PREGNANCY
Congratulations
on your pregnancy! Undoubtedly, there are many things you would want to know
especially if this is your first pregnancy and even more for the second, third,
and so, there are things you wish you knew during your first pregnancy. However,
the experience in every pregnancy is different and therefore there are always
new things to learn.
Well here is an
opportunity for you to learn more as we share insights;
Pregnant mums
have various questions, like…
a)
When is my expected date of delivery?
You can get to
know this by use of an EDD (Expected Date of Delivery) calculator. This works
well if you are sure of the first date of the last menstrual cycle
b)
What are minor discomforts during pregnancy?
Nausea and vomiting. This mostly occurs on the first three months
of pregnancy. If you cannot handle it, please seek the help of a doctor,
especially if vomiting everything and not retaining anything in the stomach.
Heartburn. I realise that some people have never
experienced heartburn. This is a burning sensation felt on the upper abdomen
(between the ribs). In pregnancy, this occurs due to the growing uterus that
pushes the stomach up, predisposing the stomach acids to the move up and hence
cause the burning. Avoid lying down immediately after eating, take small
frequent meals and try using antacid tablets or syrup that should be
prescribed.
Constipation. This is where a pregnant woman passes hard
stools as a result of hormonal and physical changes. This can be eliminated by
taking lots of water, vegetables and fruits like pawpaw and mangoes.
Headaches. These would occur if you are not taking
enough water or a sign of hypertension. Try taking lots of plain water and seek
for medical help if symptoms persist.
Food cravings (pica). You might feel a desire of liking some foods
over others and this is okay. However try eating food that is nutritious. Cravings of items like stones and
soil is discouraged because of ingesting worms and have no nutritional value.
Swollen legs. This will mostly occur due to the pressure of
the uterus on the lower abdomen, hence interfering with backflow of fluids and
blood back to the heart. When this happens, get enough rest while elevating
your legs on a pillow.
Muscle ‘pool’ or cramp in the
legs. This mostly happens at
night. To stop the cramp, flex the foot (point it upward) and then gently
stroke the leg to help it relax.
c)
What are danger signs in pregnancy that would prompt a pregnant woman to
seek for medical help ASAP?
Bleeding
from the vagina
Breaking
of waters before 37 complete weeks
Severe
headaches
Swollen
face and limbs, and even body
Lower
abdominal pains radiating to the back in early 3rd trimester
Reduced
or cessation of foetal movements
d)
What is the estimated weight gain during pregnancy?
Weight
during pregnancy is distributed among the changes in body as follows;
|
Maternal
stores of nutrients & muscle development
|
3 kg
|
|
Body
fluid
|
2 kg
|
|
Blood
|
1.5
– 2kg
|
|
Breast
growth
|
900
g
|
|
Enlarged
uterus
|
1 kg
|
|
Amniotic
fluid
|
1 kg
|
|
Placenta
|
700
mg
|
|
Baby
weight
|
3 -4
kg
|
|
TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN
|
11-16 kgs
|
e)
When do I know it is the right time to go to the hospital for delivery?
This is when you will
experience the following around your expected date of delivery;
Lower
abdominal pains radiating to the back, and increase in consistency
Having
a mucous blood stain or plug come out of the vagina
Breaking
of waters
A
feeling of the baby settling or moving lower in the uterus (lightening)
f)
What is a birth plan?
This is a strategy that helps
you to be ready in good time for delivery of your baby. It has several aspects
including;
o
Know
your dates of expected
delivery
o
Knowing
where to deliver (which
hospital)
o
How to get to a hospital (transport)
o
Who will accompany you (birth partner)
o
Means
of payment (cash or insurance
card)
o
Carry
antenatal or hospital records
o
Pack
clean baby clothes
o
Who
will assist you at home?
g)
Who is a doula?
Doula is a Greek word
meaning, ‘a woman who serves’. A doula in pregnancy is therefore is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous
physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and
just after birth. She also provides emotional and practical lessons during the
postnatal period.
h)
Should my husband or a doula accompany me for delivery?
Yes, someone should accompany
you. If your husband is available it would be good to have him support you
(giving back rubs, taking you to the washroom, and bringing what you need).
Some people consider it as torture for the man, but one who is caring should
understand and be there for the wife. If possible, the husbands can learn from
nurses all about pregnancy and child birth, also know us Lamaze classes.
i)
What is water birth?
Water birth is
where a baby is born while the mum is in a pool of water warm, almost similar
to the temperatures of amniotic fluid in the uterus. It is said to lower the
magnitude of pain and make vaginal birth smoother. In Kenya, few hospitals have
this facility
j)
What are the essential nutrients to concentrate on during pregnancy?
Folic acid sources – whole grain cereals, okra, broccoli, spinach,
beans, asparagus, oranges, peanuts, almonds, flax seeds, fortified cereals,
cauliflower, beets
Iron sources – liver, poultry, fish, dried beans and peas,
iron-fortified cereals
Calcium sources – dairy products, broccoli and kales
Vitamin D sources – milk, orange juice, fatty fish like salmon
Protein sources – meat, poultry, fish, dried beans and peas,
eggs, nuts
k)
What are the foods I should avoid during pregnancy?
Limit caffeine
Avoid alcohol,
raw meat, and unpasteurized food (the bacteria in the food needs to be killed)
