Enjoying Your Pregnancy Guide to Understanding - Brigham and ...

12
Your Prenatal Guide
of gaining 25 pounds seems distressing. But you will lose
most of the weight gain when the baby is born, or right
afterwards.
Keep a weight chart and weigh yourself weekly. We’ll be
weighing you at every appointment, but keep track of
your weight yourself, too.
If you are simply ravenous, and start to gain weight
quickly...talk to us. We can suggest some foods that you
can eat a lot of and still not gain those pounds that will
make labor difficult. Refer to the Nutrition Section (pages
17-18) of this booklet for a complete outline of
suggestions.
BREASTS
Right from the beginning, your breasts may be larger,
firmer and more tender than usual. The areola, the dark
area around the nipples, may get larger and grow darker in
color. Halfway through your pregnancy, your breasts may
start to secrete fluid (colostrum) in small amounts. Be sure
to keep them clean with frequent washing, and toward the
end of your pregnancy, you may want to put gauze pads
inside your bra to protect your clothes.
The veins right under your skin may
become more noticeable, too. This is
caused by an increased blood supply
preparing your breasts for milk
production. For most women, if
you are planning to breastfeed
your infant, no special nipple
preparation is required. It is
recommended that you keep
your nipples dry and wash
with warm water - no soap.
• DANGER SIGNS •
URINATION
When your uterus expands, it puts pressure on your bladder. The need to urinate is
common in the first stages of pregnancy, and in the last weeks. Don’t try to control this
issue by drinking less fluids. Your baby needs you to drink at least two quarts of liquids a
day. You may find it more comfortable to have a readily accessible restroom during the first
three months of your pregancy and when you are nearing birth.
SOURCES OF WEIGHT GAIN
MATERNAL
Uterus - 2 1 /2 pounds
Blood Volume - 3 1 /2 pounds
Breasts - 2 pounds
Fluid - 4 pounds
FETAL
Fetus - 7 1 /2 pounds
Placenta and
Membranes - 1 1 /2 pounds
Amniotic Fluid - 2 pounds
Pregnancy is a normal state for women, but sometimes
complications arise that require our immediate attention.
Almost all complications give some kind of warning sign,
and you may be the first to notice a symptom that needs
attention.
We check your blood pressure, urine, weight and fetal
heartbeat at each appointment because changes in these
vital signs could signal a problem. Problems that are
caught early have the best chance of being treated and
eliminated. Call us immediately if you experience any of
these symptoms:
• Bleeding from breast nipples, rectum, bladder or coughing
up of blood
• Vaginal bleeding, no matter how slight (unless small
amount after a pelvic exam)
• Swelling of hands or face
• Dimness or blurring of vision
• Severe or continuous headaches
• Abdominal pains that don’t go away with heat and rest or
a bowel movement
• Chills or fever over 100o • Persistent vomiting
• Painful or burning urination
• Decreased fetal movement
• Sudden or slow escape of fluid from the vagina
These symptoms may indicate serious complications of
pregnancy that need immediate attention.
NAUSEA
Some women suffer with “morning sickness" and some
women are never nauseated. “Morning sickness” isn’t
necessarily confined to the morning hours. Try eating
smaller meals of simple foods, avoiding spicy and highly
acidic foods, and lie down immediately after eating for
just a few minutes. If your nausea is more severe than
this, try eating a dry saltine cracker just before getting up
in the morning. Sometimes a little bland food in the
stomach will help you digest a breakfast later. Few
women suffer with nausea after the fourth month, but if
it is unusually severe, call us. You need to eat well to
grow a healthy baby. Medication is usually reserved for
those who have significant vomiting or dehydration.
Take your prenatal vitamins or iron during the day when
nausea is not a problem.