For some women, pregnancy may be a much longed for desire, while for others it may be somewhat of a surprise or even a challenge. Whatever the situation you may be in when you find out you are pregnant, there may be some things in prenatal care you wish you had known beforehand. Read on for an insight of what you might expect.
1. You are tougher than you realise
You might feel that when you become pregnant, you have to wrap yourself in cotton wool. However, your body is made to look after a baby and they are pretty well protected in there. If you have any worries, chat with your midwife.
2. No two pregnancies are the same
You don’t have to put on three stone like your friend did or run 5k every day like your other friend did. Your pregnancy, your baby and you are all unique. Everyone will offer their opinion but you don’t have to listen to it. As long as what you’re doing is safe and you, your midwife and your partner are happy, then that’s what matters. Even your own pregnancies won’t be the same: you might have morning sickness and cramps with your first pregnancy, have heartburn and wind with the second and sail through your third with no issues at all.
3. Health considerations in pregnancy
Teeth: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your gums making them more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. It’s actually a myth that the calcium in your teeth is reduced but it is still a good idea to eat calcium-rich food while pregnant. Dental care is free during pregnancy and for one year after your due date. So get in touch with your dentist Sidcup (if you are in that area) for a checkup.
Tiredness: Feeling tired during pregnancy is common, especially in the first 12 weeks.
Hormonal changes at this time can make you feel tired, nauseous and emotional and, if possible, the best solution is to rest as much as possible.
Stomach pain: Stomach pains are common in pregnancy and are usually nothing to worry about. Harmless stomach pains, which can be dull or sharp, may be caused by the ligaments as they stretch to support your growing bump. This can feel like a sharp cramp on one side of your lower tummy. It’s often nothing to worry about if the pain is mild, but if you have stomach pains and are worried, call your midwife.
4. You may have some embarrassing symptoms
There may be some things that happen that you didn’t bargain for:
Wind: During early pregnancy, progesterone levels increase causing the smooth muscle tissue in your stomach and intestines to relax. This results in digestion slowing down, and with it, bloating and wind. Try cutting out foods such as beans, cabbage and fizzy drinks.
Leaking breasts: Your breasts may start to produce milk weeks, or months, before your due date. The substance is usually colostrum, which is the first milk your breasts make in preparation for your baby. Fear not, leaking is normal, nothing to worry about and you can buy breast pads to stave off any embarrassing wet patches on your blouse. When choosing protection, it helps to understand the various nursing pad differences available. Some pads are disposable for convenience, while others are reusable, offering better breathability and long-term comfort. Exploring these options can help you find what feels most supportive during this stage.
Haemorrhoids: Haemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, can happen in pregnancy because those annoying hormones that accompany pregnancy make your veins relax. Contrary to the previous point, eating fibre will help ease the constipation in pregnancy that causes piles. So, basically, if you have both of these symptoms, you can’t win.
Incontinence: You may suffer from stress incontinence where sneezing may cause you to accidentally empty your bladder. As the baby grows, the bladder is put under pressure so it’s recommended to empty the bladder regularly.
5. You don’t need to ‘eat for two’
It may be tempting to think you can ‘eat for two’ when you’re pregnant, but actually, all you need is about an extra 300 calories a day. This is equivalent to a bagel with one teaspoon of cream cheese or two hard boiled eggs. It may be tempting to eat more as you lose your waistline because an extra few pounds isn’t noticeable. However, the physical and mental implications of having put on a lot of weight with pregnancy shouldn’t be dismissed: dieting and lack of sleep when the baby has arrived do not go well together.
6. People will tell you all their horror stories about birth
Every birth is different and unique, so be prepared for everyone you meet giving their own experiences or opinions, whether you ask for them or not! From babies who are stuck during labour to emergency ‘c’ sections, you’ll hear it all. It’s always a good idea to be informed, but prenatal classes are a better way to grow your knowledge and network with other parents. NCT is the UK’s largest parenting charity, delivering a wide range of antenatal courses and postnatal workshops to 90,000 mums and dads across the UK each year.
7. Technology isn’t always right
Not every pregnancy is straightforward and sometimes issues are picked up in ultrasound scans. Those might at first feel scary and subsequent scans may be scheduled to check on concerns. Often, these concerns have either been unsubstantiated, have sorted themselves out or were not even there in the first place. Technology in pregnancy is amazing, but it doesn’t have the final say; for example, there have been more than one occasion when a scan informed someone they were having a boy and it turns out they were having a girl and vice versa.
8. Pregnancy discrimination is still rife in the workplace
Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is still common as employers break the boundaries. An employer is under an obligation to protect that employee’s health and safety once they are aware of their pregnancy and must not discriminate against her. Pregnancy discrimination at work is unlawful and you may need to ask an experienced lawyer to intervene to protect you.
The bottom line
The bottom line is that every pregnancy is unique; your journey is yours and no one else’s. Enjoy your pregnancy, as much as you can – it really is a miracle.