SPRING 2016

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Pregnancy Hormones Changes in hormones during pregnancy can cause physical changes and mood swings. Hormones are chemicals that circulate in the blood, and they have powerful and varied functions. Different hormones regulate body functions and carry messages from one part of the body to another. Hormones recognise emotional triggers; they can cause you to cry when you are sad and to react to fear or danger with the ‘fight or flight’ response. Hormones (during pregnancy) are there to help regulate the many changes taking place to enable your baby to be born safely. Understanding what the hormones are doing may help you understand the changes in your body, and help decide what’s normal and what may not be. Some of the most significant hormones in pregnancy are oestrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, endorphins, prolactin. Hormones also play an important part in the process of birth. Conception and hormones in early pregnancy During early pregnancy, the female hormones (which include oestrogen and progesterone) have helped release an egg from your ovary and implant it in the lining of your uterus. You will have higher levels of both of these hormones as they help to create the necessary increase in blood supply, especially to the uterus and your breasts. Progesterone and another hormone, relaxin, also enable the muscles of the uterus to relax to make room for the growing baby. The change may affect other muscles in the body, which can sometimes make your joints and your back ache and affect your pelvic floor. The relaxed muscles and tissues in your digestive system may also contribute to experiences such asheartburn, nausea, and constipation. Hormones and emotions during pregnancy The altered hormone levels can affect how you feel. You may at times feel low or tearful or be easily irritated. For a while, you may experience mood swings during pregnancy or feel that your emotions are out of control. Often these symptoms ease after the first three months of being pregnant. The feelings of loss of control are also linked to the changes in your body, and it is a good idea to remind yourself that they are all designed to provide a healthy environment for your growing baby and to help you give birth without problems. Pelvic floor The pelvic girdle is the system of bones that surround and protect your uterus and other organs in this area. Its base, the pelvic floor, is a network of muscles and ligaments which support the organs, including the expanding uterus with the baby inside. The softening of the tissue caused by the relaxin hormone means these ligaments are more elastic to help when the baby is born, but the muscles need to be kept strong with pelvic floor exercises. Hormones later in pregnancy For many women – though not all – the middle months see a return of energy levels and an end to nausea and some other problems of the early weeks. You may find that the actions of hormones now make your skin glow and your hair shine – this is the ‘blooming’ stage that others often notice. Your shape may become more visible and you may feel able to be more public about the fact that you are pregnant. The risk of miscarriage reduces as you leave the first trimester, and many women begin to feel more confident in their pregnancy. 12
To have and to hold by Alice Reade A colleague at work had brought in her 6 week old baby to the office. I was 8 months pregnant with my first and in the full throws of baby books, NCT classes, hospital visits etc etc. I was quite simply in awe of this woman who had survived it! While I was quizzing her I just couldn't stop worrying about what was happening to her baby. The room of 20 or so of our colleagues were stood around in a circle and the baby was being passed round to each person. He was crying and screaming so loudly his face was red and legs were kicking away. I was no expert having never held a baby in my life, but no one was supporting his head as he was being passed on. We had just talked about the dangers of smoke around babies and I knew at least one of our colleagues holding the baby was a heavy smoker. Never mind about the office germs hanging about! My colleague, bless her, was busily chatting to everyone and eating her sandwich (she was explaining that breast feeding makes you constantly hungry). In hindsight I know she was probably relieved for the break from baby and to have adult company. But for me, I didn't like it. Of course family and friends will want to meet and cuddle our baby but does everyone have to hold the baby? Would I like to be passed round all these strange people? A very possessive and protective instinct kicked in. Luckily, my husband shared this. We asked our NCT antenatal class leader what she thought. She instilled confidence in us with a smile and strong reminder "it's your baby". The potential issues such a the chemicals from smokers and need for head support were real issues. Most wonderfully, she also gave us some tactics to politely stop the 'pass the baby' issue! Our baby girl arrived safely and our protective instinct only grew. I had put off visits to work but when it was time to go in, the tactics from our NCT leader were ace. The baby was settled in the pram and was wheeled round for all to 'view'. When people asked to hold her we politely said that she was settled in her pram so we better leave her. When she got unsettled I whisked her off for a feed and change. I know people were disappointed not to hold her but it was such a relief. I didn't want to see her being passed around, she was mine and I wanted to protect her. But more than that I was empowered. I had trusted my instincts and had been assertive to do what I thought was right for my baby. 13
Page 1 and 2: Dunstable & District Branch Newslet
Page 3 and 4: Spring 2016 Branch News 4 New Membe
Page 5 and 6: New Members Welcome to our new memb
Page 7 and 8: Home Birth Support For those planni
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Page 11: lunches. The cafe at the zoo was my
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Page 27 and 28: Baby First Aid Courses NCT has team
Page 29 and 30: pouch for almost all the parents wh
Page 31 and 32: I had about staying at home till my
Page 33 and 34: skin until it bleeds. It can be con
Page 35 and 36: Tiny Twisters Kensworth Village Hal
Page 37 and 38: Your Branch Needs You! Current Volu
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SPRING 2016

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