BaiBoo » 3rd Trimester

How can I prevent leg muscle cramps?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:44:59 +0000

Avoid standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time.
Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when you do sit down.
Stretch your calf muscles several times before you go to bed: Straighten your leg, heel first, and gently flex your ankles and toes.
Relax the cramp by massaging the muscle or warming it with a hot-water bottle.

If your muscle pain is constant and not just an occasional cramp, contact your doctor. A pregnant woman can develop venous thrombosis, or a blood clot, which requires immediate medical attention. This is very rare though.

How can I prevent swollen hands and feet (oedema)?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:44:20 +0000

There are a few things you can do to keep your hands and feet from swelling during pregnancy:

Elevate your feet when possible. Keep a stool under your desk or table to put your feet up and lie on your left side when possible.
Drink enough water. Keeping hydrated helps your body retain less water.
Exercise! Walking, swimming or riding an exercise bike are safe ways of staying healthy and keeping your blood flow.
Eat well, avoid sodium and salty foods.
Don’t worry. Oedema is a temporary condition that will pass soon after you give birth.

What is pre-eclampsia? Does it have to do with swelling?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:43:40 +0000

Pre-eclampsia is swelling that happens suddenly, characterised by high blood pressure. It can be accompanied by rapid weight gain in the second half of pregnancy, and protein in the urine. Pre-eclampsia can be mild or severe and it can’t be cured, but it can be managed.

It can be dangerous for your unborn baby, since it reduces the flow of blood to the placenta. If you suspect that you might have pre-eclampsia, contact your doctor immediately. If pre-eclampsia develops into eclampsia, your blood pressure will become extremely high and both you and your baby will be at risk.

What are Kegels, or Kegel exercises?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:43:01 +0000

Kegels are exercises you can do to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Those are the muscles that support your urethra, bladder, uterus, and rectum. Kegels also improve circulation to your rectal and vaginal area, helping to avoid hemorrhoids and speeding healing after an episiotomy or tear during childbirth.

This is how you do it:

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
Tighten the muscles of the vagina as if trying to interrupt the flow of urine when going to the bathroom.
Hold for a count of four, then release. Repeat 10 times. Try to work up to three or four sets about three times a day.

How much weight should I gain during my pregnancy? Is my weight gain normal?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:41:59 +0000

This depends on your body mass index (BMI) before you conceived.

If your pre-pregnancy weight was in the healthy range (a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9), you should gain between 11.3 and 15.9 kilograms, gaining 0.9 to 2.3 kilograms in the first trimester and a little less than half a kilo per week for the rest of your pregnancy for the optimal growth of your baby.

If you were underweight at conception (a BMI below 18.5), you should gain 12.5 to 18 kilograms. If you were overweight (a BMI of 25 to 29.9), you should gain 6.8 to 11.3 kilograms. If you were obese (a BMI of 30 or higher), you should gain no more than 6.8 kilograms. If you’re having twins you should gain about 16 to 20.5 kilograms. If you want to make sure you’re OK, tak to your doctor about how much you should gain each month.

Calculate your BMI:
Take your length in meters (for example 1.60 meters)
Take the square of your lenght (for example 1.60 x 1.60= 2.56)
Take your weight in kilograms (for example 55 kilograms)
Divide your weight through the square of your length (55:2.56=21.48)
Your BMI is 21.48

My tummy is getting hairy! Furry even! Why?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:41:20 +0000

This is caused by your hormones. With some women the hair is quite dark, whereas for others it is light peach colored. Don’t worry, after the birth of your baby it will go back to normal.

What is the dark line on my tummy?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:40:46 +0000

It is called the linea negra. This is the dark line from your pubic bone to your belly button and is caused by hormones. It will disappear after birth.

What are the benefits of pregnancy or prenatal massage?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:40:10 +0000

Physical touch is a powerful healing tool. It can convey comfort and love, but can also alleviate pains. Benefits of massage may include: less stress, better blood and lymph circulation which can reduce swelling, eases labor pain, enhancement of the pliability of the skin and underlying tissues and relief from lower back, neck and leg pains.

What is vernix?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:39:37 +0000

This is the fatty substance on baby’s skin, which is still present at birth. Vernix forms around week 20 of the pregnancy.

What is linea negra?

Administrator — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:39:06 +0000

This is the dark line from your pubic bone to your belly button and is caused by hormones. It will disappear after birth.