a different birthing method. The specialist cannot guarantee that everything will go according to plan when it’s showtime, but it’s OK to think of such things when you’re still not in labor.      

Pregnancy is magical, in my opinion. You only need a single sperm to fertilize an egg cell that’s approximately 0.2 millimeters in size. From that, the fetus grows until you have a baby with distinct features, full organs, and the ability to become the next president of a company or a country.

Pregnancy comes with a lot of concerns for a mom-to-be. “One psychologist I spoke with recently said that when she became a clinical psychologist, she thought she’d see mainly postpartum depression. Instead, she sees mostly prenatal anxiety,” shared Dawn Kingston, PhD.
Read more

 

 Do you know the benefits of having Braxton Hicks contractions? Many of the pregnant women I came across for years only thought of it as an unpleasant part of carrying a baby. Even I had the same idea about it the first few times I got it. When you assume it’s time to pop out your child, the tightening sensation goes away, leaving you with disappointment. But what I understand now about false labor is that it’s your body’s way of giving you a taste of what’s to come during the actual birthing day.

 

Though it kicks in at the most unexpected times, you should honestly be thankful that you experienced the Braxton Hicks pre-delivery. This way, you won’t go into shock once you feel the real contractions. With that in mind, however, you can still try your hardest to deal with the false labor efficiently.

 

Remain Well-Rested

The ultimate thing you need to do stat is to put away all your tasks so that you will be able to concentrate on resting. Your body works too much already by supporting the child in your tummy; it will surely be a pain to obsess about the business, dirty laundry, and meal preparation too. It can take a lot out of your plate if you go on maternity leave at least two months before the due date. You can also ask someone to do the household chores temporarily on your behalf, and have your husband take care of and bring your bigger kids to school.  

 

Hydrate Yourself

You tend to lose more water within your system in comparison with a non-pregnant individual since you pee a lot. Most of the fluids go towards your child’s growth as well; that’s why lacking hydration can cause Braxton Hicks contractions, or worse, congenital disabilities. A sad example of hydrating your cells is drinking soda and coffee. Though they’re delicious, the said beverages drain water out of your body too. Instead, you can benefit from fruits, fresh juices, decaffeinated herbal teas, and regular H₂O.  

 

Have A Luxurious Bath

Assuming you’re too far along to move so much, a warm – not hot – bath for less than half an hour may help alleviate the sensations of false labor. Stress can bring out Braxton Hicks, you know. However, you are most likely to forget what tenses you up mentally and physically when you soak your tired self in the relaxing water. Other than the bubbling solution, feel free to add Epsom salts in the tub. You may also add essential oils, as well as light some scented candles to make the bath extra luxurious.  

 

According to Michael J. Breus, PhD, “The warm water helps relax muscles and reduces pressure on the knees and joints, which allows the body to be fully supported. It increases circulation and reduces swelling and inflammation.”

 

 

Meditate

Meditation does not only calm your spirit; it allows you to learn some breathing exercises too. According to Kristen Scarlett, LMHC, “While meditation and mindfulness may not combat severe symptoms, learning to tune into your thoughts and feelings may help you cope.”

 

“The type of controlled, relaxed breathing skills developed with regular meditation practice produces both immediate and long-term benefits,” wrote Thomas Rutledge, PhD. “Blood pressure and muscle tension also rapidly decline; thinking processes slow, enabling increased focus and concentration.” It matters to get the technique down so that you won’t freak out when you experience the fake contractions. While you sometimes want to hold your breath whenever the muscles tighten, enable yourself to go to zen mode to deal with Braxton Hicks well.  

 

Empty Your Bladder

Urinating when your brain tells you to do so is very important. The heaviness of the uterus means it may always be in contact with the bladder. If the latter is full, it can add pressure on the former and maybe slightly push against it. That action can trigger false labor; that’s why you have to pee as often as possible.  

Mothers have different things to say about pregnancy. Some women went through so much pain that they only want to experience childbirth once in this lifetime and discourage their colleagues from having kids. Other mamas, on the one hand, are more goal-oriented than that and don’t mind going through the process over and over if that means their brood will expand. Read more

Delivering a human being into the world is a unique experience for every mother. Dr. Elizabeth Pearce, PsyD explains that “Research shows that there are several personal factors, unique to each birthing person, that can affect how she experiences labor.” Some had it easy, to the extent that the baby’s head was out as soon as the water broke, indicating that he or she is ready to leave the womb stat. Others, however, can be in labor for over 24 hours and require medical intervention to birth the child successfully. Research shows that there are several personal factors, unique to each birthing person, that can affect how she experiences labor.Read more

 

  In almost every article I wrote here about healthy pregnancy, I can’t tell how many times I recommended pulling all the stops and just relaxing until childbirth. Frankly speaking, it matters so much since your body is already working 24/7, ensuring that your unborn baby stays protected and nurtured in your womb. If you do other physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing activities outside of that, it may push your system to release more cortisol, which may be unfavorable in your current condition. Regardless of that, I know that it can’t be easy for everyone to lie-low and delegate most of their tasks to others from the beginning of the pregnancy. That’s often the case as well when you’re a team leader or the boss of a growing company. Thus, what I can advise is to take some precautionary measures to stay productive at work and taking care of the fetus in your tummy. Here’s how you can accomplish that.  

Inform Colleagues About Your State The primary thing you’ll want to do is let your staff know that you’re in the family way. Some tend not to do that because they don’t wish others to see it as their handicap. However, it’s important to tell them the baby news immediately to avoid being in tight situations, e.g., having to work overtime, being around smoking people, etc.

“Dealing with the complete exhaustion of the first trimester was really the beginning of my realizing that my work–life balance was already starting to shift,” says Houston clinical psychologist Kay Hurlock Brumbaugh, PsyD.

  Manage Stress Well Pregnancy is the best time to learn meditation and various breathing methods. You see, being able to quiet down your mind will allow you to handle stress efficiently. According to Christina G. Hibbert, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and expert in postpartum mental health.  “Many women ignore or deny feelings of stress, but it simply piles up until you feel like you’re going to explode or implode.”

You’ll need that trick to stay zen – and sane – especially when you’re still not on maternity leave. Not to mention, it may come in handy once you go into labor.  

  Eat On Time Having to “eat for two” if you are pregnant is merely a myth. Despite that, however, make sure that you grab a bite often to stay healthy and active at work. The reason is that pregnancy itself causes your energy levels to deplete faster than usual. Once you have to move here and there and finish other tasks too during the day, you may feel exhausted before it’s even lunchtime. Again, it’s better to inform your colleagues about your condition early so that they won’t think you’re incompetent in keeping food on your desk at all times.  

Get Rid Of Nauseous Stuff The first trimester can be challenging for working expectant mothers due to the hormonal changes you’re going through at the moment. It’s great if you have an office just for yourself. But in case you don’t, then you’ll have to deal with different smells and noises coming from the workers around you. What you may do at this point is to avoid the things that can make you nauseous. If you’re about to cross paths with someone eating a burrito or drinking coffee, for instance, and you know that even the sight of that can turn your stomach upside down, retreat until the coast is clear. The triggering factors are not the same for all, unfortunately, so you need to find what causes your morning sickness on your own.   Walk Regularly Considering you have a desk job, it’s also necessary for you to have regular walks around the office. Walking is the most accessible type of exercise, to be honest. Not doing so may leave your ankles swollen or too unfit to even climb a single flight of stairs.

“Even if mothers were not active before becoming pregnant, they should strive to go on walks for at least 20 minutes, four times a week,” suggests Dr. Jennifer Wu, an OB-GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

 

  Let’s talk about a couple of truths here for a minute, shall we? One, all women wish to bear a child at one point in their life. Two, not many of them end up having one even if they can, biologically speaking. Why you may ask? Apart from possibly being unable to find a husband-material type of a man, it’s because they don’t want to halt whatever they’re doing now and go on maternity leave. In reality, however, there’s no other way around it. You can’t have stress when you’re in the family way, so you need to prioritize your pregnancy and drop any work instantly if necessary. In case you’re still looking for the answers as to why that’s important, view the reasons below.  

 

1. It Can Affect The Baby’s Brain Function

Although the entire medical society is still at crossroads about it, some scientists revealed via studies that a high level of stress hurts a child’s brain development. It appears that cortisol, the hormone that the body releases when you’re under much tension, can seep through the amniotic sac during the second trimester. That is the time when the brain of the fetus starts to take shape; that’s why it matters not to disturb the process. But it – the disturbance – is what happens when the mother feels stressed out, unfortunately. While you and your OB-GYN may not see it once you get a check-up, it may become apparent after childbirth. After all, people believe that the issue is among the probable causes of autism, low IQ and EQ, and various psychological conditions in kids.

2. It Deteriorates Your Immune System

Excessive stress can’t be good for you as well since it lowers your immunity against diseases and allergens. Even without being in this situation, your immune system is already not that high as you’re sharing it with the unborn baby. Hence, it’s easy for bacteria and viruses to wreak havoc in your life. Now, imagine what can occur when you’re often dealing with very stressful stuff. The halved immunity goes down some more, and you may catch the flu as soon as someone sneezes a few feet away from you. It makes you depressed and tired too, which may enable you to make unhealthy life decisions. If that circumstance lingers, the medical practitioner may prescribe bed rest to prevent you from endangering yourself and the fetus.  

3. It Might Cause Premature Labor

The extreme amount of cortisol that may enter the womb if you’re under a lot of pressure does not just affect the brain function of the child. This hormone, in fact, can also trigger the placenta to produce compounds that only come out when you are due to give birth. As much as you probably want the pregnancy to end, it’s not favorable to go into premature labor at any time within those nine months. The baby stays incubated in the womb for that long for one reason: to ensure that all their internal organs are ready for the delivery. In case stress shortens that period, it will most likely cause premature labor and have life-threatening effects on your lives.  

 

Teen pregnancy is a devastating condition, but tables are slowly turning. During the 2014 San Francisco Pregnancy Symposium, essential facts were discussed especially the decline of teen birth rate, which is excellent news.Read more

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Pregnancy, regardless of how the baby is conceived, is the most beautiful thing in the world. You have a life growing inside you, and so you have to do whatever it takes to keep it healthy. The best way you can do that is by having great eating plans during your whole pregnancy.

You can ask your doctor about it, and they can attest to the importance of eating healthy for you and the child in your womb. As you know, you are your baby’s only source of nutrition, so everything you ingest will be given to him or her, too. If you keep on eating a burger, ice cream, and bag of chips, your baby will get a minimal amount of nutrients, which is not good at all. Even though a pregnant woman is said to be allowed to eat whatever she wants, you should be your food police and try to eat healthier foods than crappy ones.

Here are some tips on how to be healthy during your pregnancy.

Embrace Your Weight

It is quite impossible during pregnancy not to gain weight; that’s why you should embrace it and eat whenever you feel hungry. However, try not to do it to the point that you cannot breathe anymore or digest your meal. Your breakfast should be your heaviest meal, especially if you are still working. This way, you and your baby both have enough energy for most of the morning. After that, consume fruits, leafy vegetables, and dairy products in two-hour intervals to keep your hunger satiated.

According to Alexis Conason, Psy.D, “ Policing women’s bodies during pregnancy is not working. Our singular obsession with weight comes at the expense of health. Pregnancy is a vulnerable time for women, one in which we need support from our health professionals to accept our changing bodies, minimize stress, and work towards holistic wellbeing. Health is about so much more than the numbers on the scale.”

 

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Stay Away From Junk Foods

Like I have said earlier, crappy or junk food is bad for your baby. Try to eat less of that; if you can, avoid buying it totally and concentrate on nutritious food. Remember that things are different this time, considering you are no longer eating for yourself now. There is another life depending on you, and you have to make great food choices so that your child will be born healthy. There have been cases before of irresponsible pregnant women whose babies have come out with congenital problems, and you surely do not want that to happen.

According to Associate Professor Felice Jacka,Ph.D,  researcher at the IMPACT Strategic Research Center at Deakin University, “unhealthy and ‘junk’ foods may have an impact on the risk for mental health problems in children, and they add to the growing body of evidence on the impact of unhealthy diets on the risk for depression, anxiety and even dementia.”

Aside from junk food, stay away from carbonated drinks since they contain lots of sugar that you do not need. Water is what you should drink because it is neutral and helps flush out all the dirt in your body.

 

Exercise

Working out is essential even when for expectant mothers. If you have a delicate pregnancy, then it will be best if you skip it altogether. But if everything is going well for you, you can do light exercises that will not shake your womb too much.

According to Dr. Raul Artal, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at St. Louis University “Pregnancy should not be looked at as a state of confinement. In fact, it is an ideal time for lifestyle modification.”

Walking and yoga are a couple of things that you can try. I know that pregnancy can make you sleepy all day, but you sometimes have to fight the urge to stay in bed and move around the house a bit to keep your blood flowing. Besides, being physically fit can make your birthing experience so much better.

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Final Thoughts

Being pregnant is what a lot of women — if not all — wish to experience someday. If you are expecting at this moment, take good care of your child by eating healthy during and even after your pregnancy. 

Good luck!

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I am writing this blog after reading a book that a friend-slash-aspiring-writer sent to me. As technically her “senior” in the field, she wanted me to be the first person to see it. Of course, I gladly accepted it and opened the book without even reading its description.

The story revolved around mafia romance. The heroine was forced to marry a cruel crime lord, and his mortal enemy saved her from him. After all their struggles, the villain died, and the main characters had a happy ending.

The book was entirely fictional, although the locations mentioned could genuinely serve as a house to mafias. It was not supposed to be relatable for me because I’m not even acquainted to a gang member. However, while reading, I felt the pain and happiness of the characters. I cried when they cried, I got mad when they were infuriated, and I felt content when the main characters found love. Simply put, the writer’s words managed to touch my soul.

Yes, reading good books does that to you. You may not foresee how lucky you are for having one in front of you, but it will occur to you soon when there are no more pages left. That is the therapeutic effect of reading that no amount of massages and medication can mirror. Holly Parker, PhD, wrote, “In a 2018 study, researchers reviewed experiments on the effect of reading fiction. They found that it modestly improves people’s capacity to understand and mentally react to other individuals and social situations. And by and large, that was after reading a single story.” 

If you are pregnant, reading is one of the hobbies that you can pick up as well. I know that violence-related books may not be the best ones to read at the moment, but there are a lot of parenting and self-help options that you can find. “Educate yourself,” suggests Alice Boyes, PhD. “What’s important will depend on your personality and needs. For example, if you’re an anxious overachiever you’ll need to learn skills tailored to that.”

Doing so will allow you to:

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Stress Less

Great authors have the power to pull you into a different world that they have created in their books. It is an effective trick to get away from the people or tasks that stress you out. Thus, instead of putting your baby in distress, you can crack your favorite book and read for as long as you need.

Improve Your Memory

Considering you are among the expectant mothers who experience brain fog, you may like to know that reading can improve your memory. When you do this activity, after all, it will be impossible for you not to remember at least a tiny portion of the book. And the more you read, the more your memory can function.

Find Inner Peace

A book can give you inner peace, especially if you get the ones that hold the answer to your worries. For instance, in case you know nothing about being a mother, you can read child-rearing books. If you are afraid of childbirth, you can read about that, too.

Bond With Your Unborn Child

Reading out loud is recommended when you are pregnant, too. At a particular stage, the baby in your womb will be able to hear you, so it will be excellent if you can read to them. It can serve as an early bonding moment between you and your unborn child.

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Final Thoughts

Reading is among the most valuable activities that you can try, dear momma. It can also feed your soul, which is something that not a lot of hobbies can do. Pick up a book that you are interested in to understand what I’m talking about. Hobbies such as reading are a huge deal, and according to Jaime L. Kurtz, PhD, “These activities are more than merely distracting. They remind you that that are many facets to your self-concept.”

Cheers!