New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health

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Ligaments of the uterus: There are ligaments attached to the outside of the uterus and your body. They keep the uterus from moving around in the abdomen. If the ligament stretches too quickly it can cause pain in the low belly. The pain is usually on the left or right side below the belly button. Pelvic floor muscle/Kegel exercise: Your body has muscles that hold your baby, uterus, bladder and intestines up inside. These are called the pelvic floor muscles. Kegel exercises help those muscles stay strong. To do a Kegel: Tighten your bottom like you are trying to stop your urine from coming out. Hold these muscles tight for 5 seconds. If you do this 20-30 times a day you will feel better. It can help keep urine from leaking when you cough or sneeze. It will also help your muscles work better when you are birthing. Quickening: The first movements of the baby that the mother feels. Movement is usually felt between 16 and 22 weeks. Vulva: The female genitals that are covered with pubic hair. W HAT W ILL H APPEN AT M Y C HECK- UPS • After about 12 weeks, they will start listening to your baby’s heartbeat. • They will ask you to watch for first movements of the baby. Try to remember the date. • The following tests may be offered or suggested: 16 to 18 weeks Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP or Triple Screen): A blood test that screens for problems with the spinal cord or other chromosomal problems like Down’s syndrome. Amniocentesis: A test of amniotic fluid that can tell about genetic problems. 18 to 20 weeks Ultrasound: A test that uses sound waves through the abdomen of the mother to make a picture of the baby. It can tell how many babies are in the uterus, how the baby is growing and how the placenta is working. 26 to 28 weeks O’Sullivan: A blood test to look at the sugar in your blood. If your blood sugar is too high, a GTT (3 hour Glucose Tolerance Test) will be done. These tests check for diabetes in pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes). Some things you might want to talk about with your care provider at your prenatal check-ups: 1. What do I need to know about traveling 2. Am I at risk for preterm labor 3. How can I have a healthier pregnancy 4. Are there classes I should take 5. Are there books or videos I should get 6. Can I try to have a vaginal birth if I already had a cesarean birth What do I need to know 7. Do you suggest using a doula for help in labor 8. Are there medical problems in our families (mine and my partner’s) that should be checked out by the Fullerton Genetics Center Examples: - Sickle cell anemia - Cystic fibrosis - Muscular dystrophy - Birth defects (cleft palate, heart defects, spina bifida) - Mental retardation - Two or more unexplained miscarriages 20 9. Are the following safe during pregnancy: - Herbs - Homeopathics - Chiropractic Care - Pregnancy Massage - Spas (hot tubs) B ABY At the end of your fourth month your baby has grown to about 6 inches and weighs about 5 ounces. The sex of your baby may be seen by ultrasound. Small eyebrows and eye lashes have formed. A fine, thin hair (lanugo) covers your baby’s body. Your baby begins to look more like a human. Fingernails and toenails are forming. At the end of the fifth month your baby has grown very fast and is about 8-12 inches long and weighs 8 ounces to 1 pound. A white creamy substance (vernix) covers your baby to protect the skin. Hair has started to grow on the head. Your baby practices swallowing, sucking and breathing movements. Your baby’s first teeth have formed in the gums. The bones inside the ear have formed and your baby can hear the outside world. At the end of the sixth month your baby’s eyes begin to open and close. The first bowel movement (meconium) is forming in the intestines. The lungs are formed, but not ready to work on their own. The baby can cough and hiccup. Sweat glands are forming in the skin. Your baby is about 12-14 inches and weighs 1 1 /2 to 2 pounds. FATHER/PARTNER As the early weeks of pregnancy have now passed, you may be thinking more about the future. You may have the following questions:
• How much does it really cost to have a baby • Do we need help with money or maybe services in the community • Can I take time off from work when the baby is born • What things do we need for the baby • How do we find a doctor to take care of the baby • How do we find out about daycare in our area • Is it O.K. to have sex during pregnancy These are important questions to think about. Below are some ideas on getting answers to these questions. • You can talk with our staff at Mission about the hospital cost of having a baby. Call 213-1508. They can help you make payments or answer any questions. • Your doctor’s/midwife’s office staff can discuss payment for the doctor/ midwife fee. This charge includes all prenatal care and the fee for delivering your baby. • Talk with your employer about scheduling time off. (See the First Trimester Pregnancy Guide for information about the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).) • A list of things you will need for your baby is in the Third Trimester Pregnancy Guide. A great way to get these things for less money is to go to thrift shops and yard sales. • If you need help getting a car seat call Safe Kids at 213-5548. • See the Third Trimester Pregnancy Guide for information about finding a baby doctor. • Call 250-6700 for Buncombe County Child Care Services for a listing of child care services in Buncombe County. • Unless your doctor has told you differently, sex is considered safe during pregnancy. By 28 weeks mom may be having changes that make her uncomfortable. Your patience and understanding are very important to her. Read and go to classes with her to find out ways to help her be more comfortable. T RAVEL T IPS Most women can travel during their pregnancy. If you are told you have a “high-risk” pregnancy your care provider may give you special instructions for traveling. The best time for traveling will be in the second trimester (weeks 14-28). Always talk with your care provider before you travel. For traveling in a car: • Always wear your seat belt. Put the lap belt below your tummy, low on your hips. Do not wear the lap belt in the middle or above your tummy. Put the shoulder straps between your breasts. For traveling in a car, train or bus: • Try not to travel more than 6 hours a day. • Take pillows for head and low back. • Wear loose, comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes. • Stop every 1-2 hours to walk around. • Don’t drink caffeinated drinks. Drink lots of water, juice or milk. For traveling by plane: • Sit in seats that are in front of the wings. The ride is less noisy and bumpy. • Ask for an aisle seat so you can move around. • Eat light bland foods before the flight and take crackers with you. • Wear loose comfortable clothes. Take a light jacket or sweater for changes in temperature. • Don’t drink caffeinated drinks. Drink lots of water, juice and milk. 21 P REVENTING P RETERM L ABOR What is a preterm birth Any baby born three weeks or more before the due date is preterm. When babies are born preterm they have a greater chance for health problems. These can be health problems at the time of birth and for the rest of their lives. They can have problems: • Sucking and digesting their food. This could mean they don’t gain weight and their body won’t get the things it needs for growing. • They can have breathing problems like asthma and more illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. What is preterm labor Preterm labor is uterine contractions that can dilate your cervix and cause your baby to be born before 37 weeks. Preterm labor may not always feel the same as labor at 40 weeks. The contractions may not feel “painful.” Never ignore any of the following symptoms: • Menstrual-like cramps (constant or occasional). • Low, dull backache (constant or occasional). • Pelvic pressure (feels like the baby is pushing down) in the vagina. • Abdominal cramping (with or without diarrhea). • Increase or change in vaginal discharge. • Uterine contractions every 10 minutes or more often. (The contractions may not hurt. They may only feel like pressure or tightening.) • Call your doctor right away if you are bleeding or you feel water leaking from your vagina.
Page 1 and 2: New Beginnings
Page 3 and 4: U SING THIS INFORMATION Your doctor
Page 5 and 6: First Trimester PREGNANCY GUIDE Mon
Page 7 and 8: Ultrasound The ultrasound machine u
Page 9 and 10: Personal Care: Brush your teeth twi
Page 11 and 12: N UTRITION H INTS F OR M OM Even th
Page 13 and 14: C OMING TO THE HOSPITAL Any time yo
Page 15 and 16: C LASSES: PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND
Page 17 and 18: O THER RESOURCES AND HELPFUL TELEPH
Page 19 and 20: S UPPORT S ERVICES FOR P REGNANT W
Page 21 and 22: OB PRE-REGISTRATION F ORM ( OR REGI
Page 23: Second Trimester PREGNANCY GUIDE Mo
Page 27 and 28: I MPORTANT C HANGES I N Y OUR B ODY
Page 29 and 30: “Our baby needs special care” B
Page 31 and 32: Third Trimester PREGNANCY GUIDE Mon
Page 33 and 34: 36 to 40 weeks An average pregnancy
Page 35 and 36: After the birth supplies: • Night
Page 37 and 38: Exclusive breastfeeding recommended
Page 39 and 40: Preparing other children for a new
Page 41 and 42: Our guides for siblings at birth:
Page 43 and 44: For the safety of your baby We want
Page 45 and 46: Car Seats Your baby must have a car
Page 47 and 48: New Baby PARENTING GUIDE After the
Page 49 and 50: • When you feel tense and angry,
Page 51 and 52: Care when not breastfeeding • Wea
Page 53 and 54: E ARLY B REASTFEEDING HOW TO GET BR
Page 55 and 56: D ID YOU KNOW... Radon is a colorle

New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health

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