Question 1

Important Things About Pregnancy

Accepted Answer

Here are 20 imperative things to know about pregnancy. Knowing these will make your pregnancy more enjoyable and memorable.

 	 Signs that you are pregnant:

Once you miss your period, you may have some symptoms such as nausea, mild back pain, mood swings, tender or swollen breasts, and cravings for some particular food.  Many times, false symptoms lead to confusion. Understand that there are some solid signs which indicate that you are pregnant. One way to confirm your pregnancy is to conduct a home-based urine test using the kits available in the market. You could also get a pregnancy test done by a doctor.

Being sure that you are pregnant is vital. If the home pregnancy tests show vague results, you should go to the doctor to confirm your pregnancy.

 	 Visits to doctor for prenatal care are important:

Many couples visit a doctor even before planning a baby just to make sure that their first time pregnancy is healthy and devoid of complications. Once you confirm your pregnancy, it is important to visit your doctor regularly. Choose the best gynecologist and never skip monthly check-ups.  This helps in gauging both the mother’s and the baby’s health. Moreover, it is also necessary to curb any developmental disorders at an earlier stage itself .

 	 Understanding the family medical history:

This is one of the most crucial things to remember during pregnancy. Once you conceive, it is a good idea to discuss your mother’s, grandmother’s, or aunts’ pregnancies. It helps you learn about any genetic disorders or birth abnormalities in the family line. Information like this will prepare you for any potential problems and take preventive actions if required.

 	 Vaccinations are important:

With every antenatal appointment, your doctor will inform you of the vaccination shots you will have to take next. Be it a regular tetanus or flu shot, take the shots without fail. Vaccinations will prevent you from falling sick. Remember, some illnesses in newly pregnant mothers can seriously impair the physical and mental health of the fetus. So, stay safe, stay sure.

 

There is a myth that vaccinating pregnant mothers can cause a health risk to the baby. There is, however, no evidence to prove this. Live attenuated virus and live bacterial vaccines are not suggested during pregnancy. The benefits of vaccinating pregnant women outride the potential risk.

 	 Finding your gestational age:

Pregnancy is divided into three stages, each consisting of three months, called trimesters. With each passing stage, physiological changes occur in your body in the form of hormonal changes, blood pressure, breathing, and metabolism. One should monitor such changes from the beginning of pregnancy to understand the other stages and your progress through them. It is also necessary to know your delivery due date, which is mostly determined from the date of your last menstrual cycle. A normal delivery can happen anywhere between 37 and 40 weeks.

 	 Bleeding can occur during pregnancy:

Typically the first sign of pregnancy is considered to be missed periods. However, some women bleed in the initial stages of pregnancy, creating confusion if it is menstrual bleeding.

This kind of bleeding occurs when the egg travels down the fallopian tube and into the uterus, where it implants into the uterine lining (implantation bleeding or spotting). The best way to recognize it is from its color. It is often brown or pink color in contrast to the usual red color of the menstrual blood. Though it is not a disturbing factor, it is good to consult a doctor.

 	 How much weight gain is normal?

Most women are worried about weight gain during their pregnancy for the first time and are eager to lose it at the earliest post-pregnancy. Your weight gain depends on your BMI (body mass index) before pregnancy. If you are overweight when you conceive, then you are advised to put on fewer kilograms than someone who is of normal weight. The basic idea is that the fetus should get necessary nutrients to grow and have a healthy development. So eating the right meal and understanding the needs of the baby are a priority.

 

 	 What to eat and what not to eat:

Along with the regular dose of vitamin and health supplements, you should have a nutritious, wholesome, and balanced diet. Doctors, usually, provide a proper diet chart as per your unique needs. Take small and frequent meals.

Also, you need to stay away from alcohol and caffeine products as they can increase the chances of premature delivery, congenital disabilities, and underweight in babies.

 	 Physical activities are a must:

Your everyday exercise routine ensures the smooth functioning of your body. Remember, childbirth is a laborious process that demands a lot of energy. Only a healthy body can withstand the various stages of labor. Exercises also help in alleviating the usual discomforts one experiences in pregnancy. They strengthen your muscles to endure pregnancy pains. Results show, the right workout routine of a pregnant mom significantly supports the development of your baby’s entire system.

 	 There can be discomforts during pregnancy:

Being pregnant is not easy. There will be discomforts throughout the period. Activities such as standing or sitting for long durations that you could indulge in earlier, would either be forbidden now or you find them too difficult to do. Issues such as constipation and vomiting could drain your energy. Eating healthy and getting the required amount of rest, can help you reduce the discomforts.

 	Travel during pregnancy:

Traveling is fine in the initial stages, but it could be risky as your due date approaches. Several airlines do not allow women travelers who are more than 36 weeks pregnant. If your travel is unavoidable, consult your doctor and take necessary precautions. There could be times when a doctor’s certificate is a prerequisite for travel.

 

Here are some early pregnancy facts in which your doctor may advise you to avoid traveling:

 	History of pre-term labor or miscarriage
 	Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, or more)
 	High blood pressure
 	Placental abnormalities
 	Gestational diabetes
 	Incompetent cervix
 	History of bleeding during pregnancy
 	History of preeclampsia or ectopic pregnancy

If none of these complications exist, your doctor might allow you to travel. Most doctors permit travel in the second trimester but may ask you to avoid it during the first and third trimesters.

 	 Have the right attitude:

Always be positive. The right approach will make you strong enough to face the challenges at every stage of pregnancy. Psychologists reinforce that sound mental decorum of the mother has a high impact on the fetus. Prepare ahead, as a well-informed mother can cope with the early laborious days after delivery.

 	 Keep your career worries aside:

You might be worried about the status of your career once your baby arrives. Don’t try to push your existing career into the new role as a mother. A career that meshes better with motherhood is an ideal pick. You can rebuild your career once your kids grow older and are independent.

 	 Allocate time for everything:

A study published in the Journal Of Labor Economics mentions that pregnant women who worked until their eighth month had babies half a pound lighter than those who stopped working earlier. Pregnancy could be a huge stress on your body, and therefore, you cannot stress yourself more with a job. If you cannot afford to take a break from work, take frequent breaks in between.

 	 Choose your place of birthing:

You should plan the place – hospital, nursing home, etc. – where you would like to give birth. It is important to choose a place that is best for you and suits the needs of your family. The hospital should be determined by the expertise of your doctors, their credibility, hygiene, and other factors such as the distance from home and the surroundings of the birthing place. Selecting a place well in advance and making visits there should make you comfortable for your D-day.

 	 What is labor pain?

When your due date comes closer, you will go into labor pain. It is necessary to consult the doctor and understand what ‘going to labor’ means. It is another must thing to know when pregnant and identifying it will make it easy for you to handle your labor with no difficulty. One quick sign of labor is frequent painful contractions which increase in intensity with time. Many times, walking is recommended during early labor because it makes women feel more comfortable.

Question 2

Here’s why becoming a mother for the first time is so physically intense

Accepted Answer

As amazing as it is, becoming a parent for the first time has its challenges: You’re navigating a major life transition on little sleep and without the benefit of experience. But you adjust, your confidence grows and the stretches of sleep at night extend—and you may soon feel up for expanding your family again.

 

When you do, don’t be surprised if everything feels less  intense.   Science proves becoming a mother for the first time is generally more intense both physically and emotionally than the experience with later children.

No matter how much you prepare, there's no way you can fully be ready for everything that comes with it.

 

Your body changes more with the first pregnancy

It all starts with how  pregnancy alters your body. Your  breasts, which don’t fully form until pregnancy, will begin to develop a new in preparation for breastfeeding. Your  muscles loosen —especially in your pelvic region. Your brain structure goes through long-lasting changes. “Radical” surges of hormones  transform your body and mind. And that’s what’s happening  inside.  On the outside, you’ll likely have acne flare-ups you never had before, your flat hair will bounce to life and varicose veins will pepper your legs. For better or worse, some of those  pregnancy side-effects stick around long after baby is born—which means you aren’t dealing with anything new the next time you’re expecting.

 

Here are some of the ways the body adapts during and after pregnancy:

 	Your pelvis bone structure stretches slightly  and your hips carry more padding
 	Your breasts may change shape after they no longer fill up with milk
 	Your areola, labia and moles may darken
 	Your bladder muscle tone may weaken, causing long-time urinary problems
 	You may become  more constipated
 	You may experience hair loss

First-time motherhood is also uniquely emotionally intense

Becoming a parent for the first time is very difficult to navigate.

 

You have to learn to completely adjust your priorities, schedules and relationships. And you do it all while you're sleep deprived, hormonal, and often physically uncomfortable. Then subsequent babies bring along their own set of changes and unexpected challenges, but your mindset has already shifted into mom-mode so the adjustment isn't as jarring.

 

You’re likely also to be more consumed by thoughts about pregnancy and parenthood than first time around. While a 1990 study published in  Psychology and Psychotherapy  found that results in a higher emotional attachment among expectant parents with their first unborn baby, there’s nothing to feel guilty about: The bond with  subsequent  children is amazing and special in its own ways. You probably just won’t  be so stressed.

Question 3

You are stronger and wiser for it all

Accepted Answer

Of course, second-time motherhood comes with  its own sets of challenges. You just have a few more tricks up your sleeve.

 

First-time moms also put a ton of pressure on themselves. When you have your second or third child, you start to get a little gentler on yourself because you understand more what it's all about.

 

While there will always be self-doubt, moms of more than one kid know that they have figured this out once before, so they can figure it out again.

 

Second time moms know about the physical discomfort that is part of the first few weeks postpartum. They know the level of sleep deprivation to expect. They know how their moods may swing wildly in the early days. While this knowledge doesn't make these things a non-issue the second time around, it does take away some of the surprise and can help them feel more prepared.

Question 4

You’ve got backup

Accepted Answer

Whether you’re a first-time mama or have multiple kids, there’s one thing that helps: a support system, either with friends, family members or even an online community.

Chances are good you’ve already begun developing that by the time you add another baby—and everything feels so much more manageable when you are able to handle it with others by your side.

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