Pregnancy Life Cycle: Q & A
Hello to all new and old readers, we all know that a lot happens during those nine months of pregnancy, therefore this week we will be talking about the life cycle of pregnancy. We wanted to answer some very common questions we have received that fit within the 3 trimesters of pregnancy. Let’s jump right into it!
First Trimester- Survival Mode
How do I manage morning sickness?
Well, morning sickness can really be a hit or miss. Some people may get it and others may not. Some might get a few symptoms and others may be so sick that they feel as if they cannot leave their bed. It varies between individuals so it can be difficult because something could have been a life saver for me but it may not work for another birthing person.
With that being said, we wanted to share some tips that the Cleveland Clinic has researched that may help you or a friend you know that is experiencing morning sickness, so let’s get into it. You may think “Eating makes me feel nauseous, so I think I'll skip lunch” but according to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s recommended to eat often because an empty stomach can cause worse nausea. Make sure you're eating or snacking every few hours.
Nobody knows your body like you do, listen to it! Pay close attention to which foods trigger you and make you feel sick and replace them with foods that are easy to go down. It’s been proven that starchy foods like nuts and crackers can help soak up gastric acid in the stomach and help settle it. Add foods that are rich in protein to the list, foods that are high in protein have been shown to provide longer-lasting relief from nausea and vomiting than foods that are high in carbohydrates and fats. So make sure you stock up on yogurts, nuts, milk and more. If you feel like spicy or greasy foods have made you feel queasy, just remember there are lighter options that may help you feel better.
Hydration is very important when it comes to nausea. Being dehydrated can lead to nausea, I'm sure we’ve all been there. So make sure you are drinking enough water, remember your body is working overtime and it will need plenty of water. Now, you want to stay hydrated but you don’t want to drink so much water that you feel uncomfortable and then make yourself feel even more nauseous. Try to find your sweet spot, just enough water to be hydrated but not uncomfortable. If you are someone who struggles to drink water, we’d like to recommend trying a squeeze of lemon in your water or some sort of fruit infusion in your water.
Chemical pregnancy vs. miscarriage
Understanding the difference between chemical pregnancy and a miscarriage is important. While both involve the loss of pregnancy, they occur at different stages of development.
Chemical Pregnancy:
Occurs very early; Usually before the 5th week.
Detection is only by blood test or sensitive home pregnancy tests.
Symptoms often feel like a slightly late, heavy period.
Miscarriage:
Can occur anytime up to 20 weeks.
Can be confirmed via ultrasound detecting fetal heartbeat or sac.
May involve heavier cramping and tissue loss.
Second Trimester- Honeymoon Phase
What happens at the 20 week anatomy scan?
Now we are in the second trimester of pregnancy, many people describe this phase as being on auto pilot. It’s usually when morning sickness settles, your bump might be more noticeable, gender revel and baby shower start to enter the picture. Your provider will begin to mention the twenty week anatomy scan, it may sound scary if you don’t know what it’s for and why they do it. Don’t worry we got you covered, so allow us to set your mind at ease.
Let’s start off with what is the anatomy scan? The twenty week anatomy scan is a prenatal ultrasound that usually occurs around the 18-22 week mark of pregnancy. It’s when the fetus is growing bigger and they can see the fetus better in an ultrasound. It is done for various reasons so let’s go through them. The first being, they check the growth of the fetus. Making sure the growth is on track with gestation. It also shows them the organs and body parts so they can make sure everything is developing as it should. They also look for any signs of congenital condition and potential health problems. Don’t worry your provider should go over all the results and if they have any concerns they will let you know.
They do this by the ultrasound technician taking pictures and measurements of the fetus. Everything from head to toe is measured and looked at. Besides the fetus they also look at the umbilical cord and the blood flow of it and where exactly it attaches to the placenta. They try to see the placenta and the position of it, they measure the amount of amniotic fluid and they check the uterus, ovaries and the cervix. Lastly, a very exciting discovery, the gender of the fetus.
Try not to scare yourself by getting into a google search rabbit hole full of your anxieties. Don’t forget to give yourself grace and take it easy. We know it can be stressful as pregnancy progresses, don’t be afraid to confide in others. Let your provider know of any questions or concerns you may have.
Safe Pregnancy Exercises
For most low-risk pregnancies, staying active is highly encouraged. It can reduce back pain, improve sleep, and build the stamina needed for labor.
I do highly recommend that you speak with your provider about any exercise that may want to start or continue doing now that you are pregnant. One tip I like to recommend is the “ Talk Test”. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to carry on a conversation while exercising, if you’re too breathless to talk, back off a bit.
Here are some safe exercises you can consider:
Walking & Swimming
Prenatal Yoga/Pilates
Strength Training
Pelvic Floor exercises
Stop immediately if you experience any vaginal bleeding, dizziness, chest pain or sudden decrease in fetal movement.
Third Trimester- The Homestretch
What are some signs of Preeclampsia?
Before we get into signs and symptoms of preeclampsia we’re going to go over what exactly it is and why it happens. Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “People with preeclampsia often have high blood pressure {Hypertension} and high levels of protein in their urine {Proteinuria}”.
It is said to develop half way into pregnancy, and can be dangerous for both the birthing person and the fetus; your provider may consider you a “High risk” pregnancy and will need to monitor you closely. Now you may be asking “Why does this happen?”, healthcare professionals aren’t entirely sure of the cause. Researchers believe that it may be linked to the blood supply to the placenta.
It can be tricky with symptoms because many people don’t show any signs or symptoms but we’ll be listing some symptoms that people report having. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some initial symptoms are:
High blood pressure
Protein in your pee and retaining water that can cause weight gain or swelling
Blurred vision
Light sensitivity
Dark spots in vision
Upper right side abdominal pain
Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face
Shortness of breath.
Severe symptoms and signs:
Hypertensive emergency{BP is 160/110mmHg or higher}
Decrease in kidney/liver function
Fluid in your lungs
Low blood platelet levels and not producing or producing very little pee
We advise that you make sure you attend all of your prenatal appointments and inform your provider of any symptoms.
Braxton Hicks vs Real Labor
Think of Braxton Hicks as “practice” contractions. They are your uterus toning itself in preparation of the big day.
Braxton Hicks:
Irregular; they don’t get closer together.
Often stop if you walk, rest, or change positions.
Usually weak, or start strong and then taper off.
Usually felt weak only in the front abdomen.
Real Labor:
Regular; they get longer, stronger, and closer.
Will continue and intensify regardless of movement.
Steadily builds in intensity.
Starts in the back and moves towards the front.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s blog. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us via Instagram. We will see you next week!