What to Expect
when you’RE
not
EXPECTING By Aliza Kravatz
& What to Expect When Your Expecting
16 and Pregnant
T
here’s a tiny new being developing inside of you a baby in the making. Adorable little fingers and toes are sprouting, eyes and ears are forming, brain cells are rapidly growing. And before you know it, the speck of a fetus inside of you will come to resemble the baby of your dreams: fully equipped and suitable for cuddling. Not surprisingly, a lot goes into making a baby. Happily for babies and the parents who love them, nature’s incredibly good at what it does. Which means that the chances that your baby will be born not only perfectly cute, but perfectly healthy, are already excellent. What’s more, there’s something you can do to help make those excellent chances even better while helping yourself to a healthier and more comfortable pregnancy. It’s something that’s relatively easy to do
except maybe when you’re feeling queasy and something that you probably already do at least three times a day. Yes, you guessed it: eating. But the challenge during pregnancy isn’t just to eat, though that may be challenge enough during those early months, it’s to eat as well as you can. Think of it this way. Eating well when you’re expecting is one of the first and best gifts you can give to your soon to arrive bundle of joy and it’s a gift that can keep on giving, handing out not just a healthier start in life but a healthier lifetime.
everyones just staring at me because i have a beachball as a stomach
W
hile it’s true that pregnancy has its share of wonderful moments and experiences to cherish, it also has a boatload of less than fabulous symptoms. Some you’re probably expecting to have (like that queasy feeling). Others you’d probably never expect, like drooling who knew? Many you’ll probably not discuss in public (and will try your best not to do in public, like passing gas), and many you’ll probably try to forget which you might, by the way, since forgetfulness is another pregnancy symptom. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind about these and other pregnancy symptoms. First, because every woman and every pregnancy is different, few pregnancy symptoms are universal. So while your sister or best friend might have sailed through her pregnancy with-
out a single nauseous moment, you might be spending every morning and afternoon and evening hovering over the toilet. Second, the symptoms that follow are a good sampling of what you might expect to experience though you almost certainly, thankfully, won’t experience them all at least not all at once, but there are plenty more where these came from. Chances are just about every weird and wacky sensation you feel during the next nine months both the physical ones and the emotional ones will be normal for pregnancy, and normal for you. But if a symptom ever leaves you with a nagging doubt can this really be normal? Always check it out with your practitioner, just to be sure.
how did you tell your mom you were pregnant?
through a text message...
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ot surprisingly, getting regular medical care in the form of prenatal visits makes a big difference in the outcome of your pregnancy. Women who see a practitioner regularly during pregnancy have healthier babies, and they are less likely to deliver prematurely and to have other serious pregnancy related problems. But though your health care should begin with your belly when you’re expecting, it shouldn’t end there. It’ll probably be easy to remember to see your prenatal practitioner regularly, but will you remember to take care of the rest of you, even the less apparently pregnant parts? To keep yourself wholly healthy during your whole nine months, stay on top of all your health care maintenance. Pay a visit to your dentist for a cleaning and a checkup. Check in with your internist,
family physician, or specialist if you have any chronic conditions or other medical problems that will need monitoring make sure your pregnancy practitioner’s in the loop about other care you’re receiving. And see your allergist, if necessary. You probably won’t begin a course of allergy shots now, but you may need to look into different treatment options now that you’re breathing for two. If new medical problems come up while you’re expecting, don’t ignore them, even if you’re already in over your head with pregnancy-related symptoms. Check any issue out with an appropriate physician. Your baby needs a wholly healthy mother.
mom
T
here’s nothing more natural than nursing a baby, right? Well, not always, at least not right away. Babies are born to nurse, but they’re not necessarily born knowing how to nurse. Ditto for moms. The breasts are standard issue, they fill with milk automatically, but knowing how to position them effectively in baby’s knowing how to nurse. Ditto for moms. The breasts are standard issue, they fill with milk automatically, but knowing how to position them effectively in baby’s mouth, well, that’s a learned art. Truth is, while breast feeding is a natural process, it’s a natural process that doesn’t necessarily come naturally or quickly to some mothers and babies. Sometimes there are physical factors that foil those first few attempts; at other times it’s just a simple lack of
experience on the part of both participants. But whatever might be keeping your baby and your breasts apart, it won’t be long before they’re in perfect sync. Some of the most mutually satisfying breast-baby relationships begin with several days or even weeks of fumbling, bungled efforts, and tears on both sides. Learning as much as you can about breastfeeding ahead of time including how to deal with those inevitable setbacks can help speed that mutual adjustment. Doing lots of reading up or even taking a prenatal class in breastfeeding will be invaluable.
I
s your growing bundle of joy making you a quivering bundle of nerves? Now’s a great time to learn some soothing relaxation techniques not just because they can help you cope with pregnancy concerns, but because they’ll come in handy in your hectic life as a new mom. Yoga’s a fabulous destresser, if you have time to take a prenatal class or practice with a DVD. If you don’t, you can try this simple relaxation technique, which is easy to learn and to do anywhere, anytime. If you find it helpful, you can do it when anxiety strikes or regularly several times a day to try to ward it off. Sit with your eyes closed and imagine a beautiful, peaceful scene, a sunset over your favorite beach, waves gently lapping the shore; a serene mountain vista, complete with babbling brook, or even your fantasized baby-to-
be, wrapped in your arms on a sunny day in the park. Then, working your way up from your toes to your face, concentrate on relaxing every muscle. Breathe slowly, deeply, through your nose unless it’s stuffed up and choose a simple word such as “yes” or “one”to repeat aloud every time you exhale. Ten to 20 minutes should do the trick, though even a minute or two is better than nothing.
i'll eff you up and ill eff her up too i don't even care that she's
pregnant
I
t’s long been speculated that optimistic people live longer, healthier lives. Now it’s been suggested that an expectant mother’s optimistic outlook can actually improve the outlook for her unborn baby, too. Researchers have found that seeing the bright side reduces the chance of a high-risk woman delivering a preterm or low- birthweight baby. A lower level of stress in optimistic women definitely plays a part in the lowered risk; high levels of stress, after all, have been implicated in a variety of health problems both in and out of pregnancy. But stress itself apparently doesn’t tell the whole story. Women who are optimistic, not surprisingly, are more likely to take better care of themselves eating well, exercising right, getting regular prenatal care, not smoking, drinking, or using drugs. And these positive behaviors
fueled by the power of positive thinking can, of course, have a very positive effect on pregnancy and fetal well-being. the power of positive thinking can, of course, have a very positive effect on pregnancy and fetal well-being. Researchers point out that it’s never too late to start reaping the benefits of optimism, even if you’re already pregnant. Learning how to expect the best instead of the worst can actually help make those expectations come true: a good reason to start seeing that glass of milk as half full instead of half empty.
H
as your innie been outed? Is it poking straight through your clothes these days? Don’t worry. There’s nothing novel about navels that pop during pregnancy. Just about every belly button does at some point. As the swelling uterus pushes forward, even the deepest “innie” is sure to pop like a timer on a turkey, except, on most women, the navel “pops” well before baby’s “done”. Your belly button should revert back to its regular position a few months after delivery, though it may bear the mommy mark. Until then, you can look at the bright side of your protruding navel: It gives you a chance to clean out all the lint that’s accumulated there since you were a kid. If you find that the outie look doesn’t quite work with the clingy fashion statement you’re trying to make, consider taping it
down you can use a Band-Aid, as long as it doesn’t irritate. But in the meantime, remember, it’s just one more pregnancy badge of honor to wear proudly. Join the club. Pregnant bellies are itchy bellies, and they can become progressively itchier as the months pass. That’s because as your belly grows, the skin stretches rapidly, becoming increasingly moisture deprived leaving it itchy and uncomfortable. Moisturizer can temporarily curb the itching. Apply a gentle one frequently and liberally. An anti-itching lotion may provide more relief, as can an oatmeal bath. If you have an all-over itch that’s not related to dry or sensitive skin, however, or develop a rash on your abdomen, check with your practitioner or doctor.
She got pregnant by a white boy.
How is he gonna raise
a black baby?
F
eeling your baby twist, wriggle, punch, kick, and hiccup is simply one of pregnancy’s biggest thrills it sure beats heartburn and puffy feet. There may be no better proof that a brand-new and impressively energetic life is developing within you. But fetal movements can also drive a mom-to-be to distraction with questions and doubts: Is my baby moving enough? Too much? One minute you’re sure those were kicks you were feeling, the next you’re second guessing yourself. One day you feel your baby’s twists and turns nonstop. The next day your little athlete seems to have been benched, and you barely feel a thing. Not to worry. At this stage of pregnancy, concerns about your baby’s movements while understandable are usually unnecessary. The frequency of movements at this point varies
a great deal, and patterns of movement are erratic at best. Though your baby is almost certainly on the move much of the time, you probably won’t be feeling it consistently until he or she is packing a more powerful punch. Some of those dance moves may be missed because of the fetal position (facing and kicking inward, for instance, instead of outward). Or because of your own activity when you’re walking or moving about a lot, your fetus may be rocked to sleep; or it may be awake, but you may be too busy to notice its movements. It’s also possible that you’re sleeping right through your baby’s most active period; for many that’s in the middle of the night.
you’re gonna have to fight me if you ever wanna come see my child!
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s if bathroom runs weren’t annoying enough lately, the third trimester has added another bladder issue to the mix: stress incontinence. This lack of bladder control causing you to spring a small leak when you cough, sneeze, lift something heavy, or even laugh is the result of the mounting pressure of the growing uterus on the bladder. Some women also experience urge incontinence, the sudden, overwhelming need to urinate during late pregnancy. Just because you’ve gained a lot of weight doesn’t necessarily mean your baby has. Your baby’s weight is determined by a number of variables: genetics, your own birthweight, if you were born large, your baby is more likely to be, too, your prepregnancy weight heavier women tend to have heavier babies, and the kinds of foods you’ve
gained the weight on. Depending on those variables, a 35 to 40pound weight gain can yield a 6 or 7 pound baby and a 25 pound weight gain can net an 8 pounder. On average, however, the more substantial the weight gain, the bigger the baby. By palpating your abdomen and measuring the height of your fundus, the top of the uterus, your practitioner will be able to give you some idea of your baby’s size, though such guesstimates can be off by a pound or more. An ultrasound can gauge size more accurately.
i seriously feel like I pissed myself,
do you know how
uncomfortable that is?
Y
ou may be in for a surprise at one of this month’s weigh-ins. Most expectant moms who reach the end of pregnancy also reach the end of pregnancy weight gain. Instead of watching the numbers on the scale go up and up, you may start seeing those numbers go nowhere or even go down over the last few weeks. What’s up or rather, down with that? After all, your baby isn’t losing weight and your ankles not to mention your hips are still plenty puffy, thank you very much. What’s happening is perfectly normal. In fact, this weight gain standstill or downward trend is one way that your body gets ready for labor. Amniotic fluid starts to decrease less water equals less weight, and loose bowels common as labor approaches can also send the numbers down, as can all that sweating you’re doing especially
if you’ve been nesting overtime. And if you think this weight loss is exciting, wait until delivery day. That’s when you’ll experience your biggest one-day weightloss total ever! Every baby’s different, even before he or she is born especially when it comes to activity levels, and particularly as delivery day approaches. While some babies move a bit less as they get ready to arrive, others keep up an energetic pace right until it’s time for that first face-to-face. In late pregnancy, there is generally a gradual decline in the number of movements, probably related to tighter quarters, a decrease in amniotic fluid, and improved fetal coordination.
is she?
pregnant fat? or just
F
ill er’ up! Your kitchen, that is. Though shopping for strollers, diapers, and pint-size clothing understandably has been your priority these days, don’t forget to take a time out at the market. Even with swollen ankles and a super-size belly weighing you down, grocery and staple shopping is easier nine months pregnant than it will be again for a long time so take advantage and stock up now so you won’t have to later with baby and car seat, and diaper bag in tow. Fill your pantry, fridge, and freezer to the brim with healthy foods that are easy to serve cheese sticks, individual containers of yogurt, frozen fruit bars, frozen fruit for making smoothies, cereal, granola bars, soups, dried fruit and nuts. Don’t forget the paper products, too you’ll be using paper towels by the crateful, and disposable plates and cups can fill
in when you don’t get around to emptying the dishwasher. And while you’re in the kitchen and have the time cook up some extra servings of your favorite freezerfriendly foods lasagna, mini meatloaves, chili, pancakes, muffins, and store them in clearly marked single-meal containers in the freezer. They’ll be ready to pop in the microwave when you’re pooped and hungry after the long day.
just don’t name the baby
cowbell
or somethin’ like that
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ow that the work of labor and delivery is done, you may feel overwhelmingly exhausted or, conversely, experience a burst of renewed energy. If you’ve been deprived of food and drink, you are likely to be very thirsty and, especially if labor has been long, hungry. How will you feel emotionally after you’ve delivered your baby? Every wo How will you feel emotionally after you’ve delivered your baby? Every woman reacts a little differently, and your reaction is normal for you. Your first emotional response may be joy, but it’s just as likely to be a sense of relief. You may be exhilarated and talkative, elated and excited, a little impatient at having to push out the placenta or submit to the repair of an episiotomy or a tear, or so in awe of what you’re cuddling in your arms or so beat,
or a little bit of both that you don’t notice. You may feel a closeness to your spouse and an immediate bond with your new baby. You may feel somewhat detached who is this stranger sniffing at my breast, even a little resentful particularly if the delivery was a difficult one so this is the little person who made me suffer so much! No matter what your response now, you will come to love your baby intensely. These things just sometimes take time. Congratulations you’ve done it! Relax and enjoy your new baby!