Baby Care

Archive for the ‘General’ Category

There are numerous fears an expectant mother faces throughout her pregnancy term. These fears are based on many aspects such as rumors, myths, emotions, hormones and even past experiences. However, educating yourself, especially early in your pregnancy, can help calm your nerves somewhat. Keep in mind that as your trimester changes, so does your fears. Some fears, such as the health of your baby may last the entire pregnancy, while other fears such as labor and delivery surface in the third trimester. It’s okay to be fearful, especially if you’re a first time mother. Each pregnancy is different.

We’ve collected the top pregnancy fears, and try to explain why you shouldn’t fear them anymore.

• Miscarriage- The number one fear expectant mother’s face is having a miscarriage. Less than 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, plus most miscarriages happen within the first few weeks of pregnancy when expectant mothers aren’t expecting. Once you’ve passed the 6-8 week pregnant mark, you’ll be able to hear a heartbeat at your doctor’s appointment and hopefully put your fear aside, as miscarriage percentages decrease dramatically after the first trimester.

• Weight Gain- Many women worry about the amount of weight they will gain while they’re pregnant. Statistics show that 14-20% of mother’s keep some of the weight they put on, however, a steady diet and exercise can help shed the extra pounds. Finding an exercise class such as yoga during your pregnancy, can not only benefit you and your baby, but it can also help you maintain a routine once the baby is born.

• Health of Baby- Many expectant mothers find themselves consumed with negative thoughts and emotions that deal with the health of their baby. Having a healthy baby starts with a healthy pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins, eating healthy, exercising and doing things to keep your spirits high are all important things you can do to help ensure the health of your baby. Still, it’s important to remember the unavoidable risks of birth defects that are genetically related.

• Parenting Skills- Many expectant parents spend a lot of time worrying about whether they will be a good parent. It’s a normal fear, and more importantly it’s a healthy sign that the parent will turn out just fine. Many experts remind future parents that they don’t need potty training skills right after their baby is born, and parenting styles are developed as the baby grows.

• Labor and Delivery- Almost every pregnant woman, especially first time expectant mothers, find themselves in sheer fear of labor and delivery. Questions like “How long will it last?” or “How much will it hurt?” can be found in the brains of pregnant women worldwide. Enrolling in childbirth classes such as Lamaze, The Bradley Method or Yoga can help prepare you for the pain, long hours and intense emotions. Childbirth classes not only help you understand the process of childbirth, but they also give you confidence when dealing with pain.

• Harming The Baby- Many expectant mothers are very cautious when it comes to activities, food, beverages, medicine, etc. One of the biggest pregnancy fears is that the mom-to-be will somehow, unintentionally harm her baby. It’s important to remember that your doctor will give you a list of no-no’s, and if you stay away from these things, eat healthy and exercise, there’s really no need to drive yourself crazy.

• Weight Loss- Many expectant mothers are fearful that they won’t be able to lose the weight they’ll gain while pregnant. It’s one thing to fear how much weight you’ll put on, but it’s a totally different fear agonizing if you’ll be able to go back to your ‘pre-pregnant days’ body. It’s a very common fear, however, if you’re that worried about it, make sure you continue to eat healthy and exercise regularly after you give birth.

• Emergency C-Section- Generally c-sections are not spontaneous. In most cases, the c-section is planned if the baby is too large, breech, if there is problems with the placenta or if the mother has had previous c-sections. Doctors usually know of the problem before the baby is in position to be vaginally delivered, so they discuss the options ahead of time with everyone involved.

• Stress- Ironically, expectant mothers find themselves stressing over the idea that their baby will be harmed due to the amount of stress the mother is experiencing. Experts say that mild stress is actually good, and that the stress releases good hormones for mom and baby. Severe stress however, has been associated statistically with lower birth weight babies.

• Sex- Many pregnant mothers worry about having sex during pregnancy and if sex will ever be the same again. The truth is, as long as you and your doctor are okay with you having sex while you’re pregnant, there’s nothing to be fearful of. Even after birth, many women feel like their body parts will never return to normal, nor will they ever have a sex drive again. The truth is, your body will return to normal after the healing process, and yes breastfeeding does decrease your sex drive, however your libido will also continue to increase.

Many expectant parents know how hard it might be to get a good night’s sleep in the months that follow the birth of their child, but who would have guessed that catching some ZZZs during pregnancy would prove to be so difficult?

Actually, you may sleep more than usual during the first trimester of your pregnancy. It’s normal to feel tired as your body works to protect and nurture the developing baby. The placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus until birth) is just forming, your body is making more blood, and your heart is pumping faster.

It’s usually later in pregnancy, though, that most women have trouble getting enough deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Why Can Sleeping Be Difficult During Pregnancy?

The first and most pressing reason behind sleep problems during pregnancy is the increasing size of the fetus, which can make it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position. If you’ve always been a back or stomach sleeper, you might have trouble getting used to sleeping on your side (as doctors recommend). Also, shifting around in bed becomes more difficult as the pregnancy progresses and your size increases.

Other common physical symptoms may interfere with sleep as well:

• The frequent urge to urinate: Your kidneys are working harder to filter the increased volume of blood (30% to 50% more than you had before pregnancy) moving through your body, and this filtering process results in more urine. Also, as your baby grows and the uterus gets bigger, the pressure on your bladder increases. This means more trips to the bathroom, day and night. The number of nighttime trips may be greater if your baby is particularly active at night.

• Increased heart rate: Your heart rate increases during pregnancy to pump more blood, and as more of your blood supply goes to the uterus, your heart will be working harder to send sufficient blood to the rest of your body.

• Shortness of breath: At first, your breathing may be affected by the increase in pregnancy hormones, which will cause you to breathe in more deeply. This might make you feel as if you’re working harder to get air. Later on, breathing may feel more difficult as your enlarging uterus takes up more space, resulting in pressure against your diaphragm (the muscle just below your lungs).

• Leg cramps and backaches: Pains in your legs or back are caused in part by the extra weight you’re carrying. During pregnancy, the body also produces a hormone called relaxin, which helps prepare the body for childbirth. One of the effects of relaxin is the loosening of ligaments throughout the body, making pregnant women less stable and more prone to injury, especially in their backs.

• Heartburn and constipation: Many women experience heartburn, which occurs when the stomach contents reflux back up into the esophagus. During pregnancy, the entire digestive system slows down and food tends to remain in the stomach and intestines longer, which may cause heartburn or constipation. Heartburn and constipation can both get worse later on in the pregnancy when the growing uterus presses on the stomach or the large intestine.

Your sleep problems may have other causes as well. Many pregnant women report that their dreams become more vivid than usual, and some even experience nightmares. Stress can interfere with sleep, too. Maybe you’re worried about your baby’s health, anxious about your abilities as a parent, or feeling nervous about the delivery itself. All of these feelings are normal, but they might keep you (and your partner) up at night.

Finding a Good Sleeping Position

Early in your pregnancy, try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart’s job easier because it keeps the baby’s weight from applying pressure to the large vein (called the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.

Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side. Because your liver is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off that large organ. Sleeping on the left side also improves circulation to the heart and allows for the best blood flow to the fetus, uterus, and kidneys. Ask what your doctor recommends — in most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back.

But don’t drive yourself crazy worrying that you might roll over onto your back during the night. Shifting positions is a natural part of sleeping that you can’t control. Most likely, during the third trimester of your pregnancy, your body won’t shift into the back-sleeping position anyway because it will be too uncomfortable.

If you do shift onto your back and the baby’s weight presses on your inferior vena cava, the discomfort will probably wake you up. See what your doctor recommends about this; he or she may suggest that you use a pillow to keep yourself propped up on one side.

Try experimenting with pillows to discover a comfortable sleeping position. Some women find that it helps to place a pillow under their abdomen or between their legs. Also, using a bunched-up pillow or rolled-up blanket at the small of your back may help to relieve some pressure. In fact, you’ll find that there are many “pregnancy pillows” on the market. If you’re thinking about purchasing one, talk with your doctor first about which one might work for you.

Tips for Sleeping Success

Although they might seem appealing when you’re feeling desperate to get some ZZZs, remember that over-the-counter sleep aids, including herbal remedies, are not recommended for pregnant women. Instead, the following pointers may safely improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep:

• Cut out caffeinated drinks like soda, coffee, and tea from your diet as much as possible. Restrict any intake of them to the morning or early afternoon.
• Avoid drinking a lot of fluids or eating a full meal within a few hours of going to bed at night. (But make sure that you also get plenty of nutrients and liquids throughout the day.) Some women find it helpful to eat more at breakfast and lunch and then have a smaller dinner. If nausea is keeping you up, you may want to eat a few crackers before you go to bed.
• Get into a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
• Avoid rigorous exercise right before you go to bed. Instead, do something relaxing, like soaking in a warm bath for 15 minutes or having a warm, caffeine-free drink, such as milk with honey or a cup of herbal tea.
• If a leg cramp awakens you, it may help to press your feet hard against the wall or to stand on the leg. Also, make sure that you’re getting enough calcium in your diet, which can help reduce leg cramps.
• Take a class in yoga or learn other relaxation techniques to help you unwind after a busy day. (Be sure to discuss any new activity or fitness regimen with your doctor first.)
• If fear and anxiety are keeping you awake, consider enrolling in a childbirth or parenting class. More knowledge and the company of other pregnant women may help to ease the fears that are keeping you awake at night.

What to Do When You Can’t Sleep ?

Of course, there are bound to be times when you just can’t sleep. Instead of tossing and turning, worrying that you’re not asleep, and counting the hours until your alarm clock will go off, get up and do something: read a book, listen to music, watch TV, catch up on letters or email, or pursue some other activity you enjoy. Eventually, you’ll probably feel tired enough to get back to sleep.

And if possible, take short naps (30 to 60 minutes) during the day to make up for lost sleep. It won’t be long before your baby will be setting the sleep rules in your house, so you might as well get used to sleeping in spurts!

With any luck your child won’t be averse to warmth and affection even after she’s reached adulthood, but cuddles do change and get more grown-up, and you have to give the kind of affection your child needs rather than the kind you want to give. So adapt your style to what gives her most comfort.

Preschool children need lots of hugs every day, especially congratulatory ones, as when they’ve mastered something like getting their shoes on the right feet. Comfort hugs are essential at the first sign of tears. A child responds much better to a hug than a reprimand. Therapeutic hugs reduce the pain of a vaccination, a bump, or a cut in seconds. Never let your child go to sleep without a huge hug and an “I love you.”

As your child gets older, hugs are transformed into other actions, but they have the same bolstering, encouraging effect. A hand on the shoulder, a caress, or talking your child’s hand is a sign of love and her sense of security and confidence will soar. Your child craves your love and approval; never leave her in any doubt that she has both.

Giving comfort

Many of your child’s troubles can be solved with a hug and a few sympathetic words from you.